European demand for PP compounds has stalled since the middle of 2018 caused by mounting issues in the automotive industry. According to the report's editor, John Nash, tightening legislation on fuel efficiency and emissions is adding to their challenges.

The largest market for PP Compounds is automotive which is facing unprecedented change as it approaches the challenges of moving away from ICE (combustion engines) and towards broadly defined eco-sustainability targets such as VW’s July 2019 ‘Go-To-Zero Mission Statement’. There are fundamental design differences between EVs (Electric Vehicles) and HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) impacting the use of plastics. In both designs however light-weighting is increasingly valuable and there is therefore intense competition between different solutions and materials. The large PP Compounders are bringing to market substantial performance developments enabling not only higher performance but also replacement of higher cost, higher density engineering plastics and metal.

Read the full press release here

The European polymeric flooring industry is on the move! New flooring products are coming into the market, standards are changing or being developed, and sustainability is still at the forefront of industry discussion. Resilient flooring is still used across multiple applications from residential, commercial and industrial to healthcare, sports and leisure. Innovative high-quality products enabled by new materials, design innovations and process developments continue to change customer perceptions and take market share from various other flooring types.

Polymers in Flooring 2019 provides a unique forum for the flooring industry to discuss technical and market trends, industry initiatives and sustainability, whilst networking with key stakeholders and experts from the industry. International speakers will discuss developments in technology, materials and production, shifting product demand, end user views and much more.

A global market trends session features focussed talks from Interconnection Consulting, Zwicker Advisory and Anton Decotech (Haining) Co., Ltd. covering Europe, the US and China.

ERFMI and ECRA, European Carpet and Rug Association are discussing the developing sustainability programmes in the resilient flooring industry and the carpet industry, while the European Commission, Directorate-General For Environment, Unit Sustainable Production, Products & Consumption presents their newest circular economy policies relevant various sectors and materials. 

Other speakers include Forbo Flooring, Tarkett, Gerflor, Iobac, X-Compound GmbH, Windmoller GmbH, Exxonmobil Chemical, BASF, Valtris Specialty Chemicals, Beaulieu International Group and Studio Escolme.

Polmyers in Flooring 2019 attracts an international audience and brings together the entire supply chain involved in the supply of materials and technology, manufacturing, testing and use of resilient flooring offering fantastic networking opportunities. The​ 4^th edition of AMI's Polymers in Flooring Conference will take place at the Palace Hotel, Berlin, Germany from 3 - 4 December 2019.

To view the full programme and to book your place, click here. 

For further information on attending, exhibiting or sponsoring this event, please contact

Ms. Kaja-Marie Beiswanger,​ Conference Producer

T/ +44 117 314 8111 or E/ Kaja-Marie Beiswanger @ami.international

Plastics Regulations provides a well-timed opportunity to gain impartial and well-informed guidance focused specifically on the needs of the plastics industry.

The primary focus is advising on a range of legal and compliance issues impacting polymer producers, compounders, processors, convertors and end users incorporating the wider plastics and packaging supply chain.

The two-day conference takes place December 10-11, 2019 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA, United States.

Dedicated sessions focus on developing a global compliant operation including an analysis of the regulatory landscape. In addition, the event explores product stewardship and overcoming sustainability challenges within the industry. 

Alongside the insightful program, there is 8+ hours of dedicated networking breaks including the evening cocktail reception, taking place in the exhibition area.

New for 2019:

• A panel discussion on overcoming regulatory challenges in plastics
• Breakfast Briefing. From the industry for the industry. We are introducing an additional session where you can take advantage of a regulatory specialist, overviewing the current regulatory trend shaping the plastics industry.

Join us and listen to industry experts to find out how to ensure your company is compliant with current and future chemical legislation.

Don’t get caught out by new legislation, book your place today!

To view the full programme and book your place, click here.  

December 10 - 11 2019, Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA  

For details on sponsoring, exhibiting for this event, please contact:

Emily Nicholson, emily.nicholson@ami.international or +44 (0) 117 314 8111

The wind turbine blade industry continues to change as it grows. Top manufacturers and turbine makers will be discussing and presenting their latest developments at the 10th annual conference on Wind Turbine Blade Manufacture 2019, which will take place from 9-11 December 2019 at the Maritim Hotel in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The conference will begin with a market analysis by Cristina de Santos, Energy and Infrastructure Unit Manager with AMI Consulting. Cost of energy is more important than ever, and Pontis Engineering will identify the main challenges in cost and CAPEX reduction in rotor blade design and manufacturing.  

China continues to be the largest blade manufacturing country in the world and AMI is honoured to host again Sinoma Wind Power Blade the leading blade manufacturer in China, after the success of its first presentation in Europe at AMI’s 2018 conference. This year, Sinoma’s CTO Bart Roorda will share with delegates an overview of the main market trends in the Chinese market together with an introduction to next generation blade developments.  

Read the full press release here: Wind Turbine Manufacture 2019

 To view the full programme and book your place, click here.

For further information on attending, exhibiting or sponsoring contact Rocio Martinez, rocio.martinez@ami.international or +44 (0) 117 314 8111.

Leading converters, brand owners and retailers to discuss evolving packaging requirements at Multilayer Flexible Packaging, taking place in Vienna from 18-20 November 2019

Europe is home to some of the most dynamic companies in the flexible packaging market, quickly recognising drivers of change and reacting with innovative solutions.

With plastics packaging in the media spotlight, the challenge is on for the flexible packaging industry to demonstrate not only that multilayer flexible packaging uses the fewest raw materials to provide the best protection against food waste across the supply chain, but also how they are advancing technology to improve even further. Consumers are concerned with environmental issues, but how far are they willing to give up the convenience and range of choice to which they have become accustomed? Can the flexible packaging industry provide solutions for shoppers which are sustainable and convenient without compromising shelf-life?

Leading companies across the multilayer flexible packaging supply chain will share how they are addressing some of these challenges at the 12th edition of Multilayer Flexible Packaging conference, 18-20 November 2019, Austria Trend Savoyen hotel, Vienna. The conference will explore commercial and technical challenges and opportunities relating to flexible packaging films, raw materials, production techniques and applications over a busy 2-day programme.

The conference will open with AMI Consulting sharing insights on the use of BOPET in the global packaging market and followed by the speaking companies: Hatzopoulos, Nestlé, Norner, Repsol Quimica, Sukano AG, Terracycle Europe, Mondi Consumer Packaging, Mitsui Chemicals, Borealis Polyolefine, BASF, Wipak Group, Buergofol, Parkside Flexibles and Dow Chemicals, Gap SRL, Applied Materials, Knowfort Technologies, Ametek and Fraunhofer Institut. 

Multilayer Flexible Packaging 2019 will bring together companies from raw materials to retailers, offering a dynamic forum to understand key packaging issues, gaps and needs and see how the flexible packaging industry is innovating to solve them.

To view the full programme and book your place, click here.   

18-20 November 2019, Austria Trend Savoyen hotel, Vienna

For details on sponsoring, exhibiting for this event, please contact:

Carole Charrade on carole.charrade@ami.international or +44 (0) 117 314 8111

The 12^th edition of Agricultural Film 2019 will take place at the Hilton Barcelona, Spain from 18^th – 20^th November 2019. 

Over the past 60 years, agricultural output and productivity has significantly increased and plastic agricultural film for silage, mulch and greenhouse applications has made a substantial contribution to this development. The use of plastic films has been notable in the horticultural industry, as well as in preserving and improving quality of silage, contributing to continuously increasing milk yields. Plastic films have also enabled extension of the growing season through the use of protective mulch and greenhouse films. For players in the market the business is a challenging one with many conflicting trends. The United Nations set itself an ambitious target to eradicate poverty entirely by 2030 and become, for the first time in human history, a zero-hunger generation. This implies that some 800 million people suffering from chronic hunger today have to be lifted out of poverty in less than 15 years. Growing population, scarcity of resources such as water, agricultural land and soil, together with pollution and climate change, have put global food production under increasing pressure. Sustainability and efficient and smart farming are being brought to the top of the priority list of both the public and the private sector involved in agriculture.

This year Agricultural Film 2019 will discuss the above issues and present research findings and possible solutions to the problems faced by today's protected agriculture. The programme will kick off with the global overview of the agricultural films market and trends it is affected by based on the research conducted by AMI Consulting. This will be followed by Commercial Horticultural Association providing some insights on the benefits, drawbacks and unmet needs in using agricultural films. ALOK will then close the first session with perspectives on plasticulture, focusing how India is transforming a distressed agricultural sector into a thriving powerhouse for the global economy. 

The use of mulch film has proven to be highly beneficial in growing a wide variety of crops all over the world, session three will focus on innovative material developments for mulch film. There will be four papers in this session including Wells Plastics discussing the development of a novel agricultural mulch film to meet the demands of today and Kompuestos will present new biologically sourced polymer grades for the production of sustainable biodegradable mulch films.

Session four will be about putting agricultural films to the test, Barbier Group will look at the advantages and the limits after testing the lifetime of agricultural films under accelerated UV light. Session five will discuss improving the performance of greenhouse and silage film with Wageningen University and Research Centre.

The conference is concluded with an exciting session on driving agricultural film towards a circular economy, the first half of the session features Sintac Recycling presenting plastics strategy in a circular economy – circularity through recycling of agri-plastics: a recyclers perspective. Then in the final half of the session Southern Waste Information Exchange reviews how film recycling is working in the USA as well as looking at the obstacles and opportunities. 

For the full programme and to book your place, click here. 

18^th – 20^th November 2019

Hilton Barcelona, Spain

For details on sponsoring or exhibiting for this event, please contact:

 Lorna Grey, Conference Organiser on ​lorna.grey@ami.international  or +44 (0) 117 314 8111 ​

BOPET film is one of the fastest growing polymer film substrates. Growth is driven by its extensive use in both packaging and technical applications due to its unique combination of properties, excellent processability, adhesion to coatings and adhesives and great decorative appeal.

Capacity is forecast to increase by over 50% by 2023, with the biggest surge in capacity during 2013-2018. In 2018, global BOPET capacity is estimated at 6.7 million tonnes, with the biggest volume located in China.

To read the full press release, click here Versatility and sustainability. Does BOPET have the answer?

AMI Consulting has published its authoritative report defining and accounting for a true scale ofsingle-use plastic packagingin Europe. This timely and strategic analysis of the present European sustainability strategies navigates through policy measures and packaging regulations to uncover the impact new legislation will have on the packaging industry.

Consumer drive for convenience and mis-management of packaging waste has resulted in the proliferation of single-use plastic packaging, which negatively affects our natural environment. The industry is now facing actions scrutinising its role in a circular economy, calling forsingle-use plastic packagingto be treated as a resource that should be captured and harnessed rather than a waste product flippantly disposed of.

Addressing single-use plastic packaging proliferation is a global matter and Europe is well on the path of leading by example. With one of the largest economic contributions for packaging developments, the European plastics industry is well-positioned to establish best practice and drive the future of packaging towards a more sustainable model. The changing market conditions in Europe will place global players in a strong position to quickly respond to changes in other regions of the world wanting to transition towards more sustainable packaging.

Read the full press release here: AMI defines and quantifies Single-Use Plastic Packaging in Europe

The​ 2nd edition of AMI's Plastic: Design for Sustainability conference will take place at the Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm, in Berlin, Germany, from 10-11 December 2019.

The value of plastic used by the consumer on a global scale is €1870bn - equating to over 300 million tonnes of polymer usage - per year. This growing preference to specify plastic in products highlights its superior performance over more tradition materials, due to its light weight, strength and design flexibility. However, the lack of ‘end-of-life’ solutions for such products and their leakage into the environment is casting doubt on its viability as a material. As a result, with an ever-increasing focus on the bearing that plastics have on the planet, designers, brand owners and all those involved in the plastics supply chain are under mounting pressure to develop products that have minimal impact on the environment, and designed with their end-of-life in mind to create a circular economy.

AMI's Plastic: Design for Sustainability conference is targeting this issue, to offer opportunities for practitioners to consider how to link long-term sustainability with design and material development.

The two-day programme covers all aspects of designing plastics with sustainability in mind, from initial material choice – be it biopolymers or the increased use of recycled materials – through to the do’s and don’ts of designing for recyclability. Find out from the designers themselves, including BPO, FLEX DESIGN and BETTER FUTURE FACTORY, how they bridge the gap between sustainability and plastics. Hear first-hand from the recyclers on now to enhance the yield from waste plastics and design products to enable recycling and create circularity. Other key speakers on the programme include: MTM PLASTICS, P&G, PLASTIC RECYCLERS EUROPE and AVERY DENNISON, giving a truly holistic approach to designing for sustainability.

AMI conferences boast a truly international audience, from Europe to the United States and Asia. They offer unrivalled opportunities for representatives of the entire supply chain to share their experience and learn through interaction with colleagues, suppliers, customers and competitors.

In addition to the two-day programme, the conference includes plenty of networking opportunities and an exhibition area to enable attendees to connect. This AMI conference is the latest edition within its sustainability portfolio, drawing attention to this key topic. By hosting it in the dynamic city of Berlin, a UNESCO-appointed City of Design and innovative advocate of sustainability and development, AMI is bringing the right experts to the right place at the right time.

The view the full programme and to register, click here. 

For further information on attending, exhibiting or sponsoring this event, please contact Mr. Thom Crawley, Conference Organiser, on thom.crawley@ami.international or T:+44 117 314 8111 

3D printing technologies are developing rapidly, with the industry pushing further towards full scale production of industrial parts and consumer products in a number of applications. 

At the same time, there are increasing requirements for polymers to meet emerging mechanical performance, visual quality and process demands and unlocking a wide array of possibilities in production and product development.

AMI’s Polymers for 3D Printing conference explores the development, production and application of innovative polymers and compounds for 3D printing and other rapid manufacturing technologies.  It takes place on 11 - 12 December 2019 at the Meliá Düsseldorf hotel, and brings together the field to identify new market opportunities and debate new ways to add value in this evolving market.

The event will open with a look into the future state of the additive manufacturing industry, with a presentation from the Dyson School of Engineering at Imperial College London.

Incumbent polymers such as PLA and ABS are being challenged by recent advancement in materials such as TPU, PEEK and PEI. In addition, new developments such as 3D printable photopolymer resins and antimicrobial polymers are opening up exciting new application possibilities.  In a packed session on polymers, expert speakers from Elix Polymers, Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Europe, BASF 3D Printing Solutions, Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Photocentric, Bieglo, and the University of Nottingham will showcase a variety of material innovations.

3D printed composite materials offer some exciting opportunities for light weighting and the replacement of metal in industrial sectors. Industry leaders Mark3D, CEAD and the Brightlands Materials Center come together in a session dedicated to developments in continuous fibres for parts manufacturing.

Day two opens with a presentation fromDeutsche Bahnon their use of 3D printing in the rail sector.  This is followed by DSM Additive Manufacturing and Stratasys discussing cutting edge applications utilising high performance polymers.

The conference concludes with an extensive look at innovative process developments within fused filament fabrication, laser sintering and SLA from companies including Sinterit, Colorfabb, Protiq, Formlabs, Nanocyl and Re:3D.

In addition to a busy two-day programme, there will be an accompanying exhibition with plenty of networking opportunities during the refreshments breaks, lunches and an evening cocktail reception.

Polymers for 3D Printing 2019 will provide a unique and timely international platform for anyone involved in the development of specialised polymers for 3D printing, filament extrusion, or rapid prototype production, to gain clear insight into the evolving material demands of the additive manufacturing industry and future market opportunities.

To view the full programme, click here.  

11 - 12 December 2019, Meliá Düsseldorf hotel

For details on sponsoring, exhibiting or registering for this event, please contact:

Harriet White, Conference Organiser at harriet.white@ami.international, T +44 (0) 117 314 8111 

European polymer demand is set to grow by 1.5%/year to 2023, according to our latest report, Polymer Demand in Europe 2019.

This subdued forecast masks a myriad of changes that the industry is facing. First and foremost, public outcry against plastic waste has intensified and policymakers have proposed a raft of measures to tackle the issue.

For example, the EU Commission is aiming to make all packaging recyclable by 2030, asking for the industry to voluntarily lead the way. In addition, in March 2019, the European Parliament signed off on legislation banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton bud sticks. The ban will come in to force in 2021. Plastic bottles will also have to contain at least 25% recycled content by 2025 and 30% by 2030. What is clear is that the floodgates have well and truly opened. Whether by legislation or due to consumer pressure, the packaging industry is facing significant adjustment in the coming years.

Read the full press release here: Polymer demand in Europe 2019

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