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WORLD TRADE US polymer exports rise rapidly in the first half-year / US overtakes Saudi Arabia as biggest supplier of HDPE to Europe / Conflict with China creates shifts in global market / Economic downturn continues	23.08.2019
PLASTICS WASTE Associations criticise new export regulations / Collapse of international trade feared / Intra-EU waste streams may face new hurdles / European exports continue to slide	31.05.2019
FRANCE Plastics processing sales set a record in 2018 / Profitability of companies weak in a European comparison / Great hopes for recyclate / Voluntary initiatives versus national roadmap	17.05.2019
POLYMER PRICES 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	14.05.2019
SPAIN Production value of plastics processing declines slightly / Employment now above the pre-crisis level / GDP growth loses dynamism / Political uncertainties continue	05.04.2019
POLYETHYLENE PE imports from the US gaining steam / Impact on European producers' margins / Vast majority of new capacity still to come / Noticeable decline in imports to EU since January 2019	15.03.2019
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY Sales slump puts sector under pressure in Germany and Europe / Weakness especially apparent with SCR tanks for diesel vehicles / Situation could mean a breather for plastics processors / Brexit and e-car issues	01.11.2018
PLASTICS RECYCLING EU exports of plastics waste to Vietnam and Thailand plummet in July / Effects of import restrictions felt / Malaysia's import freeze takes effect in August 2018 / China figures stable at a low level	05.10.2018
PVC Shift in international trade flows / US producers push towards Europe / Trade war causes collapse of US deliveries to Turkey / European market desirable due to high-price structure	16.08.2018
POLYMER PRICES Standard Thermoplastics Trend August 2018: Little market activity in the hot holiday month / Most notations roll over / Price hikes only in styrene chain	14.08.2018
POLYMER PRICES Standard Thermoplastics Trend June 2018: Higher feedstock costs drive up all polymer notations / Price speculation dampens demand / Producers not prepared to make further concessions	13.06.2018
EU POLICY Long-term EU budget rejects idea of plastics tax / Levy on packaging waste more efficient / Commission seeking new own resources / Single-use product bans still subject of environmental policy discussions	14.05.2018
PLASTICS RECYCLING EU waste exports to China plummet / Southeast Asia takes up some slack / Strong Chinese demand for high-quality recyclates drives prices up	20.04.2018
FRANCE Relatively limited market growth in 2017 / Share of exports declining slightly / Paris declares closed-loop economy a priority issue / Plastics converters' association FEP opposes quota for recyclate use	23.01.2018
PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT EU circular economy compromise presented / Lower recycling targets / European plastics industry reaffirms its contribution / PlasticsEurope sees big opportunities for resource efficiency	22.12.2017
POLAND Plastics consumption on the rise / Net importer of polymers / World production estimated at 335m t in 2016	11.08.2017
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY EU plastic components suppliers achieve sales of over EUR 22 bn / German plastics processing still leads the field / France bottoms out / Spain makes a comeback / Central Europe continues to show strong growth	31.03.2017
POLAND Plastics industry continues on the road to growth / Processing segment gains 3% / Local polymer supply still inadequate / Lack of investment / Strong customer industries / Uncertain political landscape	17.01.2017
CHINA Giant's appetite satiated for now / 13th Five-Year Plan calls for more competition, prosperity and environmental protection / State monopoly in petchem sector to be reduced / Investments in Europe skyrocket	09.03.2016
PLASTICS MARKETS EUROPE Consumption grows 1% in 2013 / Polyolefins, PU and PET see gains / PVC and PS demand continues to fall / Producers under rising pressure / USA as most important trade partner	09.01.2015
POLAND Plastic processing: Production value continues to climb despite 2012 volume drop / Blustery economic headwinds picking up / Construction sector in a hole following completion of large projects / New impetus for growth starting 2014	09.10.2013
GERMAN STRETCH FILM MARKET Imports from outside the EU on the rise / Main supplier Italy suffers considerable setback / Poland continues to make inroads	17.07.2013
INNOVIA Cooperation with Sappi Fine Paper on development of compostable packaging / Move to meet new 2014 end-of-life requirements of EU Packaging Directive	24.04.2013
BELGIUM Plastics and rubber products output falls 2.6% in 2012 / Negative business trend continues into 2013 / World's largest per capita plastics producer / Federplast survey	09.04.2013
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY UK: German imports of medical components rise in first half of 2012 / US on first place / China gains ground / Weak domestic production	04.03.2013