Markets Processing Other

European flexible foam market grows in 2016 / Upsurge in tonnage of EU exports as imports drop / Trend for higher density PU foams

After deadly Grenfell Tower fire in London, manufacturer Celotex takes PIR insulation panels off the market

Global PVC distribution deal with Maricell renewed / Contract to make carbon fibre body panels for premium Italian automotive OEM

Plastic thermoforming materials market shrinks 8% to USD 972m despite higher volumes / PET contribution falls 7% to USD 424m / Pagev report

Negotiations to buy French composites firm Structil / Deal would boost aerospace and industrial offering

Textile machinery subsidiary acquires majority holding in composites processor Lamiflex

Composites can open up new horizons in the construction industry / New focus at the “JEC” trade show in Paris / Automotive and aerospace industries still strong / Record visitor numbers / Attention turning to the lack of recycling options

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