Markets Processing

Sales after first nine months of 2015 match those of last year / Packaging products perform above average / Construction and semi-finished goods barely move / Technical parts and consumer goods looking up / Positive mood despite feedstock upheaval

Polymer production grows by 4% in 2014 / EU 28 trade surplus widens / Turkey still most important resin buyer / PlasticsEurope recommends landfill ban to improve recycling / "Plastics – the Facts 2015"

EUR 20m investment in new additive manufacturing hub in Germany

Austrian semi-finished products specialist acquires Quadrant's fluoropolymer activities / Machines to be relocated to Austria

PIE speaks to EPDA president David Ladyman / Macro-economy has forced semi-finished plastics parts distributors to become more cost-effective / Europe's skills set will ensure its future competitiveness

Investment in UK-based composites specialist Penso / Joint development agreement / Operating profit increases thanks to aerospace materials business growth

“Our industry needs reliable suppliers!” / IK president Roland Roth on the situation on the polyolefin market / Need for more choice / US processors could become a threat

PetroplastVinora owners establish rescue company for bankrupt Swiss packaging producer

PIE talks to Ron Marsh, head of the Polymers for Europe Alliance, about the goals of the plastics processors‘ initiative / "Best European Polymer Producer" award

New plant for PU sandwich panels in Russia / Further production plant planned in Mexico

Swiss film producer files for insolvency / Currency crisis following franc's decoupling / Margin pressure too high / At least 145 employees to be laid off

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

Plastics processors' association FEP criticises poor support from petrochemical producers / Low oil price and higher margins not being passed on

US market to grow by nearly 5% to 2019 / Construction and electronics sectors to be best performers / Healthy demand from packaging / Freedonia report

Job cuts to ensure competitiveness / France worst affected / Headquarters to move to Parma

Film capacity in Germany increased to meet rising pharma packaging demand

Feedstock price swings reflected in the statistical H1 balance sheet / Depressed sales at the start of the year gradually lifted by cost rises / Full-year revenues could set new record

Regulatory pressures limit US and Canada growth / Production could shift to Mexico / Grand View Research report

Purchase of Kem One Innovative Vinyls from Klesch completed

European market to grow by 2% per year to 2019, led by eastern Europe / PCI Films study

Automotive division will be outsourced / Spin-off within twelve months

BPF survey points to improved business confidence / Increased expectations for higher sales and investments

Plastics industry sees dynamic growth / Processing rises by 7% in 2014 / 3.1m t polymer consumption / Dependent on feedstock imports / Few petrochemical projects / Large-scale investment in packaging

EU competition authorities approve the takeover of the downstream activities by OpenGate investor

Growth in cold storage in Asia and Middle East boosts global demand / Output forecast to grow by 4% per year to 2019 / IAL Consultants directory