Markets Processing

Investment focus shifts away from China / Capacity additions drive need to rationalise production / AMI report

Speciality films growth drives significant increase in operating profit / First commercial orders for “Treopore” now being delivered / Optimistic outlook for 2016

Mexico joint venture with SMC Composites / Lifting SMC and BMC output

Growth in Europe driven by restructuring and acquisitions / RKW is leading player / Supply and volatile price of raw materials as key challenges / AMI report

Purchase of US high performance materials specialist Piper Plastics

Second German composites exhibition to debut this year / “Experience Composites” under patronage of leading global "JEC" fair organiser

Global market reaches USD 5.2 bn in 2015 / Desktop printer sales drive gains

Industry on solid course for growth / Both exports and imports of plastics on the rise / Plastics processing activities continue to increase / Automotive segment a key driver / Political impasse in Madrid slows economic dynamics

First profile extrusion plant in India starts up

Collaborating with Germany's Tönsmeier on the recycling of PVC window profiles / Joint venture company Dekura established

Growth expectations slow on concerns about global economy / Two thirds of BPF members want UK to stay in EU / BPF survey

Plastics industry in strong recovery mode in 2015 / Thermoplastics consumption rises by 3% to 5.5m t / Strong acceleration in Q4 / Demand from automotive segment particularly high / Biotechnology continues to play an important role

Steady growth of 1% annually anticipated over next five years / PP and PET gain in popularity / Production in Italy, France and Spain struggles / AMI directory

Sales just shy of EUR 60 bn level / Exports to Eurozone continue to drive growth / Volumes processed stable at 2014 level / 2016 growth expected to resemble that of last year / Cautious optimism

Shanghai-based “Rohacell” foam core production plant starts up

US automotive OEM buys Mexican competitor Tepso Plastics Mex

New PU and epoxy resins player enters the fray / Leading tool and composites supplier

Fierce competition and high volatility drive consolidation in Germany / French state fund for renovations / New UK market leader is born / Cladding segment increasingly trends towards grey EPS / Prolonged use of HBCD has no notable market relevance

IK member companies optimistic about 2016 / Selling prices likely to be increased

Eye on the world: A journey from Brazil to China, from Russia to Italy / Challenges experienced by most countries

Takeovers, mergers and consolidations: Changes in the plastics production, packaging and automotive industries / No going back to the way things were

Purchase of German packager KIV-Kreis completed

PU processor opens Romanian storage facility / Technology portfolio expanded

Steady output of plastic products / Growth slows in first three quarters of 2015 / Economic development shifts towards country's central and western regions / CPRJ reports

Market remains below 2007 peak at EUR 6 bn in 2015 / Trend is reversing / Demand will pick up over next five years / AMI report