Europe has initiated a transition from a linear towards a circular and resource efficient society and the unique characteristics of plastics allow them to make a great contribution towards this societal transformation.

Christopher C. White, Kenneth M. White, James E. Pickett (eds.), William Andrew Publishing/Elsevier, Oxford, UK, 2017, 342 p., hardcover, ISBN 978-0-323-49776-3, ebook, ISBN 978-0-323-49777-0, USD 250.00

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) has presented its annual awards for outstanding contributions to the plastics industry to three individuals during Antec 2018 at the NPE2018. The International Award was presented to Philip David Coates, professor at the University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK, and director of the Polymer Interdisciplinary Research Center (IRC), to honour his lifetime achievement. 

Sabu Thomas, Didier Rouxel, Deepalekshmi Ponnamma (eds.), William Andrew Publishing/Elsevier, Oxford, UK, 2016, 498 p., hardcover, EUR 180.00, ISBN 978-0-323-40183-8, ebook, EUR 180.00, ISBN 978-0-323-41391-6

John Sawaya has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Arlanxeo USA LLC and Board Member of Arlanxeo USA Holdings LLC, effective from 1 February 2018. He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arlanxeo Canada Inc. Sawaya succeeds Antonis Papadourakis, who has served as President and CEO for both Lanxess Corporation and Arlanxeo USA, since the Arlanxeo joint venture was established in April 2016. Papadourakis will continue to work in this position for Lanxess.

Richard Hawkins, Knut Blind, Robert Page (eds.), Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., Cheltenham, UK, 2017, 456 p., hardcover, GBP 140.00, ISBN 978-1-78347-007-5, ebook, ISBN: 978-1-78347-008-2

As already announced in May 2017, Dr. Markus Steilemann, currently Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), will become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Covestro. He succeeds Patrick Thomas, who will retire prematurely on 31 May 2018 by mutual agreement.

John M. Dealy, Daniel J. Read, Ronald G. Larson, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich, Germany, 2nd ed., 2018, 610 p., hardcover (incl. ebook), EUR 250.00, ISBN 978-1-56990-611-8

On 8 June 2018, Kraton announced a general price increase of 200 USD/t for all Kraton HSBC polymers. Subject to the terms of any applicable contracts, these price increases will take effect 15 June 2018.

Michael A. Garratt has been appointed as President of Specialty Engineered Materials at PolyOne on an interim basis. He succeeds Craig M. Nikrant, who has left the company. With more than 27 years of experience in the speciality polymer sector, Garratt joined PolyOne in 2013 as president of Performance Products & Solutions, where he served until his appointment to Chief Commercial Officer in 2016.