FEHRER

Expansion of PU foam seating upholstery production in the US

DAIMLER

New process combines compression and injection moulding / Weight savings of up to 50% in auto trim components

COMPOSITES MARKET

Focus on automation and mass production capability / Expected growth of 6-8% per year / GRP applications take a back seat in Europe / JEC Show in Paris experiences continued growth

POLYMER PRICES

Composites/GRP January 2013: Resins see slight gains / Producers seek across-the-board hikes / Demand boosted by inventory refilling / Direct roving loses more momentum

PEOPLE

Peter Roos named new president of KraussMaffei Berstorff's Extrusion business

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics in September 2012: ABS and PP pay tribute to remaining cost increases / Most other materials roll over / Polyamides start to crumble / Market hit by automotive downturn

AUTOMOTIVE MARKET

Suppliers suffer the brunt of declining sales figures / Growth driver China shows signs of weakness / Will the lull drag on until 2015?

BASF

Portfolio development focused on innovation / Increased plastics investment in emerging markets / New CEO outlines German group's forward strategy up to 2020

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Focus remains on mass markets of Russia, China and India / CAFE standard will drive the switch to new materials in USA / Lightweight construction a key topic at IAA / Will global sales stagnate in 2012?

SGL CARBON

Volkswagen acquires 8% of shares in carbon manufacturer

DAIMLER

Joint venture with Toray to produce CFRP parts / Production to start in 2012

ALTMÄRKER KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK

Automotive industry supplier files for insolvency

SAARGUMMI

Insolvency: Tug-of-war between investors and creditors could break sealing systems producer / 400 job cuts planned

TI AUTOMOTIVE

Daimler contract for Mercedes-Benz fuel tank systems

FAURECIA

Takeover of Plastal Spain / Negotiations for French plant apparently still ongoing / Joint venture with Chinese seat manufacturer Xuyang

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics in June 2010: Hikes continue despite feedstock decline / For many grades of polymer it was a seller's market / Quarterly and semi-annual contracts see consistent upward price momentum

CARBO TECH COMPOSITES

Bulk order from McLaren / Serial production of carbon fibre reinforced passenger cabins / 4,000 units to be manufactured starting 2011

DAIMLER / TORAY

Agreement to jointly develop carbon fibre reinforced plastics components / Serial production to be launched in three years' time

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY

German consortium cooperating with manufacturers on reaching an agreement about authoritative purchases / Improved financing

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

China is driving the global market for automotive engineering / Trend towards small, compact vehicles / Industry propelled by alternative engine systems / Suppliers fear wave of insolvencies

FAURECIA

Significant improvement in H2 2009 / Plastal acquisition will broaden bumpers portfolio

IAC

Acquisition of Stankiewicz's US activities