Global production forecast to grow by 20% to 2022 / Transition to circular economy drives demand / Brand owners increasing usage of bio-based materials / Study by EUBP and nova-Institut

Are bioplastics really a better environmental solution?

Methacrylates division with "Plexiglas" up for sale / Strong business year in 2017

Expansion of PA capacities at two German sites / Relocation of compounding plants from Italy

New integrated PP complex in Alexandria / Planned start-up in 2022

Chemtura consolidation depresses 2017 net profit

Advanced Materials 2017 underlying revenues rise / Specialty Polymers contributes bulk of growth

Acquisition of German films manufacturer Nordfolien / Former Nordenia plants to be part of plastics packaging group

Exclusive talks with Uni Packaging / Deal could boost presence in France and UK for dairy and fresh food

Dairy company Müller buys UK milk packaging capabilities

Packaging group CCL Industries acquires Americas business / Assignment to Innovia planned

New BOPP film production line in Turkey expands capacity

Start-up of Polish extrusion line for BOPP film / New metallisation line to be installed in 2018

Sibur subsidiary starts operations at metallising unit in Siberia / Continuing growth in Russian BOPP market expected

Plans for European circular economy hub / Ljubljana has first-rate separate waste collection

UK government launches call for evidence to investigate tax on packaging and takeaway items / BPF supports measures to reduce plastics waste

Government introduces policy incentivising use of recycled plastics / Tax benefits in fiscal 2018 budget

PE film recycling growing / Positive effects from China's import ban / Move to recyclable mono-materials needed

Standard Thermoplastics Trend March 2018: LDPE under price pressure / Maintenance turnarounds and scarce imports support other polyolefins / Higher styrene reference drives up PS and EPS / Buyers hold back in hope for price cuts in Q2

Standard Recyclate March 2018: Stable to solidifying market environment / Recycled LDPE film grades sole exception / Demand from China and seasonal effects provide room for hikes

Engineering Recyclate March 2018: Respite for price rises / rPA 6.6 and rPOM nevertheless on the up / rABS and rPA 6 rather quiet / rPC awaits next surge

Polyolefins trading prices in reverse gear

Polyurethane Feedstocks March 2018: MDI heading down, TDI firmer, polyols stable / Trends likely to continue / Demand just about satisfactory overall / Slight restrictions on availability / Converters switching to other materials

Russia February 2018: PE in decline / Prices otherwise firming slightly / PET climbs up to record high / Subdued demand overall / Hope for a revival in March

China Standard Thermoplastics February 2018: Domestic market subdued / Announcement of anti-dumping duties on styrene imports from US, South Korea and Taiwan creates price pressure / Notations of PE and PP decrease slightly / Uptrend for PVC, PS and PET

North America February 2018: PE jumps up surprisingly / PP falls again / PVC and PS climb / Engineering plastics remain on upward trend / Trends to mostly continue into March

China Engineering Thermoplastics February 2018: Decline in demand due to holidays / ABS and PC fall a little / PMMA and PBT move sideways / PA 6 solid / Distinct increase with PA 6.6 / Widely stable to tighter tendency expected

European demand to grow by 2.5% per year / EPS accounts for one quarter of market / Study by IAL Consultants