The demand for plastic and rubber parts remains strong despite surging oil prices and competition from alternatives such as metals and glass. The main reasons for the continued demand for polymers are their light weight, higher impact strength compared to glass, and processibility at relatively low temperatures. At the same time, global competition continues to put pressure on profit margins and time to market, pushing manufacturers to constantly innovate in the areas of product performance and production efficiency. Additionally, designers need to satisfy a growing list of constraints related to safety, sustainability and environmental protection.