The multi-billion-dollar deal announced in December 2024 has gone through. Packaging group Novolex  has acquired its competitor Pactiv Evergreen (Lake Forest, Illinois, USA) for approximately USD 6.7 mn (EUR 6.12 bn), the company announced. Stan Bikulege is set to head the merged group (Photo: Novolex) According to the agreement, Pactiv Evergreen’s shares have been delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange. Shareholders received USD 18.00 per share, representing a premium of 49% over the average share price for the two-month period up to 2 December 2024, the last trading day before initial media reports about a potential takeover. The merged company, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, will operate under the name Novolex and is now one of the largest providers of food packaging worldwide, the firm said. Led by Novolex CEO Stan Bikulege, the group has a pro forma turnover of just under USD 10 bn and employs around 20,000 people across more than 100 production facilities. While the main focus is on North America, numerous manufacturing sites are also located in Europe. The product range includes packaging made from plastic, cardboard, and paper fibres.This is already the second multi-billion-dollar acquisition in the packaging sector within just a few months, following Amcor’s purchase of Berry Global.

In the pursuit of designing new lightweight, flexible, and efficient heat dissipating materials for modern devices, the research team led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has made a groundbreaking discovery: defects can also create advantages. This research, published in "Science Advances," demonstrates through experiments and theory that polymer composite materials with defective thermal conductive fillers can increase thermal conductivity by 160% compared to similar materials using perfect fillers, completely overturning the traditional perception that "defects must damage performance." Key breakthroughs Disruptive discovery: Defective graphene oxide filler (thermal conductivity only 66.29 W/mK) incorporated into polymer outperforms perfect graphite filler (292.55 W/mK) by 160% Mechanism Innovation: The formation of defects on rough surfaces enhances the vibrational coupling at the polymer/filler interface, reducing thermal contact resistance. Application potential: Opens new pathways for developing ultra-high thermal conductivity polymers, which can solve the heat dissipation problems of devices such as microchips, flexible electronics, and soft robots. Traditional Dilemma: The Limitations of Perfect Packing Materials Polymers, with their lightweight, insulating, and flexible properties, have become core materials in modern technology. However, their **inherently low thermal conductivity (0.1-0.5 W/mK)** has led to serious overheating issues in devices. The academic community has long sought to enhance thermal conductivity by incorporating metal, ceramic, or carbon-based fillers, but the actual results have fallen far short of theoretical predictions. Diamond filler case: Theoretical thermal conductivity should reach 800 W/mK with a 40% loading, but the actual value is only around 10 W/mK. Key limiting factors: filler agglomeration, interfacial contact thermal resistance, low thermal conductivity of polymer matrix Defect Engineering: Turning Disadvantages into Advantages The research team revealed through multi-scale experimental-theoretical approaches that defects play a positive role: Material Design Control group: 5% volume fraction of perfect graphite (292.55 W/mK) Experimental group: 5% volume fraction of defective graphene oxide (66.29 W/mK) Disruptive Outcome The thermal conductivity of polymer composites with defective fillers is significantly higher. Mechanism Analysis: ▶️ Defects causing rough surfaces prevent polymer chains from packing tightly ▶️ Enhanced interfacial vibrational coupling (improved phonon matching) ▶️ Construction of efficient heat flow channels, reducing interfacial thermal resistance Technical Validation System The study employs a four-in-one cross-validation method. Thermal Transport Measurement: Precise Quantification of Material Performance Enhancement Neutron Scattering: Resolving Atomic Scale Vibrational Modes Quantum Mechanics Modeling: Revealing Electron-Level Interactions Molecular Dynamics Simulation: Tracing the Path of Heat Energy Transfer Application Prospects and Significance This discovery provides a novel approach for the design of functionalized polymers. Next-generation electronic devices: Addressing heat dissipation bottlenecks in 5G chips, Micro LED, and more Flexible electronics: Development of high thermal conductivity elastomers for wearable devices Energy Sector: Enhancing the Safety and Efficiency of Battery Thermal Management Systems Aerospace: Manufacturing Lightweight and Efficient Thermal Protection Materials Professor Yanfei Xu, the head of the research team, emphasized: "Defect engineering will become a crucial direction in future materials science. By precisely regulating interface properties, we have the potential to break through the theoretical limits of polymer thermal conductivity."

The $30-million facility in Mississauga features over 50,000 square feet of operational space. Ipex staff and Ontario Premier Doug Ford (ninth from right) at the opening of the new Ipex Centre for Advanced Research. Photo Credit: Ipex Group Oakville, Ont.-based pipe manufacturer Ipex Group has officially opened its Can$30-million Ipex Centre for Advanced Research in nearby Mississauga, described as a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to accelerating product innovation and reinforcing the company’s manufacturing operations across North America. In an April 9 statement, Ipex officials said the innovation hub “will serve as a creative and collaborative space to accelerate the development of cutting-edge, safe and reliable piping solutions to address infrastructure needs across municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.” The facility features over 50,000 square feet of operational space for testing and developing new products, trialing new material formulations, office space, and a training and collaboration area. Ipex will employ advanced technologies, including 3D printing and artificial intelligence to further streamline product development. “Our new innovation hub is a significant investment in our ability to develop high-quality, safe and easy to install products that meet the needs of our customers, while supporting our communities” said Ipex CEO Alex Mestres. “For more than 50 years, our R&D teams have collaborated closely with our customers to stay ahead of market demands, evolving regulations and environmental changes to develop products and exceed industry expectations. Our new Centre for Advanced Research marks a new chapter in our innovation history and capability.” “We’ve seen how our investments in innovation solve infrastructure challenges and have transformational impacts to the industry,” added Trevor Johnston, vice president of R&D, innovation and sustainability. “As demand for custom solutions grow, our development and testing processes allow us to accelerate our innovation, look for new ways to design and build products that adapt to industry changes.”  Ipex produces piping systems for the municipal, irrigation, industrial, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunication markets from mostly PVC but also other materials. Ipex has 13 manufacturing facilities in North America, and is owned by parent company Aliaxis SA in Brussels.

The cost-cutting measures of aircraft supplier and composites specialist FACC  seem to be bearing fruit. The company increased EBIT significantly in the past financial year to EUR 28.3 mn (previous year: EUR 17.5 mn). At the same time, turnover increased by 20% to EUR 884.5 mn. Robert Machtlinger will continue to manage the aircraft supplier for the next five years (Photo: FACC) The cost-cutting programme announced last autumn aims to reduce costs by around EUR 80 mn/y till the end of 2026. FACC is focusing primarily on increasing efficiency in production processes and reducing inventories. However, there are no plans to reduce the workforce in Austria – on the contrary, the number of employees recently increased by almost 10% in order to process the orders for composite structural parts, engine cowlings, and cabin parts.The performance is clouded by the still high production costs at Austrian plants. The tripling of the production area at Plant 6 in Jakovlje, Croatia, which was completed in late summer 2024, should provide relief here.For 2025, the management around CEO Robert Machtlinger, who has just been reappointed for a further five years, expects a further increase in revenue of 5% to 15% and corresponding growth in earnings.

On March 27, BASF announced the commissioning of the world's first commercial Loopamid plant. The production facility located at the Caojing site in Shanghai, China, has an annual capacity of 500 metric tons, marking an important step toward sustainable product supply in the textile industry. "The launch of this facility once again demonstrates BASF's innovative strength," said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Member of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer of BASF. "As an integral part of our strategy, we use chemistry to develop solutions that address the biggest challenges of our time. Loopamid transforms textile waste into valuable resources, helping to conserve raw materials and close the loop in the textile cycle." Loopamid is a recycled polyamide 6 entirely based on textile waste. The new production facility supports the textile industry's growing demand for sustainable polyamide 6 fibers. "I am proud of our team, who have worked with great enthusiasm and dedication to bring loopamid to commercialization," said Ramkumar Dhruva, President of BASF's Monomers business unit. "The technology behind loopamid allows for textile-to-textile recycling of polyamide 6 in various fabric blends, including those mixed with elastic fibers. I believe loopamid not only makes a significant contribution to the textile circular economy but also helps our customers achieve their sustainability goals." Factory and Loopamid product GRS certification The new Loopamid factory integrated into the Shanghai Caojing Polyamide-6 plant. The production quantities of both the factory and Loopamid are in accordance with the Global Recycle Standard (GRS). This certification assures consumers and textile manufacturers that Loopamid is made from recycled materials and that the production process meets specific environmental and social standards. Additionally, the first yarn manufacturers are successfully using Loopamid. Industrial and consumer textile waste As the foundation of loopamid To produce Loopamid in the new factory, BASF is currently utilizing industrial textile waste from the textile production process and will gradually increase the share of post-consumer waste. These materials include cut edges, defective cut edges, leftovers, and other production textile waste from the textile industry. These materials are collected and provided to BASF by customers and partners. Discarded clothing made from polyamide 6 and other textile products can also be used for Loopamid production. All these waste materials are difficult to recycle because they typically consist of mixtures of different fibers, materials, dyes, and additives. Furthermore, for post-consumer waste recycling, buttons, zippers, and accessories must be removed in advance. BASF collaborates closely with partners and customers to accelerate the development of collection and sorting systems. About Loopamid BASF has developed an innovative solution through Loopamid to enhance the circularity of the fashion industry and recycle polyamide 6 textile waste. Thanks to its ability to tolerate all fabric mixtures including PA6 and elastane fibers, the technology behind Loopamid allows for textile-to-textile recycling of both post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste. Fibers and materials can be recycled multiple times, while maintaining material properties equivalent to those of traditional virgin polyamides.

While the Trump administration was wielding the tariff baton, American toy giants were not only diversifying their production bases but also quietly launching a "cost revolution"! The "American Girl" dolls from Mattel's American Girl brand are on display at the American Girl Place in Manhattan, New York. The Trump administration escalated the trade war: imposing a 10% base tariff on almost all countries and adding heavy taxes on dozens of countries including China and Vietnam. As the two pillars of U.S. toy imports, Chinese products face a 54% overall tax rate (with an additional 34%), while Vietnamese toys are hit with a 46% tariff. According to the U.S. Toy Association, 77% of imported toys in the U.S. come from China, with Vietnam following Mexico in third place. Industry experts warn that tax rates far exceeding expectations will lead to a surge in toy prices, with the initial impact likely coinciding with the back-to-school season this fall. "The entire industry is in chaos," said Greg Ahearn, president of the Toy Association. "This will have a huge negative impact on both consumers and the industry." The Dilemma of Enterprises in Supply Chain Earthquakes Toy giants Hasbro and Mattel had predicted in 2025 that the impact of a 20% tariff on China would be included in their plans to shift production to Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. However, the new tariff policy has resulted in rates of 46%, 32%, and 26% for these three countries, respectively. Eric Handler, an analyst at Roth Capital, pointed out: "The transfer of production has lost financial feasibility, and consumers will soon see price increases." "Hey Buddy Hey Pal" company's "Magic Egg Decorator" relies on the Asian supply chain. However, in reality, China announced on Friday that it will impose a 34% retaliatory tariff on the US, exacerbating trade tensions. The capital market "votes with its feet" in advance. The tariff shockwave has swept through Wall Street: Mattel's stock plummeted 16.5% on Thursday, Hasbro dropped 12%, and Funko plunged 18%. Analysts predict that toy giants releasing quarterly reports this month may lower their profit guidance. This tariff storm is reshaping the global toy industry landscape. After Mattel and Hasbro transferred part of their production capacity to Vietnam in two years, production in China has significantly decreased, while new factories in Vietnam hesitate due to tariffs. US toy giant's strategy of diversifying manufacturing locations Mattel has also been diversifying its manufacturing operations away from China, currently sourcing products from seven countries. China accounts for about 40% of its procurement volume, down from the previous 50%. Due to the United States accounting for about half of the global toy sales, China's tariff risks are about 20% of the global cost of goods sold. UBS says this means that according to a 10% China tariff, Mattel's gross margin will be affected by 100 basis points, equivalent to about 12 cents per share. Mattel said that by 2027, the output of any country will not exceed 25% of its total output. Hasbro has been expanding its manufacturing operations to countries like Vietnam and India to reduce its dependence on China. The company's management has indicated that Indonesia may be the next stop. Hasbro, headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, currently sources products from eight countries, with China accounting for 50%, down from the previous 60%. The company aims to reduce this proportion to 40% by 2026. In comparison, the average for the entire toy industry is 80% to 85% of revenue coming from China. Mexico also imposes tariffs on certain goods, representing 2% of Hasbro's production. The company does not source any products from Canada. Reduce manufacturing costs Despite efforts by companies to reduce costs through renegotiating supplier contracts and simplifying packaging (such as Basic Fun’s release of trayless packages), Basic Fun********: "The 54% tariff could lead to a direct price increase of 50% at the consumer level, especially for toy products with single-digit profit margins. Cost passthrough is inevitable." Behind the hustle and bustle of the New York Toy Fair, buyers are frantically seeking alternatives. An unnamed Guangdong OEM factory manager revealed: "Walmart has asked us to reduce the thickness of plastic parts by 0.2 millimeters, but this can only offset 3% of the cost." Battery-free electronics, minimalist packaging toys, self-assembled daily necessities... These seemingly regressive consumer trends are actually the wisdom of businesses surviving in the global trade war. In the workshop of Abacus Brands, a Los Angeles-based educational toy company, CEO Steve Rad is showcasing a new matte packaging box: replacing the 30-cent plastic liner with a cardboard that costs only 7 cents. "Saving 3-4 cents at each spot can accumulate to offset the $10 increase in retail price," the company also plans to reduce the thickness of the paper used in the instruction manual, and expects to complete the supply chain adjustments this fall. Steve Rad, who designs science kits and other educational toys for older kids, is showcasing a newly improved matte box (left), which will replace its black molded plastic packaging with an improved cardboard material to help offset the cost of future tariffs. The plush toy giant Aurora World has tapped into the color economy. "Reducing the number of paint colors not only cuts material costs but also simplifies the labor process," admitted Gabriel Horikawa, general manager of the toy division. While these changes may not fully offset the impact of tariffs, they serve as a necessary buffer. Aurora was founded in Korea in the 1980s, and by going green, it has saved more than 3 million pounds of recycled plastic. Packaging Slimming: A Win-Win for Environmental Protection and Cost The classic toy brand Basic Fun has designed three packaging options for Tonka trucks: a traditional box with a display window, a tray without a box, and a minimalist paper price tag. The latter two options can save costs of $1.25 and $1.75 respectively, but CEO Jay Foreman admits, "This will reduce the product's appeal and is far from offsetting the tariffs on goods from China." The Art of Survival in the Fog of Policy Michael Matthias, CFO of American Eagle Outfitters, revealed that the company plans to reduce the production capacity ratio in China and Vietnam from 15%-20% each to single digits. CEO Jay Schottenstein admitted, "We faced similar challenges eight years ago, and we must remain flexible— you never know where the next round of tariffs will be aimed." Facing policy uncertainty, Peter Baum of Baum Essex in New York lamented, "This is the beginning of a global depression. An 80-year-old business run by five generations could be ruined." The company, which relocated its production capacity from China in 2019, is now facing another****in several Southeast Asian countries. In this trade war without gunpowder, enterprises are adopting meticulous "subtraction strategies" to find a niche in the tariff storm. When innovation becomes a forced choice, the evolution of consumption patterns may reshape the commercial landscape in the post-tariff era.

On March 10th, the U.S. textile recycling startup Circ completed its latest funding round of $25 million. This round of funding was led by Taranis through its Carbon Ventures fund, with existing strategic investors including Inditex, the parent company of Zara, Avery Dennison, and others participating in the round. Circ states that the basis for this financing is the company's significant technical and commercial progress over the past 18 months. The new funds will help the company expand the scale of its recycling technology applications and continue to move forward towards achieving its goals and missions, turning the waste problem in the fashion industry into circular solutions. Established in 2011, Circ is headquartered in Danville, Virginia, the former textile production center of the United States. Through patented technology, the company recycles fashion waste into textiles to reduce the demand for raw materials used in clothing production. Circ's technology is capable of breaking down textiles and recycling cotton and polyester fibers, maintaining their integrity while transforming them into new materials. As one of the few companies capable of recycling polyester-cotton blended materials for reuse in textile production, Circ has successfully collaborated with companies such as Zara, Mara Hoffman, United Arrows, and Christian Siriano. Recycling polyester-cotton blends is currently one of the main challenges faced by the industry, as this type of fabric represents a significant portion, yet less than 1% of it is currently being recycled. Circ is on track to launch its first industrial-scale blended textile recycling factory, and this financing brings more than just funds. Taranis, a company under the Perenco Group, will also share its expertise in developing and operating large-scale industrial projects. Taranis is an investment and asset management company dedicated to sustainable industrial solutions, and it believes that Circ's model is a key step in reducing the environmental impact of global supply chains. In addition to financial investment, Taranis also directly validates Circ's processes to accelerate the transition from demonstration scale to industrial-scale production. Circ's CEO Peter Majeranowski said, "Circ's journey to industrialization requires us to build on mature technologies with the engineering, operational expertise, and strategic investment of like-minded partners. Their industrial know-how combined with our innovation enables Circ to accelerate the transition to a circular fashion economy."

On the afternoon of April 2, local time, President Trump of the United States signed two executive orders on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" at the White House, announcing the establishment of a "minimum benchmark tariff" of 10% for all trade partners, and at the same time, higher tariffs are imposed on dozens of other countries and regions, including China, on the basis of 10%. Among them, the "reciprocal tariff" rate imposed by the United States on China is 34% - the overlapping rate will rise to 54%. The toy industry is facing yet another major challenge. According to reports from the White House website and U.S. media such as The New York Times, this is the largest-scale new tariff policy announced by Trump since taking office in January this year, wielding the tariff stick against the world, including allies, under the guise of "preventing other countries from exploiting the United States." According to the new policy announced by Trump, China's "reciprocal tariff" rate will be 34%, Vietnam's tariff will be as high as 46%, Thailand's tariff will be 36%, Indonesia's tariff will be 32%, India's tariff will be 26%, Japan's tariff will be 24%, South Korea's tariff will be 25%, and the EU countries' tariffs will rise to 20%. According to U.S. media reports, 34% of the reciprocal tariffs on China will be added to the original 20% U.S. tariffs on China, resulting in a total tariff rate of 54% on imports from China. This rate is expected to take effect on April 9. Additionally, the White House announced that starting from May 2, it will terminate the duty-free treatment for small packages (valued at $800 or less) imported from mainland China and Hong Kong, effectively removing the de minimis threshold. Trump's advisers insist that tariffs will bring vital strategic manufacturing capabilities back to the US. However, economists warn that tariffs could slow the global economy, increase the risk of recession, and add thousands of dollars to the cost of living for ordinary American families. If the new tariff policy is implemented, it will be another major challenge for the toy industry. Previously, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said in an interview with the media that a 10% tariff could be negotiated and absorbed internally, but a 20% tariff would be unbearable and would definitely be passed on to consumers. It is expected that the toy industry may see a wave of price increases in a few months. Overseas media also believe that the impact of the tariff increase on toy prices will start to become apparent this fall. Recently, a total of 19 toy industry associations from North America, Europe, Asia, and South America signed a joint statement calling for the exclusion of toys from tariff policy formulation and negotiations by the United States and its trading partners. The Vietnamese stock market plummeted threatened with a 46% increase in tariffs. To reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing, several major toy manufacturers have already adjusted their supply chains in recent years, relocating some production capacity to Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia. Trump's announcement of the so-called "reciprocal tariff" executive order imposes a tariff rate as high as 46% on Vietnam, significantly higher than that on other countries. After the market opened on Thursday, the Vietnamese stock market fell across the board. Economist and former vice president of the Vietnam Institute for Economic Management, Vo Tri Thanh, stated that tariffs are a shock to the global economy and to Vietnam, and that Vietnam will experience significant negative impacts. The United States has consistently been Vietnam's largest export market. In 2024, Vietnam's exports to the U.S. reached $142 billion, accounting for 30% of Vietnam's GDP. However, for Trump, Vietnam's trade surplus with the U.S. exceeding $123 billion in 2024 represents "a tremendous trade unfairness." Sports brand Nike has about half of its shoe products and 28% of its clothing produced in Vietnam, while its competitor Adidas relies on Vietnamese factories for 39% of its shoes and 18% of its clothing. According to calculations, the average tariff rate for Vietnamese shoe products in the United States was previously 13.6%, and the clothing product rate was 18.8%. According to the latest tax rate announced by Trump, Nike and Adidas's products from Vietnamese factories will need to pay more than three times the tariff when entering the United States. At the same time, some toy manufacturers also rely on Vietnam. Several American companies, such as Hasbro and Mattel, collaborate with the Southeast Asian toy manufacturer GFT to import and sell toys produced by the company. GFT has five production factories in northern Vietnam and employs over 15,000 workers.

Inditex's sportswear and casual wear brand Oysho has partnered with Fulgar to launch a new line of environmentally friendly sportswear made from Q-Cycle yarn. This cooperation marks an important step towards sustainable development in sportswear. The series is made with Q-Cycle yarn, which is entirely produced from recycled raw materials.Polyamide66 yarn. This yarn is made from pyrolysis oil generated from waste or end-of-life tires, offering an eco-friendly alternative to virgin polyamide 66 without compromising on lightness, durability, or strength. Q-Cycle yarn has obtained certifications from leading international organizations, including the RCS and ISCC PLUS from Textile Exchange, LCA, and Oeko-TEX Standard 100 Appendix 6, ensuring sustainability and consumer safety. The material is versatile, suitable for various textile applications, and can be well blended with different fibers. Fulgar Marketing Manager Daniela Antunes stated, "Our collaboration with Oysho is a concrete step towards a greener future. With the Q-Cycle yarn, we are demonstrating that waste can be repurposed for high-performance textiles without compromising on quality or functionality."

To strengthen the safety risk control of major hazardous sources of dangerous chemicals and prevent and curb major accidents, the Ministry of Emergency Management has organized the revision of the mandatory national standard "Technical Specification for Safety Monitoring of Major Hazardous Sources of Dangerous Chemicals" (GB 17681-2024), which will be implemented from June 1, 2025.Major hazard sources of hazardous chemicals are characterized by concentrated energy and high safety risks, and accidents can easily lead to mass casualties. This standard integrates lessons learned from major chemical industry accidents both domestically and internationally, along with relevant requirements from "Technical Requirements for Acceptance of Safety Monitoring and Early Warning Systems in Flammable and Explosive Storage Areas" (GB 17681-1999), "General Technical Specification for Safety Monitoring of Major Hazard Sources of Hazardous Chemicals" (AQ 3035-2010), and "Specification for the Setting of On-site Safety Monitoring Equipment for Major Hazard Sources of Hazardous Chemicals" (AQ 3036-2010). It standardizes the definition, connotation, and extension of safety monitoring systems for major hazard sources of hazardous chemicals, and clearly stipulates the relevant requirements for system design, construction, quality acceptance, operation and maintenance, and alarm management.The release and implementation of this standard will further improve the risk control standard system for hazardous chemicals, providing important technical support for effectively managing major safety risks. The Ministry of Emergency Management will subsequently strengthen its promotion and implementation, urging relevant entities to strictly adhere to the standards to ensure their requirements are fully implemented.

Recently, the U.S. government unilaterally announced further tariff increases on goods exported from China to the U.S. American toy brand owners, retailers, and Chinese toy manufacturers have all reported to our association that the U.S. government's unilateral tariff increases will severely harm the interests of people in both countries. In this regard, our association calls on the U.S. government to consider maintaining Sino-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, protecting consumers, and safeguarding the interests of Chinese and American enterprises, and to continue implementing the WTO agreement’s zero-tariff commitment on toys.Toys are essential for children's happy growth, providing global children with opportunities for play, learning, healthy development, and a joyful childhood. Since joining the WTO, China has implemented a zero-tariff policy on toys with major trading countries. I will join the American Toy Association and other key members of the International Council of Toy Industries in urging the U.S. government to continue adhering to the WTO agreement's zero-tariff provisions for toys.The US government's unilateral imposition of tariffs has triggered a series of new issues and fluctuations in international trade, with both Chinese and American companies being victims. We call on all American brand owners and retailers to work with Chinese suppliers to resolve issues of mutual concern through friendly consultations and in a spirit of equality and mutual benefit, jointly address the current difficulties, and avoid unilaterally using market advantages to disrupt the stability of the supply chain.The toy associations of 21 countries and regions around the world jointly signed the "Initiative to Maintain Zero Tariffs on Toys."

Starting from April 1, 2025, the latest national standard "GB13392-2023 Road Transport"Dangerous GoodsThe implementation of Vehicle Markings has been fully enforced, mandating the compulsory update of road transport hazardous goods vehicle markings.The standard specifies the classification, appearance, and dimensions of markings for vehicles transporting dangerous goods by road, as well as technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, labeling, packaging, and transportation. It also includes requirements for the installation of vehicle markings and maintenance during use. This standard applies to the production and use of markings for vehicles transporting dangerous goods by road; however, it does not apply to markings for vehicles transporting radioactive materials.The new logo has removed the triangular emblem and is divided intoRectangular sign, diamond sign, and special signThree categories.Rectangular sign:It is used to display the basic information of hazardous materials, with the hazard identification number on top and the United Nations number for hazardous goods below.Rhombus signUsed to display the main characteristics and dangers of dangerous goods categories and items.Special signage:Including markings for hazardous materials and high-temperature materials, used to indicate special hazards.The new standards have also optimized and adjusted the usage methods and requirements for the signs.Usage methodThe methods of affixing markings include pasting, bolting or riveting, slotting, and folding. For tank vehicles, it is also permissible to spray-paint diamond-shaped and special markings that meet standard technical requirements onto the tank body using reflective materials.Paste: Translate the above content from Chinese to English and output the translation result directly without any explanationSuitable for smooth and flat vehicle components, such as the body of a van and certain areas of tankers. Use a strong, weather-resistant adhesive to attach the decals, ensuring they adhere tightly and do not come off easily.Bolt or rivet fastening:Suitable for metal vehicle components such as frames and bumpers. Secure the emblem using appropriately sized bolts or rivets, and include washers and nuts to ensure stability.Spray painting:It is applicable only to tank vehicles, using reflective material to paint signs on the tank. Before painting, the surface of the tank needs to be pretreated to ensure that the painted pattern is clear, the lines are smooth, and the reflective effect meets the standards.Wearing requirementsThe signage used should correspond to the hazardous materials information and their associated hazards.It should be ensured that the signs installed on the vehicles are not damaged or detached during transportation.After unloading, vehicles that have eliminated hazards may remove or cover the original signs, those that have not eliminated the hazards should not remove the original signs. When signboards are broken, damaged, or the text and graphics are difficult to recognize, they should be replaced in a timely manner.Different vehicle models installation diagram

Following the previous introduction of new materials in the C919 large aircraft, this article will continue to unveil the cutting-edge development trends of new materials, including advanced alloy materials, shape memory alloys, high-performance composite materials, thermoplastic composites, advanced smart materials, integrated structures materials, and additive manufacturing technology. As these technologies continue to mature, they are expected to play an even more critical role in the future of the aviation industry, ushering in a new era of flight. Advanced new alloy materialsOn the basis of traditional aerospace aluminum alloys, developing advanced new alloy materials with superior performance through composition and process modifications can effectively achieve weight reduction in aircraft structures.Representative陶铝 new materials are based on aluminum alloy substrates, in which nanoceramic particle reinforcement phases are generated in situ to achieve an optimized combination of the plasticity and toughness of the aluminum alloy substrate with the high strength and high modulus of the reinforcement phase, meeting the requirements of materials in complex application scenarios. Currently, 陶铝 new materials have broad application prospects in the aviation, aerospace, and automotive industries.Aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloys have become another highly competitive potential material for commercial aircraft applications due to their excellent weldability and corrosion resistance. Compared to 6XXX series aluminum alloys, aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloys offer higher static strength, fatigue and damage fracture performance, superior welding properties, and better corrosion resistance. Currently, medium-to-high-strength aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloys such as AA5024 and AA5028 from Germany's Rhein Aluminum are included in Airbus's material procurement catalog. Airbus-developed Scalmalloy, a high-strength aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloy, has been used in additive manufacturing. In 2016, Airbus 3D-printed a cabin partition using this material, helping the Airbus A320 achieve weight reduction.Additionally, large-scale primary load-bearing structures in aircraft have a strong demand for high-strength titanium alloys and damage-tolerant titanium alloys. Represented by Ti-1023, high-strength and high-toughness titanium alloys designed for damage tolerance requirements exhibit characteristics such as high specific strength, excellent fracture toughness, good hardenability, low forging temperature, superior fatigue resistance, and strong stress corrosion resistance. These alloys can replace Ti-6Al-4V in primary load-bearing structures like landing gear, achieving a 20% weight reduction benefit. This plays a significant and positive role in improving structural efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, and lowering costs. They have already been applied in aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 777. Shape Memory AlloyShape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are a class of intelligent metallic materials that possess the characteristic of integrating sensing and actuation, meaning "the material is the device."Shape memory alloys possess two major properties: shape memory effect and superelasticity, which make them highly suitable for applications in the aerospace industry. Under the influence of temperature or electric current, shape memory alloys can exhibit self-driven effects, eliminating the need for complex drive mechanisms like motors or actuators. Intelligent actuation devices fabricated from shape memory alloy materials are becoming popular solutions for novel smart structures such as foldable wingtips, variable geometry wings, de-icing leading edges, and noise-reducing nacelles, due to their lightweight, continuous and coordinated deformation, significant relative deformation capability, lack of noise, and ease of control. The characteristics include: simple driving conditions; large output force and displacement, capable of meeting demands for significant deformation and high output force; small spatial requirements, flexible design and layout; high static strength, resistant to damage; no pollution or noise.Shape memory alloys have great potential for application in future civil aircraft. Boeing and Airbus have already laid out patent strategies for SMA actuators and latch mechanisms. In terms of morphing wings, SMAs also have potential applications. Scholars from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics have developed a variable height winglet with a grid structure and a variable tilt angle winglet driven by SMA springs on scaled demonstration aircraft.The movable surface structure of civil aircraft is an important structure for realizing flight control and lift enhancement. Currently, the actuation of such structures is mainly achieved through various types of actuators, such as hydraulic actuators and electro-hydraulic actuators, which are relatively heavy compared to traditional actuators. In the face of the urgent demands for more economical and environmentally friendly civil aircraft in the future, weight reduction of aircraft needs to be considered from various aspects. In terms of actuators for movable surface structures, research has shown that SMA actuators can achieve weight reduction of over 50% compared to traditional actuators. The "SAW (Spanwise Adaptive Wing)" project, jointly conducted by NASA and Boeing, focuses on SMA actuators and has carried out technical feasibility verification of the application of SMA actuation devices on aircraft, covering materials, processes, structures, and both scaled and full-size platform validation. High-performance/high-temperature resistant composite materialsComposite materials, whether fibers or matrix, come in a wide variety, and the combinations of these materials result in even more types of composite materials. Aerospace composite materials require better and more stable performance than general composite materials. Carbon fiber reinforced resin matrix composites have high specific strength and specific modulus, good tailorability of material properties, a variety of molding process options, as well as excellent fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance, and are widely used in the aviation field. Currently, the application of carbon fiber composites has become one of the important indicators of the advancement of civil aircraft. In addition, temperature-resistant composites represented by ceramic matrix composites have also become a potential avenue for achieving structural lightweighting in civil aircraft.In March 2014, Dongli Company utilized traditional PAN solution spinning technology, precisely controlled the carbonization process, and employed advanced nanotechnology to improve the microstructure of carbon fibers at the nanoscale, significantly enhancing their strength and modulus. This led to the successful development of high-performance carbon fiber at the T1100G level, with a modulus increased to 324 GPa and strength raised to 7.0 GPa. Relevant companies and institutions in Japan and the United States have clearly stated that the application goal for high-performance carbon fibers is the high-end aerospace market, aiming to replace the currently widely used carbon fiber products, enhance the comprehensive performance of aircraft structural components in terms of strength and stiffness, reduce structural thickness, lighten weight, improve flight speed, and greatly enhance maneuverability.The world's largest tier one aerospace structure manufacturer, Spirit Aerosystems, has launched an innovative composite fuselage wall panel based on T1100, which is expected to reduce production costs for future composite fuselages by 30%. In 2022, Overair announced a collaboration with Toray Composite Materials America to construct the main fuselage components of its "Butterfly" electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft using the next-generation T1100/3960 high-performance materials. With the rapid development of aviation technology, more extreme environments pose higher demands on aircraft materials, creating an urgent need for the development and application of materials that withstand low-temperature insulation, high-temperature resistance, and radiation resistance. For hypersonic aircraft, both the aircraft's surface and internal power systems are facing increasingly significant high-temperature issues, raising the requirements for materials' high-temperature performance. High-temperature/thermal protection materials include advanced high-temperature alloys and ceramic matrix composites, ultra-high-temperature ceramics, high-temperature insulation materials, refractory materials, and thermal protection coating technologies. Thermoplastic compositesFiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites refer to composite materials reinforced with carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, etc., and thermoplastic resins.Compared to thermoset composites, continuous carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites offer outstanding post-impact compression performance, high fracture toughness, recyclability, lower storage costs, and shorter processing cycles, making them suitable for demanding environments and high-load-bearing applications. Additionally, since thermoplastic composite components can be welded together without drilling or riveting, they significantly reduce structural weight and manufacturing costs while improving structural efficiency. Currently, aerospace-grade thermoplastic composite systems include CF/PPS, CF/PEEK, and CF/PEKK, which are used for functional components and primary/secondary load-bearing structures. Other thermoplastic material systems, such as nylon and PI, are also applied.Major countries around the world attach great importance to the research of thermoplastic composites. In recent years, under the strong promotion of the EU and aerospace manufacturing companies such as Airbus and Fokker Aerospace, thermoplastic composites have frequently made their mark on civilian aircraft, becoming formidable competitors to thermosetting composites in some components. The most representative applications include the use of thermoplastic composite wing leading edges and keel beam structures in the Airbus A340 and A380 aircraft. The connection between the skin and ribs of the leading edge employs advanced thermoplastic welding technology. Meanwhile, Airbus has applied PEEK advanced composite corner pieces on the A350 aircraft, with as many as 3,000 of them. The Affordable Primary Aircraft Structures Thermoplastic (TAPAC) organization developed thermoplastic composite torque box segments for structures such as parallel tails and thermoplastic composite fuselage panels with stiffened structures in 2011.In 2024, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) announced that it had completed, in collaboration with partners, a thermoplastic composite fuselage demonstrator measuring 8 meters in length and 4 meters in diameter, which is currently the largest carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite fuselage component in the world. The materials and manufacturing technologies used in this project can reduce structural weight by approximately 10% and lower costs by 10% during high-speed production processes. Advanced Intelligent MaterialsSmart materials and structures integrate sensors, actuators, and control elements with the main body structure, not only possessing the ability to bear loads and transmit motion but also featuring functions such as detection (stress, strain, damage, temperature, pressure, etc.), deformation (altering structural shape and position to achieve optimal aerodynamic characteristics), and modifying structural properties (stress-strain distribution, structural damping, natural frequency, surrounding electromagnetic field distribution). The advent of smart materials enables structures to not only carry loads but also exhibit perception (self-detection capability), decision-making (self-processing capability), and even execution functions (self-healing and adaptive capabilities).Currently, carbon nanotubes and graphene, among other nanomaterials, have become focal points in the field of smart materials due to their excellent thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Additionally, shape memory alloys, piezoelectric materials, and electrorheological materials are gaining widespread application because of their good integrability for monitoring and feedback. The damage sensitivity of smart composite materials has rapidly improved in recent years with extensive research both domestically and internationally, making their applications in damage monitoring a hot topic of study.The realization of intelligent composite materials for civil aircraft will rely on three methods:One is to disperse graphene or carbon nanotube powder in the matrix material, and achieve the monitoring of the matrix material through the change in the structural resistance of the nanomaterial during the deformation process of the composite material.Second, form a conductive thin-film network structure using nanomaterials through specific methods, and monitor by utilizing changes in the electrical properties of the conductive network structure during the deformation of the material.The third approach involves coating other fiber materials with nanomaterials to enhance their conductivity, and monitoring structural deformation through changes in the resistance of the conductive fibers during deformation. This material achieves self-sensing, self-detecting, and self-adapting purposes by perceiving microstructural changes and responding to macroscopic parameters.Focused research and development in this field are expected to achieve further breakthroughs in material preparation and sensing characteristics, playing a significant role in future civil aircraft models. By embedding or attaching smart actuation materials such as shape memory alloys, piezoelectric materials, and electrorheological materials into composite materials, it is possible to control vibration and noise, adjust shapes, and enhance the matrix of composite structures. This can significantly improve the efficiency of composite material usage and meet the special requirements of service environments for composite structures. Smart structures are closely related to cutting-edge disciplines such as materials science, information science, bionics, and life sciences, offering vast application prospects and potentially revolutionizing concepts in structural design, manufacturing, maintenance, and control. Integrated Structural MaterialsWith the increasing demand for environmental protection in civil aviation, countries around the world have successively launched Clean Sky projects, aiming to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions through collaborative research on new materials, processes, and technologies. Structural-functional integrated composite materials are considered one of the key technologies with significant potential for structural weight reduction in the future. The approach involves integrating the functional requirements of civil aircraft into existing structures, combining load-bearing and functional structures into one.Current advanced international aircraft models have achieved structural-functional integration in specific areas, such as the electrothermal anti-icing leading edge used in the Boeing 787 and the lightning protection network combining metal strips and structural components in the Airbus A350. Compared to traditional pneumatic anti-icing systems that require extensive piping, the electrothermal anti-icing integrated structure eliminates the need for additional structural installations, saving weight, and its thermal efficiency is more than 1.5 times that of pneumatic methods. By integrating conductive materials with structural design, the electrical conductivity of composite materials can be enhanced, providing effective protection for the aircraft structure and systems. Additionally, load-bearing energy storage composite material technology is a highly researched field, characterized by enabling composite structures to meet load-bearing requirements while possessing certain electrical storage capabilities, thereby effectively reducing aircraft weight. With the development of the low-altitude economy, the relatively heavy battery power systems currently constrain the endurance and effective payload capacity of drones. Carbon fiber-based structural energy storage composite materials are expected to save payload space, reduce system weight, and improve battery energy density, making them a research hotspot for universities and research institutions both domestically and internationally.In addition to withstanding flight loads, aircraft structures must also meet requirements such as lightning protection, sound insulation and noise reduction, anti-icing and de-icing, and fire resistance. Traditional functional structural designs often lead to increased structural weight, resulting in higher flight costs and reduced economic efficiency. Nanomaterials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, biomimetic materials, and shape memory alloy materials exhibit excellent performance in optical, electrical, mechanical, and acoustic aspects. Their application in aircraft structures will enable integrated functional structural design, achieving weight reduction and efficiency improvement, with broad prospects. For example, an integrated structure of graphene film and composite wing skin can provide functions such as anti-icing/de-icing and lightning protection for the wing skin, eliminating the need for additional weight from lightning protection copper mesh and bleed air anti-icing pipelines. The engine nozzle of the Boeing 777-300 uses SMA materials to achieve configuration changes that reduce noise. Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics has developed a prototype aircraft that uses SMA springs to drive variable cant-angle winglets. The development of nanotechnology, biomimetic technology, and new functional materials provides possibilities for integrated structural and functional design in civil aircraft. In summary, integrated structural and functional design and manufacturing are expected to offer new methods and approaches to solving aircraft functional issues, while also enhancing the efficiency, economy, and competitiveness of airframe structures. Additive manufacturingAdditive Manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a forming technology that integrates various fields and disciplines such as materials engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, and laser and electron beam technologies.It is based on computer three-dimensional digital models, and through software, the models are layered and constructed by printing raw materials such as powder or wire layer by layer, achieving integrated forming of complex structural parts, personalized customization of special structural parts, and rapid response to design requirements.Compared with traditional manufacturing processes, additive manufacturing can enhance the flexibility and freedom of part design; achieve the one-piece forming of complex parts, improving the overall performance and quality of the parts; increase material utilization and reduce material waste; and facilitate prototype validation and personalized customization of parts. These advantages have led to widespread attention and application of additive manufacturing in various fields such as aerospace, automotive, and medical.The aforementioned advantages of additive manufacturing align well with the goals and demands of weight reduction, cost savings, and rapid response in civil aircraft, making it a consistently high-profile technology in the field of civil aircraft manufacturing. Companies such as Boeing, Airbus, and COMAC have already achieved the application of additive-manufactured components in aircraft. As the technology matures further, the use of additive manufacturing in the civil aviation industry will continue to expand. Metal Additive Manufacturing According to the materials used, additive manufacturing can be divided into metal additive manufacturing and non-metal additive manufacturing.Metal additive manufacturing uses metal powders/wires as raw materials and high-energy beams (such as lasers, electron beams, arcs, plasma beams, etc.) as the energy source to manufacture high-performance metal components. According to the manufacturing principle, metal additive manufacturing technology can be further divided into Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) technology and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology.Powder bed fusion technology was patented by EOS in 1994. This technology involves supplying a uniform layer of powder onto a deposition plane and directing an energy source to irradiate the powder at specified locations, causing it to melt and solidify. Once a plane is completed, the energy is directed to the next plane, repeating the process until the part is fully formed.Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology was first successfully developed by Sandia National Laboratories in the United States in 1995. This process involves feeding metal powder or wire to a substrate and focusing a laser beam, electron beam, or arc energy source onto the powder bed to form multiple small molten pools and continuously deposit material, ultimately achieving integrated forming. Depending on the selected energy source, DED technology can also be categorized into laser metal deposition, electron beam additive manufacturing, wire arc additive manufacturing, and other techniques. Non-metal additive manufacturingSimilar to metal additive manufacturing technology, non-metal additive manufacturing technology involves the layer-by-layer printing of non-metallic material filaments or powder raw materials to achieve the final shape. The two commonly used non-metal additive manufacturing technologies in the civil aircraft industry are Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). Non-metal additive manufactured parts are often used for functional interior components and functional secondary load-bearing components.Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology was invented in the 1980s by Scott Crump, the founder of American company Stratasys. This technology heats and melts thermoplastic filaments, which are then extruded from a nozzle along the paths determined by slicing software at a certain speed. The extruded filament solidifies on the platform, after which the nozzle is raised to form the next layer.FDM technology does not involve laser, high temperature and high pressure environments, making the technology relatively simple. The equipment is compact, the operation is straightforward, and both printing and maintenance costs are relatively low. The raw materials do not undergo chemical changes during the entire forming process, and the warpage and deformation of the parts are minimal. A variety of commonly used engineering plastics such as ULTEM 9085, polycarbonate (PC), and nylon (PA) can be selected as raw materials for printing. However, it also has some noticeable drawbacks: the surface roughness is relatively high; support structures are needed during the forming process, and removing the supports after printing can be complicated and may leave marks on the surface; due to the limitations of the printing process, parts manufactured using FDM technology have significantly weaker strength in the vertical forming direction compared to other printing directions, and the issue of anisotropy is prominent. Despite having many disadvantages, FDM technology is mature, easy to operate, and cost-effective, and has been widely used in the manufacturing of non-metal interior parts for aircraft.Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology was invented by Dr. Carl Deckard in 1989. This technology uses a laser to sinter layers of material powder that are spread on a platform. Once the sintering of one layer's cross-section is completed, new powder is evenly spread over the sintered cross-section to sinter the next layer. After all cross-sections have been sintered, the excess powder is removed to obtain a fully formed part. Parts manufactured using SLS technology exhibit better performance and reduced anisotropy, making them highly valuable in the field of civil aviation manufacturing. Titanium Alloy Additive ManufacturingTitanium alloy additive manufacturing components have been applied in various models. In 2016, Airbus utilized Ti-6Al-4V additive manufacturing to optimize the design of the A350XWB connection bracket and successfully implemented it in the aircraft. This marked the first time that a metal additive manufacturing component was installed in a model, as shown in the figure. Airbus adopted titanium alloy additive manufacturing technology to optimize the structure of this component, successfully reducing its weight by over 30%, significantly shortening the delivery cycle, and lowering manufacturing costs. Aluminum alloy additive manufacturingThe vertical tail fin support of the Airbus A350XWB is made using AlSi10Mg through additive manufacturing, integrating 30 parts into one, achieving a weight reduction of up to 30%, and successfully shortening the manufacturing cycle from 70 days to 19 hours, significantly reducing the manufacturing time.The Airbus A320 lightweight bio-inspired cabin partition structure utilizes the second-generation Al-Mg-Sc alloy Scalmalloy®️ developed by Airbus subsidiary APWORKS, employing Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, achieving a 45% weight reduction and a 75% cost reduction, thereby meeting the design requirements for weight and cost reduction in the model. Additive manufacturing of resin-based compositesFor additive manufacturing, the most commonly used composite materials are fiber-reinforced resin matrix composites. Fiber-reinforced resin matrix composites are composed of chopped or continuous fibers and their fabrics reinforcing thermosetting or thermoplastic resin matrices, formed through specific processes. They are widely applied in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and other fields, characterized by high specific strength and specific modulus, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, strong designability, ease of large-area integral forming, and special electromagnetic properties. The extensive use of fiber-reinforced composites in the aerospace field not only reduces structural weight but also enhances equipment performance and quality through integrated structural and functional design.Currently, commonly used additive manufacturing composite materials typically use PEEK, PEKK, and nylon as the matrix, with carbon fiber or glass fiber to reinforce and enhance the material's various properties. In 2019, the HexPEKK-100 material, based on carbon fiber and PEKK and produced by America's largest carbon fiber manufacturer, completed certification. It was used to manufacture pipeline components and other parts for the Boeing 777X using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology, reducing the weight by about 50% compared to the original aluminum alloy parts. The figure below shows some of the composite material pipeline components of the Boeing 777X. The Challenges of Additive ManufacturingIn the civil aircraft industry, companies including Boeing, Airbus, and COMAC are actively promoting the application of additive manufacturing and have implemented additive-manufactured parts in multiple aircraft models. The civil aircraft industry imposes extremely high demands on material performance and reliability, meaning materials suitable for traditional manufacturing techniques may not necessarily be suitable for additive manufacturing. Therefore, developing high-performance materials tailored for additive manufacturing and establishing a rigorous, comprehensive quality control and certification system is particularly critical.

China's manufacturing PMI data for March continued to rise, with the Caixin China Manufacturing PMI reaching 51.2, a four-month high.National Bureau of Statistics manufacturingThe PMI also rose to 50.5, remaining in the expansion zone for two consecutive months. This positive signal indicates that, with the Spring Festival effect fading and macro policies taking effect, economic operations are steadily returning to an expansionary track. However, behind the data lie both the highlights of structural optimization and the hidden challenges of insufficient demand.One,PMI data shows recovery: simultaneous expansion in total volume and divergence in structureThe positive March PMI data primarily stems from the coordinated improvement on both the supply and demand sides. The production index has risen to its highest level in nearly four months, and although the new orders index has slightly declined, it remains in the expansion zone, with strong performance in consumer goods new orders. The export orders index has reached its highest level since May 2024, reflecting a rebound in international market demand. From an industry structural perspective, the equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors have become the main driving forces, with their PMIs reaching 52% and 52.3%, significantly higher than the overall manufacturing level, indicating that new productivity is accelerating its growth.II. Financial data reflects differentiated demand: enterprises leverage up while residents remain cautious.andThe contrast formed by the PMI warming is that in February, the financial data showed a differentiated characteristic of "strong enterprises, weak residents." Nationwide, in the first two months, RMB loans increased by 6.14 trillion yuan., where corporate and institutional loans account for nearly ninety percent, while household loans increased only by54.7 billion yuan, with a noticeable year-on-year decrease, particularly in the sluggish growth of medium and long-term loans (primarily mortgages). Therefore, although the manufacturing purchasing volume index rose to a four-month high, indicating an increased willingness for businesses to replenish inventories, the lack of motivation for households to "leverage up" has constrained the comprehensive recovery of domestic demand.III. Marginal Improvement in Real Estate: Sales Recovery and Transformation Pain InterwovenThe real estate market shows positive signs in its adjustment.March saw an increase in commodity residential floor space sold环比上升。 (Note: The phrase "环比上升" typically means "rose compared with the previous month" or "saw a month-on-month increase" in English. However, since the original sentence already starts with "3月" which means March, I've adjusted the translation slightly for better fluency in English.)In first-tier cities, housing prices are showing initial signs of stabilization, and the premium rate in the land market has increased. Qiu Xiaohua, former director of the National Bureau of Statistics, pointed out that the deep adjustment in the real estate market has entered its final stage, with a narrowing decline in sales and investment, and inventory pressure is gradually easing in core cities. However, the current sales area remains at a historically low level for the same period.In the first two months, the sales area of newly built commercial properties across the country decreased by 5.1% year-on-year, and the problem of high inventory in third- and fourth-tier cities has not been fundamentally resolved.ConclusionThe PMI rebound in March reflects the resilience of the economy, with expansions in areas like equipment manufacturing confirming the effectiveness of the transformation. However, structural issues in financial data and real estate serve as warnings that the rebound is not yet a comprehensive recovery. The foundation for the current economic upturn still needs to be consolidated: on one hand, the external environment remains complex and challenging, with global trade barriers potentially stifling export growth; on the other hand, insufficient domestic effective demand persists, leading to deflationary pressures, and corporate confidence has slightly declined. Author: Zhou Yongle,Specialized Plastic World Market Research Expert

GORE-TEX fabric, a high-tech material invented by the international fabric giant W. L. Gore Associates in 1969, can block liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through. It offers durable waterproofing, windproofing, and breathability, overcoming the common defect of waterproof fabrics that lack breathability. As a result, it is hailed as the "Fabric of the Century." Known as the "King of Outdoor Fabrics," GORE-TEX's exceptional waterproofing primarily relies on PFAS. While GORE-TEX's waterproof technology has revolutionized the outdoor sports experience, it has also contributed to the silent infiltration of "forever chemicals"—PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—into the environment and human bodies.On March 26, the report "Wearing Once Pollutes Once? Many Outdoor Jackets Contain This Harmful Substance, Famous Mountaineers Have Already Abandoned It, and Leading Companies Are Starting to Use Alternative Fabrics" was released, drawing consumer attention to outdoor apparel brands' use and disclosure of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).As "forever chemicals," PFAS can accumulate in the human body and the environment, causing negative health and environmental impacts. Currently, the states of California and New York in the U.S. have enacted legislation banning the sale of PFAS-containing clothing from 2025.As the core of this incident, the "GORE-TEX" brand, whose parent company is W. L. Gore Associates, responded swiftly. On U.S. local time on the 27th, the company issued an official statement, recognizing the increasing public concern over PFAS. The company always carefully selects the most suitable materials, prioritizing environmental protection while pursuing performance.Gore also stated that the GORE-TEX brand launched the ePE film in 2022, which is made from expanded polyethylene and does not intentionally add PFAS. By the end of 2025, most of the company's consumer fabric products will utilize Gore ePE film technology.Recently, regarding the focal topics of "the progress in the development of PFAS alternative materials" and "the urgent need for full industry collaboration," spokesperson Gin Ando from the leading outdoor brand Patagonia and Inga Bleyer, the market and communications director of the certification body OEKO-TEX, were interviewed by reporters from *The Economic Daily*. The OEKO-TEX certification is adopted by thousands of brands and manufacturers worldwide, and its certification label serves as an important reference for consumers purchasing safe and eco-friendly products.Balancing functionality and environmental protection is difficult.But many companies are actively trying.NBD: Has the textile industry found a completely替代PFAS waterproof breathable materials? If not, what are the main technological bottlenecks?Inge Bair: Currently, there are some alternatives that can provide a similar level of water resistance, but no alternative can provide all the performance attributes of PFAS. This is especially true in the field of personal protective equipment (PPE), where phase-out is happening slowly. It's worth noting that personal protective equipment is generally exempted in most regulations.NBD: What is the main function of PFAS in Patagonia outdoor clothing? How important are these functions to the consumer's outdoor experience?Gene Anzeng: In Patagonia (the product), PFAS are primarily used for waterproofing. Because we design this type of product for some of the harshest environments on Earth, our clothing must perform exceptionally well and ensure user safety. Having fully functional clothing outdoors can increase the enjoyment of experiencing nature in any environment.NBD: What progress has the company made in developing PFAS alternatives? Can these alternative materials match or exceed the performance of PFAS in terms of water resistance and other critical properties?Gene Anderson: Since we became aware of the significant hazards associated with the production process of PFAS, we have been engaged in a decade-long research and testing effort to develop PFAS alternatives. The reason it has taken so long is that we insist the performance of the alternatives must not be inferior to that of PFAS-containing garments. After testing hundreds of fabrics and chemical formulations, we have now achieved complete elimination of deliberately added PFAS in even our professional products designed for extreme environments. None of our current full product line or future seasonal releases will contain deliberately added PFAS substances.NBD: What is the current overall usage of PFAS in the textile industry?Inga Blair: Textile manufacturers are becoming more aware of the impacts of PFAS, leading to a decline in the use of these chemicals in recent years. As far as we know, many brands are actively phasing out PFAS in their products.NBD: What technical and supply chain challenges does Patagonia face in reducing or eliminating the use of PFAS? How are these challenges being addressed?Gene Ando: In the first batch of PFAS-free fabric samples we received, some were so stiff that they could be torn in half like cardboard. We discovered early in the RD process that removing PFAS affects far more than just water resistance—two key indicators, the fabric's tear resistance and seam slippage, change due to the alternatives, and we must innovate to address these issues.In some cases, we simply remove PFAS treatment because it is not necessary at all; whereas in some of our windproof jacket lines, we have adopted waterproof and breathable technologies specifically designed for automotive batteries. We have invested substantial time and resources into research to ensure that the durability and functionality of the garments are not compromised by these eco-friendly innovations."We are all partners in the same boat when it comes to environmental protection."NBD: Is the current international detection standard and certification system for PFAS in textiles完善? Are institutions planning to introduce stricter detection standards and certification systems?Inga Becker: Since 2023, we have completely banned the intentional use (presence) of PFAS substances in products certified by "OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100", products certified by the Leather Standard, and chemicals certified by "ECO PASSPORT". Currently, we use the total fluorine limit value as the testing standard, which complies with current U.S. regulations and aligns with the upcoming EU regulatory standards. Additionally, we have recently improved our PFAS detection methods to enhance testing accuracy. The new method can detect not only easily releasable PFAS but also PFAS bound to the substrate.NBD: As a leader in environmental responsibility in the industry, how does Patagonia view the efforts of the outdoor clothing sector in reducing the use of PFAS? Will the company collaborate with other brands or organizations to drive the industry towards a PFAS-free future?Gene Ando: We are very willing to help the industry make progress together. In terms of environmental protection, we are all partners on the same boat.NBD: Given that various countries and regions around the world are gradually legislating to regulate PFAS, will Patagonia's eco-friendly clothing updates be implemented逐步实施 based on local policies, or will there be a one-time global replacement and upgrade? The sentence seems to be cut off at the end. Assuming it continues with "逐步实施" (implemented step by step), the complete translation would be:NBD: Given that various countries and regions around the world are gradually legislating to regulate PFAS, will Patagonia's eco-friendly clothing updates be implemented step by step based on local policies, or will there be a one-time global replacement and upgrade?Gene Ando: All of our new products no longer have added PFAS. Even if US law changes to allow them again, we know the harm they cause and won't go back. It took us a full decade to find good quality alternatives, and the industry is gradually phasing them out anyway.NBD: Based on OEKO-TEX's observations in the textile industry, what do you think are the core challenges the industry currently faces in terms of sustainable development? What specific suggestions do you have for promoting collaboration across all links in the industry chain to achieve environmental goals?Inga Blair: We believe that the focus in the future will be more on transparency and traceability. Transparency and traceability are key to identifying and addressing challenges within their respective supply chains and gaining a broader understanding of economic, ecological, and social sustainability. We believe that legislative bodies will also demand greater transparency and traceability in the future.Over the course of our 30-year development, we have established strong partnerships with all sectors of the textile and leather industries. We recommend that all industry participants strengthen cooperation, jointly explore issues and needs, and work together to find solutions.About GORE-TEX new expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane ● Has a high specific strength (i.e., strength-to-weight ratio), allowing it to be made into lightweight, thin, and structurally robust composite materials.● Has outstanding durability, which can further reduce environmental impact.● Combined with polyurethane (PU) to form a durable waterproof, windproof, and highly breathable film.The Higg MSI measurement results indicate that expanded polyethylene (ePE) materials and lighter film weights can reduce carbon footprints.● Aligns with the GORE-TEX Textiles Division goal: to not use PFCECs, which are PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) that impact the environment, throughout the lifecycle of its mass-market products, achieved here by using non-fluorinated materials.Products using the new GORE-TEX ePE membrane will be applied in many products from brands such as Adidas, ARC'TERYX, Dakine, Patagonia, Reusch, Salomon, or Ziener.

The latest Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) was recently released, ending a consecutive ten-week decline with structural rebounds in freight rates on major Europe and U.S. routes. Among them, the U.S. West Coast route saw a single-week surge of 16.29%, while the Europe route bottomed out with a 0.92% increase. This shift has drawn significant attention in the plastic and chemical industry sector.The cost red line triggers a pricing protection battle.The direct reason for the rebound in freight rates this round comes from the shipping companies' cost defense strategy. Taking Formosa Plastics Marine as an example, its 10 chemical tankers with a capacity of 30,000 tons are responsible for the transoceanic transportation of basic raw materials such as ethylene glycol and methanol. When the spot price on the West Coast of the U.S. dropped below $1,600 per FEU, multiple shipping companies collectively activated price adjustment mechanisms on April 1st, attempting to stabilize long-term contracts through short-term price control. Data shows that the long-term price for the West Coast route in 2025 has increased by 15%-20% compared to last year, and shipping companies need to use spot market premiums to hedge against cost pressures.SCFI freight rates:The freight rate from Shanghai to Europe is $1,318 per TEU, up by $12, a 0.92% increase.The freight rate from Shanghai to the Mediterranean is $2,076 per TEU, down $119, a weekly decrease of 5.42%.The freight rate from Shanghai to the US West Coast is $2,177/FEU, an increase of $305, a rise of 16.29%.The freight rate from Shanghai to the U.S. East Coast is $3,194/FEU, up $328, an increase of 11.44%.The freight rate for the Persian Gulf route is $1188 per container, up $129, a weekly increase of 12.18%.The freight rate for the South America route (Santos) is $2,172 per container, up $49, an increase of 2.31%.The freight rate for the Southeast Asia route (Singapore) is $433 per container, down by $13, a weekly decrease of 2.91%.For the near-ocean routes, the fare from Far East to Kansai, Japan is $319, up $15, with an increase of 4.93%; the fare from Far East to Kanto, Japan is $324, up $14, with an increase of 4.52%; the fare from Far East to Korea is up $4 to $141, with an increase of 2.92%.This strategy mirrors the 'basis trade' model in the plastics industry. Polyester industry chain enterprises lock in raw material costs through the futures market, while shipping companies bind cargo owners with long-term contracts, both trying to smooth market fluctuations using financial instruments. Just as the polyester industry adopts production cuts to maintain prices during high inventory cycles, the shipping industry's price alliances also exhibit price coordination characteristics. Leading companies like Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company have clearly stated that they will further raise freight rates after mid-April. The resilience of plasticization demand supports market expectations.Plastic products serve as the "lifeblood" of industrial economies, with their transportation demand exhibiting strong rigidity. Taking ethylene glycol as an example, China's import volume in 2024 reached 18 million tons, 70% of which was transported via ocean container shipping. Although the Trump administration's tariff policies led to increased costs for some raw material imports, the rigid demand from downstream industries such as textiles and packaging continues to support the market. Formosa Plastics Marine Corporation revealed that the loading rate of its South China-Taiwan route container ships has recovered to 85%, primarily transporting raw materials like PVC and ABS, which are widely used in the production of electronic product casings. This type of demand is relatively lagging in its response to end-consumer trends.It is noteworthy that the plastic industry chain is accelerating the construction of a 'virtual inventory' system. Traders such as Zhongji Ningbo are deeply integrating physical warehouses with futures delivery warehouses through a futures-spot linkage model. This innovative approach not only reduces logistics costs but also enhances the predictability of transportation demand. Data shows that in 2024, the delivery volume of PTA futures increased by 40% year-on-year, with futures-spot combined trade accounting for over 60% of the total. This shift has directly impacted the slot allocation strategies of shipping companies.The market turnaround still needs time to be validated.Despite a technical rebound in freight rates, the structural challenges facing the plastics industry remain. North America's dependence on imports of basic raw materials such as methanol is as high as 45%. The Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on Canada could trigger a chain reaction in the supply chain of plastic raw materials. Formosa Plastics Ocean Shipping has begun adjusting its fleet structure, planning to add four 260,000-ton VLCC tankers to address potential changes in energy transportation demand.Industry insiders point out that the current rebound in freight rates is more a result of short-term speculation, and a real market turnaround depends on the completion of the destocking cycle in the plastics industry. In 2024, polyester industry inventory days once exceeded the 60-day warning line, but through production cuts, inventory was reduced to 45 days. However, the recovery of terminal demand remains unclear. In this context, whether the shipping companies' battle to defend freight rates can continue depends on whether the plastics enterprises can achieve value reconstruction through technological innovation and collaboration within the industrial chain.From the perspective of the petrochemical industry, fluctuations in ocean freight rates are not just changes in logistics costs but also a microcosm of the restructuring of the global supply chain. As China transitions from the "world factory" to an "innovation hub," the logistics demands of the petrochemical industry will trend towards high-end and customized solutions, potentially fostering more resilient shipping service models.

Hammerhead™ composite panel, modular construction keywordsOn March 31, 2025, Avient is pleased to announce a successful collaboration with its key customer, Resia, a vertically integrated real estate company specializing in the development, construction, and management of multifamily communities, and through its subsidiary Resia Manufacturing, exclusively producing bathrooms and kitchens for modular construction across the United States.Resia Manufacturing utilizes its Resia production system and its patent-pending panel system to produce high-quality, fully assembled, ready-to-install kitchen and bathroom components for residential construction. Their 252,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Fairburn, Georgia, employs the cutting-edge HybridFabrication process, enabling efficient production of components including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The completed components are then transported to construction sites, where they can be installed much faster than traditional building methods. This process reduces construction time by 30%, enhances quality, and decreases on-site labor by 40%, thereby improving safety and efficiency.Resia Manufacturing integrates Avient's Hammerhead™ thermoplastic composite panels into the interior wall systems of bathroom and kitchen modules. The large-format sandwich panels offer a lighter structural solution that assembles faster than traditional wood-framed drywall or plaster wall systems.It is reported that the Hammerhead™ composite panel is made of thermoplastic continuous glass fiber reinforced panels and a polyester foam core.Resia's Manufacturing Quality Director, Mitch Sklar, stated: "The Hammerhead™ composite panel is a cost-effective and durable solution for our wall systems. Our collaboration with Avient has helped us further streamline the manufacturing process, enabling us to achieve production goals quickly and efficiently."Mike Mosley, General Manager of Avient's Advanced Composites Division, stated: "We are proud to collaborate with industry leaders like Resia to introduce our thermoplastic composite panels into the modular construction market. Their intelligent and efficient processes are truly revolutionizing the way homes are built, and we are excited to contribute to their success."

BASF, biomass balance, flexible polyurethane foamBASF aims to integrate a series of bio-based balanced (BMB) products into the polyurethane value chain to meet the sustainability needs of the North American furniture industry.● Compared to BASF's traditional flexible polyurethane foam systems, the product carbon footprint (PCF) emissions are expected to be reduced by up to 75%.March 27, 2025 - BASF is expanding its product portfolio for the furniture industry with the introduction of biomass-balanced grades of Elastoflex® polyurethane systems. These mass-balanced products, along with multiple BASF plants, have been certified under REDcert2, including the recently certified Livonia, Michigan facility in the United States.Staci Wegener, Director of BASF's Polyurethanes Business in North America, stated: "Supporting our customers in achieving their sustainability goals is our top priority. With our new biomass balance products, our customers will now have access to products that replace fossil-based raw materials with renewable alternatives, offering the potential to significantly reduce the product carbon footprint compared to traditional polyurethane foam systems."The Elastoflex® polyurethane foam system is formulated to produce flexible foams for a variety of furniture applications, including seats, headrests, and armrests. The foam's unique structure provides optimal comfort while delivering ideal body support. The Elastoflex® BMB grades offer the same characteristics and performance as their fossil-based counterparts, without requiring changes to traditional processing methods.

Notice on Convening the "2025 National Plastic Weaving Industry Chain Technology Exchange and Market Matching Conference the Re-election Conference of the Plastic Weaving Committee of China Plastics Processing Industry Association"Plastic woven industry chain related enterprises:In recent years, the plastic weaving industry has faced numerous challenges, including complex and changing global conditions, weakened domestic and international market demand, overcapacity, and severe internal competition, leading to a decline in profit margins and intensified market competition in the industry. Factors such as changes in the international landscape, proactive domestic policy adjustments, and the relocation of China's traditional industries to central and western regions have had a profound impact on the development of the plastic weaving industry. The industry is currently at a critical juncture for transformation and upgrading. To explore high-quality development paths for the plastic weaving industry, promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading, and encourage plastic weaving manufacturers to accelerate research and development of high-performance new materials, intelligent production, and exploration of new application areas, thereby driving industry intelligence and green sustainable development, our committee has decided to host the "2025 National Plastic Weaving Industry Chain Technology Exchange and Market Matching Conference and the换届大会" on May 27-29, 2025, in Luoyang, Henan Province.This conference is hosted by the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, supported by various industrial clusters, local chambers of commerce, and associations, and organized by the Plastic Woven Products Professional Committee of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association and the Luoyang Yanshi Plastic Weaving Industry Association. It is generously sponsored by companies in the plastic weaving industry chain, including Guangxi Tianyang Jiamuhe Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., Changzhou Yongming Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Starlinger Co. GmbH (Taicang), Changzhou Dezheng Machinery Co., Ltd., Suqian Liansheng Technology Co., Ltd., Changzhou Yuanjun Machinery Co., Ltd., Shaanxi Juneng Plastic Co., Ltd., Zaoyang Shuangxing Weiye Plastic Co., Ltd., Changzhou Tengcheng Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Runyi General Equipment Co., Ltd., Luoyang Xinfeng Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., Shantou Bangde Machinery Co., Ltd., Shandong Luchuang Automation Co., Ltd., Hechi Xiangli New Material Technology Co., Ltd., Yantai Yibang Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Bailing Electromechanical Technology Co., Ltd., Yanfeng Group Co., Ltd., Henan Qingying Software Technology Co., Ltd., Qingfangda Chemical Co., Ltd., Luoyang Suquan Packaging Materials Co., Ltd., and Changzhou Wujin Hengfa Machinery Co., Ltd.This conference aims to attract approximately 600 participants and serves as a significant event in the industry.During the same period, in order to enhance the quality of communication and participation of the attending enterprises, the conference established a plastic weaving innovation exhibition area, provided some exhibition booths, and organized visits to plastic weaving enterprises in the Luoyang region.The meeting related matters are hereby notified as follows:I. Main Contents of the Meeting 1. The Fifth Session of the Fifth Council Meeting of the Plastic Weaving Special Committee and the Committee's Transition Conference.2. Discussion on the Upgrading and Development of the Plastic Weaving Industry;3. Discussion on Technological Innovation and Product Development Direction in the Plastic Weaving Industry During the "14th Five-Year Plan" Period.4. Discussion on Intelligent Manufacturing and Green Development in the Plastics Industry.Experience and Exchange in the Development of Plastic Weaving Clusters6. Discussion on the recycling of plastic packaging and pathways to carbon neutrality.7. Introduction to the achievements of the automated bulk bag sewing project.8. Market and Application Discussion of Square Bottom Valve Bags9. Introduction to automation, intelligence, and digitization in plastic weaving.10. Discussion on ways to alleviate overcapacity in the plastic weaving industry.11. Exchange of production and technical management experience;Introduction to Advanced Development Experiences of Exemplary Enterprises13. Review and Forecast of the Plastic Weaving Raw Material Market.14. Local plastic weaving association gatherings and experience exchanges;15. Veteran and new members of the plastic编织 should be "plastic weaving" or "polymer weaving" industry in the correct terminology. 15. Veterans and newcomers in the plastic weaving industry gather to exchange experiences. If you meant to keep "塑编" as "plastic编," please clarify, and I'll adjust the translation accordingly.16. Establish a supply and demand connection display and trade platform for the plastic weaving industry chain, and facilitate the exchange and display of new technologies, new processes, and new equipment.17. Explore the strengthening of the Plastic Weaving Professional Committee's construction. How to further provide more services to members, how to enhance communication with relevant national departments, and how to lead the precise work of innovation and development in the plastic weaving industry.II. Meeting Arrangement and Location May 27 · Full-day coverageMay 28th - All-day conference (keynote speeches)On the morning of May 29, visit the plastic weaving enterprises in the Luoyang area.Meeting venue: Luoyang Yishui HotelAddress: Northeast corner of the intersection of Yishuidong Road and Gulong Road, Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan ProvinceIII. Participants 1. Senior executives of plastic woven products manufacturing enterprises, including the chairman, general manager, and related responsible persons;Representatives of enterprises producing raw and auxiliary materials, equipment, and spare parts for plastic woven product manufacturing.3. Personnel involved in production, technology, procurement, sales, equipment, and management in plastic woven products manufacturing enterprises.4. Procurement personnel from downstream industries such as cement, fertilizer, chemical, and agriculture.5. Representatives from research institutes, testing institutions, and universities;6. Other relevant representatives of the invited companies. IV. Charging Principles 1. Waive the conference fee for member units engaged in the production and distribution of plastic woven products (limited to 2 people), and charge a conference fee of 900 yuan per person for non-member units.2. The conference fee for member units of domestic and foreign plastic weaving machinery enterprises, domestic and foreign raw material production enterprises, spare parts, auxiliary materials, raw material trade, business websites, testing institutions and other supporting enterprises is 900 yuan per person, and 1500 yuan per person for non-member units.3. A conference fee of 900 yuan per person will be charged to representatives from research institutes and higher education institutions; the conference fee includes meal costs, material costs, conference room fees, and other expenses. Please pay the conference fee to the account of China Plastics Processing Industry Association:Account Holder: China Plastics Processing Industry AssociationOpening Bank: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Lishi Road Branch, BeijingAccount: 02000036090144763504. Accommodation expenses will be borne by each conference attendee. The venue is the Luoyang Yishui Grand Hotel, with room rates at 450 RMB per day for standard double/single rooms. Attendees are requested to contact the hotel in advance and mention "Plastic Weaving Conference" for reservations. Contact: Wu Ning, 18613790217.FiveTraffic routeThe train is 4.1km from Luoyang Longmen High-speed Rail Station, with a journey time of about 11 minutes. Alternatively, you can take bus routes 71 or V9 and get off at the intersection of Longmen Avenue and Haixiao Road, then walk approximately 0.3km. It is 18.5km from Luoyang Railway Station, with a journey time of about 28 minutes.The plane is 25.8 km from Luoyang Beijiao Airport, with a drive time of about 35 minutes.

On the afternoon of March 28, Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company, together with the Rope (Cable) Net Branch of China Industrial Textiles Association, the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, the international authoritative fiber testing center, Donghua University, and more than 20 key customer representatives, witnessed the launch of the domestically pioneering "Durable Aramid" new product.Yang Yong, the deputy general manager of Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company, attended the forum and delivered a speech, signing a durable product cooperation agreement with five partners.At the forum, Shi Yunhu, the manager of the High Fiber Division of Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company, first represented the company in announcing the domestically pioneered "durable ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber," independently developed to break foreign monopolies and produced using the dry spinning process route. As a key domestic producer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, the company is the only one employing the dry spinning production process.The newly launched durable force fiber has superior mechanical properties, creep resistance, fatigue resistance, aging resistance, and yarn-yarn friction fatigue resistance compared to similar imported products. It is widely applicable in areas such as deep-sea aquaculture net cages, offshore wind power, mooring ropes and cables, heavy lifting, artificial intelligence, and more. In recent years, Central Document No. 1 has repeatedly proposed vigorously developing deep-sea aquaculture and building marine ranches. The development of the durable high-strength fiber by Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company is timely, meeting national needs and ensuring self-sufficiency in critical strategic materials for the country.Currently, the product has been widely and successfully applied in truss-type deep-sea aquaculture cages, with distributions in Norway, Australia, and various domestic sea areas. It can withstand the direct impact of a 17-level strong typhoon without damage, and its lifespan is significantly superior to competing products. After three years of application in the deep and distant sea, the strength retention rate remains greater than 90%. Similar products have also been successfully applied in deep-sea exploration hoisting and long-term mooring of large ships.In recent years, with the rapid expansion of domestic production capacity of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, the homogenization of mid-to-low-end products has become serious, leading to intense price competition. However, the high-end application fields still rely on imports. Yizheng Chemical Fiber adheres to the driving force of technological innovation in the field of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, and is committed to providing more green, high-end, and intelligent solutions for downstream industries. "Unbreakable by deep-sea waves, durable and non-deforming under tension," the launch of this durable product marks a brand-new beginning.In 2025, Yizheng Chemical Fiber will continue to increase RD investment, deepen "industry-university-research-application" cooperation, strengthen industry chain collaborative innovation, and invest 1.8 billion yuan in the first phase of an 8,000-ton-per-year special fiber project in the Ningdong Industrial Park in Ningxia, aiming to build itself into a special fiber RD and production base of Sinopec.About Yizheng Chemical FiberIn 2007, Yizheng Chemical Fiber included the "Development of Complete Dry Spinning Technology for 300 Tons/Year High-Performance Polyethylene Fiber" in the Sinopec Science and Technology Innovation "Ten Dragons"攻关 project, collaborating with institutions such as the China Textile Academy to carry out industry-academia-research协同攻关.By breaking through the core technologies of dry spinning processes, a production line with a capacity of 300 tons/year was established in 2008, and by 2011, it achieved industrialization with a capacity of 1,000 tons/year, making it the third company globally to master this technology.This breakthrough has broken the technological blockade of companies like Dutch DSM and American Honeywell, shifting China's UHMWPE fiber from import dependence to self-control. The product strength has reached an internationally advanced level, laying the foundation for subsequent industrial upgrades.Relying on the advantages of dry spinning technology, Yizheng Chemical Fiber continues to expand its production capacity. After the commissioning of the third thousand-ton production line in 2018, the total capacity increased to 2,300 tons per year, and the domestic market share reached 20%.By 2024, its UHMWPE fiber production capacity has reached 3,300 tons per year, making it the only domestic large-scale production enterprise using the dry process.In the Yangzhou Chemical Park, companies achieve full-process collaboration from PTA raw materials to fiber products through in-depth coupling of the olefin and aromatics产业链布局. The 300 million tons/year PTA project scheduled for production in 2025 will provide a stable supply of raw materials for fiber production.Forming an industrial ecosystem that integrates "technology-capacity-raw materials" as a trinity.Yizheng Chemical Fiber's UHMWPE fiber, centered on the "Lilan" brand, has achieved breakthroughs in the military sector. Its ballistic-grade fiber is used in national defense equipment such as new fighter jets and aircraft carrier deck protection, while also developing civilian products like cut-resistant gloves and thermally conductive textiles.In the field of major engineering projects, the installation of the 6,000-ton immersed tunnel for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge utilized 140,000 fiber slings, with each filament bearing a load of up to 35 kilograms, demonstrating the reliability of materials in extreme environments.In 2023, the global UHMWPE fiber production capacity was approximately 67,000 tons. Yizheng Chemical Fiber's products achieved a penetration rate of 32% in the bulletproof field and are gradually expanding into emerging markets such as offshore wind power ropes and deep-sea aquaculture cages.Yizheng Chemical Fiber uses UHMWPE fiber as a pivot to promote the vertical extension of the high-performance synthetic materials industry chain. Upstream, it achieves self-sufficiency in raw materials through a 3 million tons/year PTA project; midstream, it has laid out a flexible production line for 120,000 tons of PBT/PBAT biodegradable materials; and downstream, it is developing high-end products such as TPEE elastomers. In the Yangzhou Chemical Park, the company has formed an industrial closed loop of "olefins-aromatics-fine chemicals," driving the development of related industries such as ethylene oxide and polyether polyols, generating over 10 billion yuan in annual upstream and downstream output value. This full-chain synergy of "materials-products-applications" positions it to become the leading enterprise in Yangzhou's high-performance synthetic materials industry chain in 2024.Faced with global competition in the new materials industry, Yizheng Chemical Fiber has formulated a development strategy of "technology leadership and low-carbon transformation." In terms of technology, it continues to invest in RD for high-end products such as heat-resistant and creep-resistant fibers and carbon nanotube-reinforced fibers. In 2024, the TPEE elastomer used for railway track pads broke the monopoly held by foreign companies, earning a provincial science and technology innovation achievement award. In terms of green development, the new-generation bottle chip production line adopts a short-process technology, reducing carbon emissions by more than 20%. At the same time, the company actively responds to national export control policies, reinforcing technical barriers for its products in the international market. In the first half of 2024, it exported 4,000 tons of customized film-grade polyethylene terephthalate chips to Japan, demonstrating the international competitiveness of high-end materials. In the future, Yizheng Chemical Fiber aims to achieve the goal of "domestic leadership and world-class standards," continuously expanding into areas such as marine engineering and aerospace, driving China's high-performance fiber industry to ascend towards the high-end of the value chain.