Plastics industry establishes clarity on global plastics flows for the first time / Study based on data from 44 countries shows differentiated picture / More specifically targeted measures should be planned more specifically

Sharp change of direction toward circular economy / Away from industrial civilisation to ecological civilisation / Representatives of China at "K"

International alliance meets at "K 2019" / Advocacy is the priority / China's circular plans focus on technology and biopolymers / EPR schemes controversial

Base Petrochemicals, Aromatics and Feedstocks: October/November 2019

Polyethylene October 2019: Factoring-in of cost increase is again the norm / Rises nevertheless sometimes less than reference increase / US imports begin to have an impact / Ethylene reference for November down / Price cuts on the cards

Polypropylene October 2019: Poor demand curbs margin gains / Producer prices fall / Lower propylene reference foreshadows November downswing

PVC October 2019: Market remains too weak to improve margins / Slight concessions still the rule instead / Sinking ethylene reference indicates November development

Styrenics October 2019: Price curve turns down again / Minimal transfer of SM cost reduction / Oversupply and weak demand / Further discounts foreseeable

PET October 2019: Notations continue to crumble / Market situation still liquid / Demand subdued / Virtually no revival in sight / November set to remain bleak / Tendency to grant reductions remains

Separation of distribution and compounding business / More competencies for the new divisions / Weak automotive industry depresses sales

Distribution group surpasses the EUR 100m sales mark / New warehouse in Morocco / Extended portfolio with Sabic products

Engineering Thermoplastics October 2019: Prices start to dive / First part of quarterly reductions reflected in the monthly transactions / More decreases expected in November / Sales in crisis mode

Purchase of Lotte Chemical's UK PET plant / First acquisition outside the Americas

Update on PP project in Police / PDH Polska rebranded as Polyolefins

Borealis and Adnoc partners for India petrochemical project / USD 4 bn investment

New catalysis-based chemical recycling scheme / Pilot plant at Ferrara / First samples of Samsonite suitcases made with recycled plastics at “K 2019”

Chemical recycling of PET / Test run for industrial production

Partnership with Remondis to develop chemical recycling process for plastic waste / Target capacity of above 200,000 t/y

North American business to be sold to Cerberus / Sales of USD 861m

Commitment to halve virgin plastics use by 2025 / Pledge to help collect and process 600,000 t plastic packaging annually / CEO says need to rethink design

Flexible packaging expansions through takeovers in South Africa and India

EuPC says EU member states should reject multiannual financial framework / Levy could lead industry into recession / Long-term consequences are unpredictable

Italy's tax proposal opposed by EuPC, PlasticsEurope and PRE / Thousands of jobs could be put at risk / Consumers would spend more

Sales fall by 37% in England / Austria sees 28% decline in quantity used against 2014

Asia-Pacific PU products output to rise 4% per year to 2023 / Strong growth in China adhesives and flexible foams / IAL Consultants report

Polyurethane Feedstocks October 2019: Isocyanates and polyols deteriorate / Producers hold MDI hike plans / Demand stabilises in part but still weak