A recently published market research report from
Freedonia estimates that the global white goods market of 300 million
units will reach 350 million units by 2005. It further points out
that the Asian region is becoming a significant consumer of appliances.
The increased urban population and enhanced personal income drive
demand of white goods in Asia.
With the higher growth rate of demand in the next few years, Asia
- China in particular, has emerged as a major centre of ABS capacities.
China is the destination for newer capacity
being built in China as well as in the other Asian countries with
a meager capacity of about 400kt against a huge demand growth to
almost 2.5 million tonnes by 2005.
It is likely that the domestic capacity of China could reach almost
1 million tonnes by 2005. China therefore will continue to source
a significant quantity of ABS from outside. The lower manufacturing
cost and therefore lower cost of appliances from the country would
help it gain a significant share of the global appliances business.
Infact some market research studies conducted estimate that China
would have more than 25% share of the global appliances business.
No wonder all ABS manufacturers look at China for enhanced capacity
utilization, that unfortunately is quite poor (not more than 70%).
|
Indian ABS capacity (2002)
|
|
Company
|
Capacity (KT)
|
|
Bayer ABS
|
60
|
|
Bhansali
|
22
|
|
Crompton
|
8 *
|
|
Total
|
90
|
|
Total (after deduction)
|
(90 - 8*) = 82
|
| * Presently Closed |