BIOPLASTICS

Global growth rates remain high / Degradable and bio-based polymers still niche materials / Market dominated by drop-in applications / Europe is leading production region / 5m t of bio-PET for bottles by 2018

SGT

French PET preforms producer lifts capacity

PACKAGING RECYCLING

“Reflex Project” makes inroads in recyclability of multi-layer packaging and NIR sorting systems / UK-based programme to set the groundwork for a circular economy for flexible packaging

WEENER

Lindsay Goldberg sells German rigid packaging producer to 3i for EUR 250m / Plans for future growth through “buy-and-build strategy”

RESEARCH

Commercial recycling of flexible laminates underway at Cambridge University spin-off Enval / Process capabilities and economics demonstrated to investors and waste handlers

PACKAGING RECYCLING

UK project launched to improve recyclability of flexible packaging / Collaborators include Dow Chemical, Nestlé and Unilever

GERMAN PACKAGING MARKET

Demand to grow by 1.6% per year to 2017 / Rigid plastics dominate as glass loses market share / Canadean report

TREOFAN

BOPP film manufacturer on track for growth / Management wants to increase sales outside Europe / Job cuts at German plant in Neunkirchen / High potential for technical film

ENVAL

UK recycling technology specialist building first laminate packaging separating plant in Alconbury / Award-winning pyrolysis technology

OCTAL

Phase two of Salalah PET expansion complete / Ramping up to full nameplate capacity

PLASTIC PACKAGING

PAFA says new recycling targets have ignored industry research / No clear waste policy / Further infrastructure investment needed

PEOPLE

PTI names Fabozzi managing director of European business unit

NESTLE WATERS

UK subsidiary building new bottling plant in Buxton / Ultra-light bottles will use 25% less PET

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

Middle East and Africa demand to grow 4.5% per year to 2015 / Increased urbanisation will spearhead demand / Region still remains net importer / PCI Films report

NESTLE

Brazilian subsidiary launches bioplastic caps for milk / Bioplastics partnership with Braskem and Tetra Pak

CARDIA BIOPLASTICS

Collaboration with Nestlé to reduce environmental impact of packaging / Terms kept confidential

WEIDENHAMMER

German packaging manufacturer invests more than EUR 30m in 2010 / EUR 10m earmarked for plastics division

PEOPLE

Rexam appoints group director plastic packaging

NOVENTA

New plant in Thailand / Injection moulder aims to improve its service for clients with global businesses