EuPC European Plastics Converters

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

Plastics industry on steady growth track / Recycling remains a challenge / More than 90 people attend EuPC's recent “Opportunities for the Polish Plastics Industry” conference

Leading trade fair for the packaging industry excels itself / Rise in visitor numbers and international attendance in Düsseldorf / Basics meet high-tech / Other packaging materials lose ground against plastics / Market still growing

Packaging group sends letter to European Commission calling for more clarity on proposed waste target rules

Conference on “Opportunities for the Polish Plastics Industry” to be held in Warsaw on 22 May

EuPC dismisses “nonsensical provisions” on biodegradable and compostable plastics contained in European Parliament's proposal to reduce plastic bag usage

Israeli PVC sheet producer installs new co-extrusion line / Machinery built by KraussMaffei Berstorff

Ageing populations and packaging growth boost global consumption / European market robust despite challenging economics / New medical products showcased at “Pharmapack Europe” in Paris

Biodegradable bags a threat to the environment, says PRE / Problems in the waste stream

Thierry Eyrard appointed chairman of EuPC's new MedPharmPlast Europe sector group