WORLD TRADE

Trade war leads to plummeting US polymer exports to China / Imports to Europe continue to grow / EU considers imposing punitive tariffs on US plastics

INEOS

VAM plant to be built at Hull / Over EUR 1.1 bn spending package for UK

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe hits out at EU “green” taxes and shale disadvantage / Open letter to the commission / “Nobody seriously invests in Europe”

EU POLICY

Long-term EU budget rejects idea of plastics tax / Levy on packaging waste more efficient / Commission seeking new own resources / Single-use product bans still subject of environmental policy discussions

BIOPLASTICS

EU producers press for lower bioethanol duties / Competition from the Americas

ASSOCIATIONS

European manufacturers urge EU action on competitiveness / Joint declaration

UNITED KINGDOM

"Brexit is stupid" / 52% of British population votes to leave the EU / Plastics industry reacts calmly / Important market in Europe / Many corporate headquarters likely to relocate to the continent

WASTE ECONOMY AND CLIMATE PROTECTION

Recycling boasts highest potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions / Industrial and emerging economies need to act / Germany as key partner for know-how transfer / UBA research

PLASTICS PROCESSING

European converters hope EU investment plan will stimulate their business / EuPC urges Brussels to revive its circular economy proposal

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Europe struggles to remain competitive amid US shale gas onslaught / Industry organisations call on EU to help / Oxford study analyses chances and risks