Federplast reports growth in Belgium

ERJ staff report (DS)

Brussels - Belgium's production volume of the plastics and rubber industry in 2011 experienced a growth of 3.7 percent, according to a survey of the members of Federplast.be, the Belgian Association of Manufacturers of Plastic and Rubber Products.

For 2012, 40 percent of general managers foresee future growth while nearly 1/3rd expect stabilisation. Employment increased by 1.6 percent. In the first 2 months the prices of commodity plastics such as polyolefins and polystyrene increased by 11 to 16 percent. As the raw materials are by far the biggest cost factor for plastics and rubber converters, these increases will in general lead to higher prices for all kind of plastic and rubber products.

The plastics and rubber converters recorded, after a growth of 5.7 percent in volume in 2010, a further growth of 3.7 percent in 2011 and even of 13 percent in turnover. Although employment has grown by 1.6 percent, 86 percent of the businesses managers expect stable or decreasing employment for 2012. "The survey reveals mitigated perspectives among our members" said Stéphane Dalimier, president of Federplast.be. "38 percent of our CEOs expect still to grow in the existing markets, while 49 percent anticipate growth in new markets. Half of the companies have recovered the level of activity existing before the crisis of 2008-2009."

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Press release from Federplast.be