LONDON – According to a new BAC report recently published by MarketPublishers.com, demand for acrylic resins in the European Union (EU) is trending downward. In 2010, the demand amounted to 471,800 tons. Within the 2006-2010 period, alkyd resins consumption decreased by 30 percent. The decline is caused by the economic challenges of the last few years and the decline in demand for acrylic coatings in favor of more environmentally friendly materials.

EU producers are working mainly to cover the domestic market, while export supplies share 7-10 percent in total output. Therefore, a decrease in demand domestically leads to a decline in domestic production.

Germany covers 37 percent of EU production and consumption of alkyd resins. In 2010, Germany produced 190,000 tons of alkyd resins and provided 45,000 tons for export. The other significant Western European manufacturing facilities are concentrated in Italy and France.

Alkyd resin is a complex oil-modified polyester that is included as the film-forming agent in some paints and clear coatings. Alkyd resin products are used in a wide range of paint products with applications in decorative, maintenance, and contractor paints where excellent gloss and good durability are required. Alkyd coatings still remain the leaders of the EU coatings market.

The report, "Alkyd Resins: European Union Market Outlook 2011 and Forecast till 2016," was prepared by BAC and recently published by The Market Publishers Ltd. For additional information, visit http://marketpublishers.com/report/industry/chemicals_petrochemicals/alkyd_resins_european_union_market_outlook_2010_n_forecast_till_2015.html.