Europe’s top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 10 November 2013.

Europe PE players uncertain of January 2014 duty increase effect
European polyethylene (PE) players are assessing how the increase in duties from several established importers into Europe will affect pricing as the date they take effect approaches, several said on Friday.

One-off charges weigh on Arkema’s Q3 net income
One-off charges, prevailing economic headwinds and currency effects led to a 44% year-on-year fall in net income for Arkema in the third quarter of 2013, the French specialties producer said on Thursday.

Russia’s SIBUR opens new BOPP plant in Siberia
Russia-based petrochemicals producer SIBUR announced on Wednesday the opening of a new biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) plant in Tomsk, Siberia.

Strong material sciences earnings buoy DSM Q3 profit rise
A strong rise in earnings for DSM’s material and life sciences divisions helped to drive a 33% year-on-year rise in core net profit for the third quarter of the year to €148m ($200m), the Netherlands-based firm said on Tuesday.

Eurozone manufacturing continues recovery into Q4 – Markit
Eurozone manufacturing continued its recovery into the fourth quarter, according to data from financial information provider Markit Economics on Monday.