Polycarbonate (PC) is a type of high specification engineering plastic with high impact resistance, suitable for moulding. Typical applications include automobile headlamps, sunroofs, side windows, CDs and DVDs, electronic casings, returnable milk bottles, large water containers, LED lighting, stadium roofing, and greenhouse and railway station panelling. Its UV resistant properties enable it to be used in optical applications. Material can be extruded or injection moulded, finding major uses in glazing and sheet form.
Polycarbonate production is very energy-intensive and its price is largely influenced by upstream benzene, phenol and bisphenol A (BPA) prices.
ICIS pricing quotes polycarbonate in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the USA.
To find out more Polycarbonate Methodology January 2013