Markets Regions and Countries German-speaking Countries

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

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

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

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

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

Industry pleased with H1 2016 / Business better than expected / Outlook more subdued but still positive / China's offensive viewed skeptically / Readership survey

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

Sales flat, output slightly higher in 2015 / PlasticsEurope arm draws mixed picture

Plastics segment in German-speaking Europe on solid footing / Positive outlook for H1 2016 / Energy costs no longer as problematic / Material prices once again the main challenge / Readership survey

IK member companies optimistic about 2016 / Selling prices likely to be increased

Sales after first nine months of 2015 match those of last year / Packaging products perform above average / Construction and semi-finished goods barely move / Technical parts and consumer goods looking up / Positive mood despite feedstock upheaval

German plastics fair meets expectations / Rising internationality among visitors / Movers and shakers attend / Aside from VW crisis, sector mood mostly upbeat

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

First-half of 2015 better than expected / Polymer supply shortage burdens converters / Digital revolution “Industry 4.0” not yet a topic / Outlook for second half deteriorates / Readership survey

First national sorting centre for plastics bottles opened in Frauenfeld / Müller Recycling invests more than EUR 9m

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

Market liberalised in early 2015 / ARA faced rising competitive pressure / ELS Dual launches collection and recycling system for retail packaging / Recycling quota for lightweight packaging up slightly

Slight reduction in output in 2014 / Market's current zigzag movements prove exhausting

Pressure exerted by franc's strength results in portfolio optimisations and longer working hours / Very few packaging producers consider outsourcing an option / SVI industry poll

Franc's strength puts massive pressure on packaging sector / SVI organises events aimed at dealing with currency issues

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

Swiss film producer announces drastic salary cuts / Workforce on strike

Wales says it will place a moratorium on fracking / Regional parliament seeks devolved powers / German debate ramps up again / Ineos sees to clarify Grangemouth remarks

Robust start to the new year / Sector characterised by cautious optimism / More stable material and energy costs could help improve profit

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