French processing

According to the estimates of Fédération de la Plasturgie, the turnover of the French processing industry in 2009 should have decreased by 11% in comparison with 2008, just exceeding 27 billion euro. All along the previous five-year period, the maximum peak was reached in 2007, at 31,2 billion.
The monthly survey carried out by the Association on a panel of over 300 companies shows that the minimum production quota was touched in February 2009 whilst in the further part of the year the situation gradually improved, returning positive in November and December. The most hit sector was that of technical components, which production decreased by 15% with respect to 2008; somehow better the packaging, recording -6,4%. The hard situation affected of course the workforce of the French plastics processing industries: in June 2009, over the same month of the previous year, the number of employees was down by 8%. Investments in new machines and equipment, of course, fell considerably and actually, for example, the average age of an injection moulding machine is 15 years.
However, prospects for the current year are quite positive: 48% of the respondents expects an improvement in order logbook and production, 43% believes in stability and just 9% is afraid for a further worsening. Critical factors are volatility of raw materials' prices, troubles in credit and delocalization in "low-cost" countries. Also the French converters believe that one of the ways out from the crisis is innovation, in particular with a "green vision": probably, there will be interesting opportunities for those who will invest in research, for example, of materials and solutions for houses insulation or lighter packaging and even biodegradable raw materials and conductive polymers. Recycling as well should benefit by a strong impulse for increasing up to 35% the rate of mechanical recycling of post-use plastics and improving the energy recovery for those destined to incinerator.