EuPC European Plastics Converters

PIE talks to Ron Marsh, head of the Polymers for Europe Alliance, about the goals of the plastics processors‘ initiative / "Best European Polymer Producer" award

EuPC Packaging division establishes three new taskforces / Padraig Nolan named division manager

“Waste Free Oceans” annual conference on marine litter takes place at European Parliament / Strategic alliance with Europêche

“Plastics Recycling Show” held in Brussels in late November / Conference and exhibition

Plastics industry sees dynamic growth / Processing rises by 7% in 2014 / 3.1m t polymer consumption / Dependent on feedstock imports / Few petrochemical projects / Large-scale investment in packaging

EU-funded “Placard project” reports good test results for PVC plasticiser based on cashew nut shells

Germany's GKV industry association says plastic processors can apply for specific tariff quotas / Cooperation among European associations / Long-term application process

EuPC unveils agenda of “Polymers for Europe Alliance” / Pan-European platform to address recent spate of FMs / Potential legal action against producers / Lobby work against EU import tariffs / Potential group purchasing platforms for imported material

Waste Free Oceans welcomes Dutch government's decision to introduce a reverse vending premium / The Netherlands ward off attempt at abolishing PET bottle deposit scheme

Opportunities for the plastics industry should not be carelessly wasted!

European Composites, Plastics and Polymer Processing Platform ECP4 re-elects key board members / Launch of “Strategic Research Agenda” for the plastics industry

Upcoming MedPharmPlast Europe conference to take place in Frankfurt / Updates on EU regulatory developments for plastic medical devices and the pharmaceutical packaging industry

PlasticsEurope France “sounds the alarm” for Europe's plastics industry / Increasingly uncompetitive

EuPC general assembly yields “strategic alliance” for European polymer supplies / Former RPC chief executive Ron Marsh to steer efforts / Strong criticism of producers and EU's import duties on plastics

EuPC and PlasticsEurope host “EU investing in its future – plastics construction technologies” conference / June event part of EU Sustainable Energy Week

Restriction of lightweight bags passes European Parliament / Charges from end of 2018 / Commission expects cost savings of EUR 740m per year / EuPC “disappointed”

Raw material shortages threaten existence of FIBC producers / No choice but to pass on rising costs to customers / EFIBCA industry association

EuPC, PlasticsEurope and SPE launch “European Plastics Innovation Awards”

Plastics associations voice concern over recent force majeure announcements / Processors increasingly under threat / Call for more transparency

“Food Contact Plastics Seminar” to be held in Brussels in April

European converters hope EU investment plan will stimulate their business / EuPC urges Brussels to revive its circular economy proposal

Consumption grows 1% in 2013 / Polyolefins, PU and PET see gains / PVC and PS demand continues to fall / Producers under rising pressure / USA as most important trade partner

Europe struggles to remain competitive amid US shale gas onslaught / Industry organisations call on EU to help / Oxford study analyses chances and risks

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 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