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

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

North American processors' share of market to grow fastest / Backwards integration is key trend / BCC Research study

SBCs remain most important despite mature markets / Strong growth continues in Asia-Pacific and China / TPVs see fastest gains from new applications / Freedonia report

Polymer production grows by 4% in 2014 / EU 28 trade surplus widens / Turkey still most important resin buyer / PlasticsEurope recommends landfill ban to improve recycling / "Plastics – the Facts 2015"

PP: Market leader LyondellBasell warns of supply tightness / Only regular contract volumes guaranteed

Olefins: Shell restarts Wesseling cracker

HDPE: Ineos lifted FM from Lavera, Sarralbe and Rosignano

PVC remains top choice for compounding / Construction to grow at fastest pace as activity recovers / Technological advances to help penetrate new applications / Freedonia report

Fire shuts Shell's Moerdijk cracker again / No indication of how long outage will last

Ethane imports will soon feed Europe's ethylene crackers / Sunoco opens its terminal in Pennsylvania / Ineos to supply FEP's Mossmorran cracker from Grangemouth

Polyolefins: Slovnaft's cracker in Bratislava down / LDPE and PP copo deliveries suspended “until further notice”

Despite overcapacities, plans to lift output in Asia / Global consumption stands at 4m t/y / Decline in optical data storage devices pressures sector / Market unsettled by BPA controversy / Opportunities for lighting technology and automotive applications