Markets Applications Packaging

Part 3 – Packaging: M&A activity in the plastics packaging sector continues / Global competition changes the landscape / La Seda bankruptcy sale almost wrapped up / Coca Cola's sustainability drive hits a snag

Plans to shutter two facilities operated by French EPS processor Isobox

Italian thermoformer expands its plant in Poland

Binding offer to acquire Promens / Deal would create EUR 2 bn rigid packaging producer / Part of “Vision 2020” strategy to strengthen European foothold

Global demand to reach USD 37.3 bn in 2018 / Asia-Pacific drives growth / Western European gains largely the result of higher value features / Freedonia report

PET packaging equipment supplier moves to new UK offices

EU guideline calls for gradual reduction in consumption up to 2025 / EuPC highlights problems from internal market perspective, warns of job losses / PlasticsEurope fears trade barriers, calls for regulation of “oxo-degradable” plastics

Onex investment fund acquires carton packaging manufacturer / Deal to close in Q1 2015

Market expected to rise by annually 6% to 2018 / Asia to see greatest gains / Growing online market will boost demand / Freedonia report

Growth of more than 14% forecast in next five years / Threats lie ahead / Key Note study

Italian blow moulder building plant in St. Petersburg / Supplying Unilever

"SuperCleanQ" project to research recycling of food contact plastics is concluded / CEN specification to be published in 2015

Acquisition of Germany's Weidenhammer Packaging completed

Scotland's retailers now charging 5p for all single-trip bags of all materials / England to follow suit in 2015 / Northern Ireland to extend levies to cheap reusable bags from January

Expanding commitment to plastics recycling in packaging / 20% packaging reduction targeted for 2020

Goal of sourcing 25% of PET from recycled or renewable materials by 2015 likely to fail / High recyclate prices, regulatory restrictions blamed / 7.5 bn "PlantBottles" sold in 2013 / "2013/2014 Sustainability Report"

Takeover of US injection moulder C+N Packaging complete

Rising international competition / “Reserved” outlook for Q4 / Suffering from high energy costs / Sector meets sustainability goals / Latest IK industry association poll

German manufacturer loses second PLA-based carrier bag lawsuit / Appeal to federal court

Swiss Environment Office life-cycle analysis says existing collection and recycling systems ecologically sound / No such thing as "good" and "bad" packaging / PE pouches enable significant weight savings / PET bottles best suited for carbonated drinks

Plastic accounted for 30% of packaging shipments in financial year 2013 / Japan Packaging Institute data

Additional waste bag orders from Nanjing take annual requirement to over EUR 700,000 / Other city districts undertaking trial programmes

Northern Ireland reduces consumption by nearly 72% in first year of 5p levy / Proceeds fund community projects

Acquisition by private equity firm Oak Hill for USD 1.4 bn / Secondary buyout / Specialist in rigid packaging

Purchase of Germany's Weidenhammer Packaging creates "global leader in rigid paper packaging" / EUR 286m deal