In the polymer industry, there are around 7,500 companies employing 286,000 employees (industry figures) in the UK, which includes: 233,000 in polymers processing; 28,000 in other polymer activities; and 25,000 in sign making. The main areas of activity in the sector include:

• conversion of raw polymer into products and components
• manufacturing and designing machinery and equipment for polymer processing, including moulds, tools and dyes
• manufacturing and installation of signs
• design , innovation and research and development, linked to new materials and their applications

There is increasing awareness of the importance of polymers across a wide range of engineering applications. The industry is subject to change and opportunities arise from: technological change; development of new materials and processing technology; the development of new products; and changes in consumer requirements. The industry requires innovators, technologists, designers and highly skilled processing technicians.

Companies involved within sign making are often micro companies employing only one or two individuals. National franchised organisations are, however, much larger.

Drivers of change:

• the economic conditions of the UK and wider markets
• competition from new trading partners including China and Japan
• increasing use of polymers in a range of products
• basing of primary polymer production and original equipment manufacturing operations outside the UK to take advantage of low labour and material costs

For more future trends and challenges in the industry go to Future drivers in the sector and its industries.

There are regional clusters of activity in the East Midlands (plastics), West Midlands (rubber processing) and the South East. The North West has 1,000 organisations employing 27,800 in producing plastics.

It is difficult to get an accurate picture of the occupational profile of the industry, but process plant and machine operatives is the largest occupational group - making up one third of the overall workforce.

Source:  Cogent website 2006 and Cogent 2003 – polymer industry

Click here for details on the workforce profile and dimensions of equal opportunities.  For more information on the regional profile of the workforce see: