European consumption of PP compounds totalled 1.3m t in 2003, according to British market research group Applied Market Information (AMI, GB-Bristol BS1 2QP; www.amiplastics.com). AMI notes that western European growth rates fell to 3-4% in 2000-2003, just half the growth seen in 1995- 2000. By contrast, central and eastern Europe continued to show double-digit progress. The market is undergoing “a shift in power,” with integrated PP compounders such as Basell, Borealis and ExxonMobil claimng an ever larger share at the expense of independent players, the report says. Main consumer of PP compounds is the automotive industry, which accounts for considerably more than half the market. Electrical uses and furniture follow at some distance.