According to Global Market Insights, the plastic injection molding market has grown and expanded in recent years. Today it is a common plastic molding technology used in a variety of industrial applications. Industries such as automotive, consumer goods, electronics, general construction, packaging, and medical have benefited from the emerging trends in injection molding manufacturing and are experiencing steady growth. The market of global injection molded plastics is expected to reach about $162 billion by the end of 2021.
This is due to several growth factors that are increasing the demand for injection-molded plastic products. Here are some top trends that have triggered the steady growth of the injection molding industry.
Use of high-performance materials
One trend is the use of materials that are heat resistant, durable, and corrosion-resistant. By using these materials instead of steel, automakers can extend the life of parts and improve fuel efficiency by reducing the weight of components. In addition, plastic injection molding is frequently using bio-resins (environmentally friendly plastics), which are easier to use and have a lower environmental impact than petroleum-based resins. In addition, it is now likely to mold not only plastics but also ceramics, metals, and carbides.
Improving software and promoting automation
In 2021, software technologies commonly used in plastic injection molding manufacturing will be upgraded. Autodesk’s SolidWorks, MoldFlow, and other design software will receive updates and enhancements to help improve the design of injection molds and plastic parts, as well as the overall manufacturing process. By improving the accuracy and quality of your plans from the start, you can save money and reduce future rework projects.
This type of software also can simulate the flow of molten plastic in the injection molding process, allowing for a more accurate prediction of manufacturing defects. This will enable designers to evaluate the manufacturability of parts early in the design process and make necessary adjustments, resulting in cost savings. Or, you can take help from the procurement companies in the USA to ensure an easy transition.
Responsibility for Recycling
For more than 25 years, the United States and other developed countries have been sending large amounts of plastic waste to China, where it is not recycled in the United States. In addition, the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database has been monitoring recycling activities since 1992 and has found that about half of the world’s plastic sent for recycling is exported to China.
However, about a year ago, China enacted the “National Construction Policy” and banned the import of plastic waste. As a result, plastic molders and other manufacturers have been forced to develop environmentally friendly recycling programs for plastic waste.
Expanding Applications for Reinforced Plastics
Plastic mold makers are increasingly using plastic composites for their lightweight and high strength. Fibers that are infused into plastics include glass, carbon fiber, and aramid. Industries that benefit from these reinforced plastic products include aerospace, automotive, construction, power, marine, and nanomaterials.
The use of reinforced plastics in manufacturing is an attractive trend because they can reduce the cost per product in various applications while maintaining the strength of the part.
In the automotive and aerospace sectors, reducing the weight of components can increase the value of the end product by improving fuel efficiency and aerodynamic performance.
Let’s Wrap Up:
As these trends in injection molding evolve in 2021 and beyond, you’ll benefit from working with experts in the plastics manufacturing industry. Good procurement consulting firms are at the forefront of these and other trends affecting the industry. They work with factories that are at the forefront. That’s why you should always work with their experienced staff to take the stress out of the manufacturing process and ensure a smooth transition from design to finished product.
