In the Japanese market

According to Japan Plastics Industry Federation, the local output of plastic products almost reached 2.8 million tons in the first half of 2010 (it was 5.3 million tons for the full year 2009). Above-average growth was achieved by packaging film, sheets and blown containers.
Raw materials production for the period topped 6 million tons (versus 10.9 for the full year 2009), mainly due to increasing demand for thermosets.
Other highlights from the same period: Japanese imports of plastics and rubber machinery were on the rise again; and Italian exports set a new record at 8 million euro (i.e., equally the value for the full year 2009) with a reported peak for blow moulding machines (3.5 million) and a recovery in extruders.
China led the growth registered among the main competitors in the export market, followed by Germany, the United States and Taiwan.