LOOP INDUSTRIES

Multi-year rPET supply agreements with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo / Chemical recycler's net loss widens in H1 2018

MARINE LITTER

Greenpeace's global plastics pollution audit identifies top brands / Coca-Cola world's worst offender / PS and PET most common plastic waste

RECYCLING

BIR founds global recycling foundation / Donors' funds to promote campaigns

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

Japan races to catch up on tackling marine litter / Subsidies for biodegradables producers / New Zealand to phase out plastic carrier bags

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

Next Glastonbury without plastic bottles?

SAUDI ARABIA

Certain packaging plastics required to be oxo-degradable / Customs checks since December 2017

SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

UK to investigate tax on plastic packaging and takeaway items / Call for evidence to launch in 2018

SHALE GAS

Scotland launches fracking consultation / Ineos may invoke mining act in England

WANHUA CHEMICAL

Explosion at Chinese MDI plant leaves four dead

MARINE LITTER

UK Parliament Committee studying impact of microplastics / Greenpeace poll finds vast majority in favour of phase-out in cosmetics / British Plastics Federation concurs

UK

Are the energy prices for chlorine production in Runcorn falling? / Potential exemption from climate tax

SHALE GAS

UK's Lancaster County Council rejects two shale gas exploration permits / Setback for fracking industry / Environmental advocates cheer decision / Cuadrilla likely to appeal

INEOS

Petchems giant prepared to invest up to USD 1 bn in UK shale gas exploration and wants to be “biggest player” / Licences to be awarded next year

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

Everything is not so awesome for Lego and Shell

SHALE GAS

US fracking activities gather speed / Excessive ethane earmarked for export / Argentina said to possess large reserves / Poland to begin commercial production in 2016 / Environmental impact contested

SHALE GAS

German environment agency remains sceptical on fracking / Latest expert opinion recommends tight restrictions / Draft legislation expected in autumn

TOTAL

UK shale gas exploration licences acquired / First foreign company to enter the market

YEAR IN REVIEW 2013

Part 2 – US shale gas advantage a game changer for European plastics industry / Players seek to level the playing field but authorities slow to react

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

UK ends fracking moratorium / Controls on seismic activity / Environmentalists sceptical