Worldwide plastics production rose to 280 million tonnes in 2011, according to first rough estimates published by PlasticsEurope. This represents around 4% increase from 2010, when 270 million tonnes of plastics were produced. It also confirms the return of long term growth after the economic crisis.
The five largest plastics types (polyolefins, PVC, PS, EPS and PET) account for about 70% of the total global demand, i.e. 200 million tonnes.