YEAR-ENDER 2025: EU ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

OECD predicts slowdown in '26 / Spain to lead, Italy to lag among EU Big Four / UK expansion to ease

RECYCLING UK

Industry on the brink – BPF / Shutdowns continue / Shops face multiple problems

LOGISTICS

Peace and calm on most trade routes / Freight rates from China to Europe rise

RUSSIA

Polymer profits plummet / Market demand on downward trajectory / Outlook for 2026 uncertain

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY GERMANY

More and more energy-intensive companies are moving away – Simon-Kucher study

EU POLICY

Commission launches bioeconomy strategy / Substitution of fossil fuels / Cefic says enthusiasm is premature / Bioplastics capacity growing rapidly

SOUTH KOREA

Lotte and HD Hyundai present plans for restructuring cracker activities

UK CONSTRUCTION

Output continues to slide / New orders down / Sector employment numbers fall for 11th month in a row

AGRICULTURAL PLASTICS

IK calls for binding EPR rules for disposal and recycling in Europe

LOGISTICS

Heavy shipping traffic on world's oceans causes freight rates to tumble / Intra-Asia routes the exception

PLASTIC PACKAGING

Global Commitment to cut virgin plastics use sees progress despite challenges / Government policies needed to spur leading FMCG companies into action

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

LDPE: Sabic declares force majeure for deliveries from Wilton

EUROPEAN CAR MARKET

Up to eight plants under threat of closure in Europe / Plastics converters must brace for drop in demand / Defence sector could become point of growth

PLASTICS RECYCLING ITALY

Emergency round table for recycling yields few results / Second meeting set for mid-December

LOGISTICS

Opposing trends in container freight rates: US routes down, Europe more expensive / Port strikes in Belgium, Portugal

AUTOMOTIVE

EU Commission approves funding for power device plant / E-vehicle, fast-charging, renewable energy applications targeted / EUR 12.8 bn in chips funding so far

RECYCLING ITALY

“From tomorrow, no more collections” / Municipalities react to recycling freeze in southern Italy

EUROPEAN CAR MARKET

Registrations climb in October, year-to-date / BYD continues to gain ground / Carmakers, processors struggle with political shifts

EUROPEAN ECONOMY

Surveys show moody manufacturers / German processor morale brightens – Ifo / UK producers more upbeat

PLASTIC PACKAGING

PPWR poses challenges for recyclate use, recyclability / Companies need to react now / Notes from Future Resources conference