EUROPEAN ECONOMY

Eurozone inflation ticks up to 2.9% / Energy main driver, but effect modest / Higher impact seen in August

LOGISTICS

Rhine relief remains elusive / Port strikes add to peak-season chaos / BASF invests EUR 100 mn in rail transport

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

Strait of Hormuz blockade puts renewed pressure on oil and polymer prices / PIE expert Martin Bäcker explains what the crisis means for Europe's plastics industry

AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING

Covestro, Forvia, BMW among partners in headlamp-recycling research project

PLASTIC PACKAGING

High recyclate prices inhibit demand, restrict supply / Use of recycled content falling behind what is needed for 2030 targets

DEFENCE INDUSTRY

European defence boom opens new markets for plastics / Czech, Finnish processors pivot to military applications / High-value defence products boost margins

E-COMMERCE PACKAGING

Global market to see strong, steady growth to 2031 / Flexible formats gain momentum

LOGISTICS

The Rhine shrinks from a river to a trickle / Port congestion remains a risk

PTA

Final anti-dumping duties on Mexican, South Korean imports / EU Commission slightly reduces rates

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING

Europe-wide consultation process / TecPart to host public web conference to coordinate industry position on 18 August

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Polyether polyols: Covestro declares force majeure for Dormagen as Rhine hits record low

UK CONSTRUCTION

Sector showing evidence of stabilising / Declines slow in commercial and housebuilding activity

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

LDPE: Sabic declares force majeure for deliveries from Geleen

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Olefins, polyolefins, butadiene: MOL repairs in Hungary to extend into next year

LOGISTICS

Rhine water levels fall to record low / Europe's plastics supply chain comes under pressure

ITALY

Exports buoy plastics machinery in 2025 / Asia emerges as new growth focus / US on equal footing with Germany / Strategy session for petchems at Porto Marghera

PETROCHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS

Cumene: Reported issues at US supplier Flint Hills affect key feedstock for epoxy resins and PC

RECYCLING AUSTRIA

PET recyclate market remains under pressure

LOGISTICS

Rhine turns bottleneck / Middle East fuse still burning

RADICI

Plans to close Novara adipic acid plants / 140 jobs at risk