Our new report, published in July 2019 has unveiled the scale and growth prospects of African polymer demand.

The report makes clear that Africa represents one of the least developed but highest potential markets for polymers in the world today. Fundamental megatrends such as population growth, a burgeoning middle class thanks to income per capita growth and rising urbanisation rates give rise to a strong growth outlook for the region. In addition, government policies such as greater infrastructure investment, economic diversification strategies and the prospect of greater FDI driven in part by the development of special economic zones offer a favourable backdrop. The relative immaturity of the market and the amount of room to grow offers a vast opportunity for those willing to take the risk. Indeed, only a few countries in Africa have large plastic processing sectors and many import substantial volumes of plastic goods.

Read the full press release here: Polymer Demand in Africa 2019

More than 200 companies have already booked stands at four exhibitions focused on plastics recycling, compounding, extrusion and testing, which will take place at Messe Essen in Germany on 3-4 June 2020.

The Plastics Recycling World Expo, Plastics Extrusion World Expo, Compounding World Expo and Polymer Testing World Expo will be free to attend. They will feature five free conference theatres hosting business debates, technical presentations and training seminars. Last year’s debut event in Essen attracted more than 4,000 visitors.

“We already have more exhibitors than we did at our launch event in Germany in 2018, and we still have over nine months to go,” said Andy Beevers, events director at AMI, the organiser of the expos. “The vast majority of exhibitors at the first expos have rebooked their stands, and lots of new names are signing up, having witnessed the size and quality of the audience at Essen last year.”

The 200+ companies that have already reserved stands at the event include leading producers of polymers, additives, compounds and masterbatches, such as BASF, Borealis, Cabot, Chemours, Clariant, Dow, Evonik, Gabriel Chemie, Imerys, Mitsui, Omya, Solvay and Wacker. They will be joined at the Essen shows by major waste management and recycling companies from across Europe, including K Kanellakis, Montello, Rodepa, Van Werven, Veolia and Vita Plastics.

Suppliers of plastics compounding, extrusion, recycling and testing equipment will also be very well represented, including companies such as Ametek Atlas Material Testing Technology, Brabender Technologie, Bühler, Coperion, Dynisco, Erema, Farrel Pomini, Gneuss, Konica Minolta, KraussMaffei Extrusion, Leistritz, Maag, Motan Colortronic, NGR, Nordson, Starlinger, Vecoplan, and many more.

“We have extended the available floorspace considerably since last year, but it’s still filling up very fast,” said Rita Andrews, AMI’s head of exhibitions. “For example, 87% of stands in the Plastics Recycling Expo have already been booked, and more than 70% of space in the Compounding World Expo is taken”.

The first Compounding World Expo and Plastics Recycling Expo took place in Essen, Germany in June 2018. They attracted 184 exhibitors and 4,024 visitors. This year, the two exhibitions were held in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, along with the first Plastics Extrusion World Expo. The three focused shows boasted 261 exhibitors and 4,375 visitors.

The Polymer Testing World Expo will be a new addition to the event in 2020 and will feature its own free-to-attend conference theatre. This will provide a valuable forum for scientists, laboratory staff, and researchers who develop, test and analyse new polymer materials, formulations and products. The exhibition will benefit from the considerable crossover with the other exhibitions, which attract large numbers of professionals involved in these activities.

Stands at the exhibitions start at less than €3,000. For more information, download the brochure here, or contact AMI’s exhibition team at exhibition_sales@ami.international

We will be launching new data subscription services and demonstrating a suite of interactive tools to support online analysis of critical market information on our stand at K 2019 (Hall 7, Stand C11).

The launch is the latest stage in the development of our unique market intelligence reports and data services. These include our unrivalled database of global plastics processors, which have been assembled over 30 years and includes verified information for more than 20,000 named production sites. Information extends from contact details and ultimate holding company to machinery and type and volume of polymers consumed.

“We’re excited to announce our new data subscription service to the market, which provides a comprehensive view of the Plastic Processing universe through any browser – all our clients need is internet access. This is the first important step in the development of our data services,” said Richard Walker, Head of Market Intelligence at AMI. 

“The demand for plastics continues to rise but there is increased uncertainty as the circular economy becomes a primary issue affecting the industry. It is our intention for our data subscription package to offer a suite of commercially valuable information including detailed end use application tonnage data with historic, current and future forecasts of polymer, providing our clients with the tools to easily identify opportunities associated with the circular economy in a visually effective way,” he said.

With advanced mapping capabilities and online access, a number of our larger clients are already taking advantage of the new, visually engaging web-based Search and Analysis tool. A range of options are also available for smaller clients that may require more targeted access to data. All subscribers will benefit from access to continued enhancements to the new subscription service in real time, including updated information and new site additions.

“AMI prides itself on providing our clients with a unique view on their customer (and prospect) base delivering capability to affect and improve business planning,” said Walker. “K 2019 is the perfect place to talk to clients about this exciting new step for AMI and our desire to deliver quality insight and data services in a way that is timely, accurate and actionable.”

Aside from demonstrations of the new data tools, visitors to the AMI stand will also be able to join daily speaker sessions, where some of the company’s many polymer industry experts will cover topics including plastics recycling, compounding and masterbatch. To learn more about these sessions and their timings, register your interest and a demo with our sales team. https://go.ami.international/book_ami_k2019demo/

 We will exhibiting at K in Hall 7, Stand C11. 

Responding to the growing importance of single-serve beverage capsules across European markets, leading experts and professionals from across the globe gather once again in Berlin for a key Single-Serve Capsules conference. The ​3rd edition of AMI's international Single-Serve Capsules conference takes place on 24-25 September 2019 at the Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm in Berlin, Germany.

In addition to unique networking opportunities, the Single-Serve Capsules conference provides expert analysis and debate from the entire supply chain to evaluate the trends, challenges and opportunities facing the single-serve capsules industry in Europe. This includes capsule fillers, coffee roasters, capsule moulders, material suppliers, technology and machinery suppliers.

Single-Serve Capsules, Berlin 2019, gives attendees the opportunity to explore global perspectives, catch a glimpse into future applications, evaluate end-of-life opportunities, sustainability and materials, as well as looking at innovations in capsule design and production technology.

The high-level speaking faculty is comprised of representatives from:

• Nestle Nespresso
• CO.ind
• Café Pod
• Flatev
• fwip
• Eastsign
• NatureWorks
• TerraCycle
• FLO
• Amcor Flexibles

To veiw the programme and booking information for Single-Serve Capsules, click here.  

For details on sponsoring, exhibiting or registering for this event, please contact Mr. Thom Crawley, Conference Organiser at thom.crawley@ami.international Tel: + 44 (0) 117 314 8111

Our new report quantifies and analyses the European palletisation films market and examines the most recent industry dynamics.

It quantifies current and future demand for film and provides estimates of the production of pallet stretch wrap, shrink hoods and stretch hoods and demand for each film type in each geographical market with a forecast to 2023. It also examines material usage, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages that each material may give the end-user and trends affecting changes in film formulation. Moreover, the study provides a detailed analysis of the industry structure and the way in which producers are reorganising while highlighting their market position and business strategies.

Take a look at the full press release here: Palletisation Films - The European Market 2019

The forum for steel pipeline coatings and protection

Pipeline coatings for steel pipelines create a complex challenge for the steel pipe industry. From factory and in-situ coating procedures and machinery, to a trained and skilled workforce, coaters must also consider that the materials need to offer performance and longevity through extreme conditions while providing anti-corrosion properties, all the time conforming to local, national and global standards. With the oil price recovering much of the ground lost towards the end of 2018, new exploration and production of Oil and Gas, the increase in popularity of shale and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the requirement for improved pipe infrastructure.

The Pipeline Coating conference is focused on polymeric coatings and their protection for offshore and onshore steel pipelines for the oil & gas and water industries. Taking place in Houston, Texas, the event opens its doors on November 5-6, 2019. The event provides delegates the chance to participate in two days of technical and commercial conference presentations with a multitude of networking opportunities.

AMI has organised events in the oil and gas industry for the past 12 years and has built a strength and reputation for the delivery of these events. Using internal market research, AMI is in the prime position to offer attendees a forum to network and discuss the industry challenges, developments and opportunities.

The programme has been selected by an Advisory Board, which includes expertise from AMI and external representatives who are all leaders in their field and bring their experience and knowledge. The Advisory Board includes:  

• Michele L. Ostraat - Aramco Services Company 
• Somaieh Salephour - Shawcor
• Jeffrey D. Rogozinski - Sherwin-Williams Company
• Mike Surkein - Surkein Corrosion  
• Samuel J. Thomas - an Independent Consultant (currently at Liberty Coatings)
• Philip D. Tooth - Tooth Pipeline Services
• David Buckby - AMI 
• Rebecca Utteridge - AMI 

The conference sessions will investigate the market, coatings for longevity & performance and innovative procedures for coating applications. In the session on first hand examples of industry challenges papers will include Midcoast Energy and the USDOT PHMSA as well as a panel discussion looking at the challenges ahead.

The event attracts operators, asset owners, contractors and lay engineers, raw material suppliers, pipe coaters, specifiers, machinery suppliers, researchers and testing and certification organisations.

Pipeline Coating 2019 takes place November 5-6 2019 at Hilton Houston Post Oak, Houston, Texas, USA. Full programme and booking details, click here.

For attending, exhibiting or sponsoring enquiries please contact Harriet White, Conference Organizer at harriet.white@ami.international Tel: +44 (0) 117 314 8111

Wear-Resistant Plastics Conference will take place in Düsseldorf 12-13 December 2019

The second edition of Wear-Resistant Plastics provides a unique forum to evaluate and debate the latest advancements in polymer tribology, and explore how they can open new applications, particularly in metal replacement.

Industry experts will discuss innovative methods for optimising the wear and friction properties of plastics components, such as gears, bearings, conveyors wheels and seals.

Looking at a variety of technical applications in markets including automotive, electrical and industrial, the comprehensive programme takes a critical look at topical issues including the modification of compounds through lubrication, the use of new additives, and testing as a way to measure success.

New for this year is a speed networking session and academy-led round table discussions, designed to maximise your opportunity to exchange ideas and establish business relationships which extend beyond the scope of the conference.

The two-day programme will commence with a market overview examining how tribological applications have progressed sine last year’s conference. The rest of day one will investigate applications into plastics gear, innovative methods to improve tribological properties, and modification through lubrication, including a presentation from LATI and Continental Brakes on the development of self-lubricating sleeves for steel cables.

Day two’s sessions will commence with a session on testing including Diehl Metering presenting on the correlation between numerical simulations, laboratory tests and product lifetime to save time and money.

Wear-Resistant Plastics 2019 brings together representatives of the entire supply chain, offering unrivalled opportunities to network, exchange experience and learn through interaction with colleagues, suppliers, customers and competitors.

To find out more information and for the full programme, click here.

For further information on attending, exhibiting or sponsoring this event, please contact Ms. Grace Midgley, Conference Organiser, on Tel: +44 117 314 8111 or grace.midgley@ami.international

Over the years, plastic proprietary capsules systems and Nespresso compatible plastic alternatives have grown rapidly, claiming the lion’s share of the global single serve capsules market. Aluminium accounts for a quarter of market, but tables are turning again in favour of this traditional solution.

Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and Nespresso has put all the efforts in establishing the collection and recycling infrastructure for its used capsules. Following Nespresso’s open invitation in March 2019 to join in forces in its recycling scheme, more and more capsules manufacturers are considering Aluminium as their material of choice and the end-of-life option that it offers. The brands which already switched from plastic into Aluminium are L’Or, Café Royal, Dualit, Colonna, Roastworks and more to come. 

According to Nespresso’s press release, by inviting other portioned coffee manufacturers to join its scheme, Nespresso hopes to improve the accessibility and convenience of Aluminium capsule recycling. Companies joining the program will also take part in defining the funding and governance model for this the service.

To find out more, take a look at our authoritative report on the global market for single serve capsules: SINGLE SERVE BEVERAGE CAPSULES - MARKET OVERVIEW