Markets Regions and Countries

Map Ta Phut accidents prompt government to set up new industry control regime / Explosion at Bangkok Synthetics leaves 12 dead / Dozens hurt as chlorine escapes from Aditya Birla Chemicals' plant

Saudi group sets up joint venture with Turkey's Bayegan / Integrated PP plant to go on stream in Turkey in 2015

ICO Polymers' Verolanuova production plant moved to Gorla / New merged Italian site boasts two new lines

Spotlight on China's Zhang Mu Tou plastic trading centre in Dongguan / PIE visits regional hub for plastic buying and selling activities / EUR 1.2 bn in annual turnover

Accelerated Chinese demand spurs new investments / UOP technology selected for two more China propylene projects / Start-ups expected in 2014

Record number of visitors at Chinaplas 2012 / Rising share in foreign attendees at world's second largest plastics fair / Processing sector focuses on sustainability / Increasingly difficult market environment / Domestic demand needs to grow

Latin America's largest BOPP producer buys new BOPET line purchased from Brückner Machinenbau / Start-up expected in early 2013

New UK technical centre for PU elastomers and systems / Third recent investment in PU innovation

Merger of key plastics industry groups creates China Synthetic Resin Marketing Association / Tasked with aiding government draw up, implement plastics policies / Resins market continues to grow / PIE exclusive with group head Zheng Kai

Demand to grow 7.8% annually / Rebounding building construction market drives gains / Foamed plastic use set to rise to USD 3.9 bn in 2016 / Freedonia report

Manufacturers reap order bonanza in China / Germany and Japan are the largest exporters

New PU production site in India / Favourable location for supplying customers in the north and northwest / Total investment of EUR 150m

Excellent mood at largest US plastics fair / Move from Chicago to Florida receives positive feedback / Many Central and Latin American visitors / PIE makes a successful debut

Output and volume sales decline in 2011 / Both standard and engineering thermoplastics hit

North America March 2012: Renewed gains for polyethylene despite weak markets / Restraint for PP sees spot markets thrive / PVC continues to climb / PS cost drive slows / Engineering thermoplastics rising

German packaging producers association warns of rising raw material prices / Survey nevertheless shows optimism for Q2 economic development

Plastics scrap imports up 5% in 2011 / Rise of 21% in value terms over 2010 / PET scrap sees largest price gains

Plastics and rubber machinery production levels up 11% year-on-year / Exports rise by almost 21% / Europe is the leading destination / Exports to Russia rise by more than 60%

Upgrade at MMA plant in Beaumount continues apace / Re-commissioning this year / MAA line starts production

Mitsubishi and Celanese joint venture raises POM output / New capacity to come on stream in early 2014

Further improvement in UK plastic bottle recycling rate / Higher level still needed / Inadequate infrastructure for non-bottle rigid packaging

Shell signs land option agreement to evaluate Pennsylvania site for possible ethane cracker / Aither Chemicals mulling complex in West Virginia

China February/March 2012: Hardly any demand growth as work resumes post-Chinese New Year / Exports slow / Business expected to pick up again as agricultural season starts / Oil price could push notations up

Plans to relocate ACN production to mainland China / Response to government resolution to encourage more environmentally friendly production

Output to exceed 900,000 t in 2016 / Flexible foam is largest market for PU chemicals / Consolidation in foam production / Brazil is largest producer / IAL Consultants study