The first study on the Romanian plastics industry has just been published by EuPC; the Brusselsbased trade body for Europe’s plastics processors, and ASAPLAST, the Romanian Plastics Industry association. This study gives a detailed overview of the different plastics markets by both materials and products. It also includes a listing of the ASPAPLAST members which are representing 65 % of the converting capacity in Romania.

There are about 600 plastics converting plants in Romania and the production capacity is currently 500.000 tonnes per annum. Large European OEMs from the automotive, food processing and construction sectors have already found their way to Romania and leading European converters are likely to follow this development over coming years.Considering Romania's EU status, EU Structural Funds will become available in Romania by the end of the year, which will significantly contribute to raising the overall competitiveness of the industry, in general, and plastic industry in particular, along with raising new investment opportunities. Also,the degree of compliance to environment and REACH requirements is increased and due care is attached.

Extrusion lines for film products remain the largest consumer of plastics in Romania, followed by injection moulding and the extrusion of pipes and profiles. There is a great need for infrastructure renewal and investment are needed for road construction and house building in particular. There is therefore a large potential market for plastic pipes.

The publication of this study is announced immediately in the aftermath of a visit paid by EuPC managing Director, Alexandre Dangis on 28th-29th March to the ASPAPLAST organization which has become a new EuPC member, following the accession of Romania to the EU.

This was the first official visit paid by EuPC to Romania and Dangis attended the ASPAPLAST General assembly held in Brasov and took time to highlight specific issues affecting plastics converters in the EU. He announced that a special TAIEX event (is the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument of the Institution Building unit of Directorate-General Enlargement of the European Commission) on EU regulatory issues will be organised in September 2007 to help Romanian companies understand all legal obligations imposed by Brussels. It is evident that the Romanian plastics industry has a huge potential in the EU and expansions of capacities for production and converting of plastics are well underway.

The study is available for sale via the EuPC services company at only 250 €. The order form can be obtained via EuPC services.