BREXIT

Leaked government report spells out worst-case scenario following no deal

USA

Ambitious legislation focuses on plastics issues / Recycling front and centre / Bans on some single-trip products foreseen / Plastics industry voices support

PLASTICS INDUSTRY UK

Recycling programme Wrap reports on “UK Plastics Pact” progress / Strides made in removing PS and black plastics from packaging as well as single-use items

CHINAPLAS 2019

Record number of visitors at Guangzhou venue / Strong focus on innovations in digitisation and e-cars / Trade dispute with US casts a shadow

FRANCE

Plastics processing sales set a record in 2018 / Profitability of companies weak in a European comparison / Great hopes for recyclate / Voluntary initiatives versus national roadmap

TURKEY

Spot prices rise in first quarter / Plastics imports increase at the start of 2019 / Currency weakness unsettles markets / Subdued polymers consumption in 2018 due to recession

ITALY

Slowdown impacts consumption of polymers / Solid growth for plastics machinery sales in 2018 / Agreement with China could lead to investments in Italian ports

PLASTICS RECYCLING UK

Recycling groups Wrap and OPRL form partnership to tackle goals for packaging labels

CHINA

VAT reduction expected to increase profits for polyolefins market players / LLDPE futures notations dropped in March on expectations of lower import prices

TURKEY

Plastic products sector hit by economic turmoil in 2018 / Production, consumption and imports decline / Urgent need to reduce dependency on imported feedstocks

FRANCE

National pact on plastic packaging / Government, NGOs and retailers commit to ambitious recycling targets

DENMARK

Country urged to switch focus from plastics incineration to recycling / New plastics vision could save over EUR 210m per year / McKinsey report

PIE READERS SURVEY

PIE's first poll on business developments in the European plastics industry

US PLASTICS INDUSTRY

Improved performance in 2017 / Mexico and Canada remain strongest trading partners / Plastics Industry Association report

TURKEY

Currency crisis stifles polymer imports / Prices soar as lira falls / Markets in calmer waters since September

SWITZERLAND

Plastics industry reports good figures / Shortage of skilled workers / Sales gradually approaching record level of 2014 / Proportion of optimists doubles

UK PLASTICS INDUSTRY

Sustainability group Wrap publishes packaging reduction targets to guide "Plastics Pact" members

PLASTICS INDUSTRY GERMANY

Polymer production rises to 11m t in 2017 / A mere 12% of plastics is recycled / Conversio study documents use of recyclate and balance of trade for first time

LATIN AMERICA

Numerous countries and municipalities take steps to restrict single-use plastics / Bans on plastic carrier bags and straws

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

Japan races to catch up on tackling marine litter / Subsidies for biodegradables producers / New Zealand to phase out plastic carrier bags