Markets Regions and Countries

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

Petrochemicals and plastics: Following earlier rise, former tiger state increasingly under pressure / Expansions in China limit sales outlets / Government-initiated restructuring / Quality over volume / Feedstock partnerships with foreign players

Plastics industry continues on the road to growth / Processing segment gains 3% / Local polymer supply still inadequate / Lack of investment / Strong customer industries / Uncertain political landscape

South American market contracts between 2013 and 2015 / Growth expected again in lead-up to 2020 / Brazil is largest producer / Study by IAL Consultants

IK industry association expects further growth in 2017 / Optimistic start to new year / Renewable Energies Law remains an obstacle

Appointments to Trump cabinet have ties to industry / ExxonMobil CEO Tillerson to be secretary of state / Fracking proponents at the helm / “Foxes guarding henhouses”

Anti-dumping duties imposed on PET deliveries from China, Indonesia, India and Taiwan

2015 production drops 3% over 2013 / Increase in plastics processing / Growth in packaging, automotive engineering and medical devices / Recycling as key economic factor / Consultic study 2015

Engineering contract awarded for Malaysia HDPE project / Completion expected in Q3 2019

Shale gas carousel turns faster / Giant field found in west Texas / President-elect Trump expected to promote fracking / Much of new plastics output earmarked for export