US demand forecast to rise 7.1% annually to 2012 / Growth boosted by strong demand for starch products

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

Rise of 27% rise in value of plastics production in 2007 / Pipes and profiles segments on the brink of consolidation / More stringent safety regulations for the chemical industry

Lower export duty on plastic products

Plastics market growth unabated / Now Europe's fourth largest processor / Per capita consumption above 60 kg / Industrial park for converters in special zone near Istanbul

Trade deficit is affecting plastics processors / Abiplast: State should facilitate fair competition

Plastics industry with record sales in 2007 / Double-digit sales improvement / Exports continue to rise / Packaging growth even higher / Cautious optimism for 2008 / More cooperation agreements predicted

KAEC Plastics Valley to be developed at Rabigh / “Centre of excellence” / Cooperation with US state of Ohio

Chemical and plastics industry can expect a difficult 2008 / Double-digit growth in plastics processing / Machinery exports top EUR 1 bn / Plastics sector employs 65,000 people

Seven competence centres for new materials

USD 4 bn investment in Abu Dhabi plastics cluster

UK moulding group acquired through MBO

Record turnout at Chinaplas

Fastest growth in MDI consumption worldwide / New production lines reduce dependence on imports / German companies well positioned / TDI shows similar development

Demand grows faster than GDP / Consumption of 49.5m t in 2006 / Germany still leading producer / Pan-European recovery hits 50% for the first time / PlasticsEurope report on EU25 plus Norway and Switzerland