EDITORIAL

After a political earthquake, the plastics industry sits somewhere between relief and trepidation

US POLITICS

Trump win could hurt EU companies – analysts / Shares in German carmakers plummet / UN plastics treaty under threat

PFAS

New substances proposed for enhanced regulation in US / Upgrade of toxic chemical release inventory

UPDATE - LOGISTICS

Port strikes ends in tentative agreement / Shipping companies consider imposing congestion surcharges

PLASTICS AND HEALTH USA

Louisiana district court issues permanent injunction against civil rights evaluation for plant-permitting / End to EPA's environmental justice campaign in US ‘chemicals belt'

PLASTICS TREATY USA

US seen as shifting position on global plastic-output cuts / Industry slams reports

USA

Federal government launches plastics-waste-reduction strategy / Reduction of SUPs primary target

RUSSIA

Foreign trade with China starts to crumble under weight of Western sanctions / Hopes pinned on emerging BRICS infrastructure

GERMAN PLASTICS MACHINERY

Drastic slump in incoming orders for plastics machinery in 2023 / Ulrich Reifenhäuser confirmed as VDMA chairman

PFAS

US accelerates campaign against “forever chemicals” / Will avalanche of class action lawsuits hit manufacturers?

LOGISTICS

In search of cargo space: a story of Chinese EV exports and skyrocketing freight rates

AUTOMOTIVE

EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports thrown into doubt / European Commission delays decision on levy

GLOBAL TRADE

US confirms 100% tariffs on imports of made-in-China EVs

LOGISTICS

US hikes tariffs on Chinese imports / Shortage of freight space causes prices to rise

RUSSIA

Technological imports reach historic heights, thanks partly to Germany, Italy / Fresh US sanctions hurt, but not cripple, trade with Asia, Turkey

PFAS

UN declares DuPont and Chemours violated human rights for contaminating water / EPA sets new drinking water standards

PETROCHEMICALS USA

Environmental Protection Agency steps up action against chemical companies / 218 plants affected

USA

Follow-up: 16 Republican states sue Biden administration over planned LNG export pause / Regulatory process claimed circumvented

USA

Winners of funding announced for first 50 hydrogen projects in 24 states / Electrolysers, fuel cells lead the list / European companies also participating

NATURAL GAS

Qatar plans expansion despite pricing woes / Europe may need LNG for 50 more years / US pause in export terminal approvals challenged

NATURAL GAS

US calls “temporary” halt to new LNG export terminals / Existing units to remain onstream / Energy department plans study on international climate impact of US gas

YEAR-ENDER: EUROPEAN PLASTICS INDUSTRY

The plastics industry continues to work in a state of emergency / Slumps in demand, cheap imports and ever-new regulations make life difficult for producers and processors / Producers on the other side of the Atlantic also face more difficulties

PLASTICS AND HEALTH USA

Launch of new thrust for environmental justice through the back door / Campaign to be folded into Inflation Reduction Act

LOGISTICS

Hamburg port workers start wildcat strike / Maersk job cuts to exceed 10,000 / Good news from the US

HYDROGEN

Washington announces plans for USD 7 bn hydrogen network / Details include 7 regional hubs, few European partners / Social issues play role in contracting