Markets Regions and Countries German-speaking Countries

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

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

Building products are most dominant application / Recycling quota reaches nearly 100% / Consultic study

VDMA forecasts 2014 sales to fall slightly below 2013 level / EU 28 sees increase while exports abroad tumble / 2015 expected to record 4% rise / Sustainability initiative at "Fakuma"

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

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

German environment agency remains sceptical on fracking / Latest expert opinion recommends tight restrictions / Draft legislation expected in autumn

Solid half-year performance / Positive development / Exports improve / Expectations for H2 somewhat lower / Players continue to suffer from renewable energy surcharges

First five months of 2014 see solid growth / Economy stable / Rising pressure on margins / IK industry association posts detailed figures for 2013

Plastics industry continues its decline in 2013 / Drop in volume of material processed / Companies report stable operations / Construction and packaging sectors hope for economic improvement

VDMA revises down 2014 sales prediction / Orders in Germany boosted by investment in plant and equipment / Foreign export growth to slow

More than 10% of plastics consumption goes into PU / Rigid foams are the most important segment

Production volumes recover in 2013 / Automotive, building and foreign trade drive sales / PlasticsEurope Deutschland president sees dark clouds

Economic mood surprisingly positive in H2 2013 / All indicators point up / High expectations for the coming months / Energy costs pressure converters and recyclers

Sales bounce back to 2012 half-year level / Seasonal peak shifts into April / Packaging and technical parts see gains / Export trade picks up again / Improved outlook for full year

Orders for German machinery manufacturers on the rebound / Exports show upward trend

Business development in H1 2013 slightly weaker than expected / Industry more optimistic about H2 / Export turnaround may be in the offing / Energy efficiency a major concern

Showing modest growth / Demand boosted by pickup in automotive industry / AMI report

South German ethylene pipeline dedicated in Munich

Imports from outside the EU on the rise / Main supplier Italy suffers considerable setback / Poland continues to make inroads

Bvse recyclers have much too worry about / Inclement weather affecting demand / EEG tariffs are strong barriers

Swiss plastics industry sees sales fall to CHF 15 bn last year / Pressure from euro crisis and strong Swiss franc / Processed volume amounts to 812,000 t / Productivity declines / Packaging industry also weak / Recovery expected during 2013

Full-year 2012 output sinks 3.4% after especially dismal Q4 / Outlook clouded by economic weakness / US shale gas competition worries the sector / Germany leads Europe in recycling

Germany's IK sees little change in 2012 revenues from previous year / Production at 4.2m shows slight drop / Optimism remains for 2013

IK general manager Ulf Kelterborn: The mood within the industry segment has improved