ASIA

Economic activity set to rebound in 2021 / Slow, partial decoupling from China / New US administration to have positive effect on Chinese relations / Atradius report

BREXIT

Outcome of UK-EU trade negotiations remains uncertain / Time is running out / Plastics industry prepares / Coronavirus pandemic and supply bottlenecks add to problems

US PLASTICS INDUSTRY

Trade surplus drops 20% in 2019 / Trade deficit in resins and machinery with Germany

CIRCULAR ECONOMY AUSTRIA

Confidence declining in circular transformation / ARA barometer reveals less commitment among smaller companies / Coca-Cola launches recycling incentives for consumers

CHINA

Details of five-year plan show nationwide measures for cutting plastics consumption / Gradual SUP bans planned / Degradable plastics demand expected to increase significantly

GERMANY'S PLASTICS MARKETS

New Conversio study looks at material flows in 2019 / Decline in raw material production and plastics processing / Upward trend for recycling comes to a sudden halt / Corona crisis leaves major scars

TURKEY

Plastics industry posts fall in demand and output in first half / Contraction predicted for 2020 / Domestic market hindered by taxes and low-value products

PLASTICS RECYCLING USA

Alliance to create circular economy / North American platform of Ellen MacArthur's global “Plastics Pact” / 50% recycling rate targeted

UPDATE - DENMARK

Government announces plan to overhaul waste and recycling system / Proposed restriction on imported waste for incineration

CHINA

"Chinaplas 2021" taking place in country's technology hub / 19 halls and more online services at Shenzhen exhibition centre / Production of plastic products higher in May

CHINA

Economic growth to decline sharply in 2020 due to Covid-19 and trade dispute with the US / Oil demand looks set to recover in Q2 / Atradius and Wood Mackenzie reports

POLAND

Economic mood appears to be at all-time low / Coronavirus puts the brakes on automotive industry / Hard times for suppliers / Investments in packaging sector on schedule

TURKEY

Pagev asks for plastics industry incentives due to Covid-19 impacts / Downturn in construction, automotive and white goods sectors / Medical supply production ramps up

SPAIN

National supply chains must switch to medical supplies and protective gear to aid coronavirus fight / Prime minister Sánchez wants “Marshall Plan” for Europe / Support from 3D printing is indispensable

TURKEY

Government introduces Covid-19 measures to help out businesses / Pagev sees lack of including plastics sector as major deficiency / Polyolefin spot prices trending sharply downward

PET RECYCLING DENMARK

Dansk Retursystem starts up new plant in Taastrup

UPDATE - ITALY

Manufacturing of plastic products and machinery can continue / Conte and eight EU heads ask for coordination in Europe during "unprecedented shock"

CHINA

PET inventories overflowing / India, Philippines and Russia top importers for Chinese bottle chips / Coronavirus pandemic won't improve oversupply

ITALY

Nationwide lockdown abruptly halts activity / Domo's PA 6 production still running / FCA shuts down Italian, Polish and Serbian production sites / Aid for SMEs affected by Covid-19

CHINA

Plastics companies hope for "post-epidemic" rebound