Markets Processing General

Steady growth forecast for the region's well-developed processing sector / AMI database

Recent study shows high reliance of UK plastics industry on EU workers / Some companies consider extensive automation on factory floors

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?

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

Economy continues to show solid growth / Plastics processing also on the up / Centro Español de Plásticos estimates annual turnover of EUR 14.5 bn / Positive stimulus from construction and automotive industries

New record for sales and output in 2016 / Year of superlatives / Building is largest end-use market

UK plastics industry seeks clarity over Brexit / Concerns surrounding free market access continue / Skills, supply chain and workforce issues unlikely to go away soon

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

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

Global plastics production grows by 3.5% / European output declines slightly / Consumption in EU rises / Turkey is the biggest buyer of resins / Trade surplus crumbles / Report from PlasticsEurope presented at "K 2016"

Banishing 5p bags and throwaway mindset / German parent bans standard plastic bags

British Plastics Federation outlines priorities for Brexit talks / Single market access “crucial” / Converters depend on EU for polymer / Some 40% of plastics firms foreign-owned

Company investments drive growth / Plastics processing segment suffers from ageing technology / No access to key growth markets / Focus on new technologies and recycling

Broad decline in plastics industry sales in 2015 / Rise in Swiss franc's value leads to 7.5% fall in revenues / Minimal headcount reduction / Plastics waste exports down / Optimistic outlook for 2016

Plastics industry on growth course / Billions invested in booming automotive and aviation industries / Domestic polymer capacities limited to PVC, PET and PS / Highly dependent on polymer imports

Plastics processing industry sales down 13.5% in H1 / Negative outlook for full-year revenue

Over half of BPF members predict increasing sales despite “Brexit” vote / Caution on effect of referendum result on profitability / Exports expected to increase as value of pound falls / Investment intentions weaken

Poor economic data put a strain on the economy / Fear of recession following "Brexit" vote / EU exit appears to have comparatively little impact on plastics segment / BPF conference on strategic vision

More than 50% of respondents to PIE poll say “Brexit” will not impact their business / More than a third fear negative repercussions / “Not the decision our sector wanted,” says UK chemicals association / Linpac does not expect any change

"Brexit is stupid" / 52% of British population votes to leave the EU / Plastics industry reacts calmly / Important market in Europe / Many corporate headquarters likely to relocate to the continent

Strong dynamic in the first third of 2016 / Riding on the coattails of the upswing from autumn and winter 2015 / 4% growth year-on-year / Construction business well above average / Semi-finished products a little more subdued

Plastics industry slowly starts to grow again / Gains still fall short of expectations / Europe's second largest processing country / Few changes on the imports front / Pagev highlights the need to improve competitiveness

European converters remain a competitive force / Sector increasingly threatened by insecure raw material supply, high costs and foreign players / Innovation and client proximity strongpoints for continental companies / New study by EuPC and Wieselhuber

Industry on solid course for growth / Both exports and imports of plastics on the rise / Plastics processing activities continue to increase / Automotive segment a key driver / Political impasse in Madrid slows economic dynamics

Growth expectations slow on concerns about global economy / Two thirds of BPF members want UK to stay in EU / BPF survey