For the automotive industry, engineered plastics are fast becoming the future. While new laws are being created to reduce emissions and fuel prices are rising, predictions suggest that by 2020 plastics will comprise 18 percent of the average vehicle's weight. To achieve optimal fuel efficiency OEMs are going lightweight - since 2008 the average vehicle has dropped 20 percent - and are using more lightweight plastics and polymer-based components to achieve this. Meanwhile, the new fuel-efficiency trend of electric power trains results in heavier cars that in turn need lighter materials to reduce weight.

European Plastics News' LV 2014 will be held in Cologne on the 29th and 30th of October and will bring together OEMs, Tier 1 manufacturers and plastics companies.