An Overview of the UK Polymer Industry

The Polymer industry comprises four discrete processing areas: Polymer Processing (Plastics & Rubber Processing) Composites, Signmaking and Packaging.

The industry is important supply chain to heavy manufacturing industries such as automotive and aerospace. Polymer products are commonly used in many household products from cling-film to high tech composites. Polymers are versatile in that their shape, density, colour, translucency, conductivity, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance etc and can be finely tuned for a required application.

The industry directly employs over 220,000 people. This figure rises to approximately 400,000 employees when companies who process polymers as a secondary operation to their main business, are taken into consideration. Products and component parts developed using polymers, are used in many applications. Each year the demand steadily grows.

For a more detailed picture of the polymer industry download the factsheet.