Despite the significant uncertainty brought about by the current tariff issues, the industry still hopes to see more merger and acquisition transactions in fields such as orthopedics and interventional cardiology; major merger targets are expected to gradually shift towards publicly listed companies. Recently, the ranking of the top 100 global medical device companies was released. Based on the 2024 annual revenue, Medtronic ranked first with a revenue of $33 billion; Johnson & Johnson ranked second with a revenue of $30.4 billion; Abbott and Danaher followed closely with revenues of $27.9 billion and $24 billion, respectively. Other medical device companies in the top ten include Stryker, Siemens Healthineers, BD Medical, GE Healthcare, and Philips, all with revenues around $20 billion. In recent years, mergers and acquisitions in the medical device sector have driven the trend of "the strong getting stronger" among giant companies, benefiting from the ample cash flow of large enterprises. By acquiring and integrating a significant number of innovative technologies, medical device giants have further solidified their positions in certain specific fields. In 2024, Johnson & Johnson announced two major acquisitions, purchasing cardiovascular medical device company Shockwave for $13.1 billion and atrial shunt manufacturer V-Wave for $1.7 billion. Medtronic acquired Fortimedix Surgical, an innovative medical device company in the endoscopy field. BD Medical acquired the entire line of critical care products from Edwards Lifesciences for $4.2 billion in cash. Since 2025, the enthusiasm for mergers and acquisitions among major medical device companies has not waned. In January of this year, orthopedic giant Stryker announced its acquisition of venous thromboembolism (VTE) medical device company Inari Medical for a total cash consideration of $4.9 billion; Siemens Healthineers completed the acquisition of industrial simulation and analytics software provider Altair for $10 billion; Medtronic acquired part of the intellectual property used for the development of the next-generation PEEK intervertebral fusion devices from Nanovis, a nano-surface technology supplier; Medtronic also increased its investment in Contego Medical, a provider of blood revascularization therapy solutions. Despite the current tariff issues bringing significant uncertainty to the industry, there is still anticipation for more mergers and acquisitions. As the U.S. IPO market warms up, the motivation for private companies to be acquired may decrease, and the share prices of listed companies are far from reaching their peak. It is expected that major M&A targets will gradually shift towards listed companies in the future. Regarding the popular acquisition targets in the medical device industry, analysts believe that as more large medical device companies bet on the peripheral vascular market, leading companies in this field are worth paying attention to; surgical robots remain a hot sector that requires significant investment in research and development, and private companies urgently need the resources of large companies to survive; in addition, fields such as orthopedics and interventional cardiology will continue to be "strategic tracks." Johnson & Johnson expects to continue expanding its interventional cardiology product portfolio. Tim Schmid, the global chairman of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, stated last year that the company would triple its market size through acquisitions. Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato has invested over $30 billion in mergers and acquisitions for the company's medical technology business within less than two years of taking office. In addition to the acquisition of Shockwave, Johnson & Johnson has also acquired artificial heart manufacturer Abiomed and heart implant developer Laminar in the past two years. Du Anqing previously stated that the company will continue to maintain its momentum in mergers and acquisitions, including small acquisitions and large deals, in order to achieve long-term growth. This is related to Johnson & Johnson's strong cash flow and balance sheet. Although the company mentioned in its recent quarterly financial report that its medical technology business might face a profit loss of $400 million in the fiscal year 2026 due to tariffs, industry insiders believe that Johnson & Johnson still has considerable flexibility to consider various types of transactions. "A company's abundant cash flow is the foundation for carrying out M&A transactions," Shen Yi, Danaher's Global Vice President and Head of Strategic Investment and M&A for the Asia-Pacific region, told the First Financial Daily. He also mentioned that Danaher's cash flow has exceeded the company's profits almost every quarter over the past decade. "In over 400 M&A transactions in its past history, Danaher has made all acquisitions except for one mega deal valued at $200 billion in cash, with 85% of its cash being used for acquisitions," said Shen Yi. Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha has indicated that the company will adopt a "top-down" precision strategy, focusing on small-scale acquisitions. Martha did not disclose specific targets, but he emphasized the importance of small acquisitions and portfolio management. Boston Scientific Corporation has also been quite active in mergers and acquisitions over the past year, benefiting from its relatively strong profit margins in recent years. Analysts predict that the company's PFA pulsed field ablation product, Farapulse, will drive continued profit growth in 2025. In 2024, Farapulse's annual revenue exceeded $1 billion.

In April 2025, two of the world's leading medical device giants, Johnson & Johnson and Abbott, announced their financial reports for the first quarter. Although both companies revealed the impact of tariffs on their finances in the reports, they still maintained growth and demonstrated different coping strategies. The performance of these companies not only reflects the complexity of the global medical device industry but also shows the adaptability of multinational companies in the face of external pressures such as the China-U.S. trade war.   01 Johnson & Johnson: Steady Growth Tariff pressure resulted in a loss of 400 million dollars. Johnson & Johnson's Q1 2025 earnings report shows the company's total revenue reached $21.9 billion, a year-over-year increase of 2.4%. The performance of the medical technology division was particularly impressive, with revenue reaching $8.02 billion, a year-over-year increase of 2.5%. Among this, the cardiovascular business stood out, with sales reaching $2.1 billion, a year-over-year increase of 16.5%. However, despite the strong performance, Johnson & Johnson still faces significant tariff challenges and is expected to suffer a financial loss of $400 million in 2025 as a result.   Joseph Wolk, Chief Financial Officer of Johnson & Johnson, stated that this loss was mainly due to the high tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Chinese medical device exports and China's retaliatory tariffs on American products. Johnson & Johnson is mitigating this impact through price adjustments and cost pass-throughs, but the adjustment space is limited due to existing medical device contracts. Nevertheless, Johnson & Johnson has maintained its financial outlook for 2025 and plans to reduce future tariff impacts by restructuring its operations and optimizing production bases.   02 Abbott: Global Layout and Short-term Response Strategies Similar to Johnson & Johnson, Abbott also announced impressive financial results in the first quarter of 2025. The company's overall revenue was $10.36 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4%. Medical device sales were $4.9 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.9%. Nevertheless, Abbott's CEO, Robert Ford, clearly stated in the earnings call that he expects tariffs to have a "hundreds of millions of dollars" negative impact on the company, mainly in the U.S. and Chinese markets. Ford further pointed out that Abbott's estimated tariff costs are about $300 million, close to Johnson & Johnson's estimated $400 million. Unlike Johnson & Johnson, Abbott has adopted a more proactive regional production layout and short-term relief plans. The company announced it will invest $500 million in Illinois and Texas to expand its manufacturing and R&D base for blood and plasma screening equipment. This investment not only helps Abbott diversify risks and mitigate the impact of tariffs on production, but also demonstrates the company's balanced approach between globalization and localization.   03 Tariff Impact: Global Medical Devices Challenges and Opportunities in the Industry As Sino-US trade friction intensifies, the global medical device industry is facing unprecedented challenges. The tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese medical devices, particularly in high-end equipment such as CT and MRI imaging devices, have led to a significant increase in procurement costs. Additionally, tariffs on key components such as CT tubes and superconducting magnets have put considerable pressure on companies with high import reliance. For Chinese medical device companies that rely on the US market, tariffs have exacerbated their market challenges. Meanwhile, domestic medical device companies see an opportunity to catch up. Companies like Mindray and United Imaging have increased their R&D investments, driving technological innovation, and have gradually replaced some of the high-end equipment market share. For international giants, maintaining competitiveness, reducing costs, will be the core tasks in the coming years amid this global trade war.   04 Coping Strategy: Dual Layout of Globalization and Localization Facing tariff pressure, Johnson & Johnson and Abbott have adopted different but complementary strategies. Johnson & Johnson focuses on mitigating the rise in costs through price adjustments, optimizing production bases, and business restructuring, maintaining competitiveness in the global market. Abbott, on the other hand, has strengthened the global supply chain's risk resistance through a distributed production network and regional layout. The company has not only increased investment in the United States but also actively promoted the expansion of global production bases to cope with long-term tariff policy changes. Moreover, both Johnson & Johnson and Abbott are actively cooperating with industry organizations to seek tariff exemptions, but they remain cautious about the likelihood of success. Both companies have stated that once tariffs are implemented, they are difficult to retract. This historical experience has prompted them to place greater emphasis on adjusting their long-term strategies.   05 Conclusion: Globalization Challenges and Opportunities for Multinational Enterprises Overall, Johnson & Johnson and Abbott achieved steady growth in their Q1 financial reports despite the impact of tariffs. Through different coping strategies, the two giants demonstrated how they adjusted their strategies in the complex environment of globalization and localization to mitigate the negative effects of tariffs. Although tariff pressure poses challenges for global medical device companies in the short term, it also creates new opportunities for localized production, technological innovation, and supply chain optimization. As the China-US trade friction continues to develop, multinational companies will have to constantly adjust their strategies to maintain a competitive edge in the global market. For domestic companies, this is a good opportunity to accelerate innovation and promote domestic alternatives.

On April 16, 2025, Illumina announced through an internal email a global workforce reduction of approximately 3.5% to advance its $100 million cost-cutting target. Based on the employee count of 8,970 at the end of 2024, this layoff affects over 300 people. Illumina's layoffs are not an isolated incident, but part of a series of adjustments made in recent years. Since 2022, the company has implemented several layoff plans. In 2022, Inmune announced a large-scale layoff, reducing approximately 500 employees globally, accounting for 5% of its total workforce. This layoff is seen as an important measure for Inmune to cope with cost pressures and changes in the industry. 2023 Multiple rounds of layoffs: Due to continued optimization of personnel structure at Meina, the specific number of layoffs has not been disclosed, but it involves multiple departments and regions. In 2024, California Layoffs: Illumina terminated the positions of approximately 50 employees in California, signaling further adjustments in its U.S. domestic market. In February 2025, 96 employees were laid off, mainly at the headquarters in San Diego, indicating that Illumina is still continuously optimizing its internal resource allocation. This round of layoffs is Illumina's second layoff action after the major layoffs in February this year, but details such as specific layoff regions have not been disclosed yet. It remains unclear whether the layoffs are related to the business reduction caused by being included in the unreliable entity list by China's Ministry of Commerce. On April 15, Jacob Thaysen, CEO of Illumina, stated during an interview at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Global Health Week that China remains a very significant market force, and they are exploring ways to bring gene sequencers back to China. Jacob Thaysen emphasized in the above interview, "Our products are currently on the unreliable list, which means we cannot sell instruments to China. However, we will continue to provide consumables support to all our Chinese customers, especially Chinese patients who need high-quality sequencing to receive the right treatment." Due to its long-term monopoly in the global gene sequencing market, Illumina is also known as the "Google" of the genetic technology industry. Public information shows that Illumina was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the United States. As a leading company in the global gene sequencing field, its business covers oncology, genetics and infectious diseases, reproductive health, and other areas, with core products including high-throughput gene sequencers and gene chips. Since entering the Chinese market in 2005, Illumina has held a significant position in China's gene sequencing instrument market. According to financial report data, in 2024, Illumina's revenue in China reached 2.2 billion yuan, with instrument revenue accounting for 20%-30% of the total. On February 4, China's Ministry of Commerce announced in a statement that Illumina was included in the "Unreliable Entities List" due to its violation of normal market transaction principles, interruption of normal transactions with Chinese enterprises, and discriminatory measures against Chinese enterprises, which severely harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. It was also revealed by industry insiders that Meina suddenly interrupted cooperation with several Chinese biopharmaceutical companies under the pretext of "supply chain security review," even seizing already paid orders, which caused dozens of domestic cancer early screening and genetic disease research projects to be forced to halt. The day after being included in the list, Illumina issued a statement saying that the company was "conducting a detailed assessment of the impact of the relevant matters and actively seeking solutions," while emphasizing that it "always adheres to market-oriented and rule-of-law principles in its global operations." On March 4, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced the inclusion of the American company Illumina on the unreliable entity list and prohibited it from exporting gene sequencing instruments to China. This decision takes effect immediately upon announcement. On March 11, Illumina responded to the aforementioned announcement, stating that it fully respects the decision of China's Ministry of Commerce and will continue to operate globally in accordance with market-oriented and legal principles, strictly complying with the laws and regulations of all countries or regions where it operates, including China. In addition, Ankur Dhingra, the Chief Financial Officer of Mena, stated, "Our new guidance for fiscal year 2025 indicates that revenue contributions from China will be relatively limited, and we expect the current macro trends to persist." In addition, Inmune has revealed that the company is developing an incremental cost reduction plan of about $100 million for the fiscal year 2025. These savings will help mitigate the impact of various potential scenarios related to the decline in revenue and associated operating income from its Greater China business. On April 8, the 91st China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) grandly opened at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), but Illumina did not attend the exhibition. It is widely believed that Illumina's absence may be related to its inclusion on the "Unreliable Entity List." On the other hand, the industry generally believes that the ban on Illumina's export of gene sequencers to China is expected to accelerate the domestication process of China's gene sequencer market. A pharmaceutical researcher told the media in an interview that leading domestic companies such as MGI Tech and Genemind Biotech will benefit from this. For BGI Genomics, the ban on high-end products imported from the United States makes it easier for domestic equipment to enter the market, boosting performance recovery, while also buying time for the research and development of a new generation of high-throughput sequencing devices. According to media reports, in fact, some customers of Illumina have begun to switch to choose domestic options. Peking Union Medical College Hospital announced in April 2025 that it would suspend its collaboration with Illumina on a rare disease genomic program and instead adopt the BGI Genomics DNBSEQ-T20 sequencing platform. The contraction of Illumina's business in the Chinese market had already become evident in previous years. According to financial reports, Illumina's market share in China's gene sequencing instrument and consumables market, calculated by annual revenue, has declined from 64.50% in 2021 to 54.2% in 2023. Additionally, according to data from CIC, in 2023, MGI's market share in China has reached 47.3%, breaking Illumina's domestic monopoly.

01 Abbott CEO: Tariff shock could reach hundreds of millions of dollars. Yesterday (April 16, 2025), global medical device giant Abbott revealed in a earnings call that the company expects the tariff policies this year to impact the company by “hundreds of millions of dollars.” Although Abbott did not provide a breakdown of the tariff costs, according to Vijay Kumar, an analyst at the well-known global investment bank Evercore ISI, it is estimated that tariffs will have a negative impact of approximately $300 million (equivalent to about 2.2 billion yuan) on Abbott this year. Among them, the U.S. and Chinese markets will be the main pressure points. Reuters reported that China is the primary source of raw materials for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. It is worth noting that just one day before Abbott disclosed this information, a senior executive at Johnson & Johnson also publicly stated that the increase in global tariffs would exacerbate the company's financial losses by $400 million (approximately 3 billion RMB), with 70% of the tariff costs stemming from medical device exports to China.   02 "Tackle challenges with a two-pronged approach" 3.65 billion yuan to enhance distributed network layout Faced with this situation, Abbott has initiated a short-term contingency plan and is leveraging its global network of 90 production bases to seek buffer space. Abbott also announced an investment of $500 million (approximately RMB 3.65 billion) in manufacturing and research projects in Illinois and Texas to produce equipment for screening blood and plasma donations. These projects are expected to be operational by the end of this year and will help Abbott mitigate the potential impact of the high tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on China. Abbott CEO Robert Ford emphasized in the meeting that the company has established a "distributed production network" to mitigate risks through global supply chain optimization. Although Abbott is actively lobbying alongside the medical device industry association AdvaMed, he admitted to having "low expectations" for obtaining tariff exemptions. Citing the China tariff policies during Trump's first term, he noted, "Historical experience shows that once tariffs are imposed, they are difficult to roll back." Financial report data show that, excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations and the decline in COVID-19 testing business, Abbott's global sales in the first quarter of 2025 increased by 8.3% year-on-year to 10.36 billion US dollars. The company reiterated its full-year financial targets: revenue growth of 7.5%-8.5%, and adjusted earnings per share of $5.05-$5.25. Ford stated, "Before the tariffs were implemented, we had considered raising our earnings forecast. However, under the current circumstances, maintaining the original guidance already reflects the company's confidence." On that day, Abbott's stock price rose by 6% in early trading. Abbott's response strategy this time is a portrayal of how multinational medical device companies adapt to the squeeze between the waves of globalization and localized demands. As the China-U.S. trade friction continues, multinational companies are seeking a balance between political risks and market efficiency through measures such as regionalized production capacity layout and diversified supply chain construction.

Yesterday (April 15, 2025), executives at Johnson & Johnson stated in the company’s first-quarter earnings report that they expect the anticipated increase in global tariffs to result in a $400 million (approximately RMB 3 billion) financial hit for the company, with as much as 70% of this tariff impact coming from medical devices the company exports from the U.S. to China. Image source: Yahoo Finance In terms of revenue performance, Johnson & Johnson reported revenue of $21.9 billion in the first quarter, exceeding Wall Street's expectations by 1.4%. Adjusted earnings per share were $2.69, surpassing Wall Street's expectations by 6.7%. Amid mixed sentiments, Johnson & Johnson's stock fell less than 1% on the day. 01 Johnson & Johnson: Expected to incur a loss of 3 billion. 70% of medical device products exported from the United States to China Johnson & Johnson CFO Joseph Wolk said that based on the tariffs on goods and raw materials formally announced by the Trump administration so far and the retaliatory measures taken by the international community, the company's medical technology sector will bear the brunt of the burden. "I don't want to be cavalier about the $400 million," Wolk said on the investor call. "It's a program that phases in, and as that comes in, most of that will be capitalized into the cost of the goods," he added. "So that will come onto the balance sheet as inventory and come through the P&L over future periods." Wolk stated that this estimated figure takes into account the impact of import tariffs on products manufactured in Canada and Mexico that are not covered by the North American trade agreement, as well as the impact of international steel and aluminum tariffs— the latter having "a very small degree of influence." He said, "This includes tariffs on China and China's retaliatory tariffs. In terms of that $400 million, it might be the highest amount among all the tariffs. Therefore, what needs to be clarified to everyone is that this refers to American-origin products shipped to China - this could be the most severe punitive factor." CEO Joaquin Duato said that if the Trump administration's goal is to increase domestic production, imposing tariffs on medical products is not the right approach, and warned that these tariffs could "cause supply chain disruptions, leading to shortages." Duato stated, "If you want to establish manufacturing capabilities in the medical technology and pharmaceutical sectors in the United States, the most effective answer is not tariffs, but tax policies." "In fact, since President Trump's tax reform in 2017, investment in medical technology and pharmaceuticals has increased significantly," he added, citing Johnson & Johnson’s plan announced last month to increase its U.S. investment by 25%, equivalent to over $55 billion in investments over four years, including building a new biologics factory in North Carolina. " As for the future development direction, Wolk said that due to the fact that the contract for the transportation of medical equipment has been signed, the company's ability to mitigate the impact of tariffs by adjusting prices and passing on costs is "very limited". "We know that these tariffs are very unstable," said Wolk. "Our responsible action now is to quantify the impact we anticipate for 2026, and then see if it aids in negotiations with other countries, as well as what actual changes will occur by the second half of 2025." Following its recent financial guidance, the company's acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies and its Caplyta therapy for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for $14.6 billion slightly raised its projected operational sales from $913 billion to $920 billion in January. 02 Continue to streamline and focus strategically, The orthopedic department is about to conclude its two-year restructuring plan. In the first quarter of this year, Johnson & Johnson's total sales reached $21.9 billion, reflecting a 4.2% growth compared to the beginning of 2024 after accounting for international currency fluctuations. This includes $8 billion in global medical technology revenue, with an adjusted growth rate of 4.1%. Duato attributed part of these gains to its acquisitions of Abiomed and Shockwave in the cardiovascular disease field, as well as its surgical vision and wound closure businesses. Moreover, after Johnson & Johnson paused the launch of its Varipulse pulsed field ablation system in the U.S., the company has now completed 5,500 procedures globally as cases resumed in February, he said. However, this performance was somewhat offset by one-time costs in its orthopedic division, which is nearing the end of a two-year restructuring plan aimed at exiting lower-margin areas. Meanwhile, Wolk stated that the company is implementing a similar plan to narrow the focus of its surgical business. "We are focusing on portfolio refresh, with plans to exit certain non-strategic product lines on a global basis and optimize selected sites across our network," Wolk said. "We anticipate minor short-term fluctuations in surgical revenue over the next two years, totaling approximately $250 million, but these initiatives will strengthen our ability to accelerate growth and enhance profitability. The project is expected to be completed by 2027, with an estimated cost of approximately $900 million."

On April 15, 2025, the CHINAPLAS 2025 International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition, themed "Transformation·Collaboration·Shaping Sustainability," grandly opened at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao'an New Venue). Furong New Materials showcased its innovative product matrix and professional solutions at Booth P31 in Hall 20, attracting in-depth discussions with clients from domestic, European, American, African, Middle Eastern, and other regions, with a notable increase in overseas client participation. Customer Communication As a globally renowned BOPP film supplier, Furong New Materials showcased functional films such as anti-fog film, flower film, low-temperature heat sealable film, and tissue film, as well as conventional films like paper composite film, heat sealable film, light printing film, and tape film. With innovative technology and outstanding product quality, they attracted significant attention and in-depth exchanges from numerous domestic and overseas customers, reaching preliminary cooperation intentions with multiple well-known overseas enterprises on-site. At this exhibition, Forun New Material continues to uphold its mission of "Driving Development through Innovation, Making Life Better," further enhancing its global marketing network to meet the growing demands of customers worldwide. The company is comprehensively boosting its competitiveness on a global scale, gathering momentum to become a leading and globally renowned enterprise in the film products industry. Source: Forun New Material

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.

On April 8th, at the 91st China International Medical Equipment (Spring) Expo (CMEF), the international independent third-party testing, inspection, and certification organization TÜV Rheinland Greater China (referred to as "TÜV Rheinland") awarded Yinkang Life's Haier Biomedical medical low-temperature preservation box and blood refrigerator two types of products with the notified body certificate based on the EU Medical Device Regulation (Regulation(EU)2017/745, referred to as MDR). This is also the global first medical low-temperature storage equipment product MDR notified body certificate issued by TÜV Rheinland. Haier Biomedical General Manager Liu Zhanjie, TÜV Rheinland Greater China Medical Device Service Vice President Geng Wen and other representatives from both sides attended the certificate awarding event. Haier Biomedical has been awarded the world's first EU MDR certificate for medical low-temperature storage equipment. The acquisition of the EU MDR certificate signifies that Haier Biomedical's medical refrigeration storage equipment-related products have met international standards in terms of safety, efficacy, and lifecycle management. This not only fulfills the latest entry requirements for the EU market but will also expedite the registration process in regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Currently, Haier Biomedical has accelerated its advancement into a new stage of its international strategy, setting a new benchmark for high-quality overseas expansion in the medical device industry. Obtained EU MDR certification, quality and technical standards in line with international standards Medical low-temperature storage equipment is specialized equipment used for storing tissues, cells, vaccines, blood, and blood products. In recent years, with the development of life sciences and biotechnology, there has been an increasing demand for precise and professional storage equipment, driving continuous growth in the medical low-temperature storage market. MDR compliance certification is a requirement for medical device products to enter the EU market, imposing higher requirements on product performance safety, pre-market clinical evaluation, clinical data collection, and post-market market surveillance, vigilance systems, and regulation. As the industry leader, Haier Biomedical has ( scientific and technological independent innovation) since its inception. As early as 2006, it independently broke through the key core technologies in the field of biological medical low-temperature refrigeration, achieving the localization of such equipment, and was awarded the Second Prize of National Science and Technology Progress in 2013. At the same time, to enhance industrial standard levels, Haier Biomedical took the lead in formulating China's first national standard for low-temperature storage boxes and is currently taking the lead in advancing the first IEC international standard project for medical low-temperature storage boxes, thus forging a path from technological breakthroughs to standard leadership. TÜV Rheinland Group is an internationally renowned third-party inspection, testing, and certification institution with strong professional testing capabilities and rich international certification experience in the medical device sector. Products that pass TÜV Rheinland certification represent high quality and reliability. Note: There was a segment in Chinese characters that did not translate seamlessly into English due to a potential typo or formatting issue. The direct translation of "" is included in parentheses for clarity. In this case, where there were no precedents for domestic medical refrigeration equipment receiving EU MDR certification, Haier Biomedical completed all necessary preparations including product testing, software assessment, cybersecurity testing and review, usability review, clinical evaluation, and MDR quality system construction. They successfully passed the EU MDR audit. It is understood that medical devices with EU MDR certification can simplify registration processes in other overseas markets such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa due to their international recognition, reducing duplicate tests and documentation, thereby significantly accelerating relevant registration processes and helping companies quickly enter emerging markets. Liu Zhuanjie, General Manager of Haier Biomedical, stated that the EU MDR certificate is a significant manifestation of Haier Biomedical's commitment to technological innovation and quality-first principles. It plays a crucial role in accelerating the high-quality globalization of their "product + solution." Taking this opportunity, Haier Biomedical will provide high-quality solutions to medical institutions and research units in more countries, promoting the high-quality development of domestic medical devices in the international market, and contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the construction of a global health community. Geng Wen, Vice President of TÜV Rheinland Greater China Medical Device Services, stated that the two products, medical low-temperature preservation boxes and blood refrigeration boxes, have passed the EU MDR certification. This not only highlights the technical strength of Haier Biomedical but also signifies a crucial step for Chinese intelligent manufacturing in the field of high-end medical equipment. Looking ahead, TÜV Rheinland will continue to coordinate global professional resources to promote China's outstanding medical device products and related technologies to go global and enter the EU market in a fast and compliant manner. At the same time, TÜV Rheinland is willing to work together with Haier Biomedical to create a better future for the medical device industry! Promoting internationalization through localization, creating a new paradigm of "product + solution" for overseas markets. Receiving the world's first medical low-temperature storage equipment EU MDR certificate is just a microcosm of Haier Biomedical's international innovation layout. In the wave of globalization, product certification is a crucial step in ensuring product quality and compliance, and it's also the "key" to entering the international market. Facing various product certification requirements from different countries and regions, Haier Biomedical strictly follows the relevant laws and regulations while adhering to independent innovation, committed to accelerating the pace of "product + solution" through high technology and high standards. With leading technical strength and excellent product performance, by the end of 2024, Haier Biomedical has accumulated more than 400 model products that have obtained overseas certification, including more than 200 EU CE certifications, more than 70 US FDA certifications, more than 140 US UL certifications, and 12 US AABB certifications. In the journey of going global, a stable and deep approach requires not only the "hard support" of technological innovation but also the continuous enhancement of the "soft power" of international operations by enterprises. With an international perspective, Haier Biomedical is continuously building a global market system that directly faces users, improving the interaction, customization, and delivery capabilities of scenario solutions. By promoting localized strategies of "one country, one policy," Haier Biomedical actively enhances regional delivery capabilities and establishes a local service response mechanism. By constructing localized operation centers that cover local products, marketing, logistics, and after-sales, the company achieves rapid insight and response to local user needs, upgrading the overseas model from "product output" to "ecosystem co-building." Currently, Hai'er Biomedical has established long-term cooperative relationships with nearly 80 international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Its products and solutions have been applied in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, contributing to the construction of a global community of health and wellness. At CMEF, Haier Biomedical was awarded the world's first MDR certificate for medical low-temperature storage equipment, which is just one of the dazzling footnotes in the journey of Chinese medical device companies going global. Currently, going global has become a new engine for Chinese medical device companies to create a second growth curve and is also a necessary path for leading brands to internationalize and globalize. Looking to the future, Haier Biomedical will continue to focus on user needs, further strengthen technological innovation capabilities, and adhere to the concurrent implementation of localization and internationalization strategies, making high-quality going global more stable and broader, injecting strong vitality into the progress and development of global life science and medical services, promoting global medical inclusiveness, and making life better!

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 April 4, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China announced that DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd. is being investigated for suspected violations of the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China. The market regulation authority has initiated a formal investigation against DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd. in accordance with the law. The specific reasons are still unknown, but against the backdrop of China's strong emphasis on foreign investment, the investigation into DuPont China may highlight China's determination to create a fairer market environment or have profound effects on the operating models of multinational companies in China. It is reported that DuPont established its office in Beijing in 1984 and set up its first wholly foreign-owned enterprise, DuPont China Group Limited, in Shenzhen in 1988, becoming the first wholly foreign-owned investment company approved by the Chinese government. It is reported that by 2025, DuPont will have more than 40 wholly-owned and joint ventures in China, covering the entire industrial chain from basic chemical materials to high-end automotive and electronic solutions. Some of the core brands mainly include: Kevlar®: para-aramid fiber, mainly used for protective equipment, industrial and technological applications, and sports equipment. Nomex®: meta-aramid fiber, whose needle-punched products are mainly used as high-temperature filtration materials and insulation materials; Tyvek®: A 100% high-density polyethylene nonwoven fabric produced using flash-spun technology, featuring waterproof, breathable, tear-resistant, and eco-friendly recyclable properties. It has a smooth surface suitable for printing and is used in medical, industrial, and active packaging applications. Cyrel®: Focused on flexographic printing solutions, especially optimized printing plates for UV-LED technology. Artistri®: Water-based digital printing inks covering textiles, packaging, and commercial printing; Corian®: artificial stone material; Tedlar®: Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film, used in photovoltaics, etc. MOLYKOTE®: Special Lubricating Oil; Liveo™: Silicone elastomers, silicone skin adhesives, transdermal adhesives and other silicone applications; Solamet®: Photovoltaic conductive paste However, in terms of popularity, apart from nylon and aramid, DuPont also has globally leading products such as Dupont™ Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), Riston™ (dry film photoresist technology), Kapton® (high-temperature resistant polyimide film), Pyralux® (polyimide flexible circuit materials), Kalrez® (perfluoroelastomer seals), and Delrin® homopolymer acetal. DuPont's base layout in China is centered around the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang) and the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong), radiating nationwide. Among them, the most well-known is the DuPont Zhangjiagang base, located in the Yangtze River International Chemical Industrial Park of Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone. The products include Zytel® nylon engineering plastics, Delrin® homopolymer formaldehyde resin, Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester, Multibase thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), lubricants, and special organic silicone materials. It has also established the Zhangjiagang adhesive integration project, with the main products being adhesives and related materials. BETAFORCE™ TC thermally conductive adhesive and BETATECH™ thermally conductive gap filler—supporting battery thermal management in hybrid and electric vehicles during charging and operation. (2) BETAFORCE™ Composite Adhesive - For Battery Sealing and Assembly; (3) BETAMATE™ Wide Bake Temperature Adhesive and Structural Adhesive – Used for automotive body structures and battery bonding, it enhances the vehicle's crash resistance and reduces the weight of the body structure. Adhesives play a pivotal role in the automotive industry. According to data from the China Adhesives and Tape Industry Association, the adhesive usage per vehicle in new energy vehicle power battery assembly (including PACK sealing, structural thermal conduction, structural bonding, BMS protection, cell bonding, battery potting, thread locking, and shell bonding) will reach approximately 5 kilograms. Additionally, automotive electronics (such as power inverters, control modules, displays, reverse radar systems, etc.) are another major application area for adhesives. Among these, thermal conductive adhesives are particularly important—the greater the computational demand, the higher the thermal conductivity requirements, and the more thermal conductive adhesive is used. In addition to being placed under investigation, on the same day, April 4th, the Tariff Policy Committee of the State Council issued an announcement to impose an additional 34% tariff on all imported goods originating from the United States, based on the existing applicable tariff rates. DuPont, which owns many market-leading products, will also be affected. In 2024, DuPont's total net sales were $12.386 billion (approximately 90.5 billion yuan), with the Greater China region accounting for 18% of the revenue. Given the importance of this market, how will DuPont China respond to the current crisis?

Hyundai Motor plans to launch a new generation of interior designs next year, with the core concept of enhancing driving safety by optimizing the interior layout. Simon Rozby, the Vice President of Design, revealed that the new design will retain physical buttons, reduce reliance on the central control screen, and at the same time reduce the size of the infotainment display and simplify the touch screen software functions. The aim is to ensure that drivers "keep their eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel," avoiding distractions caused by frequent screen operations. The Hyundai design team believes that it is crucial to strike a reasonable balance between screen size and functional layout. Screens should only serve as auxiliary tools, not dominate driving operations. Overly large screens or complicated submenus can force drivers to be distracted, violating the principle of "focus on driving." This design philosophy coincides with Volkswagen's recent trend of returning to analog design, emphasizing a driver-centered safety experience.

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."

AURELIUS Private Equity Mid-Market Buyout announced the acquisition of Teijin Automotive Technologies North America ('TAT-NA'). TAT-NA is one of the leaders in advanced composite materials technology for the automotive, heavy truck, marine, and recreational vehicle sectors, under its ultimate parent company, Teijin Limited. This acquisition is the first deal advised by AURELIUS' New York investment consulting team just a few months after opening its North American market office. Producing advanced composite materials components for automobiles TAT-NA is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with approximately 4,500 employees and annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. The company has 14 branches in the United States and Mexico, specializing in the development and production of advanced composite parts for the global automotive and transportation industries. TAT-NA's vertically integrated operational model and market-leading scale provide reliable assets and capabilities to maintain long-term supply relationships with major OEMs in North America.AURELIUS will provide new growth opportunities for the standalone TAT-NA business, whose unique, durable lightweight composite products are independent of the powertrain and thus well-suited to meet the long-term demand for Class A and structural vehicle components."Teijin Automotive Technologies North America has a long history of supplying major players in the North American automotive industry. We are particularly proud of this acquisition, as it is the first deal advised by our recently opened New York office. Our operations consulting team's experts will focus on providing a range of value creation plans across the entire production base network, while driving operational excellence through improved quality and efficiency," said Stephan Mayerhausen, Managing Director of AURELIUS Investment Advisory and head of AURELIUS's New York office."When we look to the future with the resources and support of the AURELIUS team, we are excited about the opportunities," said TAT-NA CEO Chris Twining. "The AURELIUS Operations Consulting team is committed to ensuring we remain at the forefront of the market, and I look forward to working with them to continue developing new material technologies while improving our operations, efficiency, and quality."AURELIUS is advised by Mizuho’s M&A team, Baker McKenzie (legal), EY (financial and tax), AON (insurance), and Ramboll (environmental).

In the context of global energy transition and the restructuring of industrial chains, international energy giant Shell has been making frequent moves recently. On April 1, Shell announced the completion of the sale of its Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park to CAPGC, and then further disclosed details on May 8. This asset divestment is in line with Shell's ongoing strategy to optimize its chemicals business portfolio, while its deep engagement in the Chinese market highlights its forward-looking judgment on the future landscape of the Asia-Pacific energy market.Singapore Asset Divestment: Focusing on Core Business, Retaining Regional Hub StatusSingapore's Energy and Chemicals Park is a key production hub for Shell in the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing the Pulau Bukom refinery (with a capacity of 237,000 barrels per day), an ethylene cracker (with an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons), and the Jurong Island petrochemical base. However, with the global overcapacity in refining and chemical production and increasing pressure from the low-carbon transition, Shell has chosen to divest some of its heavy assets to focus on high-value-added areas. After the transaction is completed, Shell will continue to use Singapore as its Asia-Pacific marketing and trading center and will remain involved in the local energy market through liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, retail networks, and electric vehicle charging facilities.The buyer CAPGC is controlled by Chandra Asri, Indonesia's largest chemical enterprise, with Glencore as a shareholder. This combination highlights the demand for integration in the petrochemical industry chain in the Southeast Asian market. Shell achieves asset monetization through the transaction, while CAPGC gains a springboard to enter the regional high-end refining and chemical market, creating a win-win situation.China's Layout Deepens: Advancing in the Trillion-Yuan Petrochemical Market and Low-Carbon Transition In contrast to the contraction of some businesses in Southeast Asia, Shell continues to increase its investment in the Chinese market. As one of the core markets in its global strategy, Shell has built a complete industrial chain covering oil and gas exploration, refining, sales, and new energy through joint ventures, wholly-owned enterprises, and other forms:Upstream cooperation: Collaborating with China National Petroleum Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation to develop projects such as the Changbei tight gas, ensuring resource supply.The midstream and downstream network operates over 1,700 gas stations, more than 1,000 charging terminals, and five lubricant plants that cover the nation's needs.The flagship project, the China SEA Shell HPCCC Phase III Ethylene Project in Huizhou, officially commenced construction in 2023 with a total investment of 52.1 billion yuan. It is planned to have an ethylene capacity of 1.6 million tons per year. Upon completion, it will become one of the largest cracker facilities globally and will introduce new technologies such as alpha-olefins, promoting the localization of high-end chemical products in China.The significance of the Huizhou Phase III project lies not only in its production capacity leap (with total ethylene capacity reaching 3.8 million tons/year upon full operation) but also in its technological breakthroughs and low-carbon attributes. The project integrates energy efficiency improvements and carbon reduction technologies, aligning with China's "dual carbon" goals. Additionally, it addresses domestic supply gaps for high-end polyolefins and other products, driving structural upgrades in the petrochemical industry.Strategic Logic: From "Scale Expansion" to "Value Creation"Shell's adjustments reflect the common choices made by international energy giants in the transition period.Optimize the asset portfolio: divest low-return traditional assets, focus on natural gas, new energy, and high-value-added chemical products.Regional Market Rebalancing: Southeast Asia focuses on trade and terminal services, while China leverages its massive domestic demand and policy support to become a landing point for technology-intensive capacity.Low-carbon technology positioning: Seize the opportunity in new energy infrastructure through innovative processes and charging network construction in the Huizhou project.Despite its clear strategy, Shell still faces multiple challenges: intensified competition due to capacity expansion by local Chinese petrochemical companies; the impact of electric vehicle proliferation on traditional fuel business; and supply chain risks amid geopolitical fluctuations. However, its deep integration with Chinese partners through joint ventures, coupled with continued investment in low-carbon technologies, may give it a unique advantage in the transition between new and old energy dynamics in the Asia-Pacific energy market."Shell's 'balance between advancement and retreat' is both an inevitable choice for companies adapting to the global energy revolution and a firm vote of confidence in the long-term growth potential of the Chinese market. At the intersection of traditional energy and new energy, how to balance short-term gains with long-term transformation will be a common test for all international energy companies. And Shell's significant investment in China may have already provided a key reference answer for the industry."

On April 1, Shell announced that it had completed the sale of its Singapore energy and chemicals park to a joint venture formed by Glencore and Indonesian chemical manufacturer PT Chandra Asri Pacific. The specific financial details were not disclosed.Shell announced the above transaction on May 8, 2024. The Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park includes refining and chemical assets located on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island.Mao Guang Island's assets include a refinery built in 1961 with a capacity of 237,000 barrels per day, and an ethylene cracker with a capacity of 1.1 million tons per year.The Shell Jurong Island plant produces petrochemical products including ethylene oxide, ethoxylates, styrene monomer, and propylene oxide, and is Shell's largest petrochemical production and export center in the Asia-Pacific region.Shell stated that this divestment is a significant step in its continuous efforts to enhance its chemicals business. In the future, it will continue to support Singapore's energy needs through a range of energy product operations, including the supply and trading of liquefied natural gas.

Oben Group is a globally leading manufacturer of packaging materials, primarily producing polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), and nylon films.After acquiring KristaFilms in July 2023, the company plans to build a new production facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The facility will be equipped with the world's most advanced BOPP film production line, setting a new benchmark in the industry for output, speed, and roll diameter, provided by Bruckner.Recently, Oben Group has gained a competitive advantage with its new generation of BOPP production line. The plant is constructing the world's most efficient production line, with a speed of up to 700 meters per minute and a film width of 12 meters.Oben Group is one of Brückner's earliest and largest customers, and the two sides have maintained a close cooperative relationship. Markus Geschwentner, Managing Director of Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH, expressed his appreciation for this collaboration."I am particularly delighted that our long-term cooperation has led to the birth of the world's first 12-meter BOPP production line. This highlights our over 30 years of close relationship, which can now be considered the icing on the cake."The president of Oben Group emphasized the company's steadfast commitment to growth and innovation:"This new milestone demonstrates our commitment to突破效率和生产力的边界。与布鲁克纳的合作对于我们取得这些进步至关重要，我们期待进一步巩固我们在全球包装行业的领导地位。”It seems there's a part in Chinese that didn't get translated properly. The correct full English translation should be:"This new milestone demonstrates our commitment to breaking through efficiency and productivity boundaries. Our collaboration with Bruckner has been crucial for achieving these advancements, and we look forward to further solidifying our leadership position in the global packaging industry."Editor: Carrie

IT House reported on April 2 that South Korean automaker KG Mobility announced today that it held a signing ceremony with Chery Automobile in Wuhu, Anhui, yesterday for the joint development of a mid-to-large SUV. The two companies will strengthen technical cooperation to drive future growth.This signing ceremony represents the concrete implementation of the substantive collaboration between the two parties, following the strategic partnership and platform licensing agreement with Chery Automobile in October last year. Together, they will develop mid-to-large SUVs for both domestic and international markets, while strengthening cooperation in areas such as autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle E/E architecture (electrical/electronic hardware and software).The medium and large SUV project is named "SE-10" and is scheduled to be completed by 2026, with its release date to be determined based on market conditions. KGM plans to not only expand its fuel vehicle lineup but also introduce eco-friendly models by leveraging strategic partnerships such as Chery Automobile's global platform.IT Home Note: KGM was formerly known as Ssangyong Motor, which was initially famous for manufacturing diesel, four-wheel drive, and off-road SUV vehicles. In 1997, Daewoo Motors acquired Ssangyong Motor, but due to financial issues within the Daewoo Group, it was sold again in 2000. SAIC acquired 49% of Ssangyong Motor in 2004, and later became its largest shareholder in 2005.However, due to mismanagement and the impact of the global economic crisis in 2008, SsangYong Motor filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009. SAIC Group had planned to acquire SsangYong Motor, but ultimately failed to do so. Subsequently, SsangYong Motor was acquired by the Indian automotive giant Mahindra Mahindra.In June 2022, the Seoul court in South Korea chose a Korean consortium led by KG Group as the final candidate to take over and merge with SsangYong Motor. The court confirmed the acquisition in August, and the company's restructuring process was completed in November. It was renamed KG Mobility in March 2023.Shuanglong once introduced models such as the Rexton, Musso, and Actyon in the Chinese market.

For durable components requiring special thermal management,BASFFurther expanded its Ultramid® Advanced T1000 series products.The product series is developed based on polyamide 6T/6I resins, with the latest additions being optimized products that have high hydrolysis resistance (HR) and high purity (EQ, or electronic grade).The newly developed HR and EQ grades exhibit excellent high strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures, along with outstanding creep resistance and superior compatibility with coolants. Their overall performance significantly surpasses that of standard-grade polyamides and many other PPA products on the market.The new hydrolysis-resistant Ultramid® Advanced T1300HG7 HR product demonstrates excellent chemical and dimensional stability even when in contact with media such as ethylene glycol, heat transfer oil, and water at temperatures of 130°C and above.This feature can significantly extend the service life of components in the car cooling system, such as the thermostat housing, oil inlet and outlet, water pump, etc., significantly extending their service life.Ultramid® Advanced T1300EG7 EQ is virtually free of any electrically active components, but it still exhibits excellent thermal aging resistance when in contact with water, hydrogen, or high-purity cooling media such as Glysantin® FC G20. This property makes this PPA particularly suitable for applications in electric vehicles and fuel cells, such as end plates, medium distribution components, humidifiers, etc. Throughout the entire lifecycle of an electric vehicle (with a minimum requirement of 25,000 hours), this PPA can maintain stable mechanical properties at various temperatures, helping to extend the service life of these components.Marc Keller from BASF's PPA Global Marketing Department stated: "Since the launch of Ultramid® Advanced T1000 in 2018, customers have trusted its outstanding performance: it maintains mechanical strength under any temperature or climatic conditions and boasts excellent moisture and chemical resistance. With the introduction of the new HR and EQ grades, we are raising the bar once again: we are well aware that the challenges of thermal management for PPA under harsh conditions are increasing; we are able to help our customers meet these challenges while maintaining the performance and safety of their applications." In addition to the newly launched high-performance HR and EQ grades, components that require laser welding can also utilize the Ultramid® Advanced T1000 LT product series, which not only has hydrolysis resistance but also possesses laser transparency.Regarding the Ultramid® Advanced series productsBASF's PPA product line is based on six polymers, namely Ultramid® Advanced N (PA9T), Ultramid® Advanced T1000 (PA6T/6I), Ultramid® Advanced T2000 (PA6T/66), Ultramid® T KR (PA6T/6), Ultramid® T6000 (PA66/6T), and Ultramid® T7000 (PA/PPA). This product line can provide next-generation lightweight, high-performance plastic components for industries such as automotive, electronics and electrical equipment, mechanical engineering, and consumer goods. The series includes over 50 modified specifications for injection molding and extrusion, as well as both flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant products. The products come in various colors, ranging from transparent to laser-markable black, and are available with short glass fiber, long glass fiber, or mineral fiber reinforcement, as well as various heat stabilizers.In the Ultramid® series, Ultramid Advanced T1000 (PA6T / 6I) offers the highest strength and stiffness, with mechanical properties remaining stable at temperatures of 125°C (dry) and 80°C (conditioned). It has extremely high moisture resistance and corrosion resistance, surpassing traditional polyamides and many other PPA materials available in the market. It is used in the automotive industry, particularly for components that must maintain strength and rigidity while being exposed to harsh environments. Additionally, it is found in various other industries where moisture resistance or chemical resistance is required, such as thermostat housings and water pumps, fuel circuits, selective catalytic reduction systems, automotive actuators and clutch components, coffee machines, furniture joints, as well as building applications like water separators, heating systems, and water pumps. BASF offers about 10 specifications to the market, ranging from standard grades with varying stiffness, strength, and toughness values that are glass fiber reinforced, to special grades with improved hydrolysis resistance, and to long-fiber reinforced composites with high thermal stability.About high-temperature nylon PPAPolyphthalamide (PPA), also known as high-temperature nylon (HTPA), is a semi-aromatic polyamide made by the condensation reaction of phthalic acid and hexamethylenediamine. The molecular chain of HTPA contains rigid benzene rings and flexible long chains of diamines, which endows the polymer with both flexibility and strength, as well as moderate mobility. Therefore, it has a high crystallization rate and degree of crystallinity.PPA resin offers superior strength and stiffness compared to ordinary nylon resin at high temperatures, along with enhanced chemical resistance. It also performs better than regular nylon in humid environments. With a continuous use temperature range from 120°C to 185°C, it can replace metal in high-temperature automotive components.PPA resin is more robust and rigid than aliphatic polyamides such as nylon 66; it is less sensitive to moisture; it has better thermal properties; and its creep, fatigue, and chemical resistance properties are much better as well. For example: PPA resin containing 45% glass short fibers has a tensile strength of about 276 MPa and a flexural modulus exceeding 13,786 MPa, with a Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) of 549°F. Even mineral-filled grades of PPA can achieve a tensile strength of 117 MPa. The ductility of PPA resin is not as good as that of nylon 6,6, but non-reinforced impact-modified grades of PPA resin have been developed, with a notched Charpy impact strength as high as 20 ft-lb/in.Due to the outstanding physical, thermal, and electrical properties of PPA resin, especially its moderate cost, it has a wide range of applications. These properties, along with excellent chemical resistance, make PPA a candidate for many uses in the automotive industry.

This issue takes you to explore the "paper blister" technology jointly launched by German processing and packaging technology supplier Syntegon and Finnish packaging material manufacturer Huhtamaki. This innovation replaces traditional plastics with renewable paper-based materials, achieving a triple breakthrough in environmental protection, safety, and convenience for pharmaceutical packaging through precision craftsmanship.From lab to pharmacy shelf, how does this paper redefine the medication experience?1 Eco-friendly: Ending "plastic dependency" with a green closed loop. Huhtamaki's patented coating technology seamlessly integrates the barrier layer with the paper base, achieving "tear and recycle," which can be regenerated through curb-side recycling systems without complex sorting. Compared to traditional plastic blisters, paper blisters reduce microplastic pollution by 90% over their lifecycle, providing pharma companies with a quantifiable and traceable low-carbon pathway.2 Protection: The "invisible armor" of pharmaceuticals, as the first FSC™ certified paper-based blister container, meets stringent pharmaceutical packaging safety requirements. The Push Tab Paper coating, made of a thermoformable base material and a covering film with a barrier coating, provides moisture and oxygen barrier properties comparable to traditional blister packaging made of single PVC or aluminum foil. Through Syntegon's high-precision thermoforming technology, the paper-based material can be accurately shaped to create customized holes ranging from 3 to 10 millimeters, tightly enclosing various forms of tablets and capsules.Practical: Say goodbye to "inhuman design." The one-push cover membrane adopts a "light push to open" design, allowing medicine to be accessed with a simple press of a finger, eliminating the pain points of tearing aluminum film or breaking tablets. The surface of the blister supports double-sided high-definition printing, allowing for medication instructions, brand identification, and even braille information to be directly presented, eliminating the need for outer boxes and paper instructions.The "Cross-Border Ambition" of Paper Blister Packaging The magic of paper blisters goes beyond pills. Carmex lip balm uses pre-formed paper trays with hanging holes, eliminating outer boxes while saving 8 tons of plastic. Atlantic Packaging's Paperform solution extends paper blisters to cosmetics, electronic accessories, and more—featuring curved compartments, multi-layer structures, and even transparent window designs, turning packaging into a brand billboard. From pills to daily essentials, paper blister packaging is reshaping packaging logic in the name of sustainability.Syntegon and Huhtamaki are replacing plastic with renewable paper-based materials, reducing microplastic pollution by 90% through "tear and recycle" technology, while providing protective performance comparable to traditional materials. This "paper" revolution is not only a breakthrough in technology but also a collective action towards a greener future globally. The future of packaging may only require the imagination of a single sheet of paper.

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."