SOUTHEAST EUROPE

Romania, Bulgaria's accession to Schengen area offers benefits to plastics industry / Political uncertainty hampers execution of development plans

BALTIC STATES

Plastics industry follows upward trajectory despite turbulence in Europe / Evertis to construct EUR 30 mn PET film plant in Lithuania / Political turbulence, imports from non-EU countries exert pressure on businesses

UKRAINE

Polymer imports plunge by a third since start of war / Stake in Karpatnaftokhim reportedly sold to new investor

PROPYLENE

China increasing propylene capacity to meet growing derivative demand / Country expected to dominate global market by 2030 – GlobalData

NORTHERN AND EASTERN EUROPE

Poland's plastics industry shows signs of economic recovery / Average order book size growing in Finland

EGYPT

Polyolefin manufacturer Sidpec reports good performance despite global market challenges / Petchem output to triple by 2030 / Chinese-Egyptian JV to design Red Sea petrochemicals complex

SERBIA

Uncertainty over oil supplies plagues petrochemical industry / Integration with European economy has pros and cons

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY SPAIN

Call for cut in electricity costs to boost competitiveness / Base chemicals production remains in decline

RUSSIA

Polymer exports drop by a third since 2021 / Betting on Asia not paid off / Trade war brings challenges

US-INDIA TRADE

India set to continue bilateral trade agreement talks / Tariffs could impact only 0.1% of Indian GDP – experts / Pharma, textile industries to be hardest hit

TRADE CEE

Experts weigh in on potential trade war escalation / “EU businesses, including PE suppliers, can benefit from import restrictions”

HUNGARY

Plastics industry consolidation draws to an end / Automotive sector: problems and opportunities / Energy costs and shifts in green policy are key factors for competitiveness

PLASTICS INDUSTRY SPAIN

Industry roadmap published for sustainability, innovation, competitiveness / Sector reps talk transformation at roundtable

UPDATE - MALAYSIA

+++ Fire breaks out at Petronas gas pipeline in Puchong +++ Plastics export growth to slow in 2025 / Domestic market poised for lasting development /

POLAND

Economic crisis takes toll on plastics recycling / Recyclate prices absurdly low / Industry braced for uncertainty

FINLAND

Plastics industry rebounds in H2 2024 / Better days ahead in 2025 / Defence, healthcare among key drivers for recovery

PLASTICS INDUSTRY JAPAN

Production declines across the board in 2024 / Exports, imports slightly up / Engineering plastics market set for robust growth through 2032

TRADE WAR

Concerns mount over US tariffs on Canada, Mexico / National plastics groups jointly call for free trade / Trump starts, stops import fees on many goods

POLAND

Robust economic performance lifts plastics industry in 2024 / Strict regulations, rising energy costs fuel fears over competitiveness / Associations call for stringent measures

VIETNAM

Economic boom increases appetite for plastics raw materials / Strong demand from packaging, construction, electronics