SHALE GAS

Chevron to quit Romania, too / Oil multinational will close European exploration chapter

SIBUR

Foundation stone for ZapSibNeftekhim cracker and downstream units / Project costs and start-up could change amid ongoing economic volatility

SHALE GAS

Wales says it will place a moratorium on fracking / Regional parliament seeks devolved powers / German debate ramps up again / Ineos sees to clarify Grangemouth remarks

INEOS

Ineos says Scottish plans for fracking moratorium threaten Grangemouth's existence / Imports deemed not sufficient to cover feedstock needs of mammoth complex

STYROLUTION

Styrenics producer announces management board changes / Rob Buntinx appointed president of Europe, Middle East and Asia

SHALE GAS

Scotland asks UK government not to award fracking licences on its soil / Moratorium until after May elections / Planning powers to be devolved / Ineos affected

SHALE GAS

UK parliament rejects new fracking moratorium / Environment committee bill defeated / Scotland exempted from eased exploration rules / Devolved rights could threaten Ineos

STYROLUTION

Regional headquarters for PS and ABS moved to Rolle

SHALE GAS

Sunoco sends first natural gas delivery via pipeline to Philadelphia / Project for ethane shipments to Europe on schedule

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

FUND ENERGY

Chinese MTO producer secures Ineos “Innovene” license for new PP line

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

STYROLUTION

North America distribution pact with PolyOne and Entec Polymers widened / Innovative specialities

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

INEOS / SASOL

Work on Texas HDPE joint venture begins

ITALY

Petchem industry trying to shake off an uncertain past / Going green / Many obstacles still remain

STYROLUTION

Kevin McQuade to take over as CEO on 1 January / Roberto Gualdoni steps down for personal reasons

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Ineos declares force majeure for LLDPE and HDPE from Grangemouth

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

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

PIE speaks to Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe / “Clearly the vast majority of our investment today is going to be in the USA” / Manufacturers have no chance in Europe / Shale exploration could restore competitiveness

STYROLUTION

Ineos acquires BASF's 50% stake in styrenics joint venture

DSM

Dutch chemical group may spin off or sell plastics business / Acrylonitrile and caprolactam in view

POLYTALK

PlasticsEurope conference highlights petchems producers' negative outlook for future of European manufacturing / Producers call for more support from Brussels / Authorities highlight benefits of circular economy

INEOS

"Barex" resins plant in Ohio to close in Q1 2015 / Other facilities at US site unaffected