Growth in the downstream construction and automotive markets is boosting polycarbonate demand in North America and Western Europe, but worldwide overcapacity will hamper producers' efforts to increase margins, say analysts at IHS. The environment in Europe is particularly challenging. Demand is recovering in most downstream market segments, but polycarbonate is oversupplied, and operating rates remain low, just above 70%, according to IHS Chemical's Global Engineering Resins—Monthly Report and Forecast, issued on 17 April.
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