Johnson Controls

Plastics industry consolidation draws to an end / Automotive sector: problems and opportunities / Energy costs and shifts in green policy are key factors for competitiveness

Sales and earnings under pressure / Pipe manufacturer plans further cost cuts focused on Europe

Financial restructuring announced / Porsche to take majority stake in battery tech subsidiary, invest in new plant

Covid-19 restrictions in Shenzhen mostly lifted / Plastics use in car components grows in 2021 / Auto production surpasses pre-pandemic mark

Distributor taps Nahapetjan as MD of Czech unit

Acquisition of injection moulder Karl Etzel / More business planned with German automotive OEMs

Assessment of alternatives for car battery division / Focus on building technology

R&D partnership with Boeing / Presentation at international auto show in Frankfurt / Acquisition of US competitor Futuris

Cooperation with Swedish safety specialist Autoliv / Solutions for autonomous car interiors

Plans to invest close to USD 800m to increase global AGM battery output / Fourth plant in China a sealed deal / North American AGM capacity to double by 2020

Chinese OEM building second plant in Czech Republic / Production of dashboards and door cladding

Merger with Ireland's Tyco creates new property management giant

Automotive Experience business to be renamed Adient / Spin-off scheduled for October

Takeovers, mergers and consolidations: Changes in the plastics production, packaging and automotive industries / No going back to the way things were

Big engines, individualised cars roar at “IAA 2015” / Small combustion engines steal the show from e-vehicles / OEMs favour structural parts made of steel and aluminium / GFRP and CFRP deemed too expensive / Hybrid materials pose a challenge for recycling

Automotive division will be outsourced / Spin-off within twelve months

Future of automotive business under review despite recent joint venture agreement with Yanfeng / Full range of strategic options to be considered

German chemicals giant kicks off “Chinaplas” fair together with organiser Adsale / Focus on “Design and Innovation” / Debuting “e-Floater” scooter and automotive backrest

Multi-billion dollar joint venture signed with China's Yanfeng / Operations to start in July 2015

German engineering plastics parts producer sold to Indian automotive OEM Jumps Auto / New owner plans to grow sales, build new plant in India

Multi-billion dollar joint venture for interior components with China's Yanfeng

South Korean automotive supplier builds second plant in Poland / Manufacturing interior components for Hyundai

Automotive supplier divests roof liner business / Plans to sell of several global facilities

Decking is biggest application for WPC / European market nearing maturity / Industry battles against image problems due to water absorption / China catching up to world market leader North America / WPC Congress in Cologne

Part 1 – General overview: US shale gas boom has European plastics players worried / Commodity sectors dogged by overcapacity, insolvencies / Italy goes all out for biopolymers / Mixed picture for European converters