FRANCE

More than 50 companies sign up to use recycled plastics in packaging / Government welcomes commitments within its call for 100% circularity by 2025

GREECE

Shopping bag usage at supermarkets falls 76% on bag charge / Sikinos first Greek island to ban plastic straws

INDIA

Ban on single-use plastics from 2022 / "CleanSeas" campaign and clean up of historic monuments / Reports spotlight waste management successes and setbacks

PLASTICS PROCESSING CHINA

More than 15,000 Chinese converting companies / Continuous growth in exports of plastic end-products / Numerous centres and schools for innovation and training / CPRJ report

CROATIA

Waste management plan with 2020 target proving difficult / Chamber of commerce holds waste and recycling symposium / Importance of separating secondary raw materials

SOUTH KOREA

Steps taken to cut plastic waste volumes / Move follows China's ban on waste imports / Production of coloured PET bottles to stop by 2020

3D PRINTING

Use in aerospace sector expected to take off / Drive to build better designed, cheaper and lighter aircraft will fuel growth / Frost & Sullivan report

ITALY

Plastics sector looks back on good year / Growth above industry average with stellar prospects / Machinery manufacturing, "Industry 4.0" and digitalisation drive investments

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

EuPC survey to gain insight into 3D printing in European plastics converting industry

GERMAN PLASTICS PROCESSING

Growth rate reaches 5% mark in 2017 / Renewed record turnover and processed volume / Lack of skilled staff becomes more acute / Confidence predominates at start of 2018

MATTRESS INDUSTRY

China accounts for one-third of global production / Growth in Chinese consumption to slow / Global demand outpacing other furniture markets / Flexible PU foam most used material / CSIL reports

GERMAN PLASTICS ECONOMY

Boom starts to weaken / H2 2018 outlook more subdued / US trade tariffs still loom / Teething problems for EU circular economy / "KI Dialog" survey

PLASTICS RECYCLING

Malaysia closes its doors to flood of plastics waste / Third Southeast Asian country to stop imports

CHINA

No appearance yet of an easing of PET waste import restrictions / Domestic rPET production moving to Southeast Asia?

PLASTICS RECYCLING EUROPE

New initiative calls for EU regulators to make recycled content mandates for plastics / Minimum requirements would boost recyclate markets

CHINA

Fiscal leverage to support environmental policy / National waste fees and recycling rates for 2020