E&E ENGINEERING

Minimum utilisation rates for recyclate a challenge for plastics converters / Safety requirements become stricter for household appliances, consumer electronics – Conversio report

LOGISTICS

Maersk cautions on freight rates after strong Q3 / Hapag-Lloyd puts 12th container giant into service / Freight rates facing a turnaround?

ITALY

Federchimica association celebrates chemical industry – and seeks orientation during members' meeting

PACKAGING WASTE

Eurostat data shows wide variation in progress towards 2030 plastics recycling targets / Reclaim slightly higher in 2023 / Plastic bag use declines

US TRADE

Trump's tariffs barely impact US plastics industry – Pineda / Industry association briefing points to slight supply chain disruptions

GREECE

High energy costs undermine competitiveness even at European level / Plastics waste recycling stagnates / Industrial capacities at risk despite growth forecasts

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Polyamide: BASF declares force majeure after outage in Antwerp

LOGISTICS

Trump-Xi meeting pauses port fee dispute / Freight rates for shipments to and from China rise significantly

BUTANEDIOL

‘Scrap the taxes' says Ineos owner Ratcliffe / Warning over possible closure of BDO plant in Marl / EU launches anti-dumping investigation

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

Film prices drop in Q3 / Situation remains ‘challenging' / Hopes of small upturn in private consumption by year-end

EUROPEAN CAR MARKET

Electric, hybrid vehicles drive growth in September / Germany, Belgium lead way / China's BYD quadruples volume over 2024

GERMAN ECONOMY

Ifo business climate index turns upwards again / Plastics industry less pessimistic

PLASTIC PACKAGING GERMANY

Outlook for fourth quarter – IK business survey / Cautious optimism as year-end approaches

DENMARK

New Loop launches return system for takeaway packaging in Copenhagen / Reusable tableware comes from Jokey subsidiary KeepIn

UK PACKAGING

Tesco packaging head urges government to boost reuse / Eight other supermarkets join commitment

LOGISTICS

Slump in global trade causes freight rates to stagnate

MATTRESS MARKET

Europe swings to trade deficit as Chinese imports soar / Market competition intensifies as prices fall / US tariffs on Chinese goods exacerbate situation

LOGISTICS

Trade conflict between China and US escalates / Labour strikes add strain to global shipping

POLYURETHANE MARKET

Americas output restrained by weak demand in 2025 / Brazil strongest performer in South America / Fastest growth for rigid foam sector – IAL Consultants

HEALTHCARE AND PLASTICS

Waste volumes in Europe, North America seen rising up to 40% by 2040 if no action taken on SUPs / Systemiq, Eunomia report highlights strategies for hospitals, suppliers