German plastics producer RENOLIT plans to merge its Worms and Frankenthal facilities into a single, modernised production site in Worms, investing approximately €130 million over the next five years. The company specialises in high-quality plastic films and other polymer solutions used in medical, automotive, construction, and packaging industries.

This consolidation aims to enhance efficiency and reduce the company's carbon footprint. All 370 employees from the Frankenthal site will be offered positions at the Worms location, which will see its production capacity increase by over 50%, from 24,000 to 38,000 tpy.

The Frankenthal plant, acquired in 1999 and constrained by its residential surroundings, would have required substantial investment for expansion. By centralising operations in Worms, RENOLIT seeks to strengthen its logistics and optimise customer services.

The Indian government has granted a one-month extension for the completion of an anti-dumping investigation into PVC imports. The probe, which began on 26 March 2024, examines PVC imports from China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US.

The investigation was initiated following a petition from major domestic producers claiming significant harm to India's PVC industry from these imports. While authorities were originally required to issue final findings within 12 months under constitutional provisions, this extension provides additional time for a conclusive determination.

Preliminary findings released on 30 October 2024, recommended substantial tariffs on producers from the seven targeted countries.

The German plastics industry has been under pressure recently. High costs, sluggish demand, and increasing competitive pressure are placing a strain on companies, stated the Plastics Europe Germany association at a press conference last Wednesday. Urgent investment is needed, such as in competitive and renewable energy supply, to alleviate the pressure on the sector.

Although plastic production in Germany increased by 3% in 2024, it still lags significantly behind the pre-crisis level of 2021. Due to reduced producer prices, the industry’s sales decreased by 3%, from €27.5 billion to €26.7 billion. Exports declined by 0.8%, while imports fell by 4.9%. In particular, the volume of incoming orders from domestic sources was weak, whereas orders from abroad saw a slight increase.

Forecast for 2025: a rapid recovery is unlikely.

While moderate growth of the global economy is anticipated, the situation in Germany remains tense. ‘To date, we expect a decrease in plastic production in virgin forms of around 0.5% compared to the previous year,’ explained Dr. Ralph Düsseldorf, Chairman of the Association. ‘Investments in competitive energy prices, expanded use of renewable energy sources, and investment incentives are indispensable levers for revitalising the economy as a whole and the plastics industry specifically,’ said Düsseldorf. ‘Germany still offers ideal conditions for research and development. A well-established value chain, short supply routes, and close ties with institutions are assets that benefit companies in Germany and Europe. However, the importance of the plastics industry must be recognised at the political level, both in Germany and, for instance, within the framework of the European Clean Industrial Production Programme.’