POLYCARBONATE
IN THE EU

What is a polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a lightweight,
highly versatile, durable, heatand shatter-resistant, formableand transparent thermoplastic.
It is the material of choice for awide range of end-user
applications.

The EU accounts for 1/4 of global production
In the EU, polycarbonate is produced in five facilities inGermany, Netherlands, Spain and Belgium. These facilities
provide an overall production capacity of 1,240,000 t per year,
accounting for about 25% of the global production capacity.
In 2019, demand for polycarbonate in the EEA amounted toaround 730,000 t, making the EU a significant net-exporter ofpolycarbonate.
demand (kt)

Swedenproduction
capacity (kt)

18UK73Socioeconomicbenefits€ 11.5-23.7
billiongross value added forpolymerisation &processing

22.8 million
estimated direct& indirect jobs

€ 470 million
net export value

Note
Polycarbonate production capacity is not equivalent
to consumption or export.
Sources
Data basis for the information presented in this fact
sheet are two independent reports commissioned by
the PC/BPA group of Plastics Europe to external
analytics companies: “Socio-economic value ofpolycarbonates in Europe”, Wood Group UK Ltd, Feb
2021, and “Assessment of Socioeconomic Value of
Polycarbonate in Europe”, IHS Markit, 2022. Figures
relate to 2018-2019 and are rounded.

NL

260 33
BelgiumOthers
60

240 26

FrancePoland480 123 Czech Rep.

Switzerland

296241

Germany

63 Slovakia
28
Austria
12
Hungary

Italy

66

Spain

260 49

Romania

1325

Bulgaria

8

EU demand amounts to around 730,000 t a year
Demand for polycarbonate in the European Economic Area
(EEA) amounted to a value of some 1.57 billion € in terms ofturnover. After polymerisation, polycarbonate is typicallyprocessed further in several steps, including compounding,blow molding, extrusion, injection molding or thermoforming,
until the final product is offered to the market. The demandfor polycarbonate is driven by six important sectors:
automotive, building & construction, electrical andelectronics, consumer, packaging, medical devices.
building & construction

consumer
4%

31%

automotive
29%

medical3%

packagingelectrical & electronics
28%

1%

other4%© Polycarbonate/Bisphenol A group of Plastics Europe, February 2023
Disclaimer: This information is supplied in good faith by the PC/BPA industry group of Plastics Europe and is based on the best
information currently available. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, the PC/BPA group does not accept
liability for loss or damage, howsoever caused, arising from the use of the information.

Polycarbonate / Bisphenol A GroupPolycarbonate actively contributes to a moresustainable economy due to its inherent properties

DURABILITY

LIGHTWEIGHT &TRANSPARENCY

RECYCLABILITY

Polycarbonate’s robustness makes it the plastic material ofchoice for applications that are meant to last 10+ years, suchas their use in modern buildings, automotive headlights orhousings for e-power charging stations. Polycarbonate use inelectronics items enable longer life spans and allow
repairability.
Polycarbonate combines lightweight with the distinctive
feature of transparency. This is a key functionality for use intransparent roofs or security glazing. Compared to othermaterials far less energy is needed during transport andinstallation, thus contributing substantially
to CO emissions
2reductions.
Polycarbonate can be remelted. Repeated cooling andheating have limited effects on its properties. This means
polycarbonate is an inherently good candidate formechanical recycling. Other technologies such as chemical
recycling can also be used with polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate industry:
a comprehensive and dynamic journey towards sustainability
The polycarbonate industry is investing substantially in the transition to a more sustainableeconomy: major agreements and acquisitions as well as pilot projects demonstrate the feasibilityof innovative ideas. The dynamics of the approach allows for a healthy competition within thesector. Sustainability advantages become competitive advantages and, in this way, sustainability
is completely integrated into business plans.

Acquisitions of recycling companies andrepurposing of plants as recycling facilities

Production of CO 2-reduced polycarbonate(without off-setting)

Placing on the market polycarbonate resins
with a high level of recycled content(up to 95%)

Collaboration with electronics industry
to support re-design
for sustainability

Closed-loop initiatives to recycle
and upcycle

Use of certified renewable feedstock toproduce polycarbonate

Exploring advanced recycling technologies
to avoid incineration or landfill of postconsumer mixed plastic

Transitioning to renewable energy sources,
including the setting up in Europe of the firstlarge-scale chemical plant in the world
completely powered by solar energy

Contactjasmin.bird.consultant@plasticseurope.org
Polycarbonate/Bisphenol A Group Plastics Europe

Polycarbonate / Bisphenol A Group