Australia’s chemicals, plastics and rubber industries produce a wide range of essential materials, components, finished products and technology that are used by manufacturers and consumers across the globe.

The sector is a major contributor to the Australian economy and invents, designs, tests and manufactures a range of key products, services and technologies that are used in products exported by both Australian and multi-national companies.

Industries that use chemicals, plastics and rubber include agriculture, automotive, construction, computers, environment, food processing and packaging, consumer appliances, medical and pharmaceutical.

Many of these contributions to Australia's economy are hidden within the manufacturing process, or are so obvious in our everyday lives they are often overlooked.

Exports
Rubber
In the 2005-06 financial year Australian rubber products were worth $825.7 million in revenue, of which exports accounted for $132.3 million.

The major export markets were New Zealand, followed by the US, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and China.

The major products in this industry include sponge and foam rubber, rubber belting, rubber hoses and rubber seals.

Major customers are firms which use rubber in the production of their own goods and services, and include firms in the motor vehicle final product and part manufacturing, building product, defence and road transport industries.

Chemicals - general
In 2005-06, industry revenue accounted for $1.4 billion, of which $246 million were exported.

The major export markets are New Zealand, Indonesia, USA, China and Singapore.

The major product categories falling within this industry are:

• Adhesives and other glues
• Essential oils
• Polishes and creams for footwear, furniture and floors
• Household cleaners, polishers and removers
• Casein and casein derivatives
• Gelatin and gelatin derivatives
• Prepared glazings and dressings
• Condensation, polycondensation and polyaddition products
• Natural resins

Chemicals - inorganic
In 2005-06, industry revenue was worth $3.2 billion, with exports accounting for $1.2 billion.

The major export markets for the industry are China, Finland, USA and Korea.

Key products include titanium dioxide, sodium cyanide, industrial grade ammonia, caustic soda, sulphuric acid, soda ash and chlor-alkali products.

The products produced by this industry are intermediate products used as basic chemicals in industrial processes or manufacturing products. Key customers include various manufacturers.

Chemicals - organic
Industry revenue was worth $1.2 billion in 2005-06, with exports accounting for $307 million.

The majority of exports went to the US, New Zealand, China, the Netherlands and Japan.

Key products include ethylene, propylene, styrene, phenol and acetone which are mainly used as a chemical input into other chemical manufacturing processes.

Plastic injection moulded products
Industry revenue was worth $2.7 billion in 2005-06, with exports accounting for $286 million.

The major export markets were New Zealand, USA, China, France and the United Kingdom.

The primary product categories of this industry are:

• Automotive components
• Garbage bins, buckets
• Hard surface floor coverings
• Kitchenware
• Moulded junctions for plastic pipes
• Picnic ware

Plastic bag and plastic film manufacturing  
The industry generated revenue of $1.9 billion in 2005-06. Exports accounted for $117 million.

The sector is mainly engaged in manufacturing thin plastic film, food wrapping, plastic bags and garbage bags.

Plastic extruded product manufacturing
This sector is mainly engaged in manufacturing plastic pipes, shapes and sections by the extrusion method.

Industry revenue was worth $1.3 billion in 2005-06, of which exports accounted for $216 million.

The major export markets were New Zealand, Vietnam, China, Switzerland and New Caledonia.

Plastic blow moulded product manufacturing
This sector generated revenue of $988 million in 2005-06, of which exports accounted for $20.7 million.

The major destination countries for exports were New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

The industry is mainly engaged in manufacturing plastic bottles and other plastic products using the blow moulding method.

Products include:

• Carbonated beverage, cordial and water bottles 
• Plastic milk containers
• Household cleanser and detergent containers
• Paint and chemical containers
• Food, pharmaceutical and other containers

Plastic product rigid fibre reinforced manufacturing
In 2005-06, the industry generated revenue of $1.2 billion, with exports accounting for $2.5 million.

The primary products of this industry include:

• Automotive components
• Aerospace components, boat hulls and fittings, train interiors, truck bodies, tanks
• Outdoor roofing, custom panelling, shower bases, portable buildings, ponds, ATMs  
• Fibreglass products 
• Rigid plastic sheets 
• Swimming pool shells

(Source: IBISWorld Australia)

For more information please visit:
www.industry.gov.au - Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources – industry reports
www.investaustralia.gov.au - Invest Australia
www.pacia.org.au - Plastics and Chemicals Industry Association (PACIA)
www.4spe.org - Society of Plastics Engineers (Australia-New Zealand section)
www.plasticsa.org.au - Plastics & Allied Industries Association of South Australian Inc.
www.pima.asn.au - Plastic Injection Moulder’s Association (PIMA)
www.tifa.com.au - Tooling Industry Forum of Australia (TIFA)
www.apmf.asn.au- Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation (APMF)
www.aipack.com.au - Australian Institute of Packaging
www.aaaa.com.au - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association
www.chemlink.com.au - Chemlink