EuPC European Plastics Converters

PlasticsEurope France “sounds the alarm” for Europe's plastics industry / Increasingly uncompetitive

EuPC general assembly yields “strategic alliance” for European polymer supplies / Former RPC chief executive Ron Marsh to steer efforts / Strong criticism of producers and EU's import duties on plastics

EuPC and PlasticsEurope host “EU investing in its future – plastics construction technologies” conference / June event part of EU Sustainable Energy Week

Restriction of lightweight bags passes European Parliament / Charges from end of 2018 / Commission expects cost savings of EUR 740m per year / EuPC “disappointed”

Raw material shortages threaten existence of FIBC producers / No choice but to pass on rising costs to customers / EFIBCA industry association

EuPC, PlasticsEurope and SPE launch “European Plastics Innovation Awards”

Plastics associations voice concern over recent force majeure announcements / Processors increasingly under threat / Call for more transparency

“Food Contact Plastics Seminar” to be held in Brussels in April

European converters hope EU investment plan will stimulate their business / EuPC urges Brussels to revive its circular economy proposal

Consumption grows 1% in 2013 / Polyolefins, PU and PET see gains / PVC and PS demand continues to fall / Producers under rising pressure / USA as most important trade partner

Europe struggles to remain competitive amid US shale gas onslaught / Industry organisations call on EU to help / Oxford study analyses chances and risks

Part 4 – Regulations: Regulatory moves keep the industry on its toes again in 2014 / Restrictions on plastic bags dominate the discussion / BPA and phthalates still a topic / Flame retardant issues still smoulder / Recycling guidelines make headway

Part 2 – Plastics Production: Shale gas revolution drives Europe into a corner / Ailing facilities are consolidated / Massive changes in PVC market / Shale oil reserves change the balance once again

Part 1 – Overview: European plastics industry ploughs on / High energy costs and bag bans still an issue / Realities of shale revolution start knocking on Brussels' doors

PIE speaks to PlasticsEurope's president Patrick Thomas / Fracking is an important energy source / Industry needs leadership and brokerage from Brussels / TTIP likely to bring gas prices down

European legislation a key focus at second EuPC sector group meeting

Follow-up: European Bioplastics and Assobioplastiche welcome European Council's amendment to Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

EU guideline calls for gradual reduction in consumption up to 2025 / EuPC highlights problems from internal market perspective, warns of job losses / PlasticsEurope fears trade barriers, calls for regulation of “oxo-degradable” plastics

EuPC masterbatch and compounder subgroup elects new president

PlasticsEurope and EuPC launch “Manifesto on the competitiveness of the plastics industry in Europe” / Identify challenges to European industry and issue recommendations / "PolyTalk" event in Brussels

EuPC sector group MedPharmPlast Europe to hold workshop in Brussels in December

"Placard" project: Consortium to investigate development of safer plasticiser for soft PVC / Focus on process based on cashew nut shells

European Commission adopts new waste proposals / Landfill of recyclable waste to be banned by 2025 / 80% packaging waste recycling target set for 2030 / Mixed response by European plastics associations

PIE speaks to EuPC's new president Michael Kundel / Need for deregulation at the EU level / Energy remains a key problem / Converters need to innovate and create added value to survive / Product recyclability increasingly important

EuPC elects Michael Kundel as its new president / Calls on authorities to safeguard industry's competitiveness