MEDICAL PLASTICS

Ageing populations and packaging growth boost global consumption / European market robust despite challenging economics / New medical products showcased at “Pharmapack Europe” in Paris

POLAND

Plastic processing: Production value continues to climb despite 2012 volume drop / Blustery economic headwinds picking up / Construction sector in a hole following completion of large projects / New impetus for growth starting 2014

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

ASSOCIATIONS

Hungarian Plastics Industry Association established / New legal entity

SOUTH AFRICA

Plastics recycling rate of 18% / Packaging, PE lead / Industry needs to be “more professional”

VIETNAM

New petrochemicals projects to stimulate plastics growth / More capacities to come on stream by 2015 / Sector in need of reconstruction and liberalisation

CHINA

The apple of the plastics world's eye? / Massive production and consumption levels / World's largest PP and engineering plastics producer / Rising interest in bioplastics / Chinaplas 2011 industry fair

ROMANIA

Petrochemicals and plastics output rose 12% in 2010 / Construction and automotive recovery to support future growth / BMI report

SLOVAKIA

Petrochemicals and plastics supported by automotive growth / Pre-crisis levels not expected until 2012 / BMI report

HUNGARY

Petrochemicals sector resumes growth / Recovery in plastics consumption

BRAZIL

Strong polymers demand in 2011 / Producers focus on local market / Reliance on naphtha imports still stifling

BULGARIA

Reliance on imports as plants remain closed / PE production under threat / BMI report

US PLASTICS MARKET

Significant amounts of PVC, PE and PET capacity to discontinue / Petrochemicals output up 5% in 2010

RUSSIA

Polyolefins capacity set to surge / Increased focus on export-oriented projects

ISRAEL

Plastics industry slowly regaining strength after recession / Processing industry highly dependent on polymer imports / Europe an important trading partner / Focus on innovation and interest in cooperation

RUSSIA

Improvement in polymers market expected in 2010 / Shrinking domestic demand in 2009 has players looking abroad / PVC producers bracing for higher costs / State support for new petrochemical projects