Twelve people indicted for deadly Kaohsiung gas explosions / Accused include LCY chairman Lee Bowei

Europur board elects Bart J. ten Brink as new president

EC withdraws Circular Economy plans to increase recycling levels / Package to be replaced with more ambitious legislation

EU committee finds DEHP as of “very high concern” for the environment / Health decision still due

Part 4 – Regulations: Regulatory moves keep the industry on its toes again in 2014 / Restrictions on plastic bags dominate the discussion / BPA and phthalates still a topic / Flame retardant issues still smoulder / Recycling guidelines make headway

Part 3 – Packaging: M&A activity in the plastics packaging sector continues / Global competition changes the landscape / La Seda bankruptcy sale almost wrapped up / Coca Cola's sustainability drive hits a snag

Part 2 – Plastics Production: Shale gas revolution drives Europe into a corner / Ailing facilities are consolidated / Massive changes in PVC market / Shale oil reserves change the balance once again

Part 1 – Overview: European plastics industry ploughs on / High energy costs and bag bans still an issue / Realities of shale revolution start knocking on Brussels' doors

PlasticsEurope calls France's report on alternatives to bisphenol A in food packaging “unrealistic simplification” / French parliament set to vote on ban from 1 January 2015

European legislation a key focus at second EuPC sector group meeting

World Plastics Council elects Sabic's Mosaed Al Ohali as chairman / Lays out focus on marine debris, post-consumer solutions

Follow-up: European Bioplastics and Assobioplastiche welcome European Council's amendment to Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

EU guideline calls for gradual reduction in consumption up to 2025 / EuPC highlights problems from internal market perspective, warns of job losses / PlasticsEurope fears trade barriers, calls for regulation of “oxo-degradable” plastics

Plastics Recyclers Europe annual meeting highlights quality recycling and sorting / “European Plastics Recycling Show” to make its debut in Brussels next year

EuPC masterbatch and compounder subgroup elects new president