Plastics functionality is required in electrical and electronics (E/E) end use applications. North American demand (40% globally; Europe, 35%; Asia, 25%) for the core five engineering plastics families (nylon, polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester, polyphenylene ether/polystyrene, and acetal) is currently growing 3.0% per year heading towards a global 8 billion pounds (US$10.5 billion) in 2010. Depending on the electronic application, plastics are chosen for their rigidity or flexibility, toughness/durability, resistance to low or high voltage and their electrical insulation or conductive qualities. Ease of fabrication into complex shapes can also be a requirement. In Europe RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) in electrical and electronic equipment and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directives also mandate that flame resistance be achieved without the use of halogenated components.