Global car sales down 5% in 2019 / Industry faces consolidation and job cuts / Electric vehicles need one third fewer employees / Plastic content in cars above 30% for first time

Launch of POM grades for automotive fuel systems

Thermoplastic vulcanisates for corner automotive seals

Lightweighting potential of hybrid automotive body parts / “Teroson” structural epoxy foam

Final go-ahead for 750,000 t cumene plant in Germany / Completion in 2021

Leading US propylene producer to expand exports from Houston

First parallel production of bio-based LDPE and PP / Food packaging eyed

Next major project with Qatar Petroleum on US Gulf Coast / Ethane cracker and HDPE

Continued large-scale expansion of PA 6.6 base polymer / Increased usage in electric vehicles expected

Engineering plastics consumption and imports to decline on economic woes

Partnership with Sibur on polymer compounds R&D / Additives know-how and technological expertise

New name for Rehau and MB Barter's polymer distribution company / Development of compounds too

Distribution rights for Solvay's fluoroelastomers in Europe

ABS range from Elix expanded

Subsidiary Melrob distributes Celanese's EVA in UK and Ireland

Draft law puts waste collection in focus / Elipso sees need for more sorting plants and EPR for industrial packaging / "Access to recycled material is tomorrow's challenge for plastic packaging producers"

Deposit return system for plastic bottles could slash waste seeping into marine environment / Common Seas report

Takeover of Italy's Lameplast / Pharmaceutical plastic packaging

Takeover of UK films manufacturer TDX

Acquisition of UK competitor RPC wrapped up / Business restructured into four divisions

Thermoformer acquires CAP-Vakuform / Second investment in Bavaria within 12 months

Kohlberg takes ownership of packaging manufacturer / "Ideal platform for further industry consolidation"

Standard Thermoplastics Trend July 2019: Price cuts dominate picture / Cost reductions point the way downwards / Demand still too weak for trend turnaround / Holiday season about to start in Southern Europe

Standard Recyclate July 2019: Slight discounts on some rLDPE, rPP and rPET grades / Favourable virgin material offers and onset of the holiday season dampen demand / Further discounts expected

Engineering Recyclate July 2019: Notations give way across the board / Only recycled polyamide 6.6 and certain rPOM and rPC grades escaping downtrend / Decline set to affect all materials in August

Polyolefin trade prices plunge sharply

Polyamide 6: Grupa Azoty declares force majeure on polymer production in Tarnów

North America June 2019: Trade wars and weak automotive and construction segments bring widespread price cuts and rollovers / Only PVC sees an increase / Engineering thermoplastics expected to be weaker in July

China Standard Thermoplastics June 2019: Prices continue to decrease / Inventory levels remain high / Weak demand dominates / July could see more of the same

Russia June 2019: Demand still sluggish / Slump in prices / PVC driven solely by demand from construction sector / Stabilisation the target for July

China Engineering Thermoplastics June 2019: Prices keep downtrending / Inventory levels remain high / Subdued demand overall / Trade conflict with US puts small dent in imported POM supply

Polyamide market sees growing automotive demand / Domestic processors buy around EUR 350m worth of PA polymers and compounds / AWJ report