YEAR IN REVIEW

Plastics industry braces for fresh surprises and more business as usual in 2012 / Price volatility and economic uncertainty / For some segments 2011 beats expectations / Fracking and plastic bag ban are key issues

SUN CAPITAL PARTNERS

Packaging: US investment firm exercises squeeze-out of remaining shares in Hungary's Pannunion / Latest in a string of plastics acquisitions

POLYETHYLENE FILM

European market at 7.5m t in 2010 / LDPE accounts for 46% but is feeling the pressure from LLDPE and metallocene grades / Bags and sacks dominate applications / Sector characterised by consolidations / Latest AMI report

UNTERLAND

Film manufacturer acquired by Sun Capital / Another boost for Britton Flexibles?

PANNERGY

Remaining plastics holdings are sold / Pannunion awarded to Sun Capital Partners

BRITTON FLEXIBLES

UK flexible plastic packaging specialist acquired by Sun Capital