European Commission

POLYURETHANES Flexible foam producers fined EUR 114m for price fixing / EU sees antitrust offence confirmed	31.01.2014
SHALE GAS EU Commission sets non-binding fracking rules / NGOs critical / Praise from the UK	30.01.2014
ASSOCIATIONS Plastics Recyclers Europe welcomes EU parliament's adoption of the “European Strategy on plastic waste”	27.01.2014
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT EU Parliament calls for a ban on the most hazardous plastics by 2020 / Stricter and more effective enforcement neccesary / German reaction mixed	20.01.2014
PLASTICS AND ENERGY European Commission opens proceedings against German price relief for energy-intensive companies / Support for renewables also eyed critically	19.12.2013
ASSOCIATIONS EuPC establishes MedPharmPlast Europe sector group	19.12.2013
YEAR IN REVIEW 2013 Part 3 – Environmental challenges keep industry on the alert / Biodegradables and plastic bag bans make headlines / Recycling moves forward but players say full potential not reached	19.12.2013
SHALE GAS British Plastics Federation welcomes government committee's support towards exploring UK shale gas reserves / Ineos considers role in future UK extraction	18.12.2013
YEAR IN REVIEW 2013 Part 2 – US shale gas advantage a game changer for European plastics industry / Players seek to level the playing field but authorities slow to react	17.12.2013
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT EU commissioner says biodegradable plastics should be clearly labelled	16.12.2013
PLASTICS RECYCLING Plastics Recyclers Europe association confirms growing European recycling rates / Now numbering more than 100 members	03.12.2013
SOLVAY / INEOS EU to probe PVC joint venture plans in depth	08.11.2013
PLASTIC BAGS Follow-up: Industry associations criticise a "short-sighted" EC proposal / Allowance of individual regulations goes against a united European market	08.11.2013
PLASTIC BAGS European Commission proposal to reduce lightweight bag consumption in all 28 member states / Average European citizen uses 198 plastic bags annually	06.11.2013
SOLVAY Adjusted earnings fall 13% / Vinyls as assets for sale / PA turnaround expected	30.10.2013
INEOS / SOLVAY EU has reservations concerning JV deal / Ineos puts forward divestment of two German plants	25.10.2013
SOLVAY / INEOS Awaiting clearance from European Commission for PVC JV	18.09.2013
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY EU Commission fines five OEM suppliers EUR 142m in wire harnesses price-fixing case	14.08.2013
PACKAGING INDUSTRY French Elipso and German IK come together to tackle environmental and sourcing concerns	17.05.2013
ITALY Non-biodegradable plastic bag ban to be enforced from late May / Cereplast gears up to supply	17.04.2013
RECYCLING European Commission launches plastic waste consultation / Results of latest Green Paper initiative to feed into 2014 waste policy review / Industry associations welcome latest action	12.03.2013
GRUPA AZOTY European Commission gives green light for merger of Polish chemical groups in Tarnow and Pulawy	31.01.2013
CARRIER BAGS No decision yet on plastic bag tax in England / Environmental campaigners call for action / Government had promised decision by end of 2012	22.01.2013
YEAR IN REVIEW Life is a roller coaster ride, the European plastics industry finds again in 2012 / Forces majeures and consolidation / North-South profitability gap grows as the shadow of Middle East and China shrinks	14.12.2012
RECYCLING New EU proposals highlight waste management and recycling / Welcomed by EuPR	07.12.2012