Fierce competition and high volatility drive consolidation in Germany / French state fund for renovations / New UK market leader is born / Cladding segment increasingly trends towards grey EPS / Prolonged use of HBCD has no notable market relevance

Spanish project to convert multi-layer packaging waste into alkyd and polyester resins / Collaboration between Aimplas and Barpimo

Segment sales up 5% in 2015 / Other regions make up for slowdown in demand from Germany and China / 2016 revenues could break the EUR 7 bn barrier

Asia drives global consumption of aliphatic polyester polyols / Demand growth for aromatic polyester polyols led by Europe and North America / IAL Consultants report

Italy takes small steps towards circular economy / Plastics reuse still in its infancy

PP: Disruption shuts down Natpet facility at Saudi site of Yanbu

LDPE/EVA: Versalis declares force majeure for Ragusa site

Iranian petrochemical group completes first bank transactions in Europe / International marketing activities expanded / Paving the way for future exports

Exports and imports strengthen in first nine months of 2015 / Record levels may be reached in full year / European and NAFTA sales increase while Asia weakens / Assocomaplast reports on trends

Lower import duties for key petrochemical feedstocks and polymers

Output grows continuously by 7% a year / Consumption doubled over past decade / Global capacities approach 2m t/y / Situation unclear in China / EU imports pressure recyclate grades

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

Demand to grow by 4.9% annually until 2019 / Increases to be driven by rising level of internet shopping / Flexible packaging will continue to dominate market / Freedonia study

Dow/YPF joint venture will triple shale gas output in Argentina / “Extraordinary results” from drilling

Fracking yes, but get it right, UK task force says / Incentives can sweeten the pill for communities