Where do composites fit in?
RJ: I’ve divided the book into polymer manufacturers, compounders, distributors, processors, and the suppliers of auxiliaries to the industry (additives and machinery). Composites are integral. In fact, they are a seamless part of the industry today. For example, you would hardly undertake becoming a nylon manufacturer without having the capability of making nylon composites in the form of reinforced materials. CU: What has been the biggest impact on the plastics industry? RJ: The plastics industry has been impacted by globalization. Although some people have called it mature, I think that is a misapplication of the definition. A mature industry grows at the rate of the Gross Domestic Product, or less than that. Plastics, as such, are continuing to grow at multiples. And that is the impact of globalization, not a maturing of the industry or the technology. I thought that was important to bring out in the book. I also thought it was important to show where a number of mergers and acquis
