United Kingdom: confidence in recovery

The survey completed last June by British Plastics Federation - the association that represents the whole plastics industry in the UK - among some 60 local companies (56% processors, 17% recyclers, 12% distributors/compounders, 8% additives producers, 4% raw materials producers and 3% machinery manufacturers) reported that 73% of all respondents expect an increase in domestic sales in the next 12 months. More in detail, 24% were forecasting turnover increases of 2-5%, 29% 6-10% and 20% 11% and more.
Such a positive outlook is also confirmed by the share of companies - 46% - that are expecting to increase staff, whilst a mere 5% would cut workforce. In June 2009, the situation was definitely the opposite: as a matter of fact, 59% of respondents were planning to reduce staff.
As for applications, the building sector, badly hit by the effects of the recession, is predicting no enhancement. In particular, raw materials price increases and public spending cutbacks are key factors for companies in the construction sector.
The upbeat climate is confirmed by the 61% of respondents - particularly moulders, recyclers, additives/masterbatch providers - that are planning investments, both to upgrade/expand production capacity and to improve energy saving.