China’s economic growth picked up in the three months to the end of September, rebounding from a three-year low as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom helped boost exports.   The world’s second largest economy grew by 4.5% in the third quarter, up from the previous period but below the 5% expansion recorded from January to […]

European polymer prices were largely unchanged over the week to 16th October. There was an increase of 20 EUR per tonne reported in the price of ABS. In the UK, prices fell across most grades as the Pound gained value against the Euro.   Asian polymers rose with increases of between 20 and 50 USD […]

Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking an oil refinery on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelensky said such strikes, halted at the request of the US, would resume.   Zelensky said he had restricted attacks for three days while Russia continued striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “We’re done,” he commented.   Russian President Vladimir Putin said Kyiv […]

A long-delayed road bridge linking China and North Korea has opened, Chinese state media report, as trade ties improve between the neighbours.   China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and a lifeline against heavy international sanctions over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme.   The New Yalu River Bridge spans 3km from the Chinese border city […]

The UK economy is forecast to grow by more than previously expected this year before higher energy prices and interest rates hit the economy in 2027, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.   The organisation’s latest report, which is closely watched by the government, said the UK economy would expand by 1.3% in 2026, up […]

European polymer prices rose over the week to 9th October. There were increases of between 10 and 25 EUR per tonne reported in the prices of PET, PVC, ABS and Polystyrene. In the UK, prices fell across most grades as the Pound gained value against the Euro.   Asian polymers were unchanged apart from an […]

The US jobs market saw a sharp slowdown in September, with employers adding just 29,000 jobs in the final update before the midterm elections.   Headcounts were little changed in major sectors from tech to retail as hiring fell significantly from August, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).   Meanwhile, the […]

India’s federal bank has raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in nearly four years in a bid to rein in inflation.   The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a 25 basis points increase in its repo rate to 5.5% – this is the rate at which it lends money to commercial […]

US President, Donald Trump has ruled out any sort of joint venture with China in artificial intelligence (AI), arguing it would be tantamount to “giving away secrets” to America’s main economic rival.   Speaking at an event in Washington, Trump again argued against putting any restrictions on the technology that would stifle growth in the […]

European polymer prices were mixed over the week to 2nd October. There was an increase of 10 EUR per tonne reported in the price of Polypropylene and a reduction of 25 EUR per tonne noted in the price of Polystyrene. In the UK, prices fell across most grades as the Pound gained value against the […]