Markets Processing Other

Acquisition of Continental Structural Plastics completed

Acquisition of BASF's PET structural foam business / Volpiano operation to be integrated in composite materials unit

Raising “Rohacell” polymethacrylimide foam output in Germany / Additional capacity to go on stream in H2 2017

Plans for carbon fibre production site in the US / Property acquired in South Carolina

Expansion of Polish facility to meet growing demand and enhance competence / Completion due in May 2017

Acquisition of US composites company / Gaining foothold to build North American business / Target to reach sales of USD 2 bn by 2030

Further EPS expansion in Romania / Purchase of Arcon's insulation business

Global market expected to grow by around 5% annually to 2020 / Food packaging accounts for two thirds of use / Growth to be driven by BRICS countries / Technavio report

Average companies' budgets rise to over USD 6,000 in 2016 / Plastics represent 73% of all prints / Survey by 3D printing company Sculpteo

Europur reports good performance last year / EU imports surge as exports fall / Study extended to include Russia and Turkey

Strategic investment in PEKK 3D printed parts specialist Oxford Performance Materials / Focus on aerospace applications

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

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

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

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

EUR 20m investment in new additive manufacturing hub in Germany

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

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

New technique saves lives of three babies / Bio-based polycaprolactone tracheal splint developed / Device clears airways and restores breathing in tracheobronchomalacia sufferers

Fair expected to attract about 11,000 visitors / USA as partner country / Serial production remains a key focus

Spanish technology centre to be beta tester for Ultem resin / Agreement with Stratasys

French elastomers specialist buys two composites processors

Strong gains posted in 2014 / Global market worth more than USD 4 bn / Latest “Wohlers Report”