The European plastics injection molding machine industry cautiously optimistic

Date：2016-07-20 11:29:18

The plastics industry is closely linked with economic development. Injection molding machine Applied Market Information's study shows that the European plastics industry is living in a turbulent period, we are trying to get out 2008--2009 financial crisis and 2012--2013 euro zone crisis recession. AMI predicts that by 2019, the European polymer demand grow at an annual rate of 1% growth.

K2016 recently issued a "Cautious Optimism: The State of the European Plastics Industry", the report noted that fluctuations in raw material prices and unstable supply, high energy costs, is the main problem facing the European plastics industry injection molding machines, and recycling economy has become the focus of the European plastics injection molding machine industry.

Although the European plastics industry is facing many challenges, they are still a good format to cautious optimism greet K2016, and Industry 4.0, will also be exhibiting this year, many European companies show theme.

Suppliers still more optimistic

Overall, compared to the European polymer producers are still optimistic. As Mark Garrett, CEO of Borealis said polyolefin integrated industry profits are at record levels. He pointed out that the price of polyolefins by strong market demand with supply shortages impact, especially outside some of the planned plant shutdown affected.

Processors busier

Future of the European injection molding machine plastic processing industry seems to have improved, some countries' industry association report showed the industry increased. Even in the consumer always sustained stable state of Italy, the injection molding machine with mold Plastics and Rubber Machinery Manufacturers Association Assocomaplast report also showed that orders for Italian manufacturers showed a strong upward development trend.

After 2014, Germany also obtained record orders in 2015 still continued moderate growth. But the chairman of the German Plastics Processing Industry Association GVK's Dirk Westerheide, the market's short-term volatility and price volatility of raw materials, especially polypropylene with polyethylene regrets.

Material supply instability

By 2015, the entire European continent plastic injection molding machine processors to obtain supplies of raw materials in the presence of difficult angles. Several major European polyolefin factory at a long period of stagnation, the old rules of the global economy with trade to make plastics processors is difficult to find a suitable material in the international market. These factors include a weaker euro, the dollar exchange rate changes as well as strong market demand in Asia with the United States. There are signs that price fluctuations of raw materials this year, this should be relatively small.

To this end, European Plastics Converters polymer construction of the European Union. Michael Kundel the alliance, said President of the European Union aimed at polymers through its national network of associations of plastic, polymer For more information about the current market for the plastics industry and commerce administration, raw materials for users for help, but also to assist the relevant enterprises to apply for suspension of certain EU import tariffs to ease the polymer market shortages.

In February this year, the European Union launched its European polymer online customer surveys and Italy, in recognition of the best European polymer producers. "We want to start the best European polymer producers award to ease relations with the recent user polymer suppliers, re-build bridges," Presidency of the European Union polymers Ron Marsh said.

Energy costs are still too high

Energy costs is critical to the entire injection molding machines for the plastics industry. Germany has always been a company in the industry complain that Germany is the highest energy prices in Europe. German chemical industry is also aware of its international competitiveness with the North American shale gas has relatively, is gradually falling.

Currently, many people are concerned about the petrochemical giant Ineos (Ineos) company. Recently INEOS ethane from the United States began Marcellus shale imported into Norway. Within the next few months, first in Europe to a shale-based polyethylene products will enter the market. Ineos began the exploration of shale gas in the UK, although it will not take hydraulic fracturing in 2016. Ineos hopes to adopt shale gas as an energy source, and polymer materials.

Circular Economy

In addition to raw materials, with focus on energy supply, Europe is also increasingly aware of the importance of recycling economy - A valuable plastics injection molding machines with recycling save. At the end of last year, the European Commission adopted an ambitious new Circular Economy Package, and that he will "contribute through more recycling with closed loop recycling complete product life cycle, not only economic development, but also benefit the environment. "

The European Commission has on the legislative amendments stand waste, highlights include 2030, 75% of the packaging waste for recycling, and prohibit the collection of waste landfill dispersed. "Right now in Europe is less than 25% of the plastics used in the recycling of waste, approximately 50% of plastic waste used in landfills," the EU statement.

PlasticsEurope trade association of the "circular economy program," the statement welcomed the statement that this is an important step in the trend of "energy efficiency", but also say concerns "European plastics industry has always appealed in 2025, legislation binding on all recyclable with post-consumer plastic waste landfill. "While 10 percent goal is a step in the right direction, but it is still free to eliminate landfill waste as a renewable resource timid attempts. "

European Bioplastics, the European Union's proposal very interested, pointed out that "these similar bioplastic has strong potential for development with environmental protection industry forward, the need for further promotion." European Bioplastics Association predicts that by 2025, the EU bioplastics production capacity will increase 20-fold to 5.7 million tons.

New industrial revolution

Despite the problems, the European plastics injection molding machine industry is still firmly focused on the future. Many European machinery manufacturers will highlight the "4.0" in the words K2016 booth, they have been moving in the direction of developing solutions for customers intelligent plant forward, help customers complete industrial networking.

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