Global polymers production rises to nearly 360m t in 2018 / European output nevertheless on the decline / Trade balance surplus falls / Good progress with collection and recycling of post-consumer plastics waste

摘要

In 2018, global plastics production (thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, elastomers, PU, additives, coatings, sealants and PP fibres) totalled a good 359m t, equivalent to 3% growth compared with the year before. In Europe (EU 28 plus Switzerland and Norway), plastics production fell 4% to 61.8m t, from 64.4m t in 2017. Europe's share of world production dropped by 1.3% to 17.2%. Asia dominates with 58% (China with 30%, the Middle East with 7%), while North America remains at 18%. These figures emerge from the latest "Plastics - the Facts" report presented by PlasticsEurope (Brussels / Belgium; www. plasticseurope.org) at "K 2019".