Markets Processing General

Plastics processors' association FEP criticises poor support from petrochemical producers / Low oil price and higher margins not being passed on

Feedstock price swings reflected in the statistical H1 balance sheet / Depressed sales at the start of the year gradually lifted by cost rises / Full-year revenues could set new record

BPF survey points to improved business confidence / Increased expectations for higher sales and investments

Plastics industry sees dynamic growth / Processing rises by 7% in 2014 / 3.1m t polymer consumption / Dependent on feedstock imports / Few petrochemical projects / Large-scale investment in packaging

Germany's GKV industry association says plastic processors can apply for specific tariff quotas / Cooperation among European associations / Long-term application process

EuPC unveils agenda of “Polymers for Europe Alliance” / Pan-European platform to address recent spate of FMs / Potential legal action against producers / Lobby work against EU import tariffs / Potential group purchasing platforms for imported material

Plastics sector recovers slightly in 2014 / Rise in revenues and processed volumes put an end to previous downtrend / Recovery short-lived / Franc revaluation brakes economic development

EuPC general assembly yields “strategic alliance” for European polymer supplies / Former RPC chief executive Ron Marsh to steer efforts / Strong criticism of producers and EU's import duties on plastics

Processors eye 8% annual growth in African plastics demand to 2018 / South Africa accounts 25% of plastics processing sites / AMI database

2015 sales growth to be led by automotive sector / Increased sourcing from foreign suppliers / Lack of skilled workforce remains key issue / MAPP survey

Swiss franc's gains hit plastics industry particularly hard / Exports cave in

Plastics consumption down in 2014 / Lack of investment / Too many small businesses / Only slight signs of recovery / Efforts to switch to "green" chemistry not sufficient / Study by Plastic Consult

BPF poll reveals ”further flat lining of business confidence” for 2015 / Number of companies expecting rise in profitability sales / Little investment planned / Recruitment of trained staff remains problematic

Sales hit new high in 2014 / Record number of employees / Widespread confidence for 2015 / GKV president still sees big challenges in energy policy and lack of trained personnel

Economy slowly looking up after double recession / Plastics exports rise / Processing sector shows signs of improvement / Tools production pointing up

Swiss Plastics industry association fears currency decoupling could have disastrous effect on plastics sector / Calls for better framework conditions / Swiss Packaging Institute says pressure on packaging sector is rising

IK industry association says sector's mood has improved / Poor investment raises concerns

Consumption grows 1% in 2013 / Polyolefins, PU and PET see gains / PVC and PS demand continues to fall / Producers under rising pressure / USA as most important trade partner

Weak August dampens Q3 results / Sector nevertheless expected to grow in 2014 / Many businesses still operate at high output rates / Improvement in September

Solid growth in H1 2014 / Mild winter shifts construction season / Packaging and consumer goods remain stable / Technical parts producers report good business

Investors drawn to low-wage countries / ASEAN member states constitute alternative to China / Highly heterogeneous region / E&E, automotive drive Thai plastics demand / Massive expansion in plastics production capacities

Plastics processing industry strengthens in 2013 / Upward trend continues in 2014 / Innovation needed to tackle overcapacity

Plastics output expected flat in 2014, says PlasticsEurope / Output declined 0.9% in 2013

GKV industry association sees increasingly dynamic sales growth / Sector posts record revenues in 2013 / Improved profitability / Twin challenges of renewable energy laws and lack of skilled staff

Latest BPF poll finds sector optimistic about 2014 / 73% of respondents expect UK sales levels to rise / Half anticipate increase in profitability / Energy supply and recruitment of skilled staff remain problematic