Recently, Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd. announced2025 semi-annual performance forecast, expecting to achieve a net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company between 5.4 billion and 5.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 63% to 78%. The significant increase in performance is attributed to the production launch of the Inner Mongolia olefin project, with a significant year-on-year increase in the production and sales of olefin products. Baofeng Energy's steady growth in performance is inseparable from its deep cultivation in the coal-to-olefins sector. Behind this achievement lies the strong momentum injected by the orderly advancement of several key projects. What major projects has Baofeng Energy implemented or is currently advancing? What is the production capacity scale of its high-end olefin products? What new directions is it exploring in emerging industries?   I. Key Project Inventory of Baofeng Energy As a leading enterprise in the domestic coal-to-olefins sector, Baofeng Energy's project matrix has always focused on extending the coal-based olefins industrial chain. Below is a summary of Baofeng Energy's key projects. 1、The world's largest single-plant coal-to-olefins project. Baofeng Energy InvestmentThe coal-based new material demonstration project, built at a cost of 67.3 billion yuan, completed its first phase in just 18 months, becoming the world's largest industrial chemical plant for producing polyethylene and polypropylene from coal instead of oil. It has an annual production capacity of 3 million tons of olefins, 1.5 million tons of polyethylene, and 1.5 million tons of polypropylene, accounting for 23.4% of the national total output. Compared to oil-based olefin projects, it has significant cost advantages and market competitiveness. June 16, 2025The largest coal-to-olefins project in the world at a single plant scale.A grand production commencement summary conference was held in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, marking the official transition of the project into a new development phase. For Baofeng Energy, this signifies...After the project is completed, the total production capacity of coal-to-olefins will be significantly increased to5.2 million tons per year, approximately 2.4 times the current capacity, will become the largest capacity in the domestic coal-to-olefins industry. It is worth mentioning that,All the equipment and devices used in this project are produced and manufactured independently by our country, achieving import substitution.23 key core equipment have reached international top levels, creating five global maximum single-unit capacities in gasification, purification, methanol synthesis, full-density polyethylene, and methanol-to-olefins separation coupled steam cracking units, as well as three national maximum single-unit capacities in DMTO, polypropylene, and air separation units. This injects strong momentum into the high-quality development of China's equipment manufacturing industry and supports the construction of a "strong manufacturing nation." Baofeng Energy Inner Mongolia Coal-Based New Materials Project Purification Device   2. High-end coal-based chemical demonstration projects (including polyvinyl alcohol, POE, MMA, PC, etc.) In May 2025, with a total investment of 19.8 billion yuan! A new project by Ningxia Baofeng Energy has been announced, namedHigh-end coal-based chemical products demonstration projectThe construction site is located in the Linhe Comprehensive Industrial Park of the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Base in Ningxia.Area A. The construction scale is an annual output of200,000 tons of polyvinyl alcohol, 200,000 tons of POE, 200,000 tons of MMA, 260,000 tons of PC, 800,000 tons of acrylic acid and esters, and other products. Mainly build air separation, gasification, purification, methanol synthesis, sulfur recovery, methanol to olefins.Production facilities for α-olefins, POE, vinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, MMA, acrylic acid and esters, phenol/acetone, bisphenol A, polycarbonate, etc., along with the construction of public utilities and auxiliary production facilities.  3. New-type energy storage cathode, anode, and electrolyte factory project On April 27, 2025, the concentrated construction site promotion meeting for the Baofeng Energy storage positive electrode, negative electrode, electrolyte plant, and Baofeng Energy Phase IV olefin new materials project was held at the Ningdong base. Total investment in the new type of energy storage positive electrode, negative electrode, and electrolyte plant project10.5 billion yuan, the project will accelerate the construction and production of 250,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate cathode materials, 150,000 tons of artificial graphite anode materials, 170,000 tons of electrolyte materials, 100GWh lithium batteries and energy storage systems, and energy storage station projects. Baofeng Energy Storage Cathode Factory Baofeng Energy Storage Anode Factory Baofeng Energy Storage Electrolyte Plant   II. Key Domestic Coal-to-Olefins Projects Coal-to-olefins is one of the important technological processes for producing olefins in China. It uses coal as raw material to first produce methanol through gasification, conversion, purification, and synthesis processes, and then produces olefins (ethylene) from methanol.(plus propylene), and then produce polyolefins (polyethylene, polypropylene) and other downstream products.。 Coal-to-olefinsCTO includes coal-to-methanol (CTM) and methanol-to-olefins (MTO), with the main process being coal → synthesis gas → methanol → olefins. Below, Special Plastic Vision will take you to review the domestic coal-to-olefins projects. 1. Zhongtian Hechuang Coal-to-Olefins Project Zhongtian Hechuang is one of the largest coal-to-olefins projects in China, using the methanol-to-olefins technology developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.The DMTO technology has an annual production capacity of 1.37 million tons of ethylene and propylene. This project has achieved energy optimization across the entire process, with a significant increase in the efficiency of by-product utilization, making it a benchmark for modern coal chemical industry.   2. Shenhua Ningmei Coal-to-Oil and Olefin Project Shenhua Ningmei is the world's largest single-set coal-to-olefins project, employing methanol-to-olefins technology, with an annual production of ethylene and propylene.1.36 million tons, and achieve green manufacturing through exhaust gas recovery and wastewater treatment, reducing carbon footprint and contributing to the country's "dual carbon" goals. The construction content includes methanol production using gasification technology, olefin production and polyolefin using DMTO-II technology, adding an annual production capacity of 800,000 tons of high-density polyethylene, and enhancing the overall level of circular economy and green chemistry. 3. Yanzhou Coal Yulin Coal-to-Olefin Project The Yulin project of Yanzhou Coal Mining Company produces ethylene and propylene through methanol-to-olefins technology, while also developing downstream products such as polypropylene and polyethylene. The project utilizes an efficient water-coal slurry gasification process, with a water resource utilization rate that is at the industry-leading level. The project has a designed annual output of...600,000 tons of polypropylene and 400,000 tons of polyethylene, along with the addition of waste gas treatment facilities and green low-carbon transformation, will comprehensively enhance environmental protection and energy utilization efficiency. 4. Yanchang Petroleum Coal Chemical Project Yanchang Petroleum has established a large coal-to-olefins base in Yulin, focusing on downstream deep processing of methanol to olefins, promoting the diversification of the industrial chain. The project integrates local coal resources with new energy development, forming a resource recycling system. The project uses self-developed gasification technology, with an annual production capacity of...600,000 tons of polyethylene and 500,000 tons of polypropylene, along with the construction of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) facilities, as well as a methanol production facility with an annual output of 300,000 tons, to promote green and low-carbon transformation. Shandong Energy Yanzhou Mining 800,000 tons/year coal-to-olefins project in Xinjiang The project is currently in the overall design stage. The total investment of the project20.858 billion yuan, the main project includes 13 production units such as air separation, gasification, conversion, low-temperature methanol washing, sulfur recovery, methanol synthesis, methanol to olefins, olefin separation, steam cracking, 1-butene, polyethylene, polypropylene, and electrolysis water devices.  6. Xinjiang Sheneng Chemical 800,000 tons/year coal-to-olefins project The project is inApproved in February 2025, the first phase is currently under civil construction, with a total investment of over 20 billion yuan. It involves the use of coal gasification under pressure combined with green hydrogen technology, producing 800,000 tons of olefins annually, which include polyethylene and polypropylene, along with supporting air separation and sulfur recovery units.   Editor: Yun Shimeng (Carrie) Source: Jingyan Chemical Platform, Polyolefins People, Olefins and High-end Downstream, Process Industry, New Energy and Environmental Protection

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09102-y It is expected that the building exterior walls can achieve "zero energy consumption cooling," and citizens' clothing can be cooled by 3-5 degrees with one click. This will also provide temperature control solutions for extreme environments such as aerospace and desert areas. On July 2, a team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University led the results published in Nature, achieving a significant original breakthrough in the field of AI thermal radiation metamaterials, bringing revolutionary new cooling solutions. Researchers use machine learning to create complex thermal radiation metamaterials that can selectively adjust their heat emission, providing a new paradigm for passive cooling. In prototype testing, these AI-designed materials significantly outperform traditional paints in cooling effects on model rooftops under direct sunlight, potentially saving a substantial amount of energy.   Materials designed by AI have better cooling effects and are more energy-efficient than paint. Traditional metamaterial design is like "feeling your way through a maze" and relies on experience and trial-and-error. The traditional method requires astronomical amounts of time to screen 50,000 schemes, while the research team's AI model completed this task in just three months through deep learning, identifying nearly 1,500 candidate designs that approach the ideal state, and then further selecting the best options among them. These materials can selectively dissipate heat in a controlled manner, providing higher precision in heating and cooling, thus improving energy efficiency. The machine learning framework developed by the research team represents a significant leap in the design of thermal radiation metamaterials. By automating processes and expanding the design space, it can create materials with exceptional performance that were previously unimaginable. This AI model can not only "invent" new materials but also select those that are more suitable for large-scale use and have lower costs among the supermaterials. Taking typical dual-band selective supermaterials as an example, this material can be prepared at room temperature using a simple solution method and can be directly applied to the surfaces of common objects such as brick walls, metals, plastics, and glass in the form of a coating, just like applying sunscreen and cooling cream to objects.   Cooling tests show significant energy savings. The team designed four types of thermal radiation metamaterials for specific applications using AI models and validated them through human experiments, including broadband thermal radiation metamaterials, single-band selective, and dual-band selective thermal radiation metamaterials. The actual application forms also cover various types such as flexible films, coatings, and patches. One type of material was applied to the roofs of model houses and compared with standard commercial white and gray paints to evaluate its cooling capability. After four hours of direct noon sunlight, the roofs coated with the super-emissive material were on average 5 to 20 degrees Celsius lower than those coated with traditional paint. Based on this performance, the team estimates that this cooling method could save about 15,800 kWh annually for apartment buildings in hot cities like Rio de Janeiro or Bangkok, while a standard air conditioning unit typically consumes about 1,500 kWh per year. Researchers tested their ultra-emissive materials by using them to model buildings and placing them in the sun to measure temperature. Image source: The University of Texas at Austin. The potential uses of these materials far exceed the scope of energy conservation in residential and commercial settings. Using the same machine learning methods, the team created seven categories of materials, each tailored for specific functions. These materials can be used in urban areas to help reduce city temperatures by reflecting sunlight and releasing heat at target wavelengths, potentially mitigating the urban heat island effect caused by dense concrete structures and limited greenery. They can also be used in space applications to help regulate spacecraft temperatures by effectively managing incoming solar radiation and emitted heat. What is even more exciting is the universality of the material. The new coating can be directly sprayed on brick walls, metal, and glass, and the solution method has a lower production cost. Flexible films and patch samples can already be applied to wearable clothing. Calculations show that in buildings located in mid to low latitude regions, using this material theoretically saves about 20 degrees of electricity per square meter.   Consumer applications in textiles and vehicles In addition to the applications in this study, thermal radiation metamaterials may become a part of many items we use daily. Integrating them into textiles and fabrics can enhance cooling technologies for clothing and outdoor gear. Wrapping cars with them and embedding them in interior materials can reduce the heat accumulation when they are placed in the sun. The arduous traditional processes involved in designing these materials hinder their mainstream adoption. Other automation options struggle to handle the complexity of the super emitter's 3D layered structure, limiting the results to simple geometries such as film stacks or planar patterns, which perform poorly on certain metrics. The building in the middle is wrapped in a super-emissive material developed by researchers. This structure has a lower temperature in sunlight compared to the other two structures that use traditional paint. Image source: The University of Texas at Austin. Traditionally, designing these materials has been slow and labor-intensive, relying on trial and error, which often leads to suboptimal designs and limits the ability to create materials with effective necessary properties. Machine learning may not be the solution to all problems, but the unique spectrum of thermal management requirements makes it particularly well-suited for designing high-performance thermal radiation metamaterials, researchers say. Researchers will continue to improve this technology and apply it to more areas in the field of nanophotonics—the interaction of light and matter at the smallest scales. From building exteriors to personal clothing, from outdoor facilities to electronic products, this cost-effective "cooling expert" will make a significant impact in various fields, allowing high-tech cooling to truly enter every household.

International News Digest: Raw Material News -LyondellBasell and Polynt collaborate to advance styrene solutions for marine applications; Circular Economy News - Your Sunscreen May Be Making Plastic Marine Pollution Worse; Automotive News - Teijin Automotive Technologies North America renamed CSP, transforming into an independent private enterprise; Packaging News - EuPC warns reusable alternatives to SUP pallet wraps could backfire Macro News - Malaysia strengthens export controls on U.S. high-end AI chips; Price Information - Central parity rate of RMB against USD reported at 7.1491, down 16 pips. Details of International News: 1. Covestro AG: Reduced outlook for 2025 Covestro reduces its forecast for EBITDA, free operating cash flow (FOCF) and return on capital employed over weighted average cost of capital (ROCE over WACC) for fiscal year 2025. This is a consequence of a continuously weak global economy without signs of a short-term recovery.  2.Your Sunscreen May Be Making Plastic Marine Pollution Worse Scientists have identified a new threat to marine ecosystems from sunscreen – specifically a common active ingredient that may be quietly supercharging ocean plastic pollution.A team of researchers at Scotland’s University of Stirling launched a first-of-its-kind exploration of the combined effects of plastic pollution and chemical contaminants from sunscreen. The study focuses on a phenomenon known as “co-pollution,” in which marine plastics serve as a platform for other pollutants like ultraviolet (UV) filters.  3. LyondellBasell and Polynt collaborate to advance styrene solutions for marine applications LyondellBasell announces the expansion of its long-standing collaboration with Polynt, a global expert in specialty polymers and intermediates. Together, the companies are working to develop a high-quality resin for the marine industry, which leverages the LYB Styrene +LC (low carbon) solution. 4. Singapore's PCX Launches Recycled Plastic Trading Platform, Using Market Forces to Accelerate the Transformation of Plastic Circular Economy Plastmatch reported on July 14 that PCX Markets, a Singapore-based plastic credit platform, has launched a recycled plastic trading market. The service, named PCX Circular Plastic, provides brands with recycled PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PE in the forms of flakes, pellets, and powders. These recycled materials come from five recycling partners with a total annual capacity of 70,000 tons across Indonesia, India, and the Philippines.5. EuPC warns reusable alternatives to SUP pallet wraps could backfire A transition from single-use plastic (SUP) pallet wraps to a reusable solution would come with additional costs that could be another blow to Europe’s competitiveness, according to the results of a study commissioned by the European Plastics Converters (EuPC) association.Looking at eight key sectors, the study sees carbon emissions rising by up to 1700%, with an estimated additional annual cost of EUR 4.9 bn. EuPC noted that the impact across the EU could be more substantial. 6. Teijin Automotive Technologies North America Renamed CSP, Transforming into an Independent Private Enterprise As part of its transformation into an independent private enterprise, Teijin Automotive Technologies North America has been renamed CSP. This rebranding follows the acquisition of the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company by Aurelius Private Equity Mid-Market Buyout from Munich, Germany, in March 2025.   Overseas Macro Market Information:   【Malaysia Strengthens Export Controls on U.S. High-End AI Chips】 Malaysia has tightened export controls on U.S. high-end artificial intelligence chips, implementing a licensing system for trade in such chips. 【Bank of England Governor Bailey Warns Banks Against Issuing Their Own Stablecoins】 Bank of England Governor Bailey warned some of the world's largest banks against issuing their own stablecoins. In an interview with The Times, he stated that he "would much prefer" banks to offer digital versions of traditional currencies—known as tokenized deposits—rather than issuing stablecoins. He also warned that stablecoins could drain funds from the banking system, reducing the availability of capital for lending. 【Second Round of Negotiations for the Upgrade of China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement Held in Switzerland】 From July 7 to 10, the second round of negotiations for the upgrade of the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement was held in Geneva, Switzerland. The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on issues such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment, rules of origin, trade facilitation, competition, environment and trade, and economic and technological cooperation, achieving positive progress. 【Japan's Long-Term Bond Yields Continue to Rise】 Japan's 40-year government bond yield rose by 16.5 basis points to 3.49%; the 20-year government bond yield climbed to its highest level since 2000.   Price Information:   【Central Parity Rate of RMB against USD】 The central parity rate of RMB against USD was reported at 7.1491, down 16 pips; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1475, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1710, and the night session closing price of the previous day was 7.1702. 【USD Market Prices of Raw Materials】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia at USD 820/ton; CFR Southeast Asia at USD 830/ton.Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average at USD 740/ton; CFR China average at USD 775/ton.North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: Propane at USD 538-540/ton; Butane at USD 508-510/ton.South China frozen cargo CIF price for early August: Propane at USD 567-574/ton; Butane at USD 537-544/ton.Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price: Propane at USD 538-540/ton; Butane at USD 508-510/ton. 【LLDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: USD 875-910/ton (CFR Huangpu);Injection molding: USD 950/ton (CFR Dongguan). 【HDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: USD 920/ton (CFR Huangpu);Blow molding: USD 855-860/ton (CFR Huangpu). 【LDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: USD 1,070-1,110/ton (CFR Huangpu);Coating: USD 1,350/ton (CFR Huangpu). 【PP USD Market Prices】 Homopolymer: USD 935-965/ton (CFR Huangpu), down USD 15/ton;Copolymer: USD 965-995/ton (CFR Huangpu);Film grade: USD 1,000/ton (CFR Huangpu);Transparent grade: USD 1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu);Pipe grade: USD 1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai).

International News Digest: Raw Material News: Grannex: Expansion of Mechanical Recycling Capacity in Germany​ Recycling News: PET/PEF Multi-Layer Bottle Awarded RecyClass Certification​ Automotive News: South Korea's Electric Vehicle Market Turning to Growth​ Macro News: U.S. Government Re-Allows Supply of Jet Engines to China​ Price Information: The Central Parity Rate of RMB Against USD Is 7.1535, Down 12 Points   Details of Global News: 1.Amcor Increases PCR Production to Meet Rising Demand Brands want more recycled plastic content in their packaging, and Amcor's latest investment can help them meet their sustainability and regulatory targets. The company announced an investment in its Nicholasville, KY, facility to increase post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging production capabilities at precise levels of up to 100% recycled content. 2. GRANNEX：Expansion of Mechanical Recycling Capacity in Germany Mechanical recycler Grannex has invested around EUR 20 mn in expanding its recycling capacity at its Osnabrück site. After testing its proprietary recycling process at a pilot plant, Grannex has now scaled up the technology, the company said. At the beginning of 2025, the first full-scale facility based on this process was completed and has recently entered regular operation with a capacity of 16,000 t/y. Tosaf Launches Antifog Solution for High-Performance Packaging Applications Tosaf launches FogFree™ portfolio, delivering integrated antifog masterbatch solutions for extremely challenging polymers. These antifog compounds prevent droplet formation by modifying surface tension and encouraging a uniform water layer. 4. South Korea's Electric Vehicle Market Turns to Growth, and more Than 10 Electric Vehicles to Be Launched in The Second Half of The Year More than 10 electric vehicles will be launched by domestic and foreign automakers in South Korea in the second half of this year. In the past, the electric vehicle lineup was dominated by sport utility vehicles (SUVs), but in the second half of this year, new models will include electric sedans, hydrogen energy electric vehicles, high-performance vehicles, and personalized custom models (PBV), which is expected to expand the demand group. 5. Solvay Joint Venture Invests in Production Facilities in Chile Peróxidos do Brasil, a joint venture between Solvay and Produtos Químicos Makay (PQM), announced a new strategic investment in its Chilean production unit, reaffirming its commitment to providing excellent supply to customers in various South American markets. The $12 million (10.2 million euros) investment will be used to install a new production unit, enabling the division to expand its product portfolio and better serve all segments of the Andean market. This strategic move strengthens Peróxidos' commitment to sustainability by supporting the gradual reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in its manufacturing processes. Construction will start in the second half of this year after obtaining all permits, with completion planned for 2026. 6. Italian packaging machinery: 2024 turnover exceeds 10 billion euros for the first time Italy's automatic packaging and cartoning machinery industry hit a record high in 2024, with turnover exceeding 10 billion euros for the first time, reaching 10.06 billion euros, a 9% increase from the previous year. These figures were released at the annual general meeting of the Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association (Ucima), based on the 13th national statistical survey conducted by the Mecs Research Center. The study covers 619 companies in the industry, which employed 40,503 people in 2024 (a 6% increase from 2023) and added 2,284 new jobs. 7. Japan Enforces New Rules for Food-Contact Plastics New rules for plastic foodcontact materials have applied in Japan since June 1, 2025.Japan introduced a Positive List system regulating synthetic resins used in food-contact utensils, containers, and packaging in June 2020 under its Food Sanitation Act. The legislation allowed for a 5-year transition period which has now expired. 8. PET/PEF Multi-Layer Bottle Awarded RecyClass Certification Avantium N.V., a leading company in the field of renewable polymer materials, announced that its PET/PEF multi-layer bottle is fully compatible with the PET recycling system. The European plastic circular economy organization RecyClass evaluated the bottle and officially awarded this certification. Avantium's PEF material (branded as releaf®) can be used in plant-based single-layer bottles and also has significant advantages when compounded with PET to make multi-layer bottles — as a barrier material, PEF can extend product shelf life more effectively than single-layer PET. 9. BYD Suspends Construction Plan of Mexican Automobile Plant Due to geopolitical tensions and uncertainties brought about by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies, BYD Co., Ltd., China's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, has shelved its plan to build a large-scale factory in Mexico.​ In an interview in Bahia, Brazil, Li Ke, executive vice president of BYD, stated that the company still has interest in expanding in the Americas but has no timetable for new investments. It is reported that BYD is opening its first factory outside Asia in Bahia, Brazil.​ "Geopolitical issues have a significant impact on the automotive industry," said Li Ke. "Now everyone is re-evaluating their strategies in other countries. We hope to make a decision after the situation becomes clearer."​   Overseas macro market information: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Says Japan-U.S. Trade Negotiations Are Progressing Steadily Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba refuted claims that Japan-U.S. trade negotiations have made little progress. In a televised interview on Thursday, he said: "Negotiations are progressing steadily, there is no doubt about it. The negotiations cover a wide range of areas such as non-tariff barriers, but progress is being made step by step on each issue." However, he did not suggest that an agreement would be reached soon before the July 9 deadline.  U.S. Government Re-Allows Supply of Jet Engines to China On July 3rd local time, Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that the U.S. government has notified General Electric Aerospace that it can resume supplying jet engines to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. This further indicates that Sino-U.S. trade tensions are easing. Another source quoted by the report said that at least one other aerospace company's export license restrictions to China were also lifted on the same day, but the source declined to name the company. Just the day before, the U.S. government lifted export restrictions on Chinese chip design software and also revoked a restrictive licensing requirement implemented a few weeks ago, paving the way for the resumption of ethane exports to China. Cadence: Resuming EDA Software and Technology for Chinese Customers Cadence's latest announcement shows that on July 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) notified the company that the license requirement for exports to China under the BIS regulations of May 23 was immediately revoked. Cadence is restoring access to EDA software and technology for affected customers in accordance with these updated U.S. export regulations. No further information will be provided at this time. Hong Kong Dollar Hibor Rises Across the Board; Hong Kong Monetary Authority Stepped Up Intervention Earlier Hong Kong dollar interbank offered rates (Hibor) rose across the board as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority bought Hong Kong dollars overnight to defend the linked exchange rate system. The 1-month Hibor rose 15 basis points to 0.86%; the overnight Hibor rose 1 basis point to 0.03%. Both hit a nearly one-week high. The 3-month Hibor rose 8 basis points to 1.78%, the highest level since May 21. Goldman Sachs Lowers U.S. Treasury Yield Forecast, Expects 10-Year Yield to Be 4.20% by the End of the Year Goldman Sachs Group lowered its forecast for U.S. Treasury yields, citing an increased possibility that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates earlier than expected. They expect the 2-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury yields to be 3.45% and 4.20% respectively by the end of the year, compared with previous forecasts of 3.85% and 4.50%.   Price Information: 【RMB against US Dollar Central Parity Rate】 The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar is reported at 7.1535, down by 12 points; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1523, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1611, and the night session closing price of the previous night was 7.1717. 【US Dollar Market Prices of Raw Materials】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 850 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia 860 USD/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average price 745 USD/ton; CFR China average price 795 USD/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price, propane 522-524 USD/ton; butane 495-497 USD/ton. South China frozen cargo CIF price for early August, propane 556-566 USD/ton; butane 521-531 USD/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price, propane 522-524 USD/ton; butane 495-497 USD/ton. 【LLDPE US Dollar Market Prices】 Film: 875-930 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: 940 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan); 【HDPE US Dollar Market Prices】 Film: 910-930 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow molding: 860-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【LDPE US Dollar Market Prices】 Film: 1080-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Coating: 1350 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu) 【PP US Dollar Market Prices】 Homopolymer: 935-980 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: 965-995 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: 1000 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: 1085 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: 1160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).  

International News Digest: Raw Material News - Ecobat Completes Sale of Italian Business to Haiki Dallas Recycling News - Plastics Recycling Facility Launched in Cornwall to Process Microfibres from Laundry Toy News - New Company Structure Sparks Rumors of Sale at One of Germany's Largest Toy Manufacturers Macro News - U.S. Government Sends Letter to American Companies, Clearing the Way for Resuming Ethane Exports to China Price Information - RMB Central Parity Rate Against USD Reported at 7.1523, up 23 Points   The following is the detail of international news: 1、Ecobat Completes Sale of Italian Business to Haiki Dallas Ecobat, a global leader in battery recycling, today announced the successful completion of the sale of its battery and polypropylene recycling business in Italy to Haiki + S.p.A.  The transaction includes Ecobat’s facilities in Marcianise, Paderno Dugnano, and Bologna, and marks Ecobat’s exit from the Italian market. 2、Black Swan Graphene to Partner with METCO for Graphene-Enhanced Masterbatches Black Swan Graphene announces that it has entered into a non-exclusive distribution and sales agreement with METCO Resources, an Indian supplier of specialty materials and polymers, to supply Black Swan’s graphene-enhanced masterbatches for a wide range of polymer applications 3、Covestro Strengthens Cast Polyurethane Elastomers Business Presence in Taiwan Covestro strengthens cast polyurethane elastomers business presence in TaiwanCovestro has announced to strengthen its Cast Polyurethane (CPU) elastomers business network in Taiwan. This targets demands in automated equipment, smart logistics, offshore wind power, waterproofing for construction and infrastructure, and pulp & paper industries. This strategic deployment deepens local service and sales support for innovative material systems and edge cutting casting machines, embodying the group's customer-centric philosophy. 4、Industry Collaboration Aims to Streamline Certification for rPET / EPBP Liaises with European Committee for Standardisation A joint industry initiative has seen the publication of a guidance on certification schemes to support waste management operators and sorters in complying with EU Regulation 2022/1616.The regulation mandates third-party certification of quality assurance systems for food-contact recycled plastics. The guidance provides a detailed interpretation of the legal framework and is intended as a practical tool for both EU and non-EU operators, as the latter must meet equivalent requirements.   5、Plastics Recycling Facility Launched in Cornwall to Process Microfibres from Laundry A “WORLD-FIRST” recycling centre has been launched in Cornwall, UK which will recycle plastics extracted from up to 86 t/y of microfibres captured in washing machines. 6、New Corporate Structure, Germany's Largest Toy Manufacturer Triggers Sale Rumors Once all the rage, almost occupying every child's roomPlaymobil toys no longer enjoy the same market glory as they once did. The Geobra Brandstätter Group, based in Zirndorf, Germany, recorded a significant loss of 120 million euros in the 2023/24 fiscal year, marking the group's most severe crisis in years. To reverse the downturn, the group recently announced plans for structural reorganization while firmly denying rumors about selling off parts of its business. According to the information disclosed by the group,The Playmobil theme park, logistics department, and its flowerpot brand Lechuza will be divided into separate subsidiaries. The group stated that this adjustment aims to improve organizational efficiency, grant each department greater autonomy and responsibility, thereby enhancing overall competitiveness.   The following is overseas macro market information: 【Siemens says U.S. has lifted export restrictions on chip design software to China】 It was learned on July 2 local time that Germany's Siemens AG received notification from the U.S. government that the U.S. has lifted export restrictions on chip design software to China. According to the company's statement, the German supplier has restored Chinese customers' full access to its software and technology. Synopsys said the U.S. has revoked export restrictions targeting China. Several Chinese semiconductor companies also confirmed receiving relevant notices from overseas EDA enterprises. 【Reuters: U.S. government sends letter to American companies, revoking a restrictive licensing requirement to clear the way for resuming ethane exports to China】 According to Reuters, the U.S. government sent letters to two major American ethane producers and exporters, Enterprise Products Partners and Energy Transfer, on Wednesday (July 2) local time, revoking a restrictive licensing requirement imposed a few weeks ago, clearing the way for resuming ethane exports to China. The report noted that this is a sign of the ongoing trade war truce between the U.S. and China. It also stated that after the restrictions were lifted, eight ships have sailed to China. 【Ecuador suspends operation of two oil pipelines due to heavy rains】 Ecuador's state-owned oil company announced on July 2 local time that heavy rains have caused increased water flow in the Loco River in El Chaco, Napo Province. To protect infrastructure and the environment, the operation of two oil pipelines in Ecuador's pipeline system has been suspended as a precaution. The announcement said professional technicians are urgently building a bypass pipeline to ensure the safe transportation of crude oil, with the project expected to be completed in about three days.   Price information: 【RMB central parity rate against USD】   The central parity rate of RMB against USD was reported at 7.1523, up 23 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1546, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1670, and the previous night's closing price was 7.1622.   【Raw material USD market prices】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 850 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia 860 USD/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average 745 USD/ton; CFR China average 795 USD/ton. Northeast Asia frozen cargo CIF: Propane 523-525 USD/ton; Butane 495-497 USD/ton. South China frozen cargo CIF for early August: Propane 563-573 USD/ton; Butane 528-538 USD/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF: Propane 523-525 USD/ton; Butane 495-497 USD/ton. 【LLDPE USD market prices】 Film: 875-930 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: 940 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan). 【HDPE USD market prices】 Film: 910-930 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow molding: 860-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu). 【LDPE USD market prices】 Film: 1080-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Coating: 1350 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu). 【PP USD market prices】 Homopolymer: 935-980 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: 965-995 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film grade: 1000 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent grade: 1085 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe grade: 1160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).  

Plastixs, a supplier of injection molding and material handling equipment, has introduced Mouldpro HiTemp EPDM push-on hoses designed specifically for high-temperature water applications up to 250°F. The hoses work with push-on fittings, eliminating the need for hose clamps while providing superior performance in elevated temperature environments. The design prevents cracking and hardening common in traditional water hoses.Plastixs Advanced features for demanding applications Unlike traditional hoses rated only for 180°F, the Mouldpro HiTemp EPDM push-on hoses resist cracking and hardening at higher temperatures. This allows processors to use convenient push-on hoses and fittings in high-temperature applications, significantly reducing mold setup and changeover times compared to conventional braided hose solutions. The company noted that processors have long struggled with the limitations of standard hoses in high-temperature applications. Its new Mouldpro HiTemp line addresses this challenge directly, offering the convenience of push-on connections without sacrificing performance at elevated temperatures. The hoses feature: Smooth antistatic EPDM nitrosamine-free rubber compound for enhanced safety and durability; reinforcement with synthetic textile yarns providing superior burst resistance; special cover design that prevents blistering and bubbling even under sustained high-temperature operation; enhanced resistance to abrasion, ozone, heat, and weather for extended service life; consistent performance across varying temperature ranges from ambient to 250°F. Technical specifications The Mouldpro HiTemp hoses are available in three inner diameter sizes: 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) for smaller cooling circuits; 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) for standard cooling applications; 3/4-inch (19 mm) for high-flow requirements. All sizes are rated for working pressures up to 400 PSI (28 bar), making them suitable for the most demanding industrial applications. The hoses maintain their flexibility and integrity even after prolonged exposure to high temperatures, significantly reducing maintenance requirements and downtime associated with hose failure. The compatibility with Mouldpro Quick Connect Safety Couplings creates a complete system solution that ensures leak-free connections and rapid installation. This system approach can reduce mold changeover times by up to 50% compared to traditional braided hose installations that require wrenches and other tools, according to the company. Industry applications The new hoses are particularly valuable for injection molders working with engineering-grade resins, including polycarbonate, polyetherimide, high-temperature nylons, and specialty thermoplastics, that require higher mold temperatures. Processors in automotive, medical, and aerospace sectors will find these hoses especially beneficial for maintaining precise temperature control in critical applications. Availability and packaging The Mouldpro HiTemp EPDM push-on hoses are available immediately in rolls of 164 feet (50 meters), allowing processors to customize lengths according to their specific requirements. Custom pre-cut lengths with installed fittings are also available upon request. Plastixs, based in Shrewsbury, MA, specializes in helping customers overcome production obstacles and optimize equipment efficiency with more than 35 years of industry experience. The company provides solutions for injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and extrusion processes, focusing on reducing downtime and improving throughput. As part of its approach to customer support, Plastixs, a Globeius company, offers technical consultation to help processors determine the optimal hose configuration for their specific applications, including temperature requirements, flow rates, and space constraints.

International News Digest​​​​Materials News​​ – Avery Dennison unveils RFID label compatible with PET recycling stream ​​Trade News​​ – Safic-Alcan to distribute Evonik's functional silanes in Central Eastern Europe​​Policy News​​ – India imposes five-year anti-dumping duties on six Chinese imports to protect domestic industry​​Equipment News​​ – Coveris Installs 5-Layer Cast Film Line with AI Control in UK​​Macro News​​ – Report shows global energy sector CO₂ emissions hit record high in 2023​​Market Data​​ – CNY/USD central parity rate at 7.1620, up 48 pips ​​ Details of International News:​​   1.Borouge and Honeywell join forces to demonstrate AI powered autonomous operations Borouge  Plc is collaborating with  Honeywell  International Inc. (Charlotte, N.C.) to conduct a proof of concept for  AI powered autonomous operations, which has the potential to revolutionize Borouge’s UAE plant operations. The collaboration between Borouge and Honeywell is set to deliver the petrochemical industry’s first AI-driven control room designed for full-scale, real-time operation, establishing a new standard for the future of AI in petrochemicals.   2.Coveris Installs 5-Layer Cast Film Line with AI Control in UK Packaging manufacturer Coveris has installed a five-layer cast stretch film extrusion line of the type ALLrollEX 1500 mm from Colines at its Winsford extrusion hub in the UK. The system includes the Mastermind virtual assistant for process automation and was commissioned with full system integration, including downstream palletising.   3.Avery Dennison unveils RFID label compatible with PET recycling stream Materials science company Avery Dennison has developed a radio frequency identification (RFID) label that has received Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Design for Recyclability recognition validating its compatibility with North America’s polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling stream.Avery Dennison claims its new label is an industry first, combining the company’s CleanFlake adhesive technology and its expertise in RFID to develop the new product that can cleanly separate from the PET in the mechanical recycling stream and reduce contamination.   4.CAI Performance Additives launches flame-retardant synergist for PVC wires & cables CAI Performance Additives announced the launch of ST-FR6, a flame-retardant synergist for PVC wire and cable applications.ST-FR6 offers a cost-effective, stable alternative to Antimony Trioxide (ATO), addressing supply chain challenges while maintaining top-tier flame retardant performance and environmental safety.   ​​5.India lmposes Five-YearAnti-Dumping Duties onSix Chinese lmports to Safeguard Domestic IndustryIndia has imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on six key Chinese imports-PEDA, Acetonitrile, Vitamin-A Palmitate Insoluble Sulphur, Decor Paper, and Potassium Tertiary Butoxide- following investigations by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR). The move aims to protect domestic industries from unfair trade practices and address the growing trade imbalance with China. The duties, aligned with WTO norms, are intended to promote fair competition and support local manufacturing. ​​ 6.Safic-Alcan to distribute Evonik's functional silanes in Central Eastern Europe Safic-Alcan announces a strategic distribution agreement reached with Evonik Smart Effects division. Effective July 1st, 2025, Safic-Alcan will additionally distribute EVONIK functional silanes in Central Eastern Europe.The new agreement will also include Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.   ​​Global Macro Market Updates:​​   ​​[South Korea] President Calls for Capital Market Normalization to Achieve KOSPI 5000 Era​​South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol urged the National Assembly on June 26 to expedite supplementary budget deliberations. Emphasizing economic revitalization, he warned that prolonged low growth could trap the economy in a "vicious cycle of intensifying competition and conflict." Yoon asserted that transparent capital markets would spur recovery, enabling the KOSPI to surpass 5,000 points.   ​​[Energy] Report Shows Global CO₂ Emissions from Energy Hit Record High in 2023​​The Energy Institute’s annual Statistical Review of World Energy revealed that energy-related CO₂ emissions grew for the fourth consecutive year in 2023, coinciding with global temperatures exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C for the first time. Despite record renewable energy adoption, fossil fuel consumption continued rising.   ​​[UK] Business Group Warns Tax Hikes Force SMEs to Cut Jobs​​The British Chambers of Commerce reported nearly one-third of UK SMEs have either laid off workers or are considering job cuts due to increased National Insurance contributions ordered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in April. Director General Shevaun Haviland stated business confidence has plunged to 2022 lows, forcing many to reconsider expansion plans.   ​​[M&A] Shell Denies BP Acquisition Talks After WSJ Report​​On June 25, according to the Wall Street Journal, people familiar with the matter said that negotiations between representatives of the two companies were actively ongoing and that BP was carefully considering the proposal. BP currently has a market value of about $ 80 billion. Considering the acquisition premium, the transaction may become the largest oil industry transaction since ExxonMobil 's $ 83 billion merger at the beginning of this century. However, people familiar with the situation warned that the potential terms of the deal have not yet been determined, and the merger is far from a foregone conclusion. Shell denied the relevant negotiations after the report, saying that ' the report is further market speculation, no negotiations '. Price Information 【USD/CNY Central Parity Rate】 The central parity rate of RMB against USD was set at 7.1620, up 48 pips. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1668, official closing price was 7.1713, and overnight closing price was 7.1750.   【Raw Materials - USD Market Prices】 Ethylene (Asia): CFR Northeast Asia: $850/ton, up $5/ton CFR Southeast Asia: $860/ton Propylene (Northeast Asia): FOB Korea average: $750/ton CFR China average: $800/ton North Asia LPG (CIF): Propane: $548-550/ton Butane: $518.5-520.5/ton South China LPG (July arrival, CIF): Propane: $588-598/ton Butane: $538-548/ton Taiwan LPG (CIF): Propane: $548-550.5/ton Butane: $518.5-520.5/ton   【LLDPE - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Film grade: $920/ton (Huangpu) Injection grade: $950/ton (Dongguan)   【HDPE - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Film grade: $910-920/ton (Huangpu) Hollow grade: $860-870/ton (Huangpu)   【LDPE - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Film grade: $1,105-1,130/ton (Yantian) Coating grade: $1,330/ton (Huangpu)   【PP - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Homopolymer: $890-975/ton (Huangpu) Copolymer: $965-995/ton (Huangpu) Transparent grade: $1,085/ton (Huangpu) Pipe grade: $1,160/ton (Shanghai)

International News Digest:  Raw Materials News:Mitsui Chemicals Sells Again, Sinopec Takes Over Automotive News:Natural Fiber Materials Adopted! New BMW i3/iM3 Details Revealed Packaging News: Alpla expands injection moulding with KM Packaging acquisition Healthcare News:Covestro Achieves Localized Production of Medical-Grade TPU in Asia-Pacific for the First Time Macro News:Iran Vows to Take Measures to Ensure Continuation of Nuclear Program Price Information:Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 845/ton,up5/ton   International News Details:  Mitsui Chemicals Sells Again, Sinopec Takes Over On June 24, Mitsui Chemicals announced that its board of directors had formally resolved to transfer its entire 50% stake in Sinopec Mitsui Chemicals Co., Ltd. (SSMC) to Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Co., Ltd. The transaction is expected to be completed by October 2025. This equity transfer is the latest move in Mitsui Chemicals' global strategic adjustment. Facing shrinking demand in the Japanese domestic market and intensified overseas competition, Mitsui Chemicals is gradually exiting traditional basic chemical businesses to focus on green chemicals and high-performance materials. SSMC, established in April 2006, primarily produces basic chemical products such as phenol, acetone, and bisphenol A. In recent years, the company's performance has continued to decline, with a loss of ¥10.6 billion in FY2025, which is the main reason for Mitsui Chemicals' divestment.  Lotte Chemical and HD Hyundai Plan to Merge Daesan Cracker Facilities Recently, South Korea's Lotte Chemical and HD Hyundai Group announced plans to integrate their naphtha cracker facilities in Daesan, South Korea, aiming to address the challenges of low profitability in the country's petrochemical industry. The two companies are currently negotiating the merger of their respective petrochemical assets in the Daesan region, with valuations being conducted by a major accounting firm. Insiders stated that "nothing has been finalized yet, and everything is under review." The integration of the two plants is expected to streamline operations, after which the companies will gradually shut down redundant facilities to reduce output and improve efficiency. Covestro Achieves Localized Production of Medical-Grade TPU in Asia-Pacific for the First Time Covestro announced that it has commenced production of medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Desmopan® Rx series at its Changhua base in Taiwan, marking the first localized production of this high-standard material in the Asia-Pacific region. This will enable more flexible and efficient supply to meet growing market demand. Changhua is Covestro's second global base, after the New Martinsville facility in North America, to receive certification for medical-grade TPU production. Alpla expands injection moulding with KM Packaging acquisition Austrian packaging manufacturer Alpla its strengthening its injection moulding division, Alplainject, with the acquisition of KM Packaging. Based in Ubstadt-Weiher, Germany, KM Packaging manufacturers closures for tubes, bottles, and jars at six sites across Germany, Austria, Poland, and the United States. The company producers over 6.5 billion injection-moulded parts per year. Continental’s Automotive Group Establishes Advanced Electronics & Semiconductor Solutions (AESS) Division On June 25, Tier 1 automotive supplier Continental announced that its Automotive Group, which is set to be spun off into an independent company named Aumovio Group, has established the Advanced Electronics & Semiconductor Solutions (AESS) division. AESS will independently design and validate automotive semiconductor products, primarily to meet internal demand. GlobalFoundries (GF) will serve as AESS's exclusive semiconductor chip manufacturing partner, with dedicated production lines to be established.  Nissan Motor: Q2 Forecasts ¥200 Billion Loss According to Kyodo News on June 25, Nissan Motor Co. stated on June 24 that its consolidated financial results for Q2 2025 (April–June) are expected to show an operating loss of ¥200 billion (approximately RMB 9.9 billion). Nissan reported a profit of ¥900 million in the same period last year. The sharp increase in losses is attributed to sluggish sales in key markets (China, the U.S., and Japan) and the impact of high tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. In May, Nissan announced large-scale restructuring measures, including global layoffs of 20,000 employees and the closure of seven plants.   Natural Fiber Materials Adopted! New BMW i3/iM3 Details Revealed: Expected Launch in 2026 Recently, details about the new BMW i3 and iM3 models, including configurations and production plans, were revealed. The BMW iM3 is expected to feature a quad-motor setup with over 700 horsepower. Notably, the car's interior will incorporate a newly developed natural fiber composite material by BMW. Developed in collaboration with a Swiss company, this material is made from flaxseed and boasts strength comparable to carbon fiber while reducing CO2 emissions during production by 40%. It may be used for bucket seats and other interior components. Fiat Incorporates Recycled Materials from Beverage Cartons in Vehicle With the launch of the latest model of Fiat Grande Panda, Fiat claims it has become the first car manufacturer to incorporate recycled materials from used beverage cartons in a vehicle.Each Fiat Grande Panda contains recycled material from the thin layers of polyethylene and aluminium used in 140 beverage cartons. This recycled material is used in the central console, dashboard, interior front and rear door panels.   Avantium Secures €10 Million Financing to Address Short-Term Liquidity On June 23, Avantium announced that it had secured €10 million in financing to address short-term liquidity issues. The financing includes a €4 million subordinated loan from the Province of Groningen and a €6 million increase in senior bonds from banks (Invest-NL, ABN AMRO, ING, ASN, Rabobank). The €10 million financing provides short-term liquidity while the company explores medium- to long-term funding options. Avantium is also in talks with external parties regarding the partial or full transfer of its R&D solutions and Volta technology, which may involve asset divestment and/or strategic partnerships to support further development.   Overseas Macro Market Information:  [Iran Vows to Take Measures to Ensure Continuation of Nuclear Program] On June 24, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), stated that Iran is assessing the damage caused by military strikes from Israel and the U.S. and has taken necessary steps to ensure the continuation of its nuclear program. AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi added that no force can halt or limit the progress of Iran's nuclear industry. On June 22, Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities were targeted by U.S. airstrikes. Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the facilities were "completely destroyed," but U.S. media cited a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report on June 24 stating that the strikes did not destroy key nuclear infrastructure and may only delay Iran's nuclear program by months. Trump and the White House denied these claims.   [Israeli PM Vows to 'Thwart' Iran's Nuclear Weapons Ambitions] On June 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video address that if Iran attempts to restart its nuclear program, Israel will "thwart any such attempt," adding that "Iran will not possess nuclear weapons." Netanyahu claimed that Israel's "Operation Rising Lion" since June 13 had "eliminated two existential threats: Iran's nuclear weapons and its arsenal of 20,000 ballistic missiles." He also asserted that a single strike had "wiped out" Iran's military command, killing three top Iranian military commanders and several other senior officers, as well as multiple leading nuclear scientists.  [Bank of Thailand Holds Benchmark Rate Steady] The Bank of Thailand kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%, in line with market expectations.   Price Information:  [USD/CNY Central Parity Rate] USD/CNY central parity rate: 7.1668, down 12 pips. Previous trading day's central parity rate: 7.1656. Previous trading day's official closing rate: 7.1781. Previous night session closing rate: 7.1712. Offshore USD/CNY extended gains, approaching the 7.16 mark, hitting its highest level since November 2024. [Raw Material USD Market Prices] Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia: 845/ton,up5/ton. CFR Southeast Asia: $860/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average: $750/ton. CFR China average: $800/ton. North Asia Frozen Cargo Arrival Price: Propane: $558–560/ton. Butane: $528–530/ton. South China Frozen Cargo Late-July Arrival Price: Propane: $601–611/ton. Butane: $543–553/ton. Taiwan Frozen Cargo Arrival Price: Propane: $558–560/ton. Butane: $528–530/ton. [LLDPE USD Market Prices] Film: $920/ton (CFR Huangpu). Injection: $950/ton (CFR Dongguan). [HDPE USD Market Prices] Film: $910–920/ton (CFR Huangpu). Blow Molding: $860–870/ton (CFR Huangpu). [LDPE USD Market Prices] Film: $1105–1130/ton (CFR Yantian). Coating: $1330/ton (CFR Huangpu). [PP USD Market Prices] Homopolymer: $890–975/ton (CFR Huangpu). Copolymer: $965–995/ton (CFR Huangpu). Transparent: 1085/ton(CFRHuangpu),down35/ton. Pipe: $1160/ton (CFR Shanghai).  

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.