VKE has reported a 3.8% decline based on January-October figures

VKE has reported a 3.8% decline based on January-October figures

Sales by German polymer producers fell again last year – a third year of decline for the sector. VKE, the association that represents German polymer producers, reported a 3.8% decline in sales, based on January-October figures. Based on 2002 sales of E18.5bn, this would take the industry’s 2003 turnover to E17.8bn in 2003. The production volume of plastics dropped by 0.6%.

A poor third-quarter performance dragged the numbers down. Producers were hoping to recover slightly with a strong end to the year, but polymer prices in general fell during that period, making an end-of-year recovery unlikely.

Kurt Stepping of VKE said: “Every year, we are earning less from plastics. This is a problem, because we need to invest in new, innovative products.” Polymer production is the only sector of the German plastics industry that is still shrinking; plastics converters expect a 3% rise in sales for 2003, while machinery manufacturers expect to grow by 5%.