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| Sharing The Benefit Of Experience Issue 7 |
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If the format of this Newsletter is distorted, Click Here
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Welcome to the Business Support Network E-Zine
The Business Support Network is a British Plastics Federation initiative, bringing together an elite group of companies who all work in support of the plastics industry.
To find out More about the BSN CLICK HERE
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Energy Review Launched
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The Government has launched a three-month long consultation over the future of UK energy policy. The Review will consider especially relevant issues such as security of supply and climate change.
Peter Davis, Director General of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) said:
"This Review Paper poses some stark challenges to UK Government, industry and households. Much of our nuclear and coal generating capacity faces closure over the next two decades, we are already importing gas and there have been huge increases in fuel prices."
What will this mean for energy buyers?
The outcome of this review will be fundamental to the direction of future energy prices in the UK and will therefore influence almost all currently available forecasting methodologies. It has been recognised in the Consultation that high and volatile energy prices are causing difficulties for large industrial customers.
The review offers an important opportunity to influence Government. With over 2,500 written responses to the White Paper we may expect similar levels of public interest in energy, especially with the extended press coverage energy has been experiencing this year.
Click here for an indepth look at the review from John Hall Associates about the Energy Review
Click here to read the BPF's own press release on the review.
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Legal Matters
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Soaring gas prices did not entitle supplier to renege on pricing formula
The High Court has rejected an attempt by a wholesale gas supplier to renege on its obligations to supply gas to an industrial user based on a pricing formula. Total Gas argued that rising gas prices amounted to an event of "force majeure", which made it impossible for the company to carry out its obligation to supply gas based on the pricing formula set out in its 15-year agreement with Thames Valley Power, the operator of a combined heat and power facility at Heathrow Airport.
OFT to stop issuing pre-clearance guidance on mergers and start fining for late provision of information
Philip Collins, the new Chairman of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), has announced that, other than in exceptional circumstances, the OFT will no longer offer guidance to businesses considering a merger on the likelihood of obtaining merger clearance. He also sounded a warning against businesses attempting to use the OFT as a "punch-ball" in their own disputes and threatened to fine businesses which fail to meet deadlines for provision of information in competition investigations.
EU merger control: more change ahead?
EU Competition Commissioner calls for revision of "two-thirds rule"
Neelie Kroes, the EU Competition Commissioner, has questioned whether the "two-thirds rule" for EU merger control should be maintained in its current form. The two-thirds rule is an exception to the requirement to notify an otherwise qualifying merger to the European Commission. The exception applies where the parties each achieve more than two-thirds of their EU-wide turnover in one and the same Member State. The rationale behind the exception is that if the merger has its primary impact within a single EU Member State, it is best considered by the national competition authority of that state rather than the Commission.
To read more about the above stories, please click here.
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Update on Brazil
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Brazil has overcome years of inflation and instability and is now poised to move from "emerging market" to "emerged". With this exciting chapter about to unfold Atradius have prepared some useful resources for companies seeking to assess and develop opportunities in Brazil.
The web site offers basic economic information about Brazil, including reports on inflation and exchange rates. It also provides important background for trade, including the role of foreign capital and details of payment systems within Brazil and basic tips for doing business in Brazil.
Click here to visit this valuable resource.
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Innovations in Plastics
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The self-reinforced polypropylene single polymer composite material, developed in the Physics Department at the University of Leeds, has recently been utilised by luggage innovator, Samsonite, to launch a new range of suitcases under the X'Lite name. The Curv (R) material, produced under licence by Propex Fabrics GmbH at their factory in Gronau, Germany, ( www.curvonline.com ) combines lightweight and outstanding impact strength which makes it ideal for protective applications. It is already used by Nike for a range of soccer shinguards (BPS Contour) and other applications, such as automotive undertrays, are the subject of ongoing development programmes.
Click here to read more.
The British Plastics Federation has been working to promote innovations in plastics, in particular through BPF Online. The Benefits of Plastics: Aerospace explores how plastics has made a difference. Perspex aircraft canopies in the 1940's to the new A380 Airbus plastics have all made major contributions to aircraft technology. The increased use of plastics in aircraft enables weight savings, allowing less fuel to be burnt, a reduction in emissions which in turn cuts operating costs. The Benefits of Plastics: Automotive discusses why the use of plastics in the automotive industry is fast increasing (growing 5.7 percent growth rates between 2002 and 2003) for the following reasons:
- Plastics are durable and strong and are resistant to impact and corrosion
- Plastics are versatile allowing freedom in design moulding and integration of components
- Plastics are low cost
- Plastics are light-weight which leads to energy saving and subsequently to less pollution
- Plastics ease the manufacture and assembly of cars- one moulded component can integrate several parts previously made from different materials.
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Reduce Your Costs through Environmental Management
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The upcoming BPF seminar Reduce Your Costs through Environmental Management supported by Envirowise and IMSM provides an insight into how plastics firms can improve profitability through EMS.
Key areas covered include:
- Energy Efficiency: is a major priority given energy price increases
- Adherence to best practice: can win new customers and open up new markets
- Corporate risk: significant penalties through ignorance and non-compliance with environmental legislation
- Un-salability of business premises through long-term neglect of good environmental practice
To download the programme and/or register for the seminar, please click here . Alternatively please contact Doreen Greenaway on 0207 457 5047 or email [email protected] .
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Need Rapid Help?
Get your questions answered
Why not ask the Business Support Network a question at:
www.pras.com
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