European Commission

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
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT EU discussing plastic tax / Internal decision on action in July / Hot topic at Petcore conference	12.02.2018
TETRA PAK Packaging producer voices support to Europe's plastics strategy / Plans to boost recycling and use of bio-plastics	31.01.2018
EU PLASTICS STRATEGY Commission launches campaign to boost recyclate usage / Voluntary pledges from stakeholders	24.01.2018
EVENTS "VinylPlus Sustainability Forum 2018" to be held in Madrid in May	24.01.2018
INTERVIEW Jürgen Bruder, head of German plastic packaging association IK / Over half of domestic plastic packaging is already recycled / Plans in progress to improve eco-design and recyclate use	22.01.2018
EU PLASTICS STRATEGY First EU-wide strategy on plastics / Focus on recycling / Revision of packaging directive / Framework for waste prevention / Advancing global action / Industry associations make their own recycling commitments	19.01.2018
PLASTICS RECYCLING EUROPE European associations co-author voluntary commitments framework / Plastics recycling and resource efficiency	19.01.2018
TRONOX Next step for acquisition of competitor Cristal / World's largest titanium dioxide producer	18.01.2018
PLASTICS AND HEALTH PlasticsEurope hails EP's rejection of full BPA food packaging ban / ECHA adds endocrine disruptor to the chemical's SVHC entry / EFSA still awaiting US study conclusion?	16.01.2018
SAFRAN EU competition watchdog clears merger with competitor Zodiac Aerospace	08.01.2018
BIOPLASTICS EU producers press for lower bioethanol duties / Competition from the Americas	03.01.2018
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT EU circular economy compromise presented / Lower recycling targets / European plastics industry reaffirms its contribution / PlasticsEurope sees big opportunities for resource efficiency	22.12.2017
BIO-BASED PRODUCTS BIC publishes guide to help investors in the bio-economy / Discussion of various grants and funds available in Europe	21.12.2017
UNITED KINGDOM EuPC and BPF release joint position paper on Brexit / EU-27 exports EUR 6.6 bn to UK / Importance of duty-free trade and border efficiency / Circular economy should include the UK	20.12.2017
MARINE LITTER Single-use plastics make up about half of beach litter in Europe / Reducing consumption could curb large source of marine pollution / Regulations needed for long-term effectiveness / Seas At Risk report	13.12.2017
PLASTICS RECYCLING EUROPE EuPC survey results on use of recycled plastic materials / Poor quality and unreliable supply key barriers / Price is primary incentive / Second survey in 2018	12.12.2017
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY EU imposes antitrust fines on five airbags, seat belts and steering wheels suppliers	12.12.2017
POLYMER PRICES Composites/GRP November 2017: Ortho resins slightly higher / Glass fibre flat	07.12.2017
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT Oxo-biodegradable lobby responds to EMF's critical report / Packaging firms "care more about profits than the environment"	22.11.2017
UNITED KINGDOM "Brexit" and plastics industry / BPF fears high trade costs with the EU / Priorities include access to skills / European chemical industry signs joint statement / Plastics exports to UK particularly important for Ireland	21.11.2017
DOW POLYURETHANES Mattress recycling collaboration with German PU specialist / In line with circular economy in the EU	13.11.2017
PLASTICS RECYCLING EUROPE PRE calls for EU approval of recycling process for food contact / Market undermined by legal uncertainty	20.10.2017
BOREALIS Initiative to fight marine litter / Aim to improve waste management in Southeast Asia / Pilot project in Indonesia	19.10.2017