Realignment of grades in PIE's price reports / Extrusion and injection moulding materials now separate / Producers from Asia targeting Europe more strongly / Surplus puts pressure on European producers' margins

European flexible foam production could see “make or break” year / Weaker demand of late / China subdued in global comparison / Rigid foams make up ground

US and China sign agreement in trade conflict / Import duties still in place

Fibre applications compensate for overall slowdown / Surplus tendency with paraxylene / PTA more balanced / Excessive increase in MEG capacities

EU production forecast to be flat in 2020 / Cefic cites slowing global economy / Issues of Brexit not specifically addressed

Recycled plastics and plastics waste-to-oil market forecast to expand by 10% annually / Waste control regulations drive growth / Transparency Market Research report

Global market to expand by 11% per year to 2027 / Asia electrical & electronics sector drives demand / TM Research report

Fire extinguished at TPC's butadiene plant in Texas following explosion one week ago / Longer downtime anticipated

BT2i and Nova-Institute offer advice for green plastic solutions

Massive explosion at petchem site in East Texas / Presumably TPC's C4 facilities

UK government calls new fracking moratorium / Authorities say earthquakes unpredictable / Green groups pleased / Labour smells “election stunt”

Global polymers production rises to nearly 360m t in 2018 / European output nevertheless on the decline / Trade balance surplus falls / Good progress with collection and recycling of post-consumer plastics waste

Aromatics: China's Hengyi Petrochemical officially starts up Brunei's first refinery

Polyamide 6: Grupa Azoty lifts force majeure at Tarnów

India no longer imposing punitive duties on imports from the EU and Mexico