NEWS
Plastics Europe reports output declined in 2023
Total plastics production in Europe declined 8.3% in 2023 to 54m tonnes compared with 2022, with production of mechanically recycled post-consumer plastics dropping by 7.8% to 7.1m tonnes, according to figures published by Plastics Europe. These figures contrast with a 3.4% global increase in plastics production, and mean that Europe’s share of the global market has declined to 12%. Whilst Europe has maintained a positive trade balance in value terms, in tonnage terms it became a net importer of plastics resins in 2022 and plastic finished goods in 2021, while exports of resins fell by 25.4% between 2020 and 2023. In addition, only 0.12m tonnes of chemically
jobs across 51,700 compa- nies and generated more than €365bn in turnover within the EU in 2023. “The EU’s transformation
recycled plastic was produced in Europe in 2023, while bio-based and bio-attributed plastics production slightly in- creased to 0.8m tonnes. “Europe’s eroding competitiveness threatens our industry’s circular plastics transition,” said Plastics Europe. The shift threatens the viability of the European plastics value chain, it said, which currently supports more than 1.5m
Syensqo’s facility in Marietta, Ohio, US
to a circular plastics system is in acute danger from imported plastics which do not always meet EU stand- ards,” said Marco ten Bruggencate, President of Plastics Europe, and President of Dow EMEAI. “The hard truth is that we already see EU manufactur- ing plants being shut down, leading to offshoring of the industry, jobs and sustain- able investments. The circularity transition will only be successful if policymak- ers urgently implement the framework conditions needed to regain our competitiveness.” �
https://plasticseurope.org
IN BRIEF...
The newly-created Women in Plastics Italy associa- tion (WIP-IT) held its first assembly on 29 October in Cremona, Italy. Miriam Olivi was elected as President along with four other board members.
Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim hosted a two-day recycling confer- ence in the newly opened Recycling Innovation Centre in Weingarten, Germany, on 6-7 Novem- ber 2024. The event featured a variety of presentations and live demonstrations.
https://coperion.com
The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) has named Rocky Vermani, Senior VP Nova Chemicals, as its new Chair of the Board of Directors.
https://canadianchemistry.ca www.novachem.com
Syensqo expands Udel PSU production
Syensqo has expanded production of its Udel polysulfones (PSU) polymers at its Marietta, Ohio, US facility by more than 25%. The company’s PSU polymers are used in life-saving and life-supporting applications, such as in systems for hemodialysis and medical instruments, as well as playing a critical role in water purification, and contributing to green
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hydrogen production systems. De- signed to perform under demanding conditions, the materials offer high strength and rigidity, flexible sterilisation options, and high resistance to cracking, even at elevated temperatures. “Since we embarked on this
expansion journey for our sulfone polymers business three years ago, the trend towards higher performing mate-
COMPOUNDING WORLD | December 2024
rials with a balanced level of strong mechanical, thermal and chemical properties has continued to grow,” said Peter Browning, President Specialty Polymers at Syensqo. The production increase at the
Marietta site complements a recent expansion at the company’s facility in Augusta, Georgia. �
www.syensqo.com
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: SYENSQO
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