PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Polyolefins, polystyrene: TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil under heavy pressure / Tentative attempts at a rapprochement in France / Supply disruptions looming

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Supply chains remain unreliable / Volatile demand affecting production more than usual / Suppliers expect at least 20-30% lower sales for the year / Losses inevitable

FRANCE

Company investments drive growth / Plastics processing segment suffers from ageing technology / No access to key growth markets / Focus on new technologies and recycling

FRANCE

Plastic bag ban delayed to 1 July / Authorities promote use of bio-based plastic carrier bags / “ORPlast” circular economy initiative calls for higher recyclate usage / Pressure to lift recycling rates in E&E and packaging segments

FRANCE

Plastics processing sector expected to recover slightly in 2014 / Construction segment remains weak while automotive is largely stable / 2013 decline smaller than expected / State support for innovative and export-oriented companies

FRANCE

Plastics Processing: 2012 volume drops to 4.5m t / Further declines expected in 2013 / Heavy losses in the automotive sector / Insolvency filings on the rise / Market expected to rebound in 2014