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).

International News Digest:Raw Material News - Shell Completes Sale of Refining and Chemical Assets in SingaporeKorean KG Mobility Teams Up with Chery Automobile to Develop Mid-to-Large-Sized SUVPackaging News - 9 million tons of plastic pressure, Vietnam's 870 trillion beverage market faces green packaging transformation!Exhibition Highlights - The RePlast Eurasia Expo will be held in Turkey in May, gathering pioneering forces in the plastic recycling industry.Equipment News - Swiss Auto Injector Manufacturer Invests $220 Million to Build Factory, Entering the U.S. Auto Injection Equipment MarketMarket News - Brazilian Congress Plans to Draft Legislation to Counter Unilateral Trade ActionsMarket Price News - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $855/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $920/ton Here is the translated content:The following is an overview of international news:Shell completes sale of Singapore refining and petrochemical assetsOn 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. Specific financial details were not disclosed. Shell announced the transaction on May 8, 2024. The Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park includes refining and chemical assets located on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island. The assets on Pulau Bukom include a refinery with a capacity of 237,000 barrels per day, which was established in 1961, and an ethylene cracker with an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons.2. BASF Launches New High-Temperature Nylon Product!Recently, BASF has further expanded its Ultramid® Advanced T1000 series products for durable components requiring special thermal management. This product series is developed based on polyamide 6T/6I resins, and the latest additions include optimized products with high hydrolysis resistance (HR) and high purity (EQ, or electronic grade). The newly developed HR and EQ grades exhibit excellent high strength and high rigidity at elevated temperatures, while also demonstrating outstanding creep resistance and good compatibility with coolants. Their overall performance significantly surpasses that of standard polyamide grades and many other PPA products available on the market.3. In May, the RePlast Eurasia Exhibition will land in Turkey, bringing together pioneering forces in the plastic recycling industry.RePlast Eurasia, as Turkey's first and only exhibition focused on the plastic recycling industry, holds a unique position in the industry. From May 8 to 10, 2025, the exhibition will once again gather leading brands and authoritative experts from the global recycling field. The event is jointly organized by Tuyap and the PAGCEV Association, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technological innovations in every aspect of the plastic recycling process. During the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to explore hundreds of products and service types, including raw materials, equipment (including advanced waste sorting equipment), recycling technologies, collaboration resources from waste collection and sorting companies, professional design agencies, and consulting services.4. The United States has made a final ruling on the anti-dumping and countervailing duties for epoxy resin, with the dumping margin for Chinese producers/exporters at 354.99%.On March 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued an announcement, making the final ruling on anti-dumping duties for epoxy resins imported from China, India, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan, China. Due to the lack of participation in the response from Chinese enterprises, the dumping margin for producers/exporters from China was determined to be 354.99%, while for producers/exporters from India it was 12.69%-15.68%, for those from South Korea it was 5.62%-7.59%, for those from Thailand it was 5.25%, and for those from Taiwan, China it was 10.93%-26.98%.5. Korea's KG Mobility Collaborates with Chery Automobile to Develop Mid-to-Large SUVsOn April 2nd, it was reported that South Korean automaker KG Mobility announced today that it held a joint development signing ceremony for mid-to-large SUV models with Chery Automobile in Wuhu, Anhui yesterday. The two parties will strengthen technical cooperation to promote future development. This signing ceremony follows the strategic partnership and platform licensing agreement signed with Chery in October last year, marking a concrete plan for substantive collaboration. Both sides will jointly develop mid-to-large SUVs for domestic and international markets and enhance cooperation in areas such as autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle E/E architecture (electrical/electronic hardware and software, etc.).6. Plastic Parts manufacturer Pittsfield Plastics installs a 1600-ton injection molding machine to produce PE parts.Injection molder Pittsfield Plastics Engineering (PPE) has announced the installation of a new 1,600-ton Jupiter 14000 injection molding machine from Absolute Haitian Corp. for large-part molding. The press, along with associated robotics and auxiliary equipment, will allow PPE to meet the needs of its latest customer, a manufacturer of septic products and services for the residential and commercial sanitation waste industry.7. Swiss automatic injector manufacturer invests $220 million to build a factory, entering the U.S. automatic injection molding equipment market.SHL Medical, a syringe manufacturer based in Switzerland, officially opened its most advanced new manufacturing plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. SHL Medical stated that the expansion, first announced in summer 2022 with an investment of $220 million, contributed to the local economy and created hundreds of new jobs in the area.8. 9 million tons of plastic pressure, Vietnam's 870 trillion beverage market faces green packaging transformation!The Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association (VBA) highlights that packaging plays a pivotal role in the modern economy by safeguarding products throughout the complex supply chain from production to consumption. It serves as a vital medium for brand communication and is crucial to the efficiency of the entire production and consumption system. Particularly for an economy like Vietnam, which boasts robust exports and strong domestic demand, the healthy development of the packaging industry holds strategic significance. Data from Nguyen Thanh Giang, General Director of Tetra Pak Vietnam, indicates the packaging industry's immense growth potential: Vietnam's food and beverage sector is projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% by 2027, with the market size reaching 872.9 trillion Vietnamese dong. This powerful market momentum not only demands expanded production capacity in the packaging industry but also raises higher expectations for innovation, functionality (such as aseptic preservation), design, and sustainability. Overseas macro market information:【Brazilian Congress Proposes Bill to Counter Unilateral Trade Actions】 On April 1 local time, the Economic Affairs Committee of the Brazilian Senate unanimously passed a proposal titled the "Economic Reciprocity Bill," aimed at authorizing the Brazilian government to take countermeasures when its foreign trade interests are harmed. Since this bill adopts a fast-track mechanism, it will bypass a full Senate vote and be directly submitted to the House of Representatives for deliberation.【Tesla European Sales Plunge】 Tesla electric vehicles have seen a sharp decline in sales in several European markets due to dissatisfaction with CEO Elon Musk and a boycott of his company's products, as well as reduced appeal after being on the market for many years. According to a report by Agence France-Presse on April 1, data from the French automotive manufacturer and sales platform showed that in March, Tesla's sales in France fell by 36.8% year-on-year amidst a slight dip in the overall French electric vehicle market. Swedish data indicated that Tesla's sales in March dropped by 63.9% year-on-year, and by 55.2% in the first quarter. In Denmark, Tesla's sales in the first quarter declined by 56% year-on-year.Goldman Sachs: Downgrades forecast for 10-year Japanese government bond yield by the end of 2025 to reflect U.S. recession risks; yen is the preferred tool to hedge against U.S. recession and tariff risks. Goldman Sachs' research team stated in a report that it has lowered its forecast for the 10-year Japanese government bond yield by the end of 2025 from the previous 1.60% to 1.50% to reflect the increased risk of a U.S. economic recession. Goldman Sachs noted that the rising risk of such an outcome may affect market pricing of the Bank of Japan's continued tightening policy. Goldman Sachs stated: "The downward trend in the stock market and relatively low U.S. economic growth also tilt the risks towards a stronger yen."Goldman Sachs expects the yen to strengthen to the lower end of the 140 zone against the dollar this year, as concerns around US growth and trade tariffs will boost demand for the yen. It believes that if the risk of a US economic recession increases, the yen will be the best hedge for investors.On April 1st local time, the Mexican government issued a statement saying that President Sheinbaum held his first telephone conversation with new Canadian Prime Minister Carney on the same day, during which both sides reached a consensus on the importance of maintaining economic competitiveness in North America. The statement noted that the leaders of the two countries agreed to continue dialogue to promote the process of regional economic integration while respecting the sovereign rights of member states. The Canadian government's statement described the leaders' call as productive, stating that Canada and Mexico are committed to deepening trade relations and jointly building a stronger economy.【Japanese Rice Prices Hit 12th Straight Week of Record Highs, Average Price per Bag Exceeds 200 Yuan】Latest statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries show that the average price of a 5-kilogram bag of regular rice in Japan is 4,197 yen (approximately 204 yuan RMB), which is about twice the price of the same period last year, marking 12 consecutive weeks of record highs. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated on April 1st that if necessary, the government will release more reserve rice into the market to stabilize prices.【Canada to Avoid Tariff Retaliation That Could Affect Domestic Jobs and Drive Up Prices】 Canada will refrain from implementing tariff countermeasures that could impact domestic employment and increase prices, according to two federal trade advisors. The country will not impose retaliatory tariffs on most U.S. food products and other essential goods.Finland has announced that it will completely shut down coal-fired power plants this spring. On April 1, the Finnish government stated that as two energy companies gradually close all coal-fired power plants, Finland will fully stop using coal in energy production this year. The Finnish government indicated that in the future, energy companies will rely on electric boilers, heat pumps, energy storage, biomass energy, and waste heat recovery to produce thermal energy, while the focus of electricity generation will shift to wind, nuclear, hydro, and solar energy.【MOFCOM Extends Anti-Dumping Investigation on Imported Brandy from EU to July 5】 In accordance with the provisions of the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Anti-Dumping," on January 5, 2024, MOFCOM issued Announcement No. 1 of 2024, deciding to initiate an anti-dumping investigation into imported brandy originating from the EU. On December 25, 2024, MOFCOM issued Announcement No. 59 of 2024, deciding to extend the investigation period to April 5, 2025. Given the complexity of this case, in accordance with Article 26 of the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Anti-Dumping," MOFCOM has decided to further extend the investigation period to July 5, 2025. Price information:【The central parity rate of the renminbi against the US dollar was下调18 basis points.】Note: It seems there is a missing word in the original Chinese sentence. The correct sentence should be "【人民币兑美元中间价下调18个基点】". The translation provided is the closest accurate representation given the context, but typically it would be phrased as "The central parity rate of the renminbi against the US dollar was下调18 basis points." or more naturally, "The central parity rate of the renminbi against the US dollar was adjusted down by 18 basis points."The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar was set at 7.1793, down by 18 basis points. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1775, the official closing rate was 7.2687, and the overnight rate closed at 7.2706.Upstream raw material USD market priceEthylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $855/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $920/ton.Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price 800 USD/ton; CFR China average price 820 USD/ton, down 5 USD/ton.North Asia frozen cargo CIF price, propane $627-629 per ton; butane $617-619 per ton.The onshore price for South China frozen goods in April is as follows: propane 627-629 USD/ton; butane 617-619 USD/ton.The landed price of frozen goods in the Taiwan region: propane $627-629 per ton; butane $617-619 per ton.【LLDPE U.S. Dollar Market Price】Film: $955/ton (CFR Huangpu);Injection molding: 1010 USD/ton (spot in Dongguan bonded area);【HDPE US Dollar Market Price】Film: $940-950 per ton (CFR Huangpu).Hollow: $890-965/ton (CFR Huangpu)Injection molding: $825/ton (CFR Huangpu).LDPE USD Market PriceFilm: $1120/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $15/ton;Coating: $1360 per ton (CFR Huangpu).PP USD Market PriceAverage concentration: 935-990 USD/ton (spot), down 5 USD/ton;Co-polymer: $995-$1060/ton (CFR Huangpu spot)Film material: 1030-1105 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);Transparent: $1020-$1050 per ton (CFR Huangpu spot);Tubing: $1,160 per ton (CFR Shanghai).

Recently, the commissioning ceremony for the first phase of the 30,000-ton-per-year modified polymer materials construction project by CGN Juner (Zhongshan) New Materials Co., Ltd. was held at the Greater Bay Area Polymer Materials RD and Intelligent Manufacturing Base.The new project has an area of 18,000 ㎡ and will be operated by Zhongshan Juner Company. It is planned that 12 production lines will be activated in the first phase.The annual production capacity is expected to reach 30,000 tons, mainly producing new materials such as modified polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and polyamide (PA)., the products are widely used in automotive, electrical, communication, medical, mechanical, aviation, and other fields. Next, ZS Vision will provide a detailed analysis of modified PP, PC, and PA. We will examine the main application areas of these three materials and briefly discuss the future prospects of China's modified plastics market.I. Modified Polypropylene (PP)Due to the high shrinkage rate, poor dimensional stability, susceptibility to warping and deformation, brittleness at low temperatures, poor toughness, and poor resistance to light and heat aging of PP material, it must be modified. Modified polypropylene PP possesses excellent mechanical properties and can be used as a substitute for engineering plastics, metals, and thermosetting resins.Commonly used PP modified plastics include the following types:1. Flame-retardant PP:The material has a distinct property of significantly delaying flame spread.Application: Flame-retardant PP is mainly used in household appliances, electrical and electronic components, battery housings, and bathroom equipment, etc.2. Enhanced PP:It is a mixture of polypropylene with glass fibers or organic fibers, asbestos, or inorganic fillers (talc powder, calcium carbonate).Application: Enhanced PP is mainly used for manufacturing various mechanical parts, including automotive fans, air conditioning fans, and water purifier filter bottles. In the electrical industry, it can be used to replace ABS and HIPS in various household appliance exterior parts, and is widely used in refrigerator tops, air conditioning bases, foot baths, and more.3. Weather-resistant PP:By modifying PP material for weather resistance, the lifespan of PP material for outdoor use is significantly improved using modified PP.Application: Weather-resistant PP is mainly used in the production of appliance casings, indoor and outdoor air conditioning components, and outdoor products such as assembled flooring.4, High Gloss PP:It is high-gloss polypropylene plastic.Application: High-gloss PP is mainly used for external parts of small household appliances, such as rice cookers, toilet seats, coffee machines, etc.  II. Modified Polycarbonate (PC)The main performance defects of PC are its insufficient hydrolysis stability, sensitivity to notches, poor resistance to organic chemicals, and poor scratch resistance. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet light can cause PC to yellow. Like other resins, PC is also susceptible to erosion by certain organic solvents. PC has poor wear resistance, and some PC devices used in applications prone to wear require special surface treatment.Modified PC is a plastic that undergoes processing modifications on the basis of PC, endowing it with superior properties such as flame retardancy, impact resistance, high toughness, and ease of processing.Common modified PC plastics include the following types:Toughened PC (Polycarbonate)Toughened PC is mainly divided into ordinary toughened PC and high-flow toughened PC.Applications: General-purpose toughened PC materials can be used for thin-wall products, automotive parts, mobile phones, and other electronic and electrical products; while high-flow PC can be used for ultra-thin-wall components, such as tablet back covers (0.4mm).2. Flame-retardant PC:Flame-retardant PC has excellent mechanical properties, high heat deflection temperature, high dielectric strength, good electrical insulation, and also has good flame-retardant effects.Application: Flame-retardant PC can be widely used in high-end chargers, lamp holders, switch panels, and other products.3, GF-PC: Glass Fiber Reinforced PolycarbonateThe material commonly available includes PC+10% GF (glass fiber) and PC+20% GF. PC+10% GF material has excellent impact performance, good toughness; excellent heat resistance, not prone to thermal deformation; less surface floating fibers, evenly distributed glass fibers; good spraying performance, low rate of poor spraying. PC+20% GF material has good flowability and high rigidity; fewer fibers, good chemical resistance; low rate of poor spraying.(1) PC+10%GF material is mainly used for mobile phone middle frames.(2)PC+20%GF material is mainly applied in mobile phone frames, tablet computers, and without steel inserts. III. Modified Polyamide (PA)PA has excellent mechanical properties, wear resistance, and self-lubricity, and it has good formability. However, it has deficiencies in water absorption, dimensional stability, and electrical performance, and its high and low-temperature resistance also needs improvement. Where there is demand, there is production, and modified nylon specialty materials have achieved many improvements through methods such as filling and reinforcement, and blending.The varieties of modified PA are numerous, including reinforced PA, aromatic PA, transparent PA, high-impact (super-tough) PA, electroplating PA, conductive PA, flame-retardant PA, PA blends and alloys with other polymers, etc., meeting various special requirements. As structural materials, they are widely used as substitutes for traditional materials such as metals and wood.Common PC modified plastics include the following types:1. Glass fiber reinforced PAThe characteristics of glass fiber reinforced PA lie in its significant improvement in mechanical properties, heat resistance, and dimensional stability, while maintaining good wear resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and processability.The application of fiberglass-reinforced PA, due to its excellent properties, is widely used in many fields such as the automotive industry, electronics and electrical appliances, mechanical manufacturing, industrial equipment, aerospace and national defense industry, home products, etc. It provides solutions with high strength, high rigidity, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance for products across various industries.2, Weather-resistant PA:By adding carbon black and other UV-absorbing additives to PA, it exhibits excellent weather resistance, allowing it to be used outdoors or in harsh environments for long periods without easily aging or changing color, while maintaining stable physical and mechanical properties.Application: Weather-resistant PA is widely used in outdoor construction, external automotive parts, electronic and electrical enclosures, outdoor sports equipment, agricultural facilities, and other fields due to its excellent weather resistance. It can maintain stable performance when exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as sunlight, rain, and wind-blown sand for long periods, and it is not prone to aging, discoloration, or brittleness.3. Transparent PA:Transparent PA exhibits good tensile strength, impact resistance, rigidity, wear resistance, chemical resistance, surface hardness, and high light transmittance, comparable to that of optical glass.Application: Transparent PA (polyamide), due to its excellent transparency, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and good processability, is widely used in fields such as optical frames and lenses, automotive interior and exterior components, electronic and electrical domains (such as switches and casings), mechanical parts (such as filters and flow meters), sports equipment (such as sports glasses and diving gear), and as a material for permanent laser marking.4. Flame Retardant PA:Flame-retardant PA has excellent flame-retardant performance, effectively preventing or slowing down combustion while maintaining the original mechanical, heat resistance, and chemical resistance properties of PA.Application: Flame-retardant PA is widely used in fields requiring high flame-retardant performance, such as rail transit, aerospace, automotive manufacturing, electrical and electronic equipment, and building fire protection.  4. What is the prospect of China's modified plastics market?The overall development level of China's modified plastics industry is relatively low. The production scale of enterprises in the industry is relatively small compared to foreign companies in the same industry. The market situation of products is characterized by a large number of low-end products, unstable mid-range products, and a lack of high-end products, far from meeting the needs of China's 21st-century economic development.Therefore, modified plastics, as an important component in the field of new chemical materials, have been listed as one of the key technology development areas by the country. The market for modified plastics used in automobiles in China is primarily occupied by foreign enterprises, with domestic modified plastic companies holding less than one-third of the market share. Most domestic enterprises' products are largely limited to low technical content and low standards, and they clearly lack the capability to explore areas with high performance requirements.The downstream sectors of modified plastics are primarily the automotive, electronic appliances, and home appliance industries, which together account for over 50% of the market. In recent years, the introduction of automotive incentive policies has significantly boosted industry growth. Additionally, the policy direction toward energy conservation and emissions reduction has encouraged automotive manufacturers to reduce vehicle weight to achieve these goals, further driving the development of the modified plastics industry.According to data from the HuaJing Industry Research Institute, benefiting from the continuous expansion of the industry scale and the sustained growth of downstream demand, China's modified plastic production has also continued to increase.In 2023, the market size of modified plastics in China reached 310.7 billion yuan, increasing by 6.44% year-on-year, accounting for 28% of the global market share.The global modified plastic market size was approximately 428.5 billion US dollars in 2023.It is expected that by 2025, the market size in our country will exceed 400 billion yuan, with a CAGR of 8%-10%.There are more than 3,000 modified plastic companies in the country, but only about 70 companies have capacities exceeding 3,000 tons, and there are few domestic companies with capacities over 10,000 tons. Major producers include companies such as Kingfa Sci. Tech., Guoen Co., Ltd., Polynt Reifenadditive, Dynasol Elastomers China, Wote Inc., Rongxin Plastics, YeeTex Technology, PolyUnion, Nanjing JULONG, CGN JUNER, and others.Among them, Kingfa Science Technology and Guonei Co., Ltd. both produced over 100 million tons in 2023, with a combined market share of about 10%; Kingfa Science Technology has the largest market share at 8.33%. Profitec, Dynax, and Unity Drive Plastic had production between 10 and 100 million tons. In the future, driven by trends such as "replacing steel with plastics," "automotive lightweighting," and "home appliances becoming lighter, thinner, and more fashionable," the demand for modified plastics in China will continue to rise. Among these, new energy vehicles, wind and solar energy storage, and humanoid robots are the main growth areas. In particular, 2025, marking the first year of mass production of humanoid robots, will bring new demand growth points.Moreover, the lightweight and intelligent development of automobiles imposes higher requirements on materials. For instance, automotive sensors and electronic control systems require materials with excellent electromagnetic shielding and dimensional stability, which will drive the demand for modified plastics. China Guangdong Nuclear Juner may have precisely perceived the enormous potential for development in the modified plastics market, thus continuously increasing its investment. Source: DT New Materials, Chemical New Materials, New Materials Study Society, Aibang Polymer, Huajing Industry Research InstituteEditor: Shi Shenbing

For durable components requiring special thermal management, BASF has further expanded its Ultramid® Advanced T1000 series. This product line is developed based on polyamide 6T/6I resin, with newly added optimized products featuring high hydrolysis resistance (HR) and high purity (EQ, i.e., electronic quality).The newly developed HR and EQ grades exhibit excellent high strength and stiffness at high temperatures, along with superior creep resistance and excellent tolerance to coolant fluids. Their overall performance significantly outperforms standard polyamide grades as well as many other PPA products on the market. The brand new hydrolysis-resistant Ultramid® Advanced T1300HG7 HR product exhibits excellent chemical stability and dimensional stability even when in contact with various media such as ethylene glycol, thermal oil, and water at temperatures of 130°C and above.This characteristic can significantly extend the service life of components used in automotive cooling systems, such as thermostat housings, oil inlets and outlets, and water pumps.The pure Ultramid® Advanced T1300EG7 EQ contains almost no electroactive components, yet it still exhibits excellent thermal aging resistance when in contact with water, hydrogen, or high-purity cooling media such as Glysantin® FC G20. This characteristic makes this PPA particularly suitable for applications in electric vehicles and fuel cell components, such as end plates, medium distribution components, and humidifiers. Throughout the entire lifecycle of electric vehicles (with a minimum requirement of 25,000 hours), this PPA is able to 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 we launched Ultramid® Advanced T1000 in 2018, customers have trusted its outstanding performance: it maintains mechanical strength regardless of temperature or climatic conditions, and exhibits 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 of the growing challenges in thermal management for PPA under demanding conditions, and we can help customers address these challenges while maintaining the performance and safety of their applications." In addition to the newly launched high-performance HR and EQ grades, components requiring laser welding can utilize the Ultramid® Advanced T1000 LT product series, which not only features hydrolysis resistance but also laser transparency.About the Ultramid® Advanced product lineBASF's PPA product series is based on six polymers: 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 series offers 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 flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant products. The products are available in various colors, from colorless to laser-marked black, with short glass fiber, long glass fiber, or mineral fiber reinforcement, and various heat stabilizers.In the Ultramid® series, the Ultramid Advanced T1000 (PA6T/6I) product portfolio boasts the highest strength and stiffness, with stable mechanical properties at temperatures of 125°C (dry) and 80°C (conditioned). It exhibits exceptional moisture resistance and corrosion resistance, surpassing traditional polyamides and many other PPA materials available on the market. It is used in the automotive industry, particularly for components that must maintain strength and rigidity when exposed to harsh environments. Additionally, it is found in all other industry applications requiring moisture or chemical resistance, such as thermostat housings and water pumps, fuel circuits and selective catalytic reduction systems, automotive actuators and clutch components, coffee machines, furniture joints, and building applications like manifolds, heating systems, and water pumps. BASF offers the market around 10 different grades, ranging from standard glass fiber-reinforced grades with varying stiffness, strength, and toughness values, to special grades with improved hydrolysis resistance, and long fiber-reinforced compounds with high thermal stability.About high-temperature nylon PPAPolyphthalamide (PPA), also known as high-temperature nylon (HTPA), is a semi-aromatic polyamide made from the polycondensation of phthalic acid and hexamethylenediamine. The molecular chain of HTPA contains rigid benzene rings and long flexible chains of diamine, which endow the polymer with both flexibility and strength, as well as moderate mobility. As a result, it has a high crystallization rate and crystallinity.PPA resin exhibits superior strength and stiffness compared to ordinary nylon resin at high temperatures, along with better chemical resistance. It also performs better than ordinary 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 it exhibits much better creep, fatigue, and chemical resistance. For example, PPA resin containing 45% glass fiber has a tensile strength of approximately 276 MPa, flexural modulus exceeding 13,786 MPa, and 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; however, un-reinforced impact-modified grades of PPA resin have been developed, with notched Charpy impact strength as high as 20 ft-lb/in.Due to the excellent physical, thermal, and electrical properties of PPA resin, especially its moderate cost, it has a wide range of applications. These properties, along with its excellent chemical resistance, make PPA a candidate for many uses in the automotive industry.  

On March 28, the Xuyou New Area of Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, announced a public notice regarding the environmental impact assessment approval for the second phase of the 100,000 tons/year high-end polyolefin monomer unit and supporting facilities project of Jiangsu Hongjing New Materials Co., Ltd.The second phase of the project plans to build a 50,000-ton-per-year ethylene oligomerization unit and supporting public utilities on the reserved land at Hongjing Company. After completion, it will be capable of producing 33,500 tons per year of 1-octene, 15,600 tons per year of 1-hexene, and 2,900 tons per year of mixed C6.The Hongjing Company's 100,000-ton/year high-end olefin monomer facility and supporting projects have a total investment of 2,484,720,000 yuan; the total investment in phase one is 2,015,984,200 yuan, and the total investment in phase two is 468,735,800 yuan. The environmental protection investment in phase two is 49,595,000 yuan, accounting for 10.58% of the total investment in phase two.The project of 100,000 tons/year high-end polyolefin monomer plant and supporting facilities (Phase I) has received approval from the Environmental Protection Bureau of the National East-West Regional Cooperation Demonstration Zone (Lianyungang Xuwei New Area) on December 31, 2024 (Approval No. [2024] 56 of the Demonstration Zone Environmental Review), mainly producing 100,000 tons of POE annually.This project involves the construction of a 100,000-ton/year high-end polyolefin monomer unit and supporting facilities (Phase II), utilizing the tricyclic tube ethylene oligomerization process to produce 1-octene and 1-hexene. The output of 1-octene will fully meet the demand of the 100,000-ton POE main unit, achieving partial domestic substitution.Jiangsu Hongjing New Materials Co., Ltd. was established in September 2021 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiangsu Silbon Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Silbon Petrochemical"). Silbon Petrochemical is located in the Petrochemical Industry Park of Xuxu New District, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province (Lianyungang Petrochemical Industry Base) and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shenghong Holding Group Co., Ltd. 

On March 28, a concentrated signing ceremony for the low-altitude economic industry project in Gongqing City and the production launch ceremony for Jiangxi Ruichi Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Company were held. Jiang Wen Ding, Deputy Secretary of the Jiujiang Municipal Committee and Mayor, and Zhang Guoliang, the initiator of Jiangxi Ruichi Investment and founder of Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Co., Ltd., delivered speeches. Guo Weiquan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Military-Civilian Integration Office, Liu Bing, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Qu Xiaohua, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Provincial Industry and Information Technology Department, and Chen Mingyu, President of the Jiangxi Chamber of Commerce in Jiangsu and Chairman of Nantong Vocational Institute, were also present. Wan Jianming, Secretary of the Gongqing City Committee, hosted the ceremony. Leaders from provincial, Jiujiang City, and Ganjiang New District relevant departments, as well as leaders from Gongqing City and guests from the concentrated signing projects, along with guests from Ruichi's upstream and downstream enterprises, participated in the event.A concentrated signing ceremony for 10 low-altitude economy industrial projects was held on site. The attending leaders pressed the launch ball to jointly witness the official production of the Ruichi project, and upstream and downstream enterprise guests also visited Jiangxi Ruichi Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Company.This batch of centrally signed projects includes 10 projects with a total investment of 1.87 billion yuan, namely the AVIC International Low-altitude Economy Integrated Ecological Construction Strategic Emerging Industry Project and the Remote Sensing Spatial Information Big Data Platform Project, among others. These projects cover areas such as RD and production of drones, drone training, drone inspection and testing, drone agricultural protection and logistics, low-altitude intelligent connected networks, aircraft engine maintenance, passenger sightseeing, aviation exhibitions, and aviation education and training.The Jiangxi Ruichi Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Company, which has recently been put into production, has a total investment of 500 million yuan. It focuses on the research, development, production, and sales of carbon fiber woven fabrics, carbon fiber prepregs, and carbon fiber composite products, with applications in low-altitude economy, rail transit, new energy, and other fields. The project was signed and settled in Gongqing City in December 2024, and it took just over three months from signing to production, fully demonstrating the completeness of Gongqing City's infrastructure in the low-altitude economy and the efficiency of its administrative services.Zhang Guoliang stated in his speech that choosing to invest in Gongqing City is not only because of the favorable environment for the development of the low-altitude economy industry here but also stems from a deep sense of hometown sentiment. We will fully leverage our advantages in carbon fiber materials and technology, continue to increase investment, and constantly expand our business areas, working together to create a bright future for Gongqing City's low-altitude economy!   

Against the backdrop of intensified competition in the plastic industry, the leading domestic industrial digital platform, Zhishiku, is reconstructing the industry ecosystem with intelligent technology.Complete upgrade of the membership system in 2025, to build 'Data + Resources + Services' The Trinity model provides precise custom commercial empowerment solutions for industrial chain enterprises. It adds cross-border supply and demand matching services, integrating international buyer resources and offering multi-language support, helping companies break through geographical limitations and expand into global markets.One,Unlock the entire industrial chain resource pool.Members can prioritize obtaining comprehensive data covering the entire industrial chain of plastic raw materials, additives, machinery and equipment, and products, which includesReal-time quotations, historical trends, and physical property parameters for over 300,000 grades. The intelligent algorithm-optimized supply and demand matching system updates a vast number of business opportunities daily, which are pushed directionally according to enterprise needs. Combined with LBS map positioning and VR enterprise showroom functions, it achieves "Online screening + offline inspection" seamless connection.Two,Build an intelligent decision-making engineLeveraging the industry's资深研究团队, members can enjoy exclusive weekly updates. Note: "资深研究团队" is partially in Chinese. In full English, it would be "senior research team". So the complete translation would be: "Leveraging the industry's senior research team, members can enjoy exclusive weekly updates."Monthly in-depth analysis report covering core content such as market trend predictions, policy interpretations, and technological trends. Platform-original.'Special Plastic Index' System, presenting data visualization in three dimensions: industry, procurement, and market, to provide scientific basis for corporate production planning and trade decisions.III. Activate the Precision Marketing MatrixIn response to the brand promotion needs of enterprises, members can obtain customized integrated marketing services: including exclusive live broadcast planning, content distribution across all platforms, industry media interviews, etc. Through a pool of millions of active users and precise user profile analysis, we achieve a dual enhancement of brand exposure and sales conversion.Newly added virtual exhibition hall featureFurthermore, enhance customer retention through immersive interactive experiences.Four,Building Industry Connections NetworkMembers can use it unlimited times. 'Contacts Database' featureQuickly connect with decision-makers in upstream and downstream enterprises. Through the intelligent business card exchange system and dynamic behavior tracking (visitor radar), accurately identify potential collaboration partners and build a bridge for in-depth communication and cooperation for members.V. Exclusive Member Service PrivilegesPriority Display RightSupply and demand information and corporate presentations are prioritized in search results.Customized Customer Service：7x12 hours dedicated customer service support, quickly respond to needsTraining Resource PackageFree access to industry expert courses and the latest technology white papersData export permissionsSupport batch export of market data and industry reports.Directly translate the above content from Chinese to English:"Accurately match needs:"The membership system is divided into four tiers: Silver, Gem, Diamond, and Supreme, catering to the needs of businesses at different stages of development, from basic customer acquisition to comprehensive brand empowerment.……As a leader in the digital transformation of the plastics industry, ZhuanSu Vision consistently drives service upgrades through technological innovation.After the membership system iteration in 2025, the platform will expand more value-added services in areas such as intelligent recommendation, risk early warning, supply chain, and overseas supply and demand matching. Join the membership now and embark on a new chapter of cost reduction and efficiency improvement together with over 100,000 industry pioneers!

On March 31, IBU-tec Advanced Materials and Wanhua Chemical Group Battery Technology Co., Ltd. officially established a partnership for the development of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials. Senior representatives from both sides jointly signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA), aiming to achieve the production of LFP cathode materials in Europe through technological collaboration. This marks Wanhua Chemical's first contract for battery materials cooperation in Europe, paving the way for further development in the European market.Under this cooperation framework, IBU-tec will adjust the calcination process according to the precursor specifications provided by Wanhua Chemical and plans to scale up this process to an industrial level in the coming months. It is expected that by the third quarter of this year, both parties will obtain reliable results to evaluate whether the jointly developed product can meet the demands of the European and North American markets. If the product meets expectations, it will open up significant potential for the production of LFP cathode materials in Germany and integrate them into the value chain of the European battery industry.IBU-tecIBU-tec Advanced Materials, headquartered in Weimar, Germany, is focused on providing innovative solutions in the fields of LFP battery materials, air purification, resource conservation, and reducing plastic packaging. The company has become a technological leader in LFP cathode materials in Europe.In 2023, IBU-tec successfully launched a new sodium-ion battery cathode material called IBUvolt® NMO. This NMO (sodium manganese oxide) product boasts unique advantages, as it does not rely on lithium or other rare materials, resulting in lower production costs and higher environmental performance. It is hailed as the "foundation of new sodium-ion batteries," and the material is expected to be widely used in small electric vehicles (such as urban transport vehicles) and stationary energy storage systems. In 2024, IBU-tec will collaborate with specialty chemicals company Lanxess to conduct research aimed at developing innovative iron oxides for the production of LFP battery cathode materials, with the goal of further enhancing the electrochemical performance of LFP batteries, including energy density, charging speed, and cycle life. Wanhua ChemicalWanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd., formerly known as Yantai Wanhua Polyurethane Co., Ltd., was established on December 20, 1998, and officially changed its name to Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. in July 2013. It listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2001. The company's business covers five major industrial clusters: polyurethane, petrochemicals, fine chemicals, new materials, and future industries.Wanhua Chemical's layout in the battery materials field began in 2020, when the company acquired Yantai Zhuoneng Lithium Battery Co., Ltd.; since then, the company has continuously increased its investment in battery materials business. Liao Zengtao, Party Secretary and Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group, once stated that Wanhua would cultivate battery materials as a new billion-dollar business to recreate a new Wanhua.Wanhua Chemical Group Battery Technology Co., Ltd.'s business scope covers three major battery main materials and over 20 types of products, including wet metallurgy, cathode precursors, ternary cathode materials, lithium iron phosphate materials, sodium battery anode and cathode materials, silicon-based anode materials, electrolytes and their raw materials, NMP, PVDF, and other links in the industry chain. The battery materials business, as Wanhua Chemical's second growth curve, has gradually established a relatively complete ecosystem.Cathode Materials: Ternary cathode materials: Wanhua Chemical has commissioned a 10,000 tons/year lithium battery ternary cathode material project at its Meishan base in Sichuan. Lithium iron phosphate: Wanhua Chemical's lithium iron phosphate is prepared using the solid-phase method. In January 2022, Wanhua Chemical started construction of a 50,000 tons/year integrated lithium iron phosphate cathode material project in Meishan, Sichuan. On February 24, 2025, Wanhua Chemical's new battery materials industrial park in Haiyang City, Yantai, commenced construction. The project has a total investment of 16.8 billion yuan, mainly constructing production plants for battery cathode and anode materials and related supporting facilities. It is planned that a 100,000 tons/year lithium iron phosphate production line will be put into operation by June 2026, and upon full completion by December 2032, it will have a capacity of 500,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate and 300,000 tons of artificial graphite anode materials. Additionally, Wanhua Chemical is committed to the development and mass production of fourth and fifth-generation lithium iron phosphate products to enhance product performance and competitiveness.Battery Binder: WanLiUM® PAA 1720 product by Wanhua Chemical is an aqueous acrylic copolymer neutralized with sodium salt, suitable for binding artificial graphite, natural graphite, and silicon-based negative electrode systems, applicable to high-energy-density cell designs for power and energy storage applications. In February 2024, Wanhua (Ningbo) announced a plan for a 50,000-ton-per-year high-performance negative electrode binder project and an aqueous binder project, with an environmental impact assessment report released. In November 2023, Sichuan WanLu Industrial Co., Ltd. (a joint venture between Wanhua Chemical's wholly-owned subsidiary and China Hualu Engineering Technology) announced a 20,000-ton-per-year PVDF integrated project, with an environmental impact assessment document released.Battery Auxiliaries: NMP, 1,4-butanediol, and other key auxiliary materials for production and sales. In May 2022, Sichuan Wanlu Industrial Co., Ltd. announced an environmental impact assessment for its 80,000-ton/year NMP project, planning to establish a new project in the Meishan High-tech Industrial Park in Sichuan Province. In August 2023, Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. announced that it has received the environmental impact assessment document for its 10,000-ton/year lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) project, planning to construct a new project at its Yantai Industrial Park. Electrolytes are generally prepared by mixing high-purity organic solvents, electrolyte lithium salts (lithium hexafluorophosphate LiPF6 is the most commonly used electrolyte lithium salt in lithium-ion batteries today), and necessary additives in certain proportions.To further enhance its competitiveness in the battery materials sector, Wanhua Chemical has actively established cooperative relationships with upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain. For example, Wanhua Chemical signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Highsun Energy Storage. The two parties will deepen collaboration in six key areas: battery materials, energy storage products, battery and battery material recycling, sodium-ion batteries, IT, and joint laboratories. Additionally, Wanhua Chemical has invested in projects such as an annual production of 280,000 tons of phosphorus acid, 150,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate, and a 25GWh large cylindrical energy storage battery project, aiming to build a more comprehensive industrial chain layout.

For ultrafine calcium carbonate, particle size, specific surface area, crystal form, and oil absorption value are the most important technical indicators that directly affect the application performance of ultrafine calcium carbonate.Of course, this does not deny the importance of other indicators, but other indicators are relatively easier to achieve in the industry.However, for specialized products, the purposes are different, and the emphasis on various technical indicators of ultrafine calcium carbonate varies accordingly, with different requirements that cannot be treated the same way.Particle size and specific surface area How to achieve an average particle size of 0.02～0.1μm for primary particles of ultrafine calcium carbonate is a fundamental indicator for ultrafine calcium carbonate, and it is undoubtedly crucial. Otherwise, it cannot be called ultrafine calcium carbonate.Strictly speaking, this only completes half of the task of producing ultrafine calcium carbonate. If the surface treatment technology and dispersion technology do not keep up, it will cause the generated primary particles to agglomerate into large secondary particles, with particle sizes reaching several hundred nanometers.Therefore, the photos observed or taken under the transmission electron microscope (TEM) can only reflect the size of the primary particles and cannot represent the actual particle size of the secondary particles after aggregation (due to certain technical treatments during the sample preparation process). This severely aggregated ultrafine calcium carbonate has a relatively small specific surface area measured by BET.Therefore, only by using transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with specific surface area measurement can a more scientific and comprehensive judgment be made regarding the fineness of ultrafine calcium carbonate, the morphology of the particles, and their dispersion status.The average particle size of ultrafine calcium carbonate is intrinsically related to its specific surface area. Some researchers use sedimentation volume to determine particle size. As is well known, factors affecting the sedimentation volume of calcium carbonate include not only particle size (which is influenced by limestone quality, lime calcination quality, lime digestion, carbonation conditions, etc.) but also the crystal form of calcium carbonate. Moreover, calcium carbonate exhibits diverse crystal forms, and even the same crystal form may vary due to its irregular geometric morphology, making the impact of crystal form on sedimentation volume quite complex. Therefore, using sedimentation volume to determine particle size is not scientifically rigorous and can lead to significant errors.To effectively prevent the agglomeration of secondary particles, ultrafine calcium carbonate generally requires surface modification treatment, as the surface treatment process not only effectively improves the activity of ultrafine calcium carbonate but also effectively prevents the agglomeration of secondary particles.For a specific specialized grade of ultrafine calcium carbonate, to better meet user requirements, there are differences in crystal form and particle size, as well as choices in surface treatment agents, along with experience and know-how in the treatment process.Therefore, it is difficult to use a uniform standard to evaluate ultra-fine calcium carbonate dedicated varieties for different uses. Crystalline form For ultrafine calcium carbonate, crystal form is also a very important technical indicator.It is well known that ordinary light calcium carbonate is spindle-shaped. When used in PVC plastics, it can generate significant stress, causing the plastic film to whiten. As for ultrafine calcium carbonate, it should produce products with different crystal forms based on different applications. For example:Ultrafine calcium carbonate for plastics requires a simple crystal structure, smaller bulk volume, and lower oil absorption value, so cubic or spherical shapes are preferred. Ultrafine calcium carbonate with a particle size of 0.072 μm has a certain reinforcing effect on PVC plastics, making the surface of the products fine and glossy, with good electrical insulation performance. When used in soft cable materials, it can maintain its properties in accordance with national standards even when the filling amount is increased more than twofold. When used in plastic films, it can reduce whitening and improve low-temperature elongation. When used in rigid plastics, such as plastic doors and windows and various profiles, it can enhance the impact resistance, making the notched impact strength reach 49.1 kJ/m².Ultrafine calcium carbonate for rubber, the chain-like type has the best reinforcing performance. Chain-like ultrafine calcium carbonate is formed by several to dozens of calcium carbonate crystal grains bonded in one direction. It has a three-dimensional spatial structure in rubber, with excellent dispersibility. When mixed with rubber, the chains of calcium carbonate break, forming active surfaces that bond more firmly with the rubber chains, thereby significantly enhancing its reinforcing effect in rubber. The order of reinforcing performance of different shapes of ultrafine calcium carbonate in rubber, from strongest to weakest, is: chain-like, needle-like, spherical, and cubic. Ultrafine calcium carbonate used in ink is preferably cubic, which is determined by the nature of the ink. After filling ultrafine calcium carbonate in resin-based ink, it is required to have high gloss, good transparency, and good fluidity. The cubic shape is most beneficial to the gloss of the ink.Precipitated calcium carbonate used in paper coating generally does not belong to the category of ultra-fine calcium carbonate, as its particle size is typically in the range of fine calcium carbonate (0.1 to 1 μm). However, there is one similarity: there are certain requirements for crystal form. For instance, requirements include opacity (covering power), high viscosity concentration, whiteness, and absorption performance with respect to ink. Therefore, tabular and cubic crystal forms are considered ideal.In summary, it is not only necessary to ensure that the particle size of ultra-fine calcium carbonate is between 0.02～0.1μm, but also to determine the category of product crystal form based on its intended use, in order to produce marketable products. Oil Absorption ValueThe oil absorption value of ultrafine calcium carbonate is very important for its application performance, especially for plastics, coatings, and inks. For example, if the oil absorption value is high, it will consume a large amount of plasticizer when used in plastics; when used in coatings and inks, it will increase the viscosity. Therefore, the oil absorption value should not be too high.In addition to the inherent physical properties of the material itself, there are many other factors that influence the oil absorption value of a certain powder, among which the particle size of the powder is a significant factor.Therefore, as ultrafine calcium carbonate, the first consideration is the size of the ultrafine calcium carbonate particles, how well they disperse, and whether the specific surface area corresponds to the particle size. On this basis, we then consider how to reduce its oil absorption value; only in this way does it have practical significance. If its dispersibility is poor and secondary particle agglomeration is severe, resulting in a very small specific surface area, even if the oil absorption value is low, it will have no practical significance in application. Main contentThe main content (calcium oxide) of ultrafine calcium carbonate should not be strictly limited within a certain range. This is because, in most cases, ultrafine calcium carbonate is used as a functional filler, and what affects the filled material is usually its physical properties rather than chemical properties. Within a certain range, the main content of ultrafine calcium carbonate can meet the requirements for its physical properties.In the preparation of ultrafine calcium carbonate, to obtain various crystal forms, good dispersibility, and excellent activation properties to meet the requirements of different products such as plastics, rubber, ink, etc., certain regulators, dispersants, surface treatment agents, and other additives are usually added. Generally speaking, these intentionally added "impurities" do not affect the application performance of ultrafine calcium carbonate; in fact, they may even be beneficial. However, due to the intentional addition of these so-called impurities, the main content (calcium oxide) of the ultrafine calcium carbonate is inevitably affected. Of course, for certain harmful elements such as iron and manganese, whether they come from the raw materials or are introduced during the preparation process, they should be strictly controlled. These harmful impurities not only affect the color of the products but also accelerate the degradation of the resin itself, hastening the aging of the resin, and should be strictly avoided. Other impurities such as silicon, aluminum, and magnesium also adversely affect the whiteness of ultrafine calcium carbonate and can negatively impact the operations in the production process. Therefore, control should be exercised when selecting limestone raw materials.It can be seen that for the main component of ultrafine calcium carbonate (calcium oxide), the requirements should not be too strict within an appropriate range, otherwise it will affect the development of some specialized varieties.In summary, the key development directions for ultrafine calcium carbonate are specialization, series development, multi-type production, and functionalization. Believing that producing ultrafine calcium carbonate with particle sizes of 0.02 to 0.1 μm, regardless of crystal form, and without considering dispersibility and activatability, can be applied in all fields such as rubber, plastics, ink, coatings, and papermaking is not realistic.The particle size, crystal shape, specific surface area, oil absorption value, main content, and other parameters should be proposed with targeted and distinctive requirements according to different uses, thereby better meeting the needs of various industries and users. Therefore, it is very difficult to evaluate different types of ultra-fine calcium carbonate specifically designed for various applications using a single unified standard.

On March 28, the China National Institute of Standardization (hereinafter referred to as the Standardization Institute) officially received APEC approval for the project "Policies, standards, and best practices for recycling of plastic intended to contact with foods to reduce marine plastic waste among APEC economies." This project aims to facilitate in-depth information exchange and knowledge sharing on regulatory models, policies, regulations, standard systems, and practical experiences related to recycled plastics for food contact among APEC economies, promoting coordination and sustainable development among economies, while also providing more models and reference experiences for the global promotion of plastic recycling.Next, the implementing entity of the project, the Agricultural Food Standards Institute of the Standardization Administration, will actively maintain communication and cooperation with various APEC economies and relevant international organizations to jointly promote the implementation of the project, contributing to the green and sustainable development of the food-related products industry.

According to information from AiQiCha, Sichuan Resources Recycling Co., Ltd. was officially registered and established on March 25, 2025. The registered address is located at No. 3066, South Section 2, Zizhou Avenue, Xinglong Street, Tianfu New Area, China (Sichuan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, with legal representative Zeng Weizhe. The company has a registered capital of 200 million RMB, demonstrating strong financial strength and development potential.From the perspective of equity structure, Sichuan Province Resource Recycling Co., Ltd. was jointly invested and established by several provincial key enterprises, reflecting the strategic integration and coordinated development of Sichuan Province in the field of resource recycling. Among them, Sichuan Resource Industrial-Financial Development Co., Ltd. holds 31% of the shares, making it the largest shareholder; Sichuan Land Development Group Co., Ltd., Sichuan Natural Resources Investment Group Intelligent Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and Sichuan Xinshun Mining Co., Ltd. each hold 10.5% of the shares. The participation of multiple capitals not only provides the company with solid resources and technical support but also helps to promote its collaborative operation in the industrial chain.As a new enterprise focusing on resource cycling and green development, Sichuan Province Resource Cycling Co., Ltd. covers a wide range of business areas, including research and development of resource regeneration technologies, technical consultation and promotion services, recycling, sales, and processing of recycled resources, recovery of production-related scrap metals, and recycling and secondary utilization of new energy vehicle used power batteries. The company is also involved in solid waste management, soil remediation, manufacturing and sales of new ecological environment materials and building materials, non-ferrous metal smelting and processing, sales of precious metals and their products, and circulation of metal ores and materials, demonstrating strong comprehensive industrial operation capabilities.It is worth noting that the company has also obtained multiple operational qualifications, including those for the recycling and dismantling of scrapped electric vehicles, demonstrating its compliance with regulatory frameworks and its forward-looking layout in the industry.Under the current "Dual Carbon" strategy and the overarching trend of transitioning to a green, low-carbon circular economy, the establishment of Sichuan Province Resource Recycling Co., Ltd. not only aligns with the national strategic requirements for efficient resource utilization and ecological civilization construction but also injects new momentum into the upgrading and integration of the renewable resource industry in the southwestern region. The company's future development is expected to play a significant exemplary role in building a resource-recycling industrial system, promoting green manufacturing, and achieving sustainable development.  

Recently, Professor Wang Yong's team from Zhejiang University innovatively proposed a new reaction pathway: using a Ru/Nb2O5 and ZSM-5 catalytic system in a syngas atmosphere to combine the traditional pyrolysis of polyethylene (PE) with the key step of CO insertion mechanism in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Under mild conditions as low as 280°C, the yield of light aromatics can reach 67%. The insertion of CO plays a crucial role, as it can mediate the Ru-alkyl species formed during the pyrolysis of polyolefins, promoting the generation of active oxygenates and olefin intermediates while precisely controlling the carbon chain length. This process not only reduces the energy barrier for subsequent aromatization reactions but also significantly improves the selectivity for aromatics, achieving efficient and low-temperature upgrading and conversion of polyolefins.Background IntroductionGlobally, over 360 million tons of plastic waste is produced each year, with approximately 79% ultimately ending up in landfills or natural environments, causing severe pollution to soil and oceans, and potentially posing health threats to humans in the form of microplastics. Conventional methods of plastic disposal, such as incineration, are not only high in carbon emissions but also economically inefficient. Particularly for the most common polyolefin plastics (such as polyethylene and polypropylene), due to their highly stable chemical structures, they typically yield a wide distribution of mixed alkanes/alkenes after thermal cracking or hydrogenolysis, making it difficult to achieve high-value utilization. Converting waste polyolefins into light aromatics (BTX) efficiently not only allows for precise control over product distribution but also significantly increases the added value of the products, enabling them to re-enter the aromatic cycle and extend the material's lifecycle. However, traditional aromatization processes, such as catalytic reforming of naphtha, typically require temperatures above 500°C, which consumes a large amount of energy and can lead to uncontrollable radical cleavage of polyolefins. Therefore, developing a low-temperature, efficient catalytic conversion strategy to break the inert chemical bonds of polyolefins and achieve selective aromatization has become a key challenge in the resource utilization of plastics. Research Starting PointOur research initiative stems from addressing the dual challenges of global plastic pollution and the shortage of petroleum energy. Traditional catalytic cracking or hydrolysis methods for polyolefins (such as polyethylene) predominantly yield widely distributed alkanes or alkenes, which are difficult to utilize at high value-added levels. However, if we could obtain light aromatics (such as BTX), not only could we more precisely control the carbon number distribution of the products, but we could also enhance the added value of these products, enabling them to re-enter the aromatic cycle as major chemical products. This would significantly extend the lifecycle of these products.Image and text analysisFigure 1 summarizes the existing PE recycling technologies and highlights the uniqueness of the new method proposed in this study for the efficient conversion of PE into high-value light aromatics under mild conditions. Through the analysis of the production volume of bulk chemicals and their downstream products, the concept of polyethylene recycling into the aromatic cycle is proposed, providing a new approach to solving the problem of plastic waste. Figure 1. Comparison of recycling routes for waste polyethylene and analysis of production volumes of bulk chemicals and their downstream products Figure 2 illustrates the synergistic effect of Ru-based catalysts and ZSM-5 catalysts, achieving efficient low-temperature catalytic upgrading of polyolefins. The reaction process can be divided into the following three key steps:1. Catalytic cracking: Polyolefins undergo cleavage at the acidic sites of ZSM-5, forming lower molecular weight alkanes and alkenes.CO insertion: The cleavage products are activated at the Ru catalytic site, forming Ru-alkyl species. Subsequently, CO inserts to generate active oxidized products and long-chain olefin intermediates.3. Aromatization: The active intermediate is further converted into light aromatics under the catalysis of ZSM-5.Figure 2. Low-temperature high-efficiency aromatization of PEFigure 3 verified the reaction mechanism of CO insertion through isotope labeling experiments, demonstrating that CO indeed enters the aromatic products and does so via an insertion mechanism rather than through a methanol pathway. In addition, in the presence of polyethylene (PE), the consumption rate of CO significantly increases, attributed to the optimization of reaction thermodynamics. Specifically, the activation energy for CO insertion into Ru-alkyl is reduced to 1.14 eV, effectively bypassing the slow induction period commonly seen in traditional Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, greatly enhancing reaction efficiency and achieving more efficient upgrading conversion of polyolefins.  Figure 3. Involvement of CO in the degradation process of PE. Figure 4 shows the investigation of different catalyst ratios and the study of reaction time curves, which further clarifies the reaction mechanism and the respective roles of the dual catalysts. The existence of oxygen-containing intermediates was confirmed by comparative experiments and the detection of hydrocarbon pool species in the molecular sieve after the reaction. Extending the substrate to short-chain alkanes, it was found that this carbonylation scheme is also applicable and can promote their low-temperature aromatization to a certain extent.Figure 4. Time course and mechanism of PE low-temperature aromatization cracking Figure 5 highlights the advantages of the low-temperature aromatization process demonstrated in the techno-economic analysis:·Wide application: Not only suitable for commercial waste polyethylene, but also extendable to polypropylene and polystyrene and other polyolefins, enabling broader plastic upcycling.·High economic efficiency: Even without government subsidies, the break-even point is only 3,500 tons, with a static investment payback period of just 3.6 years, giving it strong market competitiveness;·Energy Saving and Emissions Reduction: Compared to traditional processes, carbon emissions are reduced by about one-third, contributing to green sustainable development. Figure 5. Applicability, adaptability, and techno-economic analysis assessment of the catalytic system.Summary and OutlookThis study innovatively proposes a new pathway for the low-temperature catalytic conversion of polyolefins into light aromatics. By introducing syngas, the degradation process of waste polyolefins is deeply integrated with the existing petrochemical and coal chemical industry chains. This not only provides a novel perspective for critical C-C coupling industrial processes such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis but also offers a practical technical solution for addressing plastic waste management and carbon resource recycling. Wang Yong, Zhejiang University Qiushi Distinguished Professor, Director of the Catalysis Research Institute, recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and Chief Scientist of the National Key RD Program. He is the recipient of the China Catalysis Youth Award, the Hou Debang Chemical Science and Technology Innovation Award, and the Green Mountain Science and Technology Award. His research focuses on the fundamental scientific exploration and application of heterogeneous catalysis and energy conversion materials. While deeply engaging in the basic theoretical research of catalysis, he continuously promotes innovation breakthroughs and industrialization practices in green energy technologies. Leading his team, he has laid out an innovation chain around the manufacturing of high-end fine chemicals, deeply integrating advanced catalytic technology, process intensification technology, and the chemical industry. He has developed a series of novel catalytic technologies and green production system solutions with independent intellectual property rights and core competitiveness, achieving industrial production of multiple high-end fine chemicals.JACS, ChemHe has published more than 200 SCI papers in journals, which have been cited over 26,000 times with an h-index of 74; he has been granted more than 50 Chinese invention patents and 5 U.S. patents. As the first contributor, he has won honors such as the China Patent Gold Award, the Special Prize for Technological Invention by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, and the First Prizes for Technological Invention and Natural Science in Zhejiang Province.

Jinfa Technology's circular economy industrial park for recycled plastics has recently seen two projects announced.The construction project for Jinfa Technology's annual 10,000-ton large block plastic crushing has been completed.On March 26, Guangdong Kingfa Technology Co., Ltd. announced the completion and acceptance of its annual 10,000-ton large plastic crushing project. Located within Kingfa Technology's recycled plastic circular economy industrial park, the project includes 5 crushing rooms and 16 crushers, covering an area of 800 square meters, with an annual capacity to crush 10,000 tons of large plastics. The production process involves breaking down large plastic pieces (approximately 30cm~500cm in length) into crushed materials (approximately 1cm~2cm in length). The crushed materials are then sold to companies within the industrial park as raw materials for production. The raw materials mainly come from production waste from other Kingfa Technology factories, with some purchased externally. It is reported that the park focuses on developing two leading industries: new materials, and automotive and key components.The project pre-announcement of the Golden Hair Technology Regenerative Plastic Circular Economy Industrial Park.On March 26, the preliminary public announcement of the planning permit for the construction project of the Jinfa Technology Regenerative Plastic Circular Economy Industrial Park (Qingyuan) was made. According to previously released information, the industrial park is currently undergoing improvements in construction.According to the key revisions of the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) regulations passed by the European Parliament, new cars sold in the EU in the future must contain a minimum of 20% recycled plastic, and at least 15% of the recycled plastic content in vehicles should specifically come from plastics recovered from end-of-life vehicles.Obviously, as the largest durable consumer good in the market, automobiles face the demand for low-carbon transformation on one hand, while on the other hand, there is significant room for growth in per capita car ownership in developing countries. The market for automotive-related materials is also poised for a major "transformation."In 2025, Jinfa Technology made significant progress in low-carbon circular recycled materials. On February 19, the production ceremony of Jinfa Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. was grandly held in Montalvo, Cuenca Province, Spain. Jinfa Environmental in Spain will establish a production capacity of 30,000 tons of high-performance recycled plastic. This project combines the current situation of local waste plastic recycling in Spain, actively participates in and improves the local waste plastic recycling system, and promotes a green low-carbon economy.With the commissioning of this project, Kingfa Sci. Tech.'s environmentally friendly recycled plastic capacity has exceeded 519,000 tons. The construction project of breaking large pieces of plastic by Guangdong Kingfa will further refresh its recycled plastic production capacity. In addition, Kingfa Sci. Tech.'s total production capacity of modified plastics has just exceeded 3.6 million tons in February this year, and the current record also seems to be continuously refreshed. In 2025, Kingfa Sci. Tech.'s new material production capacity is either being refreshed or on the way to being refreshed.

For challenging electronic and electrical components with special requirements, BASF has now developed the high-flow Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40.The optimized polyethersulfone (PESU) blends are designed to meet the specific requirements for energy-efficient components in data and energy transmission, smart electronics, and electric vehicles, enabling easy injection molding.Compared with standard PESU, the melt temperature can be reduced by 12.5%.BASF's new thermoplastic products have excellent fluidity at lower processing temperatures. This provides manufacturers with greater flexibility in designing complex switches, circuit breakers, and sensors, as well as IGBT and semiconductor components, such as aging test sockets.Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40 exhibits stable electrical performance at high temperatures, offering a higher Relative Thermal Index (RTI) and Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) compared to polyetherimide (PEI) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). In contrast to standard PESU, the new blend allows molders to reduce melt temperature by 12.5% while maintaining excellent flowability, thereby saving energy costs.Backed by the excellent chemical resistance and high-temperature resistance of PESU, the new Ultrason® blends combine high rigidity and strength with good electrical performance and ease of processing. It has better fluidity at lower processing temperatures compared to standard PESU Ultrason® E 2010 G6.Low viscosity Ultrason® D can achieve a spiral flow length of up to 3.5 cm at a thickness of 0.5 mm, with a melt temperature of 315°C and a mold temperature of 160°C. Compared to unreinforced PESU molded at 360°C, a 30% glass fiber-filled grade shows the same level of flowability. This allows for smaller and thinner parts, saving assembly space and thus providing greater design freedom for compact electronic components.Support the miniaturization of EE components through lower crawl distances compared to PEI and PPS.Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40 has high thermal stability, low water absorption, and excellent dielectric strength. It is equipped with halogen-free flame retardants and has outstanding electrical RTI. In internal tests, it is rated V-0 (UL 94), with a CTI of 200V (according to IEC 60112), reaching PLC 3. This supports the miniaturization of EE components, with its creepage distance and insulation performance surpassing that of PEI and PPS used for challenging EE components to date."If you want to develop energy-efficient electronic devices with special requirements for electrical and mechanical performance, then our new Ultrason® D is a wise choice," said Kazuhiro Kida, Global Business Development Director of BASF’s Ultrason® business. "It benefits from the excellent properties of our mature polyether sulfone Ultrason® E, while offering optimized EE performance, superior flowability, and sustainable use of processing energy. This opens up new possibilities for electric vehicles and consumer electronics parts. It also helps provide higher safety for applications with increased voltage and data rates under harsh working conditions."Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40 is part of BASF's Ultrason® product portfolio tailored for the electronics and electrical (EE) industry. These grades enhance the robustness, durability, and reliability of today's and next-generation EE components, driving advancements in digitalization, big data, and electric vehicles. They are particularly suitable for scenarios where other plastics cannot meet higher performance requirements.Ultrason® is the brand name for BASF's polyethersulfone (Ultrason® E), polysulfone (Ultrason® S), and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason® P) product lines. This high-performance thermoplastic is used in the manufacture of water filtration membranes, fashionable, durable, and safe household and catering applications, as well as lightweight components in the automotive and aerospace industries. The Ultrason® brand is known for its exceptional performance, making it a viable alternative to thermosetting plastics, metals, and ceramics in many applications.

On the night of March 29, news broke that three drivers from Hubei were driving a Xiaomi SU7 to Anhui for an exam when an accident occurred on the highway section from Zongyang to Qimen. This incident has been trending online, attracting the attention of many netizens and Xiaomi car owners. On April 1, Xiaomi's official website provided some responses, stating that the matter is under further investigation, and that Supersight will continue to follow the story.   The reputation of Xiaomi's cars is actually very good in the hearts of users. Many netizens even joked online about Lei Jun, saying that Lei Jun still doesn't know how to "cut corners" for the first car he made. So how about the heat insulation and flame retardant performance of Xiaomi cars? Let's take a look together.1. The battery cells are equipped with the most energy-efficient and high-performance thermal insulation material currently available—aerogel—on both sides.With the popularization of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries have become the mainstream power battery. However, due to their high energy density, the issue of battery thermal runaway has attracted significant attention, primarily caused by internal short circuits, overcharging, over-discharging, and high temperatures. Thermal runaway in electric vehicles can lead to battery combustion, which may ignite surrounding components and, in extreme cases, cause explosions. To address this challenge, automotive manufacturers and battery producers are increasingly focusing on aerogels, particularly for applications in thermal insulation and flame retardancy. The exceptional thermal insulation and flame-retardant properties of aerogels effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway, enhancing battery safety and stability, making them the optimal solution for addressing safety issues in power battery systems. Additionally, their lightweight and flame-retardant characteristics are crucial for improving battery performance and achieving lightweight designs.In order to ensure the safety of the battery, Xiaomi cars are equipped with aerogel on both sides of each battery cell, which serves to provide heat insulation and fire resistance, effectively protecting the battery's safety. Aerogel is a material with excellent thermal insulation and flame-retardant properties, and it has been widely used in the aerospace field as an insulating material. However, the biggest problem is its high cost. The battery pack of the Xiaomi SU7 uses a total of 165 pieces of aerogel as insulation material on the sides of the battery cells, instilling confidence in users regarding the thermal insulation of the battery cells. II. Characteristics of AerogelsAerogels are a new generation of high-efficiency thermal insulation materials, possessing a nano-porous network structure with a gaseous dispersion medium filling the pores, making them the lightest solid in the world. Due to their unique structure, aerogels exhibit excellent performance in multiple fields such as thermal conductivity, acoustics, optics, electricity, and mechanics. Currently, commercial applications of aerogels primarily focus on their highly efficient thermal insulation capabilities, which are utilized downstream in various sectors including petrochemicals, thermal pipelines, lithium-ion batteries, construction materials, outdoor wear, aerospace, and military industries.Aerogels, compared to traditional thermal insulation materials, feature low density (0.16 kg/m³), high porosity (80%-99.8%), large specific surface area (400-1000 m²/g), and low thermal conductivity (10 mW/m·K).In addition, aerogel also possesses excellent properties such as fire resistance, hydrophobicity, sound insulation, adsorption, and environmental friendliness. Compared to traditional thermal insulation materials, aerogel exhibits superior thermal insulation performance. Fire resistance and hydrophobicity: it meets the national building material A1-level non-combustible standard, with a hydrophobic rate of N98%; durability: aerogel insulation materials are entirely hydrophobic, resistant to water absorption and disintegration, and have a service life of over 10 years, which is 3-5 times longer than traditional insulation materials; sound insulation and shock absorption: the three-dimensional porous network structure of aerogel can provide sound absorption, noise reduction, and shock buffering; health and environmental friendliness: the product has passed RoHS, REACH, and ELV tests and does not contain substances harmful to human health; it is an ideal adsorption material. Compared to traditional insulation materials, aerogels offer better thermal insulation and longer service life. The ultra-low thermal conductivity of aerogels ensures excellent heat insulation effects, with thermal insulation performance being 2 to 5 times better than that of traditional insulation materials. They can be used in environments ranging from -200°C to 650°C. Additionally, the nanoscale pore structure of aerogels provides them with high compressive and tensile strength, resulting in a service life more than five times longer than that of conventional materials.The outstanding thermal insulation performance of aerogels stems from their porous structure. The pore size of aerogels is below the mean free path of air molecules under normal pressure, causing the air molecules within the pores to remain nearly stationary, thus avoiding convective heat transfer. The extremely low bulk density of aerogels and the tortuous path of their porous structure also inhibit gaseous and solid-state heat conduction, while the nearly "infinite" number of pore walls minimizes thermal radiation. The combined effect of these three aspects almost blocks all heat transfer pathways, enabling aerogels to achieve unparalleled thermal insulation performance compared to other materials. 3. More Applications of High-Performance MaterialsXiaomi not only equips both sides of each battery cell with heat-insulating and fire-resistant aerogel, but also applies various types of high-performance plastic materials throughout the vehicle body to achieve goals of flame resistance, high-temperature resistance, and lightweight design.In terms of power batteries, Xiaomi's battery bracket mainly uses modified PPE, PPS, and PC/ABS; the battery cover plate mainly uses modified PA6, PA66, etc.; the battery casing mainly uses modified PPS, modified PP, PPO, etc.; the battery cell and battery management system (BMS) and other components mainly use polymer materials for encapsulation and insulation. Through the application of these materials, the battery structure achieves flame retardancy, dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and high strength, ensuring the safety and durability of the battery.In terms of electrical insulation, high molecular materials such as PPS are used in Xiaomi automotive electrical insulation components, including PPS injection molded parts like insulating sealing rings, coil bobbins, high-voltage terminals, and three-phase copper busbars. Due to their high-temperature resistance, fatigue resistance, and stable electrical insulation properties, they address the issue of degradation in electrical insulation performance and CTI values of core components in high-temperature environments.In the field of thermal management systems, PPS modified plastics are widely used in Xiaomi's automotive thermal management systems. In radiator components, PPS plastics can withstand high temperatures and chemical corrosion under intensive use, thereby extending the service life of the radiator. For coolant pipelines, the excellent fuel and bio-fuel resistance of PPS plastics, along with their superior extrusion processing performance, make them an ideal choice for fuel pipes. Additionally, PPS plastics have been successfully applied in automotive transmission injection oil pipes due to their high pressure resistance, oil resistance, and high-temperature resistance.From the above information, it is evident that Xiaomi Automotive has invested significant effort in battery safety and body materials, particularly by innovatively adopting aerogel as a heat-insulating and fire-resistant material on both sides of the battery cells. Aerogel, with its exceptional thermal insulation properties and lightweight characteristics, provides effective thermal runaway protection for the battery. Additionally, Xiaomi Automotive has extensively utilized high-performance plastic materials such as modified PPE, PPS, and PC/ABS. The application of these materials ensures that various parts of the vehicle body exhibit flame-retardant, high-temperature-resistant, and lightweight properties. In terms of electrical insulation and thermal management systems, high-performance polymer materials like PPS have also played a prominent role, significantly enhancing the high-temperature resistance, fatigue resistance, and electrical insulation performance of components. To further prevent vehicle self-ignition issues, it is hoped that Xiaomi Automotive will continue to explore and apply more high-quality heat-insulating and flame-retardant materials. Source: Xiaomi Official Website, Jusuyun, RIO Material Talk, ZhuanSu WorldEditor: Shenbing Shi 

Source | Microbio EngineeringEditor | Microcosmic Construction Workshop Recently, Beijing Weigong Workshop Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Weigong Workshop"), a pioneer in synthetic biology innovation, has signed an agreement with Solenis, a global leader in specialty chemicals. The two parties will jointly develop key technologies based on PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) biomaterials to promote the sustainable development of the paper packaging market.This collaboration will leverage Microsino's advantages in biomanufacturing technology and Solvay's market presence across 130 countries and regions. Microsino will focus on providing high-quality PHA products and technical support, ensuring stable supply and performance optimization of the products; while Solvay will utilize its global customer resources and market channels to promote the sales and applications of PHA materials in the sustainable paper-based packaging market.Liu Jiwen, Vice President and General Manager of Solenis Asia Pacific Consumer Solutions, stated: "Solenis has always been committed to providing sustainable solutions for our customers, and the promotion of PHA bio-based materials is a key initiative to achieve this goal. The innovative capabilities and technological expertise of MicroWorks in the field of PHA bio-based materials align closely with our market needs. We believe that through close collaboration between both parties, we can bring more environmentally friendly and efficient material choices to the global sustainable paper-based packaging market."Ms. Xu Xuanming, Chairwoman of Microstructure Factory, stated: "We are very pleased to reach this strategic cooperation with Solvay. This not only affirms the performance and market potential of our PHA products but also represents a shared commitment to sustainable development between both parties. Through this collaboration, we will jointly promote the widespread application of PHA materials in the global sustainable paper-based packaging market, making a positive contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development."As global attention to sustainability continues to grow, the demand for eco-friendly materials in the market is also increasing. The collaboration between Micromatter and Solenis will provide strong momentum for the promotion of PHA materials in the global sustainable paper packaging market. In the future, with the deepening of the cooperation, Micromatter and Solenis are expected to lead the transformation of the global sustainable packaging materials market, offering customers around the world more environmentally friendly and efficient material options, jointly creating a greener and more sustainable future!About SolenisSolenis is a global specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on providing sustainable solutions to water-intensive industries such as pulp and paper, industrial, institutional, food and beverage, pools and spas. Its product portfolio includes various water treatment chemicals, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, as well as cutting-edge monitoring, control, and delivery systems. Customers can utilize these technologies to improve operational efficiency, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner, safer environments.The company's headquarters is located in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, with a focus on global strategic deployment. It operates 70 production facilities across six continents in 130 countries and regions, supported by a team of over 16,500 professionals. Solenis is the recipient of the 2024 Gold Standard Award for "Best Managed Companies," marking the fourth consecutive year it has earned this distinction.    

On March 20, Jinfat Technology Co., Ltd. released the evaluation report for the 2024 "Quality Improvement, Efficiency Enhancement, and Return to Shareholders" action plan.The report shows that in 2024, the company strengthened scientific and technological innovation around new productive forces, reinforced the advantages of an integrated industrial chain, and relied on globally leading application innovation capabilities to provide more competitive overall material solutions for global customers. This has continuously increased the company's industry competitiveness and market share. The company expects to achieve a net profit attributable to shareholders of listed companies in the range of 800 million yuan to 950 million yuan in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 152.58% to 199.94%.Among them, in the new materials sector, Kingfa's 2025 strategy is: comprehensive breakthrough, expand share.(1) Fully biodegradable plastics: Product applications have further expanded to various industries such as agriculture, electronics, toys, and consumer electronics. The company has expanded its team globally and strengthened capacity building, forming a global marketing team that covers industry, major clients, and regional sales, effectively promoting the sustained rapid growth of product sales and continuously increasing its influence in the environmental materials market.(2) Specialty engineering plastics: Widely used in industries such as high-speed transmission, new energy vehicles, energy storage, AI, robotics, and drones, both product competitiveness and market share have increased. In 2024, product sales and gross profit are expected to achieve stable growth, becoming one of the important drivers of the company's performance growth.(3) Carbon Fiber and Composites: Focusing on areas such as battery bottom protectors, sealing covers, and drone composite materials, significant progress has been made in opening up leading clients in the domestic low-altitude economy sector. As a result, the revenue from carbon fiber and composite products is expected to increase significantly in 2024.Accelerate the implementation of production capacity construction projects and optimize their layout.The 0.6 million tons per year PPSU/PES synthetic resin plant successfully commenced production and stabilized operations in June 2024, adding new momentum for the company in the high-performance resin field.(2) The annual production capacity of 15,000 tons LCP synthesis resin project is scheduled to gradually go into production in the second quarter of 2025, with construction work progressing as planned. The LCP film heat treatment equipment has already been put into production, and related products have achieved bulk sales in acoustic diaphragms, thus opening up new market application fields for the company.(3) The 10,000-ton-per-year bio-based BDO project has been completed and put into production, and high-crystallinity bio-based PBAT, PBT, PBST, and other products have been developed. This aligns with the "Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality" concept, enhances product competitiveness, and strengthens the company's industrial chain layout in the bio-based materials sector.Digital Transformation Project: Innovative Models, Empowering DevelopmentThe company uses the deep integration of "digital technology + manufacturing scenarios" as a strategic fulcrum to explore the path of digital transformation for traditional modified factories, adopting a large-scale flexible production model. It constructs a digital transformation ecosystem driven by the dual wheels of a "benchmark factory and traditional base," effectively solving the难题of flexible transformation in traditional manufacturing.

On March 28th, Guangdong Hengtan's subsidiary, Guangzhou Henghao New Materials Co., Ltd., launched the new BIODEX® Henghao non-food bio-based PTT fiber, responding to the industry's urgent demand for green materials with technological innovation and providing a new solution for the sustainable development of the fashion industry.At the new product sharing session, General Manager Li Weiduo of HENGHAO provided a systematic exposition of the three core technological breakthroughs of BIODEX® HENGHAO non-grain bio-based PTT fiber: firstly, the use of non-grain biomass raw materials to avoid competing for resources with food crops; secondly, the application of non-GMO sourced, non-pathogenic bacterial fermentation technology to ensure biosafety and production safety; thirdly, the adoption of anaerobic fermentation to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions during the fermentation process. This globally pioneering "three non-" bio-based 1,3-propanediol patent technology has successfully overcome several technological barriers in the field of bio-based materials, breaking through the "chokepoint" technologies in bio-based materials. He also emphasized that the core raw material of this fiber uses a unique biological fermentation process, efficiently converting glycerol from plant oil by-products into bio-based 1,3-propanediol, which is then used to produce high-performance bio-based fiber materials. The entire production process achieves breakthroughs in three major environmental protection indicators: a 38% reduction in petroleum dependence, a 73% reduction in carbon emissions, and a raw material recycling rate of up to 100%. The product features outstanding characteristics in terms of excellent stain resistance, wrinkle resistance, UV resistance, remarkable elasticity, and support for low-temperature dyeing. It is particularly suitable for leisurewear, sportswear, outdoor clothing, underwear, and denim.It is reported that BIODEX® Henghao non-grain bio-based PTT fiber innovation has been applied to multiple products: In the denim series, through special bio-based fiber blending technology, it retains the rugged texture of traditional denim while endowing the fabric with excellent elasticity and comfort; in T-shirt designs, it fully leverages the soft and skin-friendly properties of this fiber, combined with the traditional Miao embroidery工艺，请检查您的输入是否包含不正确的中文字符或句子未完成。以下是基于您提供的内容的完整英文翻译：It is reported that BIODEX® Henghao non-grain bio-based PTT fiber innovation has been applied to multiple products: In the denim series, through special bio-based fiber blending technology, it retains the rugged texture of traditional denim while endowing the fabric with excellent elasticity and comfort; in T-shirt designs, it fully leverages the soft and skin-friendly properties of this fiber, combined with the traditional Miao embroidery technique, creating environmentally friendly fashion pieces that embody Eastern aesthetics.Li Wei Duo | General Manager of Guangzhou Henghao New Materials Co., Ltd. 

On March 31, Shengquan Group released its 2024 annual report. During the reporting period, it achieved operating revenue of 10.02 billion yuan, an increase of 9.87% year-on-year; net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 868 million yuan, an increase of 9.94% year-on-year. At the end of the reporting period, total assets were 14.733 billion yuan, total liabilities were 4.168 billion yuan, the asset-liability ratio was 28.29%, and the total equity attributable to parent company shareholders was 10.077 billion yuan.Source of the image: Announcement from the listed companyOn the same day, the company also released a voluntary disclosure announcement regarding the expected performance increase for the first quarter of 2025. According to preliminary calculations by the finance department, it is estimated that the net profit attributable to the owners of the parent company will be between 200 million and 215 million yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 45.58% to 56.49%. The net profit attributable to the owners of the parent company after deducting non-recurring gains and losses is expected to be between 183 million and 198 million yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 45.02% to 56.91%.The reason for the growth is:(I) The rapid development of AI computing power, high-frequency communication, and semiconductor packaging is driving a surge in demand for advanced materials. The company focuses on the field of advanced electronic materials, with products covering the entire semiconductor packaging, PCB, and copper-clad laminate产业链. Leveraging its advantages in technology research and development, product manufacturing, and quality performance, the company has seen a significant increase in orders for high-value products. Existing capacity achieves full production and sales by the end of each quarter.(2) The 300-ton/year porous carbon production line was completed and put into operation in Q3 2024, achieving full production and sales. The 1,000-ton/year porous carbon production line will be completed in February 2025 and gradually commissioned for production. During the reporting period, batch supply has already been achieved, effectively meeting the demand for high-energy-density batteries in the consumer electronics and power battery sectors.(3) The "1 Million Ton/Year Biomass Refining Integration (Phase I Project)" at the Daqing production base has been operating steadily, with continuously improving capacity utilization rates, achieving reduced losses during the reporting period.The information shows that Shengquan Group has developed a relatively complete and diverse industrial chain, including biomass chemical raw materials (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, etc.), synthetic resins (furan resin, phenolic resin, cold box resin, epoxy resin, etc.), and composite materials (phenolic foam boards, light steel, etc.). This allows them to fully leverage the advantages of their industrial chain to collaborate on technology research and development and market expansion.In the field of biomass new materials, Shengquan Group has been involved in the biomass industry since its establishment in 1979. The "Shengquan Method" for integrated biomass refining technology developed by the company was included in the National Development and Reform Commission's "Green Technology Promotion Directory" (2020). This technology is environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and energy-saving, systematically addressing the global challenge of efficiently separating the three main components—cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin—in straw, achieving high-value utilization and producing hundreds of products.Shengquan Group has further expanded the high-value applications of biomass by relying on its independently developed "Shengquan Method" biomass refining integrated technology.The world's first million-ton "Shengquan Method" plant straw refining integrated project (Phase I) has been fully put into operation in Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province. As a global leader in green and energy-efficient comprehensive utilization of biomass straw, the Phase I project invested and constructed by Shengquan Group can process 500,000 tons of straw annually, producing a series of green bio-based products such as biomass resin carbon, hard carbon anode materials, high-activity lignin, furfural, pulp, bio-methanol, and biodegradable materials.High-activity lignin extracted from straw can regulate the molecular weight of high-activity lignin through differences in process technology conditions according to its downstream application needs, thus meeting the requirements of different products. Currently, high-activity lignin produced in Daqing has been successfully applied in the production of dye dispersants and oilfield aids. It has achieved breakthroughs in areas such as polyurethane and phenolic resins. Related products are being promoted in the market, while applications in rubber additives, furan resins, refractory materials, carbon black, and other fields are under development.Biomass resin carbon extracted from straw is formed by the molecular rearrangement and carbonization of the lignin portion after the comprehensive utilization of three elements through a stepwise separation process. It has uniform particle size, high bulk density, low ash content, and a low heating value exceeding 5000 kcal/kg. As a zero-carbon raw material, it can replace coal-based fuels for direct combustion power generation, and it can also be further processed into battery hard carbon materials and green bio-methanol, among other clean energy sources.

On March 28, the first batch of qualified PBST modified material, processed by a renowned modification company commissioned by Sinopec Chemical Sales South China Branch, departed from Hainan and was shipped to Xinjiang for the production of biodegradable agricultural mulch films. This batch will be used to support a 10,000-mu (approximately 667 hectares) cotton trial field demonstration in Wusu City and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. This marks the first successful large-scale application of Sinopec's self-developed PBST product in downstream processing.The PBST (Polybutylene Succinate Terephthalate) product produced by Hainan Polyester Company, as a new type of fully biodegradable material, is one of the top ten key research projects of the group company. It exhibits excellent thermal stability, mechanical properties, and biodegradability, and can be widely applied in disposable daily necessities, plastic bags, packaging materials, agricultural films, and other fields.To ensure the smooth market launch of the product, the Huazhong South Chemical Sales Department specially established a project task force to actively collect downstream customer demands, having surveyed over 200 customers in the biodegradable industry and visited more than 120 relevant customers in person. After the qualified PBST products were successfully produced, they were immediately shipped to leading downstream enterprises in Hainan Province for testing. The production, sales, and research teams were fully coordinated to track the process, ensuring seamless production-sales connection and continuously optimizing product parameters. Additionally, technical support throughout the entire process, including modified processing and film blowing techniques, was provided on-site at the customers' production workshops to ensure the timely production of qualified modified material products.Next, Huaxiao South China will continue to monitor the use of mulch film in Xinjiang farmers' cotton fields. Through an online and offline collaborative service mechanism, they will dynamically optimize product performance to contribute positively to the group company's green and high-quality development.