UNITED KINGDOM

Brexit deal suffers heavy defeat / Plastics companies concerned about no deal / Cefic asks for solution to avoid supply chain disruptions / BPF survey

PLASTICS INDUSTRY

Global production rises to 348m t / Europe defends its position as second-largest producer / Consumption increases slightly across all countries / Germany still largest processor by far

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Olefins: Fire at Karpatneftekhim's site in Ukraine

TURKEY

Medical plastics production and consumption on downtrend / Germany, China and US are top importers and exporters / Trade deficit expected to fall with a rise in exports

HDPE PIPES

Global sales to grow 5% per year to 2025 / Growing urbanisation boosts demand for water supply pipes / Allied Market Research report

LATI

Antistatic and colourable compound enhances control of electrical properties

RPC BPI PROTEC

New collation shrink film with 30% post-consumer recyclate

REPSOL

First PP grade for gamma radiation sterilisation

EMS-GRIVORY

High hydrolysis resistant PPA for automotive and food applications

AMPACET

New range of conductive black masterbatches / First branch opened in Morocco

LOGISTICS

Massive increase in road freight costs in Germany

LOGISTICS

Cost relief for rail freight in Germany expected / European Commission approves subsidies

LOGISTICS

Toll rates for trucks to increase in Germany from January 2019 / Low river levels add to freight transport problems

BASF

German group considers establishing own fleet / Shallow Rhine river is costing several million euros

MANAGEMENT

Overdue payments substantially impact businesses in Eastern Europe / Late payments growing in Turkey / Bankruptcy is main reason for uncollectable receivables / Atradius report