PLASTIC'S EUROPE PRESS CONFERENCE AT PLASTPOL EXPO

Following many-year tradition, May is when the PlasticsEurope Polska Foundation announces estimates regarding previous-year's production and demand for plastics in Poland and Europe. The Conference was held for the fifth time in Targi Kielce's look-out tower.

Plastic consumption in Poland amounted to 3.3 million tonnes in 2016 - this was the increase of 6.9% compared to 2015.  Europe's average demand growth for plastics in 2016 is estimated to reach 3.2%; the volume reaches 50.5 million tonnes.  Poland's demand for plastics represent's 6.5% of the average Europe’s demand. Demand for plastics ranks Poland sixth in Europe, right after Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Great Britain. The overall plastic consumption in particular business segments - packaging industry's demand increased to 33.5%, compared to 31.5% last year. In building and construction sector the demand decreased from 27.6% to 24.4%. The automotive and E&E sectors have demonstrated a constant demand increase - up to 9.4% and 6.2% respectively.

"For years there has been a shortage of raw materials produced in our country. Poland mainly imports raw materials for processing (polymers) from abroad. The negative foreign trade balance in 2016 totalled to PLN 2,065 thousand ton for plastics and plastic products in 2016. This amounts to a few hundred thousand tons more compared to previous years - says Kazimierz Borkowski, Managing Director of the PlasticsEurope Poland Foundation and adds: A larger deficit is probably associated with longer than usual production shut-downs at Polish installations in 2016.

For many years Germany has been Poland's main trading partner in intra-community export and import of plastics in primary forms as well as plastic products. EU countries account for 80-90% of Poland's trade. Outside the EU, Ukraine and Russia are Poland's largest export markets - Ukraine for plastics in primary forms and Russia for plastics products Outside the EU, most plastics in primary forms are imported from South Korea. Plastic products are mainly imported from China.

PLASTPOL is Central and Eastern Europe's  largest plastics and rubbers industry event; this is also one of the Old Continents largest exhibitions. The event continues until 26 May  

(PP)