FRANCE / ITALY

Packaging by far largest market for injection-moulded thermoplastics / PP and PET account for biggest share / AMI report

COMPOSITES UK

Royal attendees open McLaren Automotive's CRP centre / Research association NCC aims to advance series production of car components

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

“Formnext” trade fair showcases advancing technology / Increasing use in production / Plastics still most common material / Further success depends on material availability and costs

COMPOSITES

Fewer exhibitors at "Composites Europe" / Industry associations and organisers to counteract in 2019 with "Foam Expo" / GRP growth in Europe at 2017 level / Thermoplastic matrix products and pultrusion are strong

PLASTIC PIPES GERMANY

Significant rise in production volume in 2017 / Building boom boosts order volumes / Industry association continues confident / Macroeconomic factors leading to uncertainty

INJECTION-MOULDED PLASTICS

PP to outpace growth of other polymers / Packaging to remain dominant end-use market / Volatile feedstock costs and sustainability issues are challenges / BCC Research study

GERMAN PLASTICS PROCESSING

Industry reports good sales in first half of 2018 / Outlook a little cloudier for Q3 / Political risks will affect export business in particular

3D PRINTING

Use in aerospace sector expected to take off / Drive to build better designed, cheaper and lighter aircraft will fuel growth / Frost & Sullivan report

ITALY

Plastics sector looks back on good year / Growth above industry average with stellar prospects / Machinery manufacturing, “Industry 4.0” and digitalisation drive investments

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

EuPC survey to gain insight into 3D printing in European plastics converting industry

GERMAN PLASTICS PROCESSING

Growth rate reaches 5% mark in 2017 / Renewed record turnover and processed volume / Lack of skilled staff becomes more acute / Confidence predominates at start of 2018

MATTRESS INDUSTRY

China accounts for one-third of global production / Growth in Chinese consumption to slow / Global demand outpacing other furniture markets / Flexible PU foam most used material / CSIL reports

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3D printing heads for small series production / "Formnext" exhibition in Frankfurt a "centre of gravity" / Market expected to triple by 2023 / Quality assurance a difficult issue

PLASTIC PIPES GERMANY

Production volume stagnates in 2016 / Shift towards PE and away from other materials / Earnings still under pressure / Industry association hopes for positive impetus from Berlin

UNITED KINGDOM

"Brexit" and plastics industry / BPF fears high trade costs with the EU / Priorities include access to skills / European chemical industry signs joint statement / Plastics exports to UK particularly important for Ireland

THERMOFORMED PACKAGING

European market for thermoforms applications reaches 1.1m t / Further growth / Recyclates are important / Petcore Europe report

TDI

Follow up: BASF confirms quality problems in production / Ludwigshafen facility temporarily taken offline / Price rollover nonetheless likely in October / Numerous plant stoppages among converters

COMPOSITES

Volume of GRP processed in Europe grows by 2% / European share of global production declines again / "Composites Europe" attracts far fewer visitors and exhibitors

EXTRUDED PP FOAMS

Strong demand for lightweight vehicles and eco-friendly packaging boost global growth / Grand View Research report

GERMAN PLASTICS CONVERTERS

Around 4% growth in the first half of 2017 / Export share rises to record-breaking 41% / Semi-finished products show disproportionate increase / Technical parts under pressure on profit / Outlook remains good