Covestro’s Zhuhai Base Launches TPU Production; Leistritz’s New Production Lines Settle in Finland; BASF Partners with Belle Fashion

International News Highlights

Raw Material News - 3D Printed PEEK-based Implants Awarded FDA "Nanotechnology Certification"

Automotive News - Covestro Polymers (Zhuhai) TPU Project (Phase I) Production Base Officially Commences Operation

Electronics News - Leistritz’s Three Production Lines Settle in Finland! Finland’s Plastic Waste Recycling Capacity Rises by 50%

Packaging News - Avient to Highlight Bio-based Polymers at 2026 Paris International Pharmaceutical Packaging Exhibition

Footwear and Apparel News - BASF & Belle Fashion Join Hands, Focusing on PU and TPU Applications in Footwear Materials

Macroeconomic News - Japan’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant Triggers Alarm After Restart

Detailed International News

1.Covestro Polymers (Zhuhai) TPU Project (Phase I) Production Base Officially Commences Operation

Covestro announced today the official commissioning of its new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) production base in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. The investment plan was first unveiled by Covestro in 2023. The entire Zhuhai production base is under phased construction in three phases, covering an area of 45,000 square meters. Upon the full completion in the 2030s, it is expected to achieve a maximum annual production capacity of 120,000 metric tons, becoming Covestro’s largest TPU production facility worldwide.

2.US Officially Withdraws from the World Health Organization, Still Owes $260 Million in Dues

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, announcing the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). The United Nations received the notification on January 22 of the same year. In accordance with the WHO Constitution, a member state may only officially withdraw one year after submitting the withdrawal application. January 22 this year marks the first anniversary of the US formally submitting its withdrawal application to the UN, which means the US has completed the procedural formalities for official withdrawal from the WHO under the organization’s constitution.

3.Avient to Highlight Bio-based Polymers at 2026 Paris International Pharmaceutical Packaging Exhibition

Avient Corporation will showcase its latest R&D functional additives product line at the 2026 Paris International Pharmaceutical Packaging Exhibition, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free solutions and bio-based polymer solutions certified with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS). These offerings are designed to meet the growing demands for compliance and sustainability in the medical plastics market.

4.BASF & Belle Fashion Join Hands, Focusing on PU and TPU Applications in Footwear Materials!

Recently, BASF and Belle Fashion Group officially signed a strategic cooperation memorandum at Belle’s headquarters in Shenzhen. Pursuant to the memorandum, the two parties will strengthen cooperation on the application of polyurethane (PU) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials in footwear production, covering various brand categories under Belle Fashion Group including women's shoes, men's shoes, children's shoes, urban casual shoes and outdoor sports shoes. It is expected that the two parties will launch their first co-branded polyurethane insole and realize its commercialization in the first quarter of 2026.

5.Leistritz’s Three Production Lines Settle in Finland! Finland’s Plastic Waste Recycling Capacity Rises by 50%

Leistritz, a leading German compounding equipment manufacturer, has supplied three tandem extrusion lines to Syklo, Finland’s top recycling enterprise. The lines can significantly improve the recycling efficiency of HDPE, PP and LDPE from post-consumer plastic waste, helping Finland boost its plastic recycling capacity by up to 50%. Leistritz has collaborated in depth with its technical partner NGR – Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH to build this industry-leading production system, setting a new industry benchmark for energy efficiency and recycled plastic quality.

6.3D Printed PEEK-based Implants Awarded FDA "Nanotechnology Certification"

The 3D printed PEEK-based trabecular implants developed by Curiteva have obtained the US FDA 510(k) clearance, which the company refers to as the "nanotechnology certification". Although the FDA has not yet formulated a unified classification standard for medical devices adopting nanotechnology, the agency confirmed that it has completed the evaluation of the nanoscale characteristics of the device in accordance with relevant regulations.

7.Gongyuan’s HDPE Gas Products Win GOST Certification, Opening a New Chapter in the Russian Market

Facing the stringent compliance requirements of the new regulations, Gongyuan’s HDPE gas product series has successfully obtained the Russian GOST certification. As of the end of January 2026, Gongyuan has become one of the very few domestic pipeline enterprises whose gas products have obtained this certification since the issuance of the new regulations. Relying on its mature one-step injection molding process integrating resistance wires and plastic parts, Gongyuan ensures the high uniformity of quality and craftsmanship for each product, fundamentally eliminating quality problems such as unstable resistance wires that are prone to occur in the traditional post-wiring process. Meanwhile, the standardized intelligent production process further improves product stability, providing a solid guarantee for the mass production of high-quality products.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market Information

Caspian Pipeline Consortium Facilities Attacked Repeatedly; Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Says Negotiations Underway with Ukraine and Europe

On the local time of 22nd, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Bakayev stated that Kazakhstan is conducting simultaneous negotiations with Ukraine and European countries over the repeated attacks on the facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). Bakayev called on international colleagues, including CPC partners, to actively participate in safeguarding energy security, and emphasized that Europe is the main destination for Kazakhstan’s oil exports via the CPC.

Ministry of Commerce Responds to Canada’s Rapeseed Issue: Will Fully Consider Canada’s Legitimate Demands Within the Framework of Rules

The Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference on January 22. Answering questions about the trade agreement reached between China and Canada on electric vehicles and rapeseed, He Yongqian, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, said that in accordance with the adjusted arrangements, Canada will grant China an annual quota of 49,000 electric vehicles, which will enjoy the most-favored-nation tariff rate of 6.1% within the quota with no 100% additional tariff imposed. The quota volume will increase year by year at a certain ratio.

EU Seeks to Close Loopholes in Russian Oil Refining

The EU’s import ban on Russian crude oil refined products will officially take effect on January 21, 2026. This move may reshape the global trade pattern of crude oil and refined oil products, and at the same time substantially increase documentation and compliance requirements in the shipping and trade chains. The ban aims to close the existing loophole that allows Russian crude oil to be refined in third countries and then flow into the EU in a disguised form, thereby further restricting Russia’s oil revenue.

Japan’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant Triggers Alarm After Restart

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) stated that an alarm was triggered during the control rod withdrawal operation of Unit 6 of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, which was restarted on the 21st. The withdrawal operation was halted and the cause is under investigation.

US Media Claims US Attempts to "Overthrow Cuban Regime by the End of the Year"

Citing sources familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reported on the 21st that the Trump administration is seeking "insiders" within the Cuban government in an attempt to "overthrow the Cuban regime by the end of this year". The report also quoted senior US officials as saying that the Trump administration has no specific plan for this yet, but US government officials privately believe that the military operation against Venezuela is a "warning" to Cuba. The report pointed out that the US intends to deal a heavy blow to Cuba’s economy and weaken the Cuban regime by cutting off Venezuela’s oil supply to Cuba.

Price Information

The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar was quoted at 7.0019, a decrease of 5 basis points; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.0014, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 6.9650, and the overnight offshore closing price was 6.9640.

Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

CFR Northeast Asia: $710/metric ton; CFR Southeast Asia: $690/metric ton.

The average FOB South Korea price of propylene in Northeast Asia stood at $745/metric ton, and the average CFR China price at $800/metric ton.

North Asia refrigerated cargo CIF price: Propane $558-$558/metric ton; Butane $575-$578/metric ton.

South China China refrigerated cargo CIF price for early February: Propane $599-$609/metric ton; Butane $594-$604/metric ton.

Taiwan refrigerated cargo CIF price: Propane $555-$558/metric ton; Butane $575-$578/metric ton.

LLDPE USD Market Prices (CFR Xiamen)

Film grade: $785/metric ton; Injection molding grade: $880/metric ton.

HDPE USD Market Prices (CFR Huangpu)

Film grade: $890/metric ton; Injection molding grade: $770/metric ton; Blow molding grade: $795-$840/metric ton; Pipe grade: $1000/metric ton.

LDPE USD Market Prices (CFR Huangpu)

Film grade: $1010/metric ton; Coating grade: $1210/metric ton.

PP USD Market Prices

Injection molding grade: $800/metric ton (CFR Dongguan); Copolymer grade: $860/metric ton (CFR Nansha); Film grade: $960/metric ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent grade: $1005/metric ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe grade: $1100/metric ton (CFR Shanghai).