ASSOCIATIONS

EuPC Packaging division establishes three new taskforces / Padraig Nolan named division manager

EVENTS

“Waste Free Oceans” annual conference on marine litter takes place at European Parliament / Strategic alliance with Europêche

EVENTS

“Plastics Recycling Show” held in Brussels in late November / Conference and exhibition

POLAND

Plastics industry sees dynamic growth / Processing rises by 7% in 2014 / 3.1m t polymer consumption / Dependent on feedstock imports / Few petrochemical projects / Large-scale investment in packaging

BIO-BASED PRODUCTS

EU-funded “Placard project” reports good test results for PVC plasticiser based on cashew nut shells

RAW MATERIAL ALLIANCE

Germany's GKV industry association says plastic processors can apply for specific tariff quotas / Cooperation among European associations / Long-term application process

PLASTICS MARKETS EUROPE

EuPC unveils agenda of “Polymers for Europe Alliance” / Pan-European platform to address recent spate of FMs / Potential legal action against producers / Lobby work against EU import tariffs / Potential group purchasing platforms for imported material

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

Waste Free Oceans welcomes Dutch government's decision to introduce a reverse vending premium / The Netherlands ward off attempt at abolishing PET bottle deposit scheme

GUEST EDITORIAL

Opportunities for the plastics industry should not be carelessly wasted!

ASSOCIATIONS

European Composites, Plastics and Polymer Processing Platform ECP4 re-elects key board members / Launch of “Strategic Research Agenda” for the plastics industry

EVENTS

Upcoming MedPharmPlast Europe conference to take place in Frankfurt / Updates on EU regulatory developments for plastic medical devices and the pharmaceutical packaging industry

PLASTICS MARKETS EUROPE

PlasticsEurope France “sounds the alarm” for Europe's plastics industry / Increasingly uncompetitive

PLASTICS MARKETS EUROPE

EuPC general assembly yields “strategic alliance” for European polymer supplies / Former RPC chief executive Ron Marsh to steer efforts / Strong criticism of producers and EU's import duties on plastics

EVENTS

EuPC and PlasticsEurope host “EU investing in its future – plastics construction technologies” conference / June event part of EU Sustainable Energy Week

PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS

Restriction of lightweight bags passes European Parliament / Charges from end of 2018 / Commission expects cost savings of EUR 740m per year / EuPC “disappointed”

PLASTICS MARKETS EUROPE

Raw material shortages threaten existence of FIBC producers / No choice but to pass on rising costs to customers / EFIBCA industry association

INDUSTRY

EuPC, PlasticsEurope and SPE launch “European Plastics Innovation Awards”

PLASTICS MARKETS EUROPE

Plastics associations voice concern over recent force majeure announcements / Processors increasingly under threat / Call for more transparency

EVENTS

“Food Contact Plastics Seminar” to be held in Brussels in April

PLASTICS PROCESSING

European converters hope EU investment plan will stimulate their business / EuPC urges Brussels to revive its circular economy proposal

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

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Europe struggles to remain competitive amid US shale gas onslaught / Industry organisations call on EU to help / Oxford study analyses chances and risks

YEAR IN REVIEW 2014

Part 4 – Regulations: Regulatory moves keep the industry on its toes again in 2014 / Restrictions on plastic bags dominate the discussion / BPA and phthalates still a topic / Flame retardant issues still smoulder / Recycling guidelines make headway

YEAR IN REVIEW 2014

Part 2 – Plastics Production: Shale gas revolution drives Europe into a corner / Ailing facilities are consolidated / Massive changes in PVC market / Shale oil reserves change the balance once again

YEAR IN REVIEW 2014

Part 1 – Overview: European plastics industry ploughs on / High energy costs and bag bans still an issue / Realities of shale revolution start knocking on Brussels' doors