European Commission

EU PLASTICS STRATEGY Launch of multi-stakeholder alliance to boost recycling efforts in Europe / Need to match recyclate supply with demand and enhance quality	17.12.2018
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT EU council adopts parliament's lower threshold for PBDE flame retardants / Proposal to review POPs regulation two years after taking effect	14.12.2018
EU CIRCULAR ECONOMY Report outlines technology solutions to meet EU plastics strategy / Joint R&D agenda from EuPC, SusChem, Cefic, PlasticsEurope and ECP4	14.12.2018
YEAR IN REVIEW 2018 A look back on the year's top stories for the plastics industry	11.12.2018
MICROPLASTICS ECHA shares thoughts on restriction assessment / Dossier to be released in January / Focus on hazards to the environment	10.12.2018
INTERVIEW PIE talks to Dimitrios Syrmos, president of Greek plastics industry association AHPI / SMEs in Greece face technology and financing challenges	07.12.2018
EU PLASTICS STRATEGY European Commission receives over 60 voluntary pledges / Companies and industry associations commit to plastics recycling	26.11.2018
PACKAGING RECYCLING Pack2Go and PRE call for overhaul of European collection and recycling system / "Marshall plan" to boost investments	19.11.2018
TOMRA Norwegian reverse vending machine producer launches global recruitment drive / At least 1,000 new hires expected / Start of digital voucher scheme in Australia	16.11.2018
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