Markets Europe General

Swedish holding files for insolvency / Some of Dynamit Nobel businesses likely to be affected

LDPE plants in UK and France “temporarily” idled

European Parliament passes new safety directive

Mitsui's stake in joint venture acquired

Indian company Motherson Sumi negotiating purchase of rear view mirror manufacturer / Supervisory board describes prospective buyer as the "ideal strategic partner"

Job cuts in Europe / Plant closures in Grefrath, Madrid and Ghent / Joint venture with GACC in China

Packaging division reorganised into industry segments / Geographical structure phased out

Annual growth of 5% forecast / European market to reach 570,000 t in 2012 / Study updated for 2009

German automotive supplier files for insolvency / District court appoints provisional administrator

Production of SBCs suspended at key sites in Europe and USA

CLEPA: European companies need over EUR 25 bn / Bailout funds in Germany and France

US auto supplier files for Chapter 11 / Plant closures in North America / No impact on European operations

Agreement on concept to continue the business / Gilde to contribute financially to rescue plan

Euromap sees dark clouds on horizon for European manufacturers after record 2007 / Order downturn of “historic dimensions / Association forecasts lower sales for 2009 / Very strong global market position

Anti-dumping investigation into polyamide imports from the EU, USA and Taiwan

Cefic forecasts decline in output of 0.6% in 2008

Demand again grew faster than GDP in 2007 / Consumption 52.5m t / Germany still the biggest producer / Half of European plastics waste is recycled / PlasticsEurope report “Compelling Facts about Plastics 2007” on the EU27 plus Norway and Switzerland

“Definitive final result” shows Ciba stake at almost 95%

Financing obtained for Portuguese PTA plant / Interquisa acquisition finally falls through

Ciba stake of 94.6% nailed down / Final result this week

First German supplier insolvency averted for now / Automakers grouping criticises bank policies / Short-time working and extended leave

Europe: 1.3m t polymers for cables in 2008 / Market still dominated by PVC / PE steadily gaining ground / Big regional variations / Demand highest in Italy / Publication of AMI's latest guide

Shutdown of 630,000 t/y PTA plant in San Roque / Rising Asian imports hit profitability

“No more extrusion facilities to be closed”

Recovery not expected before 2010 / Both OEMs and suppliers are feeling the heat