Markets

A year of volatility and transition on the European market / Spot prices stay high amid weather extremes and grid bottlenecks / Germany anchors regional dynamics as renewables expand unevenly

A year of consolidation and a ‘new normal' comes to an end / Market stable after end of dramatic fluctuations from energy crisis / Political framework to continue to force players into further optimising diversification, storage, emissions strategies

Boost for Grangemouth cracker / London guarantees GBP 150 mn investment support package for UK's last remaining ethylene production

Freight rates on a roller coaster / Will the Suez Canal soon reopen to major traffic?

Acquisition in Catalonia strengthens recycling segment / Takeover of Spanish rubbish bag manufacturer Plasticbag

Europe's reclaim sector faces its toughest year yet / Cheap virgin plastics squeeze recyclates / Strain continues

Brussels lifts ban on combustion engines / Industry groups offer lukewarm responses / German car lobby calls changes 'disastrous'

German business climate weakens / Processors' mood worsens / European manufacturers send mixed messages

VDMA sees bottoming out after declines in order intake, revenues / 5% drop in turnover expected for 2025

GBP 14 mn investment programme completed at HQ / Firm set for further expansion

No plans to scale back Covestro's European operations / Talks of 'Arab BASF' dismissed

Imported PTA boosts PET volumes, not profitability / EU mandates support virgin PET as market shrinks / Global PE, PP oversupply caps prices / Packaging, construction, automotive demand subdued

Brussels introduces eighth omnibus / Newest legislation package focused on cost savings for industry / NGOs call environment label Trojan Horse

German distribution group expands competence centre in Scandinavia

Closure of former APK recycling plant in Germany

Trump tariffs shook EU plastics industry in 2025 / 15% duty ignited retaliatory firestorms / Diversification and capacity shifts ahead in 2026

Decline in production, sales predicted for 2026 / Industry sending out SOS, says VCI president Steilemann

PVC producer files for insolvency for German plant / 360 jobs to be affected

OECD predicts slowdown in '26 / Spain to lead, Italy to lag among EU Big Four / UK expansion to ease

BPF hails government's mass-balance decision / Move gives companies confidence to invest in recycling facilities, says trade group

Industry on the brink – BPF / Shutdowns continue / Shops face multiple problems

Gap between US citizens' recycling intentions, actions / 77% report they recycle / WM survey highlights barriers

Automotive supplier sells UK operating business

Provisional ELVR deal sets 15% recycled content target after six years / Closed-loop share fixed at 20%

China initiates interim review of anti-dumping measures on high-performance polymer / Asia, US particularly affected