EUROPEAN ECONOMY

Mixed growth signals from large nations / German processor confidence plunges

EUROPEAN CAR INDUSTRY

Sales rebound / EVs still lead / Mixed results for majors

PLASTICS PRODUCTION GERMANY

Poor annual results for 2025 / Production, turnover again down significantly – Plastics Europe Deutschland report

EU POLICY

Council summit ‘distracted' by war in Iran / Orbán stands his ground / LNG supplies upended by bombing / Modest progress on ETS reform

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY GERMANY

VCI reports further decline in sales, production / Polymer output slumps / No forecast for 2026

PLASTICS MARKETS GERMANY

Launch of data collection for new plastics material flow map / Companies invited to participate

LOGISTICS

Soaring diesel prices put inter-Europe goods transportation at risk / Sea freight rates also rise

PTA

EU: Provisional anti-dumping duties on imports from South Korea and Mexico

POLYURETHANE

Middle East crisis unlikely to cause raw-material shortages / Bottlenecks in foam production, availability could occur

EUROPEAN ECONOMY

'Collapse' of German investor outlook – ZEW / European mood dims / Iran war sparks inflation, growth concerns

PLASTICS RECYCLING GERMANY

Industry caught between challenges, willingness to invest and wait-and-see approach: 'We are in a paradoxical situation' / IK Circular Packaging Days 2026

CHINA

State of emergency: Middle East conflict shakes petrochemicals sector / High import dependence

LOGISTICS

War in Middle East grips maritime logistics / Freight rates surge / Forces majeures announced due to supply shortages

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Ineos Styrolution imposes order freeze on polystyrene, ABS

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

PET: Indorama declares force majeure in Europe / Sharp price increases expected

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

Massive mark-ups on prices for virgin material / What purchasing strategy should processors adopt? / Recyclers face possible upswing, boom in demand

UPDATE - PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Polyolefins, PVC: Forces majeures and energy surcharges from LyondellBasell, Ineos, Sabic

VIETNAM

Investment boost from foreign companies / European plastics processors increasing presence / Scaling global trade via 'China-plus-one' strategy

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Polyolefins: Delivery problems reported at LYB and Orlen in Plock / FM for HDPE, LDPE, PP?

UK CONSTRUCTION

February sees sharp downturn in housebuilding activity / Weak order books and weeks of wet weather impact output