Plastics production in Germany recorded an increase of 2.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter.
 

This was reported by the association of plastics manufacturers Plastics Europe Deutschland (PED). According to the new economic data, the production level of plastics manufacturers remained low despite the recovery in the first and second quarters of 2024 and was still 21 per cent below the 2021 level. The order situation for companies remains critical, as orders for plastics also declined slightly in the second quarter, according to the PED press release. After two difficult years, the plastics manufacturing industry in Germany was showing the first signs of recovery. ‘But the structural problems remain,’ emphasises Dr Alexander Kronimus, acting General Managing Director of the association. High energy and raw material costs, too much bureaucracy and long authorisation procedures were a burden on companies. The German plastics-producing industry had been able to halt the downward trend for the time being. Kronimus warns that if the German government does not now succeed in making Germany competitive as an industrial location, urgently needed investments by companies in the circular transformation will be further delayed.
 
Sources:

• PED press release (11.9.2024)
• Photo: © PED / Ulrik Eichentopf