Demand for styrofoam continues to rise in the United States

According to a recent report by the Freedonia Group, DEMAND for styrofoam in the US will grow at an annual rate of 4.1 per cent to 8.6 billion pounds, or a whopping $24.7 billion, by 2017. Affected by the economic crisis, the FOAM plastics market in the United States has been stagnant from 2007 to 2012. In the future, it will gradually get rid of the downward trend and recover healthily.

"We expect strong growth in the construction sector and this foam insulation product offers a significant opportunity," notes Bridget Mc Murtrie, an analyst at Freedonia. By 2017, packaging will remain the main export of plastic foam, accounting for about a third of total demand.

More new housing projects and higher consumer spending will boost the use of styrofoam in household products such as bedding, furniture and appliances. In the automotive market, increased vehicle production and safety and comfort requirements will also promote the demand for plastic foam.

Soft polyurethane foam will remain the main product type of this resin. By 2017, the demand for soft POLYURETHANE foams will exceed that for hard urethane foams as the market for bedding and carpet cushions grows rapidly due to their cushioning properties. At the same time, a healthy recovery in the construction industry and changes in building codes, which will require higher energy efficiency in building structures, will also drive demand for rigid polyurethane foams. Rigid polyurethane foam can be used for roof and wall insulation, door and window insulation and bubble shield sealing. However, polyurethane foam insulation will continue to compete with fiberglass and PS foam.

Due to its excellent protection, insulation, moisture resistance and low cost, PS accounts for 2/5 of the total demand for foam plastics, and its market share is still large from 2017. However, in the whole packaging field, the solid waste disposal problem caused by the use of disposable foamed plastic products will limit the demand for foamed plastic, and the competition brought by paper materials will also have a certain impact.