Engineering Plastics: More Products, More Competition

Abstract

General Electric has introduced more new engineering plastics during the past four years than in any other period in the company's history. That spurt of innovation by the engineering resins pioneer and—according to many—leader, typifies the industry in the 1980s. We've seen more product proliferation in the past few years than ever before, says Virginia W. Donohue of GE Plastics. This is typical of the entire business of noncommodity plastics—including resins, alloys, blends, and composites with superior properties of impact resistance, heat resistance, and stiffness. It is in a period of intense activity. Not only are manufacturers churning out more new products and more modified versions of existing products, but more companies are entering the field. To beef up their offerings, producers are devoting greater resources to their research and development and technical service operations. At the same time, they are also turning to product line acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing, and other ...