Markets Regions and Countries

Minimal additional cost from compulsory emissions trading seen for German plastics producers from 2018 / Financial burden mostly from administration

Exports drive plastics processing segment / Strong domestic demand from construction since start of 2017 / Lively automotive demand expected in the long term / Margin pressure likely

Around 4% growth in the first half of 2017 / Export share rises to record-breaking 41% / Semi-finished products show disproportionate increase / Technical parts under pressure on profit / Outlook remains good

ARA collected 534,000 t of separated waste in first half of 2017 / Collection volumes grew for all materials

Plastics consumption on the rise / Net importer of polymers / World production estimated at 335m t in 2016

Emissions trading compulsory for polymerisation plants in Germany in 2018 / Prices for carbon dioxide

National plastic bag fee introduced in July / Follow-up to awareness and recycling campaign

Excellent first half of 2017 / Business forecasts exceeded / End-users the most upbeat, machinery more subdued / Industry can expect a record year / Readership survey

Supply-side economics reform encourages investment in high-end polymers / Mid- to low-end plastics capacities optimised

Plastics sector fraught with structural difficulties / Dependence on imported raw materials / Private investments remain low / Upturn through economic stimulus programme / Pagev association demands removal of trade barriers

China considers anti-dumping investigation of South Korean styrene imports / Strong impact on Korean producers

PIE talks to Stanley Chu, chairman of "Chinaplas" organiser Adsale / Chinese automotive and medical devices markets saw huge growth in 2016 / The "One Belt, One Road" initiative and the plastics industry / Expansion of the 2018 trade fair in Shanghai

A country muddles through the swamp / Political warfare inhibits progress / Plastics consumption rises in 2016 / Auto industry orders more engineering thermoplastics / Can it compete internationally?

GCC polymer capacity to reach 34.5m t in 2022 / New capacity located mainly in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait / GPCA report

Sales flat in 2016 / Output rises slightly / Regrind market has potential

Crackers and downstream units start up in Iran / Gas output pulls even with Qatar

German manufacturers very positive about economic situation shortly before "interpack" trade fair / High feedstock prices still dampening sales and profits / Further consolidation on the European market

Plastics industry is accelerating / Rising global importance / Domestic polymer consumption to reach 20m t by 2020 / Two-digit growth anticipated for propylene and PVC

Global market worth USD 8 bn by 2025 / Growing Asian demand for LED monitors / Grand View Research report

Global market expanding due to rising packaged food demand / Plastics accounted for 39% of market in 2015 / Grand View Research report

North American post-consumer film recovery slows / Lower oil price curbs demand / Avangard invests in LDPE recycling facility

India recycles 90% of its PET waste / Plastic turned into apparel, bedding and more

Collection of non-bottle rigid plastic waste fell by 3.5% in 2015 / Domestic purchases rose but exports down 13% / ACC report

US plastics fair set for record numbers / Exhibit space draw in March

Industry upbeat as 2017 starts / Business in H2 2016 better than expected / Outlook positive / Capital spending at ten-year high / Qualified personnel hard to find / KI Group readership survey