GLOBAL TRADE

Decline in proportion of goods traded across borders / Rubber and plastics trade intensity falls to 22.8% / Value chains more reliant on highly skilled labour / New priorities for location decisions / McKinsey report

TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Jury remains out on EU's carcinogen classification / German plastics industry sees "no reason" for stricter rules / Conversio study

SHALE GAS

UK fracking permits can consider climate change / Key aspects of rules "unlawful" / Advocacy group Talk Fracking wins case against the government

POLYETHYLENE

HDPE 100: Iran now has its own catalysts for production

POLYESTER MARKETS

India's Haldia plans large complex for feedstocks PX and PTA / USD 4 bn investments

INEOS

PP-based composite added to portfolio / Automotive surface applications

ALPLA

Plastic container with low material requirements / EPRO award for innovation

BIOLIVE

Olive stones converted into bioplastics / Turkish company plans manufacturing facility

GABRIEL-CHEMIE

Masterbatches from post-consumer recycled PP / First customer projects in packaging sector

API

Recyclable TPU for one-shot and glue-less production of footwear soles

MANAGEMENT

Global insolvencies forecast to rise in 2019 led by China / Western Europe a key contributor to top business failures / North America to plateau / Euler Hermes report

UNITED KINGDOM

UK corporate insolvencies likely to rocket in the face of a "no-deal" Brexit / Atradius report

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