PLASTICS RECYCLING FRANCE

Nearly 1 mn t of recycling capacity shut down in Europe over last three years / Foundation of European plastics recycling put to test / French plastics processing posts 4% contraction in 2024 – Polyvia

COVERIS

Pilot plant for film recycling commissioned in Louth, UK

CABKA

Dutch processor reports 10% revenue growth in Q1 / Profitability improves, US revenues decline

TRIPLAST

GreenDot, ARA, Bernegger to build EUR 40 mn waste-stream processing plant in Austria

GRAFE

Masterbatch manufacturer modernises technical centre / Further investments planned in Germany

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

OECD flags chemical safety gaps in recycled plastics / Existing standards offer only partial coverage of chemical risks

ECO+ECO

EUR 34 mn plastics recycling investment in Porto Marghera / New Mediterranean logistics hub for industrial recovery chains emerging

KINGFA

Chinese compounder again delays start-up in Poland / Export push raises competitive pressure in Europe

HTASO

Engineering thermoplastics compounder puts second expansion stage into production / European sales running smoothly so far

MANN+HUMMEL

Filter manufacturer plans to shutter plant in Speyer, Germany / Around 600 employees to be affected

BASF

Global additive prices to rise up to 25%

DOW

Revenue, earnings remain under pressure in Q1 / Outgoing CEO Fitterling expects margins to improve soon

FORCES MAJEURES

French association Elipso accuses polymer producers of speculative price hikes amid Middle East crisis

RECTICEL

First quarter starts off sluggish / Dynamic recovery from end of Feb / PU specialist boosts turnover

FORVIA

Sale of interiors division to Apollo reportedly close

GERMAN SUPPLY INDUSTRY

Companies remain ‘in deep structural crisis' – ArGeZ / Decline in sales, production, employee numbers

UK ECONOMY

Annual inflation rises to 3.3% / Higher fuel costs drive up costs

EUROPEAN ECONOMY

War sours moods / German business morale worst since 2020 / Processors voice less optimism / Eurozone PMIs tumble

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks April: Sector develops into pure seller's market / Massive mark-ups / Demand was, is, and remains weak

LOGISTICS

European ports brace for tougher 2026 due to geopolitical disruptions, rerouted trade