VDA

Big engines, individualised cars roar at “IAA 2015” / Small combustion engines steal the show from e-vehicles / OEMs favour structural parts made of steel and aluminium / GFRP and CFRP deemed too expensive / Hybrid materials pose a challenge for recycling

Suppliers suffer the brunt of declining sales figures / Growth driver China shows signs of weakness / Will the lull drag on until 2015?

Composites/GRP June 2012: Ortho resins in weak rollover / Feedstock costs down / Converters expect rebates in July / Glass fibre notations defy producers‘ attempts to push through increases

Composites/GRP November 2011: Downward momentum continues for resins / Most corrections take place at upper end / Demand begins to soften / European market is expected to see little movement in December

Focus remains on mass markets of Russia, China and India / CAFE standard will drive the switch to new materials in USA / Lightweight construction a key topic at IAA / Will global sales stagnate in 2012?

2010 boom was bought with government money / Only China and India see genuine growth / Weight ratio of plastics used in cars on the decline / Most popular engineering polymers take a breather despite strong demand

Car sales in western Europe rise significantly / Demand still poor in eastern Europe / Fewer supplier insolvencies / Plastics availability now a bigger problem than financing