Critical reviews of developments in these application areas have been set against global trends in production, new models and business developments within the supply chain.

The report covers all thermoplastics in the form of individual polymers, polymer blends, short and long fibre-reinforced compounds, mineral reinforced compounds and reinforced thermoplastic mats (GMT). Process technology reviewed includes injection and blow moulding, extrusion and thermoforming together with recent developments in open-mould compression techniques. The technology for the production of precision hollow parts by lost-core, vibration welding and blow moulding has been given particular attention.