Markets Other

A year of volatility and transition / 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?

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

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

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

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

Out with 2025, in with 2026 – PIE series

Peace and calm on most trade routes / Freight rates from China to Europe rise

Polymer profits plummet / Market demand on downward trajectory / Outlook for 2026 uncertain

Packaging producer enters HDPE recycling for food-contact applications / Development project launched in Netherlands

Plans for German waste sorting plant paused / Pyrolysis start postponed

Better recycling policies, including ban on plastics waste exports, could add GBP 1 bn to UK economy – Biffa-commissioned report

More and more energy-intensive companies are moving away – Simon-Kucher study

German recycling group acquires Italian compounder Forplast / Chemical recycling central to strategy

Output continues to slide / New orders down / Sector employment numbers fall for 11th month in a row

“We are no longer exporting our waste problems” / What amendment to EU waste shipment regulation means for plastics industry / Interview with SAM managing director Olaf Kropp