- According to all indicators, the International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing PLASTPOL will again reassure its positio of Central and Eastern Europe's largest event for plastics processing industry. For the 28th time, Targi Kielce brings together key companies; the event is held from 21 to 24 May 2024. The majority of our exhibitors with whom we have been cooperating for years have confirmed their presence. There are also many first-time exhibitors; they appreciate the power of the Plastpol in Poland. Companies from many European and Asian countries, including those from India, China, the Republic of Korea, and Turkey join the expo. National expo stands are held by Germany, the Czech Republic and Portugal - says Kamil Perz, director of the Plastpol project at Targi Kielce. – We already know that exhibitors will occupy the entire space of our exhibition and congress centre; we are open for the last registrations. There are not many spots available to choose from.

Remember that the last Kielce plastics processing expo in May 2023 hosted 600 companies from 29 countries and their extensive offer. About half of the exhibitors are foreign companies representing Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Spain, the Netherlands, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia, Taiwan, Ukraine, UK, Hungary, Latvia and China.

- Plastpol has been designed for business and dialogue. The international character of the show is conducive to new supply chains, enhances contract negotiation, and boosts networking and contacts establishment. Leadds become contracts - emphasises Kamil Perz.

All information and registration for exhibitors available at https://www.targikielce.pl/plastpol   

Dow announced the Q4 2023 results on 25 January. The company’s net sales were $10.7 billion, down 10% from the corresponding period last year. A decline in all operating segments was due to slower global macroeconomic activity. Local prices decreased by 13% year on year, with a fall in all operating segments, due to lower feedstock and energy costs. Sequentially, local prices were flat, reflecting modest gains in most regions. Volume increased by 2% versus the same period last year, with growth across all regions except Asia Pacific, which was flat. Sequentially, volume slipped 1%, with the impact on the company’s site in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, caused by a severe unexpected storm in December contributing to that.

The Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment net sales reached $5.6 billion over the quarter, down 7% from the year-ago figure. Local prices dropped 11% on an annualised basis, driven by lower ones globally. Currency fluctuations lifted net sales by 1%. Volume increased by 3% year on year, led by higher packaging demand, primarily in the United States, Canada and Latin America. On a sequential basis, net sales climbed 3%, led by larger merchant sales of hydrocarbons and higher polyethylene prices in all regions. Equity earnings totalled $40 million, down $16 million compared with the year-ago period and down $10 million on a sequential basis, primarily due to the planned maintenance of the Thai joint venture facilities.

Operating EBIT was $664 million, an increase of $9 million from the year-earlier period. Sequentially, operating EBIT increased by $188 million, driven by higher integrated polyethylene margins, the impact of the planned turnaround activity in Q3 and higher licensing revenue. The Packaging and Specialty Plastics business reported a net sales fall on an annualised basis as higher demand for industrial and consumer packaging in all regions was more than offset by lower polyethylene prices. Sequentially, net sales increased slightly due to higher polyethylene prices and licensing revenue, which were partially cancelled out by reduced polyethylene supply.

Ford engineers in Cologne launched an innovative research project to explore how food waste could be re-purposed to create auto part prototypes. They found the parts to be durable and believe the research like this could enable lighter-weight parts, which will reduce the amount of plastic used in vehicle parts, the carbon footprint of auto parts and bring the company closer to its goal of using more recycled and renewable content in its vehicles.

The trial was conducted as a part of the COMPOlive project designed to demonstrate the impact of using materials made from recycled and renewable materials in auto parts. For the trial, the waste materials were sourced from olive groves in Andalusia, Spain, the region with the highest production of olive oil in the world. The prototype parts consisted of 40% olive tree fibers and 60% recycled polypropylene plastic heated and injection moulded into the shape of a selected part.