Alternative feedstocks rejuvenate global plastics sector/ Oilfield licences to be awarded in Brazil / Shale gas fever rages on three continents / Middle East resources still firmly driving / Saudi Arabia, Iran are major players / GlobalData reports

Demand to increase by 6.3% annually to 2015 / Motor vehicle production fuels growth / Asia Pacific remains largest market / Freedonia report

German federation expects stagnation in the second half of 2011 after a strong 2010 / Weakness in the building and marine sectors / Many players still struggling to overcome the crisis / Subdued mood at the "Composites" show in Stuttgart

LyondellBasell declares FM for Berre polyolefins

BASF joins companies proposing out-of-court settlement of US isocyanates suit / Dow holds out

First ethylene deliveries from Chinese mainland / An isolated “help-out” delivery or precursor to a permanent fixture?

Leading global per capita consumer and producer of plastics / High capacity utilisation rates / Above-average EU salaries impede capacity to compete on world stage

Market's centre moves east as crisis recedes / China now largest consumer of polyamide with 30% of global output / More than 80% of ABS output in Asia / PCI “Yellowbook” and PIE Polyglobe paint the picture

Iran commissions new production line

European production stood at 225,000 t in 2010 / Up 10% year-on-year / Growth expected to slow in 2011 / Latest figures by EuCIA

BASF to lift PBT force majeure in early September

EU imposes provisional anti-dumping duties on imports from the US

Survey: Many designers do not understand composites manufacturing / Weight reduction is the main target / Best performers achieve high level of parts consolidation

African OPEC member plans to use gas derived from oil production / New large-scale project inspired by the Saudi example

Tropical storm raises fear of possible chemical breach at large-scale paraxylene plant in China / Authorities reportedly back in control of surrounding dikes