European Commission

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY Sales slump puts sector under pressure in Germany and Europe / Weakness especially apparent with SCR tanks for diesel vehicles / Situation could mean a breather for plastics processors / Brexit and e-car issues	01.11.2018
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT European Parliament greenlights commission's single-use plastics rules and adds more / Council will have the next word / Many stakeholders still critical	01.11.2018
PLASTICS RECYCLING EUROPE PRE's annual meeting highlights increased collection and recycling rates / Improved waste management systems needed across Europe	29.10.2018
FRANCE Ban on single-use plastic tableware and packaging / Heavy criticism from French and European associations / Poor definitions of items and conflict with EU law	24.10.2018
POLYAMIDE 6.6 Polymer shortage and high prices dog French OEMs / “Structural problems”	23.10.2018
LATIN AMERICA Numerous countries and municipalities take steps to restrict single-use plastics / Bans on plastic carrier bags and straws	19.10.2018
BASF / SOLVAY Chemical groups modify planned polyamide transaction / EU decision in January at earliest	18.10.2018
PET TRAYS Policymakers urged not to set consumption cuts / Call for collection targets / Industry pledge to raise recyclate content to 70%	12.10.2018
FOOD PACKAGING EU making a move to approve recycling processes for food-contact materials	10.10.2018
PVC RECYCLING EUROPE VinylPlus makes voluntary commitments to increase recycling	01.10.2018
EU PLASTICS STRATEGY MEPs vote in favour of proposals to boost recycling and tackle marine litter / Call for ban on microplastics in cosmetics / FEAD voices support	20.09.2018
EU PLASTICS STRATEGY Trade association Pack2Go Europe accuses European Commission of conflict of interest and bias in proposed plastics strategy / Files complaint with ombudsman	06.09.2018
IRAN Petrochemicals comeback stalls / US and Europe pull in different directions / Sanctions torpedo Western players' plans for re-engagement	04.09.2018
TRONOX European Commission issues final approval for acquisition of Cristal / US authorities' decision on titanium dioxide merger pending	04.09.2018
PLASTICS RECYCLING EUROPE Waste associations support European Parliament's draft for more recyclate in drink bottles	31.08.2018
ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING EU draft law could threaten plastics recycling from e-waste / European associations view limit for flame retardant decaBDE in recyclate as unrealistic	30.08.2018
LIDL Sister company GreenCycle to take over German plastics recycler Tönsmeier / Supermarket chain's plastics waste reduction measures in UK, France and Ireland	28.08.2018
SINGLE-USE PLASTICS Packaging value chain pleads for amendments on EU proposal / Statement from 68 European associations	28.08.2018
NESTE Partners for plastics recycling project announced / Test plant to start in 2019 / "Game-changing" technology	22.08.2018
BASF Sales and earnings still on target in Q2 / TDI running smoothly but margins under pressure / CEO concedes that Solvay PA deal may require divestments	30.07.2018
EVENTS EuPC conference on plastic packaging to take place in Brussels in September	26.07.2018
PLASTICS RECYCLING EUROPE New initiative calls for EU regulators to make recycled content mandates for plastics / Minimum requirements would boost recyclate markets	24.07.2018
MARINE LITTER EU and China sign partnership on oceans / Ellen MacArthur Foundation sees potential of circular economy for plastics	24.07.2018
PLASTICS AND HEALTH Europe proposes restriction of four phthalates in consumer articles	23.07.2018
TRONOX Definitive agreement to sell European paper laminates business to Venator / Two firms sign MoU for Cristal's titanium dioxide plant in US	20.07.2018