UPDATE - RUSSIA

Polymer industry hit by weak demand / Downward price trend in July / Exports in disarray / Packaging, car sectors suffer

INDIA

Ban on SUP straws to disrupt sales of small beverage packs / Soft drink makers expected to be badly hit / Paper industry set to offer alternatives

RECYCLING USA

US Plastics Pact oversight group creates PET reclaim scheme / Initial funding target set at USD 25 mn

ARAB GULF STATES

Higher prices for oil, gas lift GDP in GCC countries / GlobalData raises 2022 growth forecast to 4.4% / Polymer exports of trading bloc continue to rise

CHINA

Economic growth limited by strict zero-Covid policy / Major Chinese cities aim to return to business as usual / Wood Mackenzie downgrades GDP forecast

PLASTICS RECYCLING USA

US reclaim rate drops, waste generation soars / Senate introduces bill to improve recycling in rural America

GERMAN ECONOMY

ZEW survey: Recession risk remains / Chemical sector under pressure

CHINA

The People's Republic turns to lightweighting and bio-based, recycled plastics / Beijing to ban conventional plastic packaging from express delivery outlets

ENERGY COSTS

Economic researchers call for major hike in gas prices to motivate companies to use less energy / Caution against “distorted incentives” through state aid

TURKEY

Record output, imports, exports of plastics products in 2021 / Resin production unchanged / War threatens material supply from Russia

MALAYSIA

Plastics market to increase 3% annually / Packaging for food, beverages to drive growth / Mordor Intelligence report

CHINA

Covid-19 restrictions in Shenzhen mostly lifted / Plastics use in car components grows in 2021 / Auto production surpasses pre-pandemic mark

GERMAN ECONOMY

ZEW economic indicator plunges at record pace as war rages / Economics institute warns of stagflation / Index for Eurozone also down sharply

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Attack on Ukraine slows global trade / Sanctions start to take effect / Trade war to hit Russia more than Western economies / Kiel Institute research

CHINA

EVs dent oil demand / Petchem consumption to temporarily support crude use

SINGAPORE

Country of choice for various global producers / Plastics industry moves towards a circular economy / Summary by Chinaplas organiser Adsale

CIRCULAR ECONOMY AUSTRIA

Packaging collection at a constant level / Plastics recycling has some catching up to do / Circular Economy Index reveals challenges amongst SMEs

ENERGY MARKET CHINA

Prices to stabilise in 2022 following last year's shocks / Covid-19 policy brings uncertainties

PLASTICS INDUSTRY UK

Majority of firms expect negative consequences of Brexit / SMEs suffering due to customs controls / BPF survey

UPDATE - USA

Plastics Pact calls for end of PS, EPS, and PVC packaging by 2025 / Group wants to eliminate 11 polymer products and materials