Industry General

European associations and laboratories establish ERRLAB technical support initiative

Plastics industry continues to see solid growth / Sector sales to double by 2020 / Recycling activities to rise

US Environmental Protection Agency mulls new rules for MDI and TDI in consumer products

Collection rates rise for pots, tubs and trays / Low growth for plastic bottle recycling / Recoup survey

Twelve people indicted for deadly Kaohsiung gas explosions / Accused include LCY chairman Lee Bowei

EU-funded project to develop biodegradable packaging for dried food / Consortium led by Hatzopoulos

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

Part 2 – Plastics Production: Shale gas revolution drives Europe into a corner / Ailing facilities are consolidated / Massive changes in PVC market / Shale oil reserves change the balance once again

Part 1 – Overview: European plastics industry ploughs on / High energy costs and bag bans still an issue / Realities of shale revolution start knocking on Brussels' doors

Survey finds slight rise in presence of littered plastic bags in England / Fee will not change social behaviour associated with littering, PAFA responds

PlasticsEurope and EuPC launch “Manifesto on the competitiveness of the plastics industry in Europe” / Identify challenges to European industry and issue recommendations / "PolyTalk" event in Brussels

2013 production levels slightly up year-on-year / Processing also shows positive trend / Still shy of 2011 levels / E&E usage down / Rise in medical applications / New records for plastics recycling / Latest Consultic study

Organiser SPI extends fair's 3D pavilion by eight more booths / Rising demand

German plastics fair sees record number of visitors / Rising internationality

German plastics fair opens its doors in Friedrichshafen / Close to 1,800 exhibitors / Organiser extends show opening times / Injection moulders still dominate

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

Plastics processors desperately looking for trainees / Hopes that mobile campaign will help ameliorate the situation

European studies on bisphenol A nearing conclusion / Dutch report complements EU assessments

"Placard" project: Consortium to investigate development of safer plasticiser for soft PVC / Focus on process based on cashew nut shells

Several raw material suppliers book space for "Customer Service Centres" in Orlando / Fair at 94% of total capacity

New report examines total natural capital cost of plastic in the consumer goods industry / Marine pollution has largest downstream impact, greenhouse gas biggest factor upstream

Government must tackle barriers to circular economy / PRN and recycling schemes need reform / House of Commons report

Increasing use in UK supermarkets / Overall tonnage of bags continues to drop / Mandatory charges affect use in Wales and Northern Ireland

EC launches EUR 3.7 bn programme to develop bioeconomy / Targets include doubling share of bio-based chemicals produced in EU / Partnership with private sector