Plastics industry braces for fresh surprises and more business as usual in 2012 / Price volatility and economic uncertainty/ For some segments 2011 tops expectations / Tracking and plastic bag tax emerge as issues

摘要

When old man 2011 makes his exit in the coming days, he may have this advice for baby 2012: "Keep your head down, kid." The newcomer will need nerves of steel to keep from bending as the gyrations in the financial and political sectors continue to pressure the "real economy." As December waned, plastics industry movers and shakers were bracing for fresh surprises and more business as usual. Were the good times over or would there be a temporary dip? If the Japanese earthquake did not bring the world to its knees, what would a realignment of the euro zone mean? Which direction would polymer prices take? Would the Middle East finally gain dominance or will the sceptre pass to China? So many questions.