Global prospects for 2019 at best subdued / Job losses and plant closures expected / European manufacturers face big decisions

Composites/GRP April 2019: Resins prices start to rise / Automotive demand still weak / Glass fibre notations unchanged

Renault seeks improved PP recycling / Research into alternatives to density separation / Veolia Institute report

Withdrawal from PPA business / German plant to close / Focus on polyamide 12

PA compounding activities in the Netherlands to be relocated to Germany and Italy

Partnership with Borealis extended in Austria / Synergies for “ReOil” chemical recycling plant

Doubling of TPE production capacity in UK completed / New US facility for TPO and LAO

US compounder withdraws exhibitor stand at "K" / Selection of targeted rather than general events

New "Verbund" site in Zhanjiang to include polyamide and TPU facilities / Additional information surfaces

North America April 2019: Polyolefins tend sideways to firmer / PVC affected by weak demand / PS moves in line with rising costs / Most engineering plastics roll over / Tension eases with PA 6.6

China Standard Thermoplastics April 2019: PVC shoots upward / Deadly explosion in Inner Mongolia and safety inspections at plants / Higher prices of imported PP and HDPE

Russia April 2019: Continuing subdued demand results in largely stagnating notations / No substantial change in sight

China Engineering Thermoplastics April 2019: Most notations decrease / PC, PA 6.6 and PMMA pointing downwards in May

Temporary easing in May after uplift

Standard Recyclate May 2019: Increasing prices predominate / Only opaque grades and rPET remain in rollover / Demand driven by virgin materials and seasonal effects / Further hikes to also predominate in June

Engineering Recyclate May 2019: Secondary market quiet / Recycled PP compounds an exception / Demand improves slowly / Little change likely in June

Standard Thermoplastics Trend May 2019: Producers' hopes of significant margin gains are not fulfilled / Demand remains too subdued for large increases

Olefins: Sabic declares force majeure on production from "Olefins 4" cracker in Geleen / Unknown impact on PE and PP production

Greenpeace report shows US, Japan and Germany were top exporters of plastics scrap 2018 / Norway proposal under discussion at UN Basel Convention meeting

Circulate Capital's April Crow talks to PIE about investment opportunities for reducing marine litter in Asia / India is favourable to funders / "Growing urgency to identify and invest in solutions"

Circulate Capital issues guide to aid investors in fighting plastics pollution / Focus on South and Southeast Asia / Investment opportunities in waste management and recycling

UK university heads global plastics pollution study / Focus on microplastics in rivers and estuaries / Initial results find diverse types

Study analyses plastics pollution along Spanish coast / PE, PP and PS were most abundant microplastics / Barcelona plans "zero waste" strategy

PVC consumption heavily reliant on imports / Domestic production from sole plant in Aliaga