PLASTICS RECYCLING

EU waste exports to China plummet / Southeast Asia takes up some slack / Strong Chinese demand for high-quality recyclates drives prices up

PACKAGING RECYCLING AUSTRIA

ARA initiative for a circular economy / Prime goals are eco-design and higher recyclate content

PLASTICS PACKAGING

German industry expects a strong Q2 / Recycling becoming important matter for customers

FLUOROPOLYMERS

German industry association warns of tight market and massive price hikes

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Biopolyester: BASF lifts force majeure on "ecoflex" and "ecovio" bioplastics / Deliveries still affected

POLYPLASTICS

Low-dielectric liquid crystal polymers for telecommunications

BASF

Collaboration with Essentium Materials for global filaments network / Launch of PA 6 powder for 3D printing

BASF

New product grade for EPS packaging

AIMPLAS

Consortium formed to develop compostable materials for single-use plastics

OWENS CORNING

PP and PA composite filaments developed for 3D printing

MANAGEMENT

Industry 4.0 spreads slowly in UK, Switzerland and Germany / Companies often lack money and staff / E&Y and Censuswide survey reports

MANAGEMENT

Poor payment behaviour continues in Asia-Pacific / Average payment term fell slightly to 55 days in 2017 / Atradius report

BIO-BASED PRODUCTS

BIC publishes guide to help investors in the bio-economy / Discussion of various grants and funds available in Europe

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

20% of revenues generated with products for low-carbon economy / Carbon Disclosure Project report

MANAGEMENT

Rising number of major insolvencies / Abundant cash reserves are risk driver / 25% of companies worldwide wait 88 days or more to get paid / Euler Hermes report