HUNGARY

Plastics industry consolidation draws to an end / Automotive sector: problems and opportunities / Energy costs and shifts in green policy are key factors for competitiveness

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY EUROPE

How much plastics does electromobility require? / Auto sector faces radical change / Renaissance of combustion engine also conceivable

USA

Winners of funding announced for first 50 hydrogen projects in 24 states / Electrolysers, fuel cells lead the list / European companies also participating

ELECTRIC VEHICLES MARKET

Paradigm shift in automotive industry / Trade group says half of European-made cars in 2023 will be electric / Tough times for suppliers / PIE talks to Axel Bornemann from ContiTech

POLYAMIDE

European consumption to exceed 1m t/y again / Pandemic sparks major decline / AWJ predicts rapid recovery / E-mobility drives sales / Recycling an integral part of market

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

First edition of new "IAA" motor show in Munich loses exhibitors / PwC survey: 70% Germans, 97% Chinese willing to change mobility behaviour

HELLA

Knorr-Bremse woos lighting technology supplier / Is France's Faurecia also interested in buying?

EPS

Covid-19 crisis leaves fewer scars on German-speaking region / Further consolidation among producers / Prices relatively low for a long time / Volatility likely to rise at end of year / Recycling gains importance

GARDENA

Coronavirus generates a windfall for gardening tool specialist / Increased sales for irrigation during lockdown

BOREALIS

Expansion of “STOP” initiative against marine litter with Borouge and Nova / New partnership with AEPW / Bio-propane from Neste / Pellets with a high recyclate content and mono-materials added to portfolio

KRUG

Production site opened in Hungary / Proximity to automotive supplier Bosch was decisive

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Global prospects for 2019 at best subdued / Job losses and plant closures expected / European manufacturers face big decisions

HEXAGON COMPOSITES

Heiko Chudzick appointed executive VP of operations

TESLA

Purchase of automation specialist Grohmann Engineering / Systems for e-vehicle assembly / Integrated plastics processing activities

MEXICO

Plastics industry on growth course / Billions invested in booming automotive and aviation industries / Domestic polymer capacities limited to PVC, PET and PS / Highly dependent on polymer imports

HYUNDAI MOBIS

Korean automotive supplier plans new facility in the Czech Republic

AUTOMOTIVE MARKET

Reduction of overcapacities in Italy, Spain and particularly France / TecPart says German suppliers are on comparatively safe ground / "Markets will stagnate for several years" / Raising R&D activities in Europe?

POLYMER PRICES

Composites/GRP August 2012: Ortho resins mostly unchanged / Only slight contractions at the lower end / Glass fibre products stable / Demand gathers strength after summer lull

UBIPLAST

Fire erupts at Spanish injection moulder / Storage hall completely destroyed / No injuries

JOHN MCGAVIGAN

Equity funding to facilitate expansion / New plant to serve China's automotive market

BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE

PC/ABS blend developed for dishwasher applications