The global market for molded plastic parts used in mobile phones is set to rise to $4.5 billion by 2017, an increase of nearly 29 percent on this year's figures.
According to researchers IHS Chemical the market will be worth $3.5 billion this year, up from $3.3 billion in 2012.
However the increased use of plastic in handsets — most recently with Apple's 5c phone — is giving added impetus to the material's use.
IHS said the weight of plastic used in mobile 'phones is set to rise from 282,000 metric tons in 2013 to 336,000 metric tons in four years' time; a rise of 19 percent.
According to IHS the mobile phone market "offers opportunities for a large variety of plastic resins," including ABS, polycarbonate, nylon and acrylic.
"ABS and polycarbonate are both attractive materials for exterior components due to their strength and aesthetic appeal.
"Polycarbonate mobile phone housings may have a chemical coating to improve its scratch-resistance."