The omens for 2015, and beyond, are ominous: massive capacity additions in polyamide raw materials, mainly in China; plummeting operating rates around the world combined with slowing demand and high volatility in petrochemical raw materials are among the challenges that are looming for the European polyamide industry in the near future. And against this backdrop, the "9th European Nylon Symposium," hosted by market research and consulting company PCI Nylon, will take place next year in Germany, on March 3-4, 2015 at the Hilton Frankfurt. At the event, experts will assess just how stormy it is likely to get for the global polyamide industry. Participants can look forward to the latest data and analyses of trends and new challenges in the polyamide industry .

The current conditions in the PA process chain will be examined, from petrochemicals through intermediates to engineering plastics, fiber and films applications, providing decision-makers in the European polyamide industry with a review of the global context for polyamide, as well as food for thought on their own position in the industry and how competitive dynamics may change in the coming years.

China's drive for self-sufficiency in all areas of the polyamide chain is reducing trade opportunities for European producers, effectively "re-regionalizing" the business and requiring a radical re-think of strategic focus for the industry in this region. This includes issues of size and location of capacity, product portfolio, and customer and market focus.

But the challenges extend beyond the supply of and demand for polyamide raw materials such as caprolactam and adipic acid. The entire petrochemical chain is facing a period of extreme volatility, raising important questions for polyamide. Will the oil price continue to fall and how will this impact on polyamide prices? How will the relative technologies and pricing of aromatics and olefins affect the competitive position of polyamide, and within the industry, of PA6 and PA66? With the emergence of new biotech routes to polyamide raw materials, how disruptive will these technologies prove for existing producers?

The complete program of the symposium can be downloaded from www.pcinylon.com/nylon-symposia. It consists of presentations from international consulting companies as well as global producers and processors of polyamide, all held in English.

The "8th American Nylon Symposium," which is also hosted by PCI Nylon, is being held on March 26-27, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. Like its European counterpart, this symposium will examine the global PA scenario with a focus on particular challenges for the American market.