European Commission

EU POLICY Long-term EU budget rejects idea of plastics tax / Levy on packaging waste more efficient / Commission seeking new own resources / Single-use product bans still subject of environmental policy discussions	14.05.2018
PLASTIC PACKAGING Packaging not preventing food waste, say NGOs / Small format, convenience food packaging linked to higher waste levels / Packaging design and recyclability crucial	11.05.2018
COVESTRO Bayer sells most of its remaining shares / Exit from plastics sector imminent	09.05.2018
MARINE LITTER Global environmental initiatives presented at PlasticsEurope's "PolyTalk" conference in Malta / EU commissioner Vella stresses importance of partnering with plastic industry / Need for better recycling quality	08.05.2018
CIRCULAR ECONOMY EU parliament nods off on commission's plans / Farther-reaching rules ahead	24.04.2018
PLASTICS RECYCLING EU waste exports to China plummet / Southeast Asia takes up some slack / Strong Chinese demand for high-quality recyclates drives prices up	20.04.2018
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT – FEATURE French scientist François Galgani on current marine litter situation / Upcoming "PolyTalk 2018" speaker	18.04.2018
CELANESE Acetate tow merger with Rhodia Acetow abandoned / EU said to have demanded extensive divestitures	03.04.2018
ITALY Plastics sector looks back on good year / Growth above industry average with stellar prospects / Machinery manufacturing, “Industry 4.0” and digitalisation drive investments	29.03.2018
PLASTICS AND HEALTH ECHA proposes EU occupational exposure limits for benzene and ACN	27.03.2018
PLASTICS AND HEALTH EU will not classify DINP as reprotoxic / Industry sees its position confirmed	26.03.2018
PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS Study finds lightweight LDPE bags have lowest environmental impact / Independent life cycle assessment in Denmark	22.03.2018
CIRCULAR ECONOMY Far-reaching EU packaging directives poised for adoption / Lengthy transition periods for recycling	13.03.2018
TRONOX Cristal acquisition postponed? / EU closely reviews titanium dioxide merger	09.03.2018
PLASTICS AND HEALTH Initial results of long-awaited US study says BPA safe for consumers at low doses / PlasticsEurope and BPF satisfied / EFSA will continue assessments until 2019	08.03.2018
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT Oxo-biodegradables industry slams EU drive to restrict usage / Conventional polymers seen as the “bigger risk” in microplastics generation	06.03.2018
ROMANIA Plastic carrier bag ban to come into effect 1 July / Packaging deposit scheme under discussion / National waste programme not yet up to EU standards	28.02.2018
ASSOCIATIONS EuPC annual meeting to be held in Milan / Polymer producers awards ceremony	27.02.2018
GREECE Environmental fee on plastic carrier bags in shops / Alignment with EU directive to curb consumption / Greek plastics industry association foresees problems	23.02.2018
LIDL German supermarket chain targets 20% savings on plastics by 2025 / Full recyclability of packaging for own brands	22.02.2018
BIOPLASTICS Global production forecast to grow by 20% to 2022 / Transition to circular economy drives demand / Brand owners increasing usage of bio-based materials / Study by EUBP and nova-Institut	21.02.2018
EVENTS "TEPPFA Forum 2018" to be held in Brussels in April / Part of association's plastic pipes campaign "Discover: Plastics"	21.02.2018
PET Experts across value chain meet at annual “Petcore Europe Conference” / Over 200 attendees gain insights into circular economy and innovation	20.02.2018
MICROPLASTICS Swedish government bans microbeads in cosmetics and toothpaste / Use in such products "completely unnecessary" says environment minister	15.02.2018
INTERVIEW Emmanuel Guichard, managing director at Elipso / A French perspective on EU plastics strategy / Much debate on bottle deposit scheme in France / Emmanuel Macron's goals for recycled plastics exceed EU's	12.02.2018