China focuses on lightweight materials to meet 2015 fuel economy standard / Recent CPRJ conference

Recycling rates exceed earlier estimates for 2013, says Defra / Higher rates still needed to meet targets

IK industry association says sector's mood has improved / Poor investment raises concerns

US market expected to see annual growth of 4% to 2018 / Rebounding chemicals and plastics output will boost demand / Freedonia report

Global demand to reach USD 37.3 bn in 2018 / Asia-Pacific drives growth / Western European gains largely the result of higher value features / Freedonia report

Market expected to rise by annually 6% to 2018 / Asia to see greatest gains / Growing online market will boost demand / Freedonia report

Growth of more than 14% forecast in next five years / Threats lie ahead / Key Note study

Demand to increase 5% annually / Residential building construction to be main growth driver / Foamed plastic to record fastest value gains / Asia Pacific to see highest growth / Freedonia report

Global healthcare 3D printing market forecast to grow by 16% per year / Implants drive growth / New 3D medical trends at "Compamed" / Grand View Research report

Rising international competition / “Reserved” outlook for Q4 / Suffering from high energy costs / Sector meets sustainability goals / Latest IK industry association poll

Swiss Environment Office life-cycle analysis says existing collection and recycling systems ecologically sound / No such thing as "good" and "bad" packaging / PE pouches enable significant weight savings / PET bottles best suited for carbonated drinks

Global demand expected to rise by 6% per year to 2020 / Customers switching to more durable products / Grand View Research study

Plastic accounted for 30% of packaging shipments in financial year 2013 / Japan Packaging Institute data

Strong growth in emerging countries / Germany still doing relatively well in global comparison / US and Japan are the big losers / Chinese output will soon amount to half of global production / ZVEI study

Slovakia and Czech Republic en route to becoming key car production centres / Triangle between Prague, Bratislava and Zilina emerges as an OEM stronghold / Hyundai draws South Korean companies to Europe