Record number of visitors at Guangzhou venue / Strong focus on innovations in digitisation and e-cars / Trade dispute with US casts a shadow

Plans to add major new PP capacities in the next two years / Significant reduction of import dependency expected

Talks to acquire Braskem ended / Plans to expedite share repurchase programme

New plant for black masterbatches in southern China

Three new plants at "Jubail 2" / First investment in the Middle East / MoU signed with Saudi Aramco and Total

New thermoplastic copolyester line starts up at Emmen

PPA capacity to be boosted again / Increased "Grivory HT" production from April 2020

EUBP disputes basis of UK plastic bag study / Results throw doubt on biodegradability performance / Need for clearer labelling and certification

Change of private equity owner agreed / Olympus sells out to Warburg Pincus

New joint venture for decorative PVC film in China

Owner Olympus plans merger with DS Smith's plastic packaging activities / Investor acquires US tank manufacturer

Flexible packaging from post-consumer plastics

Deposit-return system for PET bottles starting in 2021 / Plastics industry concerned that beverage market could shrink

New PE packaging from post-consumer waste / Partnership with Italian recycler Montello

PepsiCo, Suntory and Nestlé join recycling consortium / Technology scale-up to produce rPET bottles

Pact with Canada's GreenMantra on PS recycling

Potential economic impact of expanding chemical recycling estimated at USD 10 bn / American Chemistry Council welcomes Texas legislation / PET bottle recycling remains low

North America May 2019: Polyolefins tend sideways to firmer / PVC and PS roll over / Most engineering thermoplastics move sideways / Markets suffer from trade disputes and automotive slowdown

China Standard Thermoplastics May 2019: Price decreases in most standard thermoplastics / Low demand / High supply

Russia May 2019: Overall market still quite weak / Only PVC shows slight upward movement

China Engineering Thermoplastics May 2019: Price decreases in all engineering thermoplastics / Low demand / High supply

Standard Thermoplastics Trend June 2019: Pressure on prices constantly rising / Polyolefins and PVC nevertheless remain stable in first third of month / Styrenics plummet along with SM / Subdued demand dominates the scene

Standard Recyclate June 2019: Prices largely unmodified despite increased purchasing costs / At most pro rata cost transfers / Significant discounts on rPET clear and rPET flakes clear

Polyurethane Feedstocks June 2019: Producers drive TDI up despite slack demand / MDI firms noticeably / Ordering still quiet / Turnarounds approach

Polyolefin notations fall in an uncertain global situation

Composites/GRP May 2019: Resins upswing continues in May / SM's price drop in June will create massive pressure / Demand still mostly weak

Associations criticise new export regulations / Collapse of international trade feared / Intra-EU waste streams may face new hurdles / European exports continue to slide

Trade war leads to plummeting US polymer exports to China / Imports to Europe continue to grow / EU considers imposing punitive tariffs on US plastics