Next phase of MDI expansion plans in Louisiana / Additional EUR 77m investment

Explosion and fire at new "Rapid" refinery in Malaysia / Start-up for polyolefins production delayed

Polyethylene capacity continues to expand in 2019 / Potential to become world's top PE producer in two years

Polypropylene: Borealis declares force majeure on PP from Schwechat / Malfunction of reactor

UK anti-fracking movement wins appeals victory / Court decides that Ineos injunction was too broad / Scotland still dithering about ban

Global market to grow by more than 5% per year / Strong demand from Asia automotive sector / Reports from Applied Market Information and Global Market Insights

Butadiene: BASF lifts force majeure in Ludwigshafen

Production value of plastics processing declines slightly / Employment now above the pre-crisis level / GDP growth loses dynamism / Political uncertainties continue

PVC: Inovyn lifts force majeure for production in Martorell

US Gulf: Transport disruptions in Houston following fire at tank farm / Ships queuing up

US dominates oil output growth / Shale gas is driver / Brazil and Norway up and coming, OPEC slipping / New plastics plants defy moves to curb use

Jury remains out on EU's carcinogen classification / German plastics industry sees “no reason” for stricter rules / Conversio study

UK fracking permits can consider climate change / Key aspects of rules “unlawful” / Advocacy group Talk Fracking wins case against the government

HDPE 100: Iran now has its own catalysts for production

India's Haldia plans large complex for feedstocks PX and PTA / USD 4 bn investments