The crisis on the German plasticsrecycling market continues to deepen: Veolia Umweltservice, part of the global Veolia group, notified staff members on Tuesday that it would be shuttering the plastic recycling businesses Multiport and Multipet at the end of the year. Europe’s largest environmental services company already shut down its PET recycling operations in Rostock at the end of 2023 owing to economic pressures. After the newly announced closures in Bernburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Veolia will no longer have any plastic recycling operations in Germany. At the same time, however, Veolia is expanding its recycling activities elsewhere in Europe. Last week, the company announced plans for the United Kingdom’s first "tray-to-tray" facility, where it will process PET trays and bottles.

On July 17, 2025, polyester fiber industry giant Xinfengming (603225) announced that the company intends to increase its investment in Hefei Lif Biotechnology Co., Ltd. by 100 million yuan, after which it will hold a 7.0175% stake in the company. This capital marriage is not only a key layout for Xinfengming's strategy of "greening, differentiation, and innovation," but also marks a new stage in the industrialization process of bio-based polyester materials in China. Relying on Livan Bio's technological accumulation in the field of FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid), the two sides have previously achieved large-scale production of 100% bio-based polyester PEF filaments, providing a feasible technological path for the green transformation of the textile industry. 1. The logic behind investment: breaking through homogeneous competition. The recent investment by Xin Fengming is not a coincidence. As a global leader in polyester fiber with a total market value of 17 billion yuan, its traditional main business is facing increasing pressure from intensified homogenization competition. Biobased materials are seen as an important direction to break through this "involution." The announcement clearly states that the core goal of the investment is to explore the application of PEF in high-end biobased fibers and green packaging through Livi's FDCA technology, which aligns closely with Xin Fengming's strategy of "consolidating traditional businesses + laying out emerging industries." The core value of Lifeng Biotechnology lies in its technological barriers related to furan-based biobased materials. Since its establishment in 2014, the company has focused on the research and development of FDCA and its downstream product PEF. It has built the world's first kiloton-level FDCA production line and a hundred-ton level continuous production line, with a ten-thousand-ton production line under construction expected to be operational by the end of 2025, which will make it the largest FDCA supplier in the world. More importantly, its technological pathway has broken through industry bottlenecks—by using the "glucose-HMF-FDCA" process, it has eliminated dependence on expensive raw materials, and the product purity reaches 99.99%, with polymerization performance leading the industry. This technological advantage is directly reflected in the valuation logic: Liv Bio's post-investment valuation after the B1 round in 2023 was 768 million yuan, the pre-investment valuation reached 1.2 billion yuan, and the post-investment valuation has now exceeded 1.5 billion yuan. The announcement explains that the increase in valuation is supported by four core factors: the maturity of the continuous process using glucose as raw material, the globally leading quality of FDCA, the delivery capability advantage brought by the ton-level production line, and a clear cost reduction path—FDCA prices are expected to drop to 50,000-60,000 yuan/ton by 2025, and further down to 20,000-30,000 yuan/ton after 2027, gradually approaching the cost of petroleum-based raw materials. 2. Technical breakthroughs + capital support, PEF is about to be industrialized. Biobased polyester PEF is regarded by the industry as the best alternative to petroleum-based PET. Its chemical structural similarity to PET means it is compatible with existing production equipment, while its performance advantages are more significant: in addition to the low carbon attributes brought by being fully biobased, PEF fibers exhibit outstanding performance in moisture absorption and quick drying (with moisture absorption rates over twice that of PET) and natural antibacterial properties (with an antibacterial rate exceeding 99%). This makes it highly applicable in fields such as activewear and medical textiles. Image source: Livzon Biotech The breakthrough in large-scale mass production is the result of the combination of Xin Fengming's industrial capabilities and Lifu Biotechnology. Lif Biotech provides core raw material assurance: its FDCA products have a purity of 99.99%, exhibiting more stable reactivity during the polymerization process, laying the foundation for the physical properties of PEF filaments. Xin Fengming contributed mass production experience: As a polyester production expert, it solved process challenges such as melt fluidity and stretching and shaping in the PEF spinning process, transforming laboratory technology into industrial production capacity. According to OECD forecasts, by 2030, biobased products will replace 25% of the organic chemicals market. As a biobased material closest to PET, PEF is expected to rapidly penetrate fields such as textiles and packaging. Through this investment, Xin Fengming secures FDCA supply, effectively obtaining a "ticket" to the industrialization of biobased materials in advance. Opportunities and challenges coexist, and Livzon Bio is continuously in the red. Despite the promising prospects, this cooperation still faces numerous challenges. The announcement clearly outlines three major risks: 1. Market uncertainty: The acceptance and price sensitivity of bio-based materials still need to be tested by the market; 2. Production line commissioning risk: If Liv Bio's 10,000-ton FDCA production line cannot be put into operation on schedule, it will affect the scale-up process of PEF; 3. Profitability cycle issue: Liv Bio has been continuously losing money since its establishment (net profit of -55.3137 million yuan in 2024 and net profit of -13.3683 million yuan from January to March 2025), making it difficult to contribute profits to New Feng Ming in the short term. However, as technology continues to mature, these risks are gradually being mitigated. LivBio's losses are mainly due to early-stage R&D investments, but with the production of the ten-thousand-ton line and cost reductions, profit expectations are clear; New Fengming also controls risks through a "stakeholding rather than controlling" approach, while retaining flexibility for technological collaboration. More importantly, both parties have formed a closed loop of "technology R&D - raw material supply - mass production": LivBio is responsible for reducing FDCA costs, while New Fengming is responsible for expanding PEF application scenarios. This division of labor model provides sustainable driving force for industrialization. 4. FDCA industry financing heats up, capital races in the biobased track. FDCA, as a core raw material for bio-based polyesters, has become a hot track for capital competition. From the perspective of industry financing, multiple companies have received capital injection at different stages: Lif Biological has recently received 100 million yuan in a C-round financing from New Fengming; Tangneng Technology is expected to complete a B+ round financing in 2024, although the amount is unknown, it has support from Zhoushan Financial Capital and Daishan Investment Group; Zhongke Guosheng secured 200 million yuan in an A+ round financing in March 2025, with participation from CITIC Jinshi and PwC Capital; Yunshang New Materials, Saierke, and Yujun Bio have also respectively gained capital favor at the angel+ and B round stages. Behind the capital-intensive layout is a long-term optimism for bio-based materials to replace petroleum-based materials. Different rounds of financing reflect the development stages of enterprises: angel rounds focus on technology validation, A/B rounds promote capacity landing, and C rounds accelerate industrialization expansion. Xin Fengming's investment in Lifu Bio is not only an extension of its own strategy but also aligns with the rising trend of financing in the FDCA industry. By leveraging capital, it aims to deepen its bio-based polyester layout and work together with other companies in the industry to advance the FDCA-PEF industrial chain from technology development to large-scale application, seizing opportunities in the green materials revolution. With the production line of Livzon Bio's 10,000-ton FDCA coming online and the expansion of PEF application scenarios, this investment, which began with technological cooperation, is expected to reshape the global polyester material competition landscape. As stated in the announcement, this is not only a choice for enterprises to seek new momentum but also a practice to "contribute new quality power for the green development of the global textile fiber industry."

International News Guide:   Raw Material News - American DuPont plans to sell Nomex and Kevlar brands for $2 billion Automotive News - GAC Group Enters UK Market, to Launch Two AION Brand EVs First Electronics News - Counterpoint: Global Smartphone Shipments Grew 2% YoY in Q2 Other News - Covestro India and CSIR-NCL Partner to Convert PU Waste into Chemical Building Blocks   Details of International News:   1. American Dupont Plans to Sell Nomex and Kevlar Brands for $2 Billion It is reported that DuPont's iconic high-performance brands - Nomex and Kevlar, have now been put up for sale. As part of a major corporate restructuring, DuPont is preparing to spin off the Nomex and Kevlar heat-resistant fiber brands by mid-2025. Private equity firms Advent International and Platinum Equity are preparing to submit bids, and the deal is expected to be valued at approximately $2 billion (equivalent to about RMB 1.44 billion). The purpose of this spin-off is to focus on high-growth areas (semiconductors, medical care, water treatment). 2. Covestro Declares Force Majeure on TDI / oTDA-based / Polyether Polyol Due to a fire in an external transformer station in building L26 at Chempark Dormagen early Saturday morning on July 12, 2025, there was a sudden and unpredictable power outage in parts of the Chempark. In addition to the process control system, Covestro's PUD and PET operations as well as the chlorine plant were also affected by this incident, which had to be shut down to a safe state. The specific impacts of this incident cannot yet be assessed by Covestro. Furthermore, it is not foreseeable how long this condition, the interruption of the power supply, and the failure of the process control system will last. 3. Solvay Revises Its 2025 Underlying EBITDA Outlook and Confirms Its Free Cash Flow Guidance In the second quarter, Solvay experienced a continuation of the soft market environment, impacted by ongoing global tariff discussions and heightened geopolitical tensions. This led to a progressive reduction of demand, and a slowdown in order books, particularly in certain soda ash end-markets and in the Coatis business unit. Visibility remains low and market conditions are expected to remain challenging throughout the second half of 2025. 4. Adnoc to transfer OMV stake to XRG Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (Adnoc) announced July 16 that it intends to transfer its 24.9% shareholding in OMV AG (Vienna) to XRG PJSC, Adnoc’s wholly owned international investment company. Details of the transaction have not been disclosed.The transfer, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is aligned with Adnoc’s s strategy to consolidate its international growth investments under XRG, the company said. XRG, launched in November 2024, is also Adnoc’s vehicle for the previously announced acquisition of Covestro AG. 5. Canada’s KSR sold to U.S.-based Angstrom Automotive Group KSR International, a Ridgetown, Ont.-based automotive parts maker, has been acquired by Angstrom Automotive Group Inc., in a move that expands Angstrom’s product offering, manufacturing footprint, and vertical integration, while deepening business with OEMs. 6. GAC Group Enters UK Market, to Launch Two AION Brand EVs First On July 16, GAC Group and Saudi-owned distributor Jameel Motors announced a cooperation agreement, under which the latter will distribute GAC Group's models in the UK, Europe's second-largest automotive market. This makes GAC Group the fourth Chinese automaker to launch a new brand in the UK market this month. According to the plan, GAC Group will first launch two AION brand electric models in the UK market - the AION V SUV and AION UT Hatchback, with the first batch of vehicles expected to be delivered to UK consumers in the first quarter of 2026. 7. Covestro India and CSIR-NCL Partner to Convert PU Waste into Chemical Building Blocks Covestro (India) Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) launching an innovative Corporate Social Responsibility project. The project aimed at developing sustainable upcycling solutions for polyurethane materials, addressing the critical limitations in current recycling technologies.  8. South Korea Plans to Impose 5-Year Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Petroleum Resins Recently, South Korea's Ministry of Strategy and Finance issued Announcement No. 2025-142, stating that it will impose anti-dumping duties for five years on petroleum resins originating from Mainland China and Taiwan Region of China. Among them, the duty rate for Mainland China is 2.26% ~ 3.50%, and that for Taiwan Region of China is 7.07% and 18.52%. The case involves products under Korean tariff code 3911.10.1000, but C9 petroleum resins with a softening point of not less than 130℃ are not subject to the above anti-dumping duties. 9. Counterpoint: Global Smartphone Shipments Grew 2% YoY in Q2 On July 17, according to preliminary data estimates from Counterpoint Research's market monitoring service, global smartphone shipments in the second quarter of 2025 grew slightly by 2% year-on-year (YoY). This growth marks the second consecutive quarter of expansion, mainly driven by contributions from the North American, Japanese and European markets. Samsung maintained its position as the world's top smartphone vendor in Q2 2025 with an 8% YoY increase in shipments. Apple remained in second place, with its shipments rising 4% YoY. Xiaomi's performance in Q2 2025 was flat YoY, ranking third. vivo and OPPO ranked fourth and fifth respectively, performing steadily in the mid-range market and showing signs of recovery in overseas markets such as Latin America and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Overseas Macro Market: 【Fed Releases "Beige Book" on Economic Conditions】 On July 16 local time, the Federal Reserve released the "Beige Book" on economic conditions.【US June Producer-Side Inflation Data Unexpectedly Lower Than Expected】 On July 16 local time, US June producer-side inflation data was unexpectedly lower than expected, failing to reflect the potential price increase effect that tariff policies might bring to producers for the time being. The market continues to bet that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates twice within the year. 【Trump Denies Plan to Fire Powell】 On July 16 local time, US President Trump denied news that he would soon fire Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, easing market concerns. 【Earnings of Major US Financial Institutions Remain Stable】 On July 16 local time, major financial institutions such as Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley released relatively stable earnings reports, boosting market risk appetite. The three major US stock indexes closed higher collectively on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq hitting its ninth closing record high this year. 【UK June CPI Year-on-Year Increase Rebounds to 3.6%】 On July 16 local time, data released by the UK Office for National Statistics showed that the year-on-year increase in the UK's June Consumer Price Index (CPI) unexpectedly rebounded to 3.6%, hitting a new high since January 2024. The market is worried that the UK economy is on the verge of stagflation.【ASML Reports Strong Earnings but Faces Gloomy Outlook】 On July 16 local time, Dutch lithography giant ASML released its earnings report, showing that the company had strong performance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. However, management warned that uncertainties in macroeconomic and geopolitical risks are increasing, and the company's performance may not grow in 2026. ASML's European shares plummeted 11.37% on Wednesday, which also triggered a decline in most large European technology stocks. The three major European stock indexes closed lower collectively on Wednesday. Price Information: 【RMB/USD Central Parity Rate】 The central parity rate of RMB against USD was reported at 7.1461, up 65 points; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1526, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1776, and the night session closing price of the previous day was 7.1771; 【Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 820 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia 830 USD/ton; Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price 740 USD/ton; CFR China average price 765 USD/ton; North Asia frozen cargo CIF price, propane 520-521 USD/ton; butane 490-491 USD/ton; South China frozen cargo CIF price for early August, propane 552-562 USD/ton; butane 523-531 USD/ton; Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price, propane 520-521 USD/ton; butane 490-491 USD/ton; 【LLDPE USD Market Prices】Film: 875-900 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: 950 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan); 【HDPE USD Market Prices】Film: 920 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow molding: 855-860 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【LDPE USD Market Prices】Film: 1070-1100 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Coating: 1350 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【PP USD Market Prices】Homopolymer: 935-965 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);  

Covestro (India) Pvt. Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) to initiate an innovative corporate social responsibility project. The project aims to develop sustainable upcycling solutions for polyurethane materials, addressing key limitations of current recycling technologies. Improve the recyclability of polyurethane materials. This collaborative project will explore innovative methods for converting polyurethane waste into valuable chemical feedstocks. The aim of this research is to develop commercially viable technologies that can significantly enhance the recyclability of polyurethane materials while reducing environmental impact. Currently, polyurethane recycling is mainly limited to mechanical methods and some emerging chemical processes. These existing methods face significant limitations, including material performance degradation, high energy requirements, the potential for harmful by-products, and limited applicability across different types of polyurethane. Developing efficient polyurethane chemical recycling technologies is a key industry need that this project aims to address. In commenting on the launch of the project, Avinash Bagdi, Head of Sales for India and Custom Polyurethane Solutions, said:This partnership strengthens our commitment to seeking innovative solutions for polyurethane waste and directly supports Covestro's vision of achieving a comprehensive circular economy. By developing effective polyurethane upgrade recycling methods, we are taking concrete steps to create a more sustainable future, in line with our corporate vision to drive the transition to a circular economy. This project addresses the critical global challenge of polyurethane waste management. Unlike traditional plastics, polyurethane faces unique recycling challenges due to its complex chemical structure and cross-linking properties. Currently, the polyurethane economy largely follows a linear model, where these specialized materials, widely used in furniture, automotive components, insulation, and countless other applications, are often discarded after use, ultimately accumulating in landfills. Join hands to tackle the challenges of plastic recycling. NCL has world-class expertise in chemical science and sustainable technology development, making them an ideal partner for this project. As one of India's research institutions with over seventy years of scientific achievements, NCL has unparalleled capabilities in developing new chemical processes. Covestro (India) and NCL's strategic partnership leverages the laboratory's cutting-edge infrastructure, outstanding research team, and strong record in developing environmentally sustainable technologies. This memorandum of understanding is based on a recent agreement between the two companies, reinforcing Covestro and NCL's shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges through scientific innovation. This collaboration further combines Covestro's industry leadership with NCL's scientific expertise, establishing a strategic partnership to tackle the challenges of plastic recycling. Dr. Ashish Lele, the director of NCL, further commented on the demand for such solutions: “CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory is pleased to collaborate with Covestro (India) to jointly develop new chemical upcycling methods for polyurethane waste. The traditional and electrochemical strategies we are formulating address the key limitations of current recycling technologies and perfectly align with our shared vision for a circular economy. This collaboration represents an important step for India and the world towards sustainable plastic management, with the potential to transform polyurethane waste into valuable chemical resources.

International News Digest: Raw Materials - Röhm Shutters Louisiana Plant, Texas Mega-facility Launches Automotive - $7,500 Tax Credit Expiring! EV Makers Urge U.S. Consumers to "Buy Now" Additives -Sanyo Chemical Industries introduces additive to reduce wear and seizure in EV drive units Packaging -Veolia announces £70m plastics recycling facility in Shropshire Macro - Trump Announces 50% Tariff on Copper, Effective August 1 Price - USD/CNY Central Parity at 7.1510, Up 31 Pips International News Details 1. Röhm Officially Closes Louisiana MMA Plant, Launches Another World-Class Facility   Röhm has confirmed the official closure of its methyl methacrylate (MMA) production facility in Westwego, Louisiana. The site marks the end of an era as production shifts to the newly operational world-class plant in Bay City, Texas. The Westwego plant was shut down as scheduled at the end of June, fully aligned with the strategic transformation plan announced two years ago. The closure coincides with the successful launch of Röhm’s new flagship MMA production facility in Texas. The Bay City plant represents a major technological advancement for the company, using Röhm’s proprietary LiMA technology with an annual MMA capacity of 250,000 tonnes. MMA is a key raw material used in various plastics and polymer applications. 2. Africa’s First Battery Recycling Hub Established, Hinckley Leads Resource Recycling in Nigeria Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Company recently secured a new round of strategic investment, co-funded by Goodwell Investments and Alitheia Capital through the uMunthu II Impact Fund. The funds will be used to build Nigeria’s first specialized lithium-ion and lead-acid battery recycling plant in Ogun State. Designed to process 30,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, the project will simultaneously expand export operations, helping the company consolidate its position as a benchmark in Africa’s sustainable recycling sector. This financing marks Goodwell’s first foray into waste management, reflecting growing international confidence in African green infrastructure. Facing the dual challenges of surging global e-waste and Africa’s underdeveloped recycling systems, Hinckley is breaking new ground with a "dual-drive model" of environmental governance and industrial upgrading. 3.$7,500 Tax Credit Expiring! EV Makers Urge U.S. Consumers to "Buy Now " Automakers are urging U.S. consumers to rush to purchase electric vehicles before the $7,500 tax credit expires. Tesla’s homepage displayed a banner on Tuesday: "The $7,500 tax credit is ending. Take delivery by September 30, 2025." On the same day, Ford extended free home charging stations and installation services until the end of September to attract EV buyers. The comprehensive tax and budget bill in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" will eliminate the $7,500 tax credit for purchasing or leasing new EVs and the $4,000 credit for used EVs by the end of September. The U.S. Congress approved the $7,500 tax credit for EVs and plug-in hybrids in 2008. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act under the Biden administration extended the credit while restricting it to EVs produced in the U.S. with batteries and related materials meeting certain domestic sourcing ratios. 4. Sanyo Chemical Launches Additive to Reduce Wear and Galling in EV Drive Units Sanyo Chemical has developed a new anti-wear polymer additive, ACLUBE NS-100, specifically designed for E-Axle drive units in electric vehicles (EVs). The additive addresses challenges associated with the trend toward low-viscosity lubricants (E-fluids) in EVs, such as thinner oil films and risks of wear and galling. ACLUBE NS-100 exhibits excellent anti-wear and anti-galling properties. Additionally, it offers multiple characteristics required for E-fluids, including copper corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, and oxidation stability. These features help enhance the durability of E-Axle units and contribute to improved EV range and energy efficiency. 5. £70 Million Investment, 80,000 Tonnes Annual Plastic Processing! Veolia to Build Plastic Recycling Plant in UK Veolia has confirmed a £70 million investment to convert a disused industrial facility at Battlefield, near Shrewsbury, into a high-capacity plastic sorting and recycling plant. The facility, set to process 80,000 tonnes of plastic annually, will create over 130 permanent jobs in addition to those required during construction. Operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026. The announcement coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK and marks Veolia’s largest plastics recycling investment in the country to date. The development will include the UK’s first dedicated "tray-to-tray" closed-loop PET recycling facility, processing post-consumer PET1 trays and bottles into food-grade flake for new packaging, primarily supplying the UK grocery and food manufacturing sectors. 6. RTI and Kinova Partner to Accelerate Development of Next-Generation Medical Robotics Systems Real-Time Innovations (RTI), a software framework company focusing on physical artificial intelligence systems, has announced a partnership with Kinova, a global leader in professional and medical robotics. The collaboration aims to seamlessly integrate advanced robotics technology with data center-style connectivity, simplifying and accelerating product lifecycles, reducing project risks, and "redefining possibilities" in the new era of physical AI for advanced systems like surgical robots. 7.OMV and ADNOC’s $13.4 Billion Acquisition of Nova Cleared by EU The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Nova Chemicals by Borouge Group International, a proposed joint venture between petrochemical giants OMV and ADNOC. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the Austrian firm announced the $13.4 billion deal in March 2025. With this acquisition, Borouge Group International will rank among the world’s top four polyolefin producers. 8.Trump’s Second Wave of "Tariff Letters" Targets 8 Countries, Brazil Faces 50% Rate Following 14 "tariff notification letters" issued on Monday, Trump’s second wave of tariff letters arrived on Wednesday, covering 8 countries. U.S. President Trump posted letters to Brunei, Algeria, Moldova, Iraq, the Philippines, and Libya on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump stated that the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on products from Brunei and Moldova, 30% on Algeria, Iraq, and Libya, and 20% on the Philippines, effective August 1. Shortly after, Trump released a letter to Sri Lanka, announcing a 30% tariff on all Sri Lankan products starting August 1, 2025. Additionally, Trump posted a letter to Brazil on Truth Social, stating that the U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on all Brazilian products from August 1, 2025—far exceeding the 10% reciprocal tariff rate for Brazil announced by Trump on April 2.   Overseas macro market information: Trump Announces 50% Tariff on Copper, Effective August 1 U.S. President Trump posted on social media: "After receiving a strong national security assessment, I am announcing a 50% tariff on copper, effective August 1, 2025." Facing 50% Tariff Amid Trade Deficit, Lula Vows Retaliation; Brazilian Assets Plummet Brazil, which runs a trade deficit with the U.S., is not spared from tariffs. Trump linked the tariff decision to Brazil’s judicial trial of former President Bolsonaro, clearly political. Lula responded that Brazil will not be "instructed" by anyone and warned of retaliation under Brazil’s economic reciprocity law against any unilateral tariff hikes. Copper Traders Divert to Hawaii, Puerto Rico to Avoid Trump’s 50% Tariff Reports indicate that copper traders are urgently adjusting shipping routes, diverting copper cargoes to Hawaii and Puerto Rico to avoid the 50% tariff on copper imports imposed by the Trump administration starting August 1. Originally taking over a month, the emergency rerouting allows delivery in just 10 days. As a typically speculative commodity, copper can gain a 25% premium during this period, impacting New York copper futures prices with a range comparable to global benchmarks. Peru Issues Preliminary Anti-Dumping Ruling on Chinese Wire Rods According to the Ministry of Commerce, on July 8, 2025, Peru’s National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) published Announcement No. 092-2025/CDB-INDECOPI in the official gazette El Peruano, issuing a preliminary anti-dumping ruling on Chinese-origin wire rods (Spanish: alambrón de acero sin aleación, de bajo y alto carbono, de sección y superficie lisa, y con un diámetro que varía entre 5.5 mm y 16 mm). A provisional anti-dumping duty of $64.6/tonne is imposed, effective the day after the announcement. Colombia Issues Final Anti-Dumping Sunset Review Ruling on Chinese Steel Strand According to the Ministry of Commerce, on July 3, 2025, Colombia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism published Announcement No. 166 in the official gazette, issuing a final anti-dumping sunset review ruling on Chinese-origin steel strand (Spanish: cables de acero, torón galvanizado y torón para concreto preesforzado). A minimum FOB price of $3.36/kg is maintained; for products declared below this price, a differential anti-dumping duty will be imposed. The Colombian tariff code for the products is 7312.10.90.00. The measure takes effect the day after the announcement, with a five-year validity.   Price information: USD/CNY Central Parity   7.1510, up 31 pips; previous trading day’s central parity 7.1541, previous trading day’s official closing price 7.1824, overnight closing price 7.1815.   Raw Materials USD Market Prices Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $820/tonne; CFR Southeast Asia $830/tonne. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price $740/tonne; CFR China average price $775/tonne, down $10/tonne. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: propane $542-544/tonne; butane $512-514/tonne. South China frozen cargo for first half of August CIF price: propane $568-575/tonne; butane $538-545/tonne. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price: propane $542-544/tonne; butane $512-514/tonne. LLDPE USD Market Prices Film: $875-910/tonne (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $950/tonne (CFR Dongguan). HDPE USD Market Prices Film: $920/tonne (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: $855-860/tonne (CFR Huangpu). LDPE USD Market Prices Film: $1,070-1,110/tonne (CFR Huangpu), down $10/tonne; Coating: $1,350/tonne (CFR Huangpu). PP USD Market Prices Homopolymer: $935-980/tonne (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: $965-995/tonne (CFR Huangpu); Film material: $1,000/tonne (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1,085/tonne (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: $1,160/tonne (CFR Shanghai).

News Highlights: Raw Material News - Dow Shuts Down Three Major Chemical Plants in Europe Automotive News - Hyosung Advanced Materials Launches Restructuring of North American Airbag Business Packaging News - Bookoff Plans to Step Up Recycling of Unsold CDs and DVDs Electronic News - Fully Blocked by Canadian Government! Hikvision: Has Filed a Lawsuit Other News - Chinese Companies Install the World's Largest Diameter Flexible Pipeline in Saudi Arabia Macro News - US Media: US Treasury Secretary Says Talks with China Planned in Coming Weeks to Promote Consultations on Sino-US Trade and Other Issues Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 820 USD/ton, Down 30 USD/ton The following is the details of international news: 1.Dow to Shut Down Three Major Chemical Plants in Europe On July 7, Dow announced that its board of directors has approved the closure of three European upstream assets to address structural challenges in the region and optimize profitability. The assets to be closed include: Packaging and Specialty Plastics: Ethylene cracker in Böhlen, Germany, scheduled to close in Q4 2025; Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure: Chlor-Alkali and Vinyl (CAV) assets in Schkopau, Germany, scheduled to close in Q4 2025; Performance Materials & Coatings: Basic siloxane plant in Barry, UK, scheduled to close in mid-2026. It is understood that the shutdown will affect approximately 800 Dow positions, part of the company's $1 billion cost-saving initiative announced in January, which includes cutting about 1,500 global positions. 2. PureCycle partners with Emerald Carpets to close the loop in carpet production PureCycle Technologies, Inc., a U.S.based company revolutionizing plastic recycling, announced a partnership with Emerald Carpets. This collaboration aims to transform the trade show carpet industry by creating closed-loop circularity in carpet production.The partnership includes PureCycle recycling used trade show carpets from Emerald Carpets, designed to transform the material into purified fiber-grade recycled polypropylene (rPP) pellets. Successful recycling of the materials would allow Emerald Carpets to then manufacture new carpets out of the rPP, creating a sustainable carpet-to-carpet solution. This should allow Emerald Carpets to meet California’s carpet-to-carpet (closed loop) recycled content requirements that go into effect in 2028. 3. India Initiates Anti-Dumping Investigation on Polyethylene from Six Countries Recently, India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) issued an official announcement stating that, in response to a complaint from the Indian Chemicals and Petrochemicals Association, it has decided to launch an anti-dumping investigation into polyethylene imports from Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 4. Borealis wins patent dispute against Mitsui Chemicals The European Patent Office (EPO) has ruled in favour of Borealis in a dispute with Japan-based Mitsui Chemicals.The ruling allows Borealis to continue manufacturing its polyolefin elastomer (POE) film for solar cells. The material is used as an encapsulant to protect solar cells from environmental damage and improve their long-term performance. It acts as a sealant and adhesive, holding the solar cell layers together while also providing crucial protection against moisture, temperature fluctuations, and UV radiation. 5. Hyosung Advanced Materials Launches Restructuring of North American Airbag Business Hyosung Advanced Materials is restructuring its US airbag subsidiary, GST Automotive Safety Components International (GST), aiming to expand the production and sales of airbag cushions and fabrics in North America.As part of this restructuring, GST will acquire "all assets, contracts, rights, employees, and related liabilities" involved in the production and sales of airbag cushions and fabrics from HS Hyosung USA Holdings, Inc. The South Korean supplier stated on July 4th, 2025, that this move will integrate its airbag business in the United States and enhance corporate value by consolidating the business into a single entity. After the restructuring, the GST business unit and GST Mexico shares held by HS Hyosung USA Holdings, Inc. will be merged into GST Global GmbH. 6. Hugo Boss Collaborates with Zellerfeld to Launch a Fully 3D-Printed Loafer German fashion brand Hugo Boss recently launched a fully 3D-printed loafer. This loafer, created in collaboration with footwear 3D printing factory Zellerfeld, brings a new silhouette design to the diversified footwear market - it not only inherits the classic loafer style but also incorporates a sleek, tech-inspired structure.The 3D-printed loafer made its debut at the NAMESAKE collection fashion show during Paris Fashion Week. Its unique design includes an integrated structure and is made from a single recyclable material. The shoe body uses zellerFOAM flexible material based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), whose physical properties can be precisely adjusted through design. 7.RecyClass publishes Recyclability Evaluation Protocols for automotive and E&E sector The first set of RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols for Automotive and Electrical & Electronic Equipment (EEE) has been published following intense collaboration with the plastic value chain. Grounded in the European state-of-the-art recycling infrastructure, the protocols focus on polymers that are commonly recovered and recycled in these industries. These include polypropylene (PP), mineral-filled polypropylene (PP-MF), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) and polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend (PC-ABS). 8. Chinese Enterprise Installs World's Largest Diameter Flexible Pipeline in Saudi Arabia Recently, the Saudi Jizan Industrial City seawater cooling project, undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd. and constructed by CCCC Fourth Harbor Engineering Co., Ltd., completed the shipment and installation of 3.5-meter diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines in unprotected sea areas, marking the successful installation of the world's largest diameter flexible pipeline. 9. Bookoff plans to step up recycling of unsold CDs and DVDs Secondhand goods retailer Bookoff Group Holdings will step up its efforts to recycle CDs and DVDs into daily items.Bookoff annually disposes of 1,700 tons of unsold discs and cases from some 800 outlets across the country. 10.  Fully Blocked by Canadian Government! Hikvision: Has Filed a Lawsuit In response to the Canadian government's shutdown of Hikvision's operations in Canada, Huang Fanghong, Chief Compliance Officer of Hikvision, stated on social media on the morning of July 8th that the company had formally filed a lawsuit with the Federal Court of Canada on July 7th (Eastern Time in Canada), requesting the initiation of judicial review procedures, and had applied to the Federal Court of Canada for an interim injunction to suspend the shutdown order. Currently, Hikvision Canada has resumed normal operations. Overseas macro market information: 【Morgan Stanley: Trump's Tariff Letters May Mean Tactical Escalation of Trade Negotiations】 Economists at Morgan Stanley said that US trade negotiations are moving towards a tactical escalation. The bank's report stated that if the latest tariffs proposed by the Trump administration in letters to trading partners take effect, Asia's weighted average tariff will rise to 27%. However, Trump has stated that the US is about to reach an agreement with India. Morgan Stanley said this indicates that most major Asian economies will be able to reach agreements before the August 1 deadline. But Japan and South Korea may not be able to resolve key issues through negotiations. Morgan Stanley said these issues include Japan's automobile tariffs and agricultural product issues, as well as South Korea's automobile and steel tariff reduction issues. 【Japanese Prime Minister Calls Trump's Tariff Letter Regrettable】 In response to the tariff-related letters sent by US President Trump to Japan and other parties, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said today that the information released by the US is regrettable. Shigeru Ishiba stated that he will continue to negotiate with the US on tariffs. 【US Media: US Treasury Secretary Says Talks with China Planned in Coming Weeks to Promote Consultations on Sino-US Trade and Other Issues】 According to Bloomberg, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on July 7th local time that she expects to meet with Chinese officials in the coming weeks to promote consultations between China and the US on trade and other issues. "I will meet with my Chinese counterpart sometime in the next few weeks," Yellen said in an interview with CNBC. "We had good talks in Geneva and London before, and both sides maintained a highly respectful attitude." "If China is willing, China and the US can cooperate in more fields," Yellen said, adding that the two sides will discuss expanding the scope of cooperation from trade to other fields. 【RBA Unexpectedly Keeps Key Interest Rate Unchanged, AUD Rises】 The Reserve Bank of Australia kept its key interest rate unchanged at 3.85%. Only 5 out of 32 economists predicted this decision, and traders were also caught off guard. The RBA has cut interest rates twice during this easing cycle. Given the tight labor market and weak productivity growth, economists had previously debated the extent to which the central bank might cut interest rates further. After the interest rate announcement, the Australian dollar rose, and the policy-sensitive Australian 3-year government bond yield rose 5 basis points to 3.42%. Money markets had bet that the cash rate would fall below 3% by February 2026. Economists had expected two more rate cuts this year, with the cash rate falling to 3.35%, followed by a pause. 【Thai Acting Prime Minister: US Tariff Policy Announced on 7th Contradicts Previous Negotiations】 Thai Acting Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on the 8th that the US tariff policy announced on the 7th contradicts the content of previous negotiations between the two sides, and he said he will further discuss with relevant Thai parties and prepare for continued negotiations. On July 7th local time, US President Trump said that a 36% tariff will be imposed on imported products from Thailand starting from August 1st. 【Myanmar to Propose to US to Seek Reduction of Trade Tariffs】 Myanmar's Deputy Minister of Commerce Min Min said that the Myanmar military government will propose to the Trump administration to reduce the US tariff on Myanmar goods by 40%. Min Min said on Tuesday that Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Investment are coordinating with the Myanmar Embassy to formulate this proposal, but did not provide details. Min Min said that the Myanmar authorities had previously sent a negotiation letter to the US Department of the Treasury during the 90-day tariff suspension period. 【Argentina Makes Negative Final Ruling in Anti-Dumping Sunset Review on Chinese-Related Household Aluminum Radiators】 According to China Trade Remedy Information Network, on July 7th, the Ministry of Economy of Argentina issued Announcement No. 935 of 2025, making a negative final ruling in the anti-dumping sunset review on aluminum radiators originating from China and Italy, deciding to terminate the anti-dumping measures on the products; at the same time, it terminated the anti-circumvention investigation on Chinese  products and will not impose anti-dumping duties. Price Information: 【RMB/USD Central Parity Rate】 The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1534, down 28 points; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1506, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1747, and the night session closing price of the previous day was 7.1750. 【Raw Material USD Market Price】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 820 USD/ton, down 30 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia 830 USD/ton, down 30 USD/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average price 745 USD/ton, down 5 USD/ton; CFR China average price 795 USD/ton, down 10 USD/ton. Northeast Asia frozen cargo CIF price: propane 528-530 USD/ton; butane 503-505 USD/ton. South China frozen cargo CIF price for early August: propane 557-567 USD/ton; butane 522-532 USD/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price: propane 528-530 USD/ton; butane 503-505 USD/ton. 【LLDPE USD Market Price】 Film: 875-920 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu), down 10 USD/ton; Injection molding: 940 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan); 【HDPE USD Market Price】 Film: 910-930 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow molding: 860-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【LDPE USD Market Price】 Film: 1080-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Coating: 1350 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【PP USD Market Price】 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).

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 Guide: Raw Materials - Malaysia Announces Tighter Plastic Waste Import Rules, Effective July 1 Automotive - EU End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations Loom, But Implementation Hurdles Persist Packaging - Bioplastics Break Performance Bottleneck: AIMPLAS-Lead Project Reshapes Sustainable Packaging Electronics - Samsung Reports 31% Recycled Plastic Content in Galaxy Devices Macro - Canada Cancels Digital Services Tax to Advance US Trade Talks Price - Ethylene Asia: CFR NE Asia $850/ton; CFR SE Asia $860/ton The following are details of international news:   1.Italy fines bioplastics maker Novamont for abusing dominant The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (Italian Competition Authority, AGCM) has imposed a €30.4 million fine on bioplastics manufacturer Novamont S.p.A for abuse of its dominant market position. Specifically, the company “abused its dominant position in the national markets for raw materials used in the production of bags (lightweight and ultra-lightweight for fruit and vegetables) by engaging in exclusionary practices targeting competitors,” according to an AGCM press release. 2.Doubling down on double capacity: our second advanced recycling unit is up and running in Baytown ExxonMobil has commissioned a second advanced recycling unit in Baytown, We’ve expanded our Baytown operations with a second advanced recycling unit. Combined with our first unit, which has been  in operation since late 2022 , we have processed more than 100 million pounds of plastic as of May 2025. 3.Samsung Reports 31% Recycled Plastic Content in Galaxy DevicesSamsung’s 2025 sustainability report reveals that 31% of plastic components in Galaxy smartphones and other products launched in 2024 used recycled materials, a new high for the company. The report notes Samsung has expanded its e-waste recycling program to 80 countries and regions globally, up from 70 in 2023. 4.AkzoNobel Agrees to Sell Majority Stake in Indian Unit to JSW GroupAkzoNobel has signed an agreement to sell its stake in AkzoNobel India Limited (ANIL) to India’s JSW Group, based on an enterprise value of approximately €1.4 billion (22x EV/EBITDA), covering its liquid coatings business in India. AkzoNobel will retain full ownership of ANIL’s powder coatings business and international research center. The divestment is the first step in the company’s strategic portfolio review announced in October 2024 to focus capital and capabilities on leading positions in key global coatings markets. 5.EU Launches Anti-Dumping Investigation into Vietnamese PET PlasticThe European Commission has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) plastic imports from Vietnam, following complaints from EU PET producers alleging dumping at below normal value, harming the EU industry. The investigation, launched on May 22, 2025, covers 2024 export data and targets PET plastic with a viscosity of 78 ml/g or higher (ISO 1628-5), under HS code 39076100. 6.Malaysia Announces Stricter Plastic Waste Import Rules, Effective July 1Malaysia will implement stricter plastic waste import regulations from July 1, banning all plastic waste imports to align with the Basel Convention and its 2019 Plastic Waste Amendment, including prohibiting trade of specific plastic waste among Convention parties. Currently, Malaysia receives far more plastic waste from wealthy developed nations than other non-OECD countries. 7.Bioplastics Break Performance Bottleneck: AIMPLAS-Lead BIOPROCESS Project Reshapes Sustainable Packaging Bioplastics are emerging as a more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based non-degradable plastics in packaging, but further research is needed to ensure biodegradable/compostable plastics meet shelf-life requirements. The AIMPLAS-led BIOPROCESS project aims to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of bioplastics for high-performance flexible packaging films in food, cosmetics, personal care, detergents, and cleaning products. Partners include Potato Bioplastics (renewable resource bioplastics manufacturer) and Gaviplas (flexible film producer). 8.Kuraray Expands Production Again, Near-Monopolizing Market Kuraray has announced plans to expand production of optical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film "Poval" at its Saijo Plant in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, driven by demand for larger screen sizes. The new line, scheduled for December 2027, will produce wider optical PVA films compatible with 3-meter-wide polarizers, adding 38 million square meters annual capacity and boosting total capacity from 296 million to 334 million square meters. 9.EU End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations Loom, But Implementation Hurdles PersistIn Europe, end-of life vehicles (ELVs) are recycled at a high rate, with an average of 95% of materials being reused and recovered, and 85% being reused and recycled. However, some challenges remain such as the lack of circularity in design and production, the uptake of recycled materials in new vehicles or the low recycling rates for specific materials, such as plastics – with  80% of ELV plastics being currently incinerated or landfilled. This is a missed opportunity with enormous environmental and economic consequences. As the EU finalises the new the End-of Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation, a crucial piece of legislation designed to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles across their entire lifecycle, there is a critical window to push for real change. 10.Enterprises Including VW, BMW, Mercedes, and Bosch Sign MoU to Co-Develop Automotive Software Platform Volkswagen Group, BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz, and 8 other automotive and tech companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-develop and share advanced automotive software platforms, aiming to counter U.S. technological dominance and regain control of future vehicle digital architectures. Overseas macroeconomic market information: No Room for Compromise? Trump Says Unwilling to Lower Tariffs on Japanese Cars as Japanese Official Is "Standed Up" by U.S. Treasury Secretary U.S. President Trump said on June 29 he is not prepared to lower the 25% additional tariff on Japanese cars, the focal point of U.S.-Japan trade talks. Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryohei extended his U.S. visit but failed to meet Treasury Secretary Bessent during his 7th trip. Indonesia Relaxes Import Regulations for Commodities Indonesia has relaxed import rules for 10 commodities, planning further deregulation measures. Indonesian President Says Will Collaborate with Chinese Partners to Promote Power Battery Ecosystem Project Indonesian President Prabowo said on June 29 that the power battery ecosystem project, a $5.9 billion investment by state miner Antam, Indonesia Battery Corporation, and Ningbo Puqin Times, will make Indonesia the only Southeast Asian country with integrated upstream-to-downstream battery production, inviting Chinese partners to advance the strategic project. Canada Cancels Digital Services Tax to Advance U.S. Trade Talks Canadian Prime Minister Kearney and President Trump agreed to resume trade talks to reach an agreement by July 21, after Trump terminated talks over Canada’s digital tax.   Price information: 【USD/CNY Central Parity Rate】 The central parity rate of RMB against USD was set at 7.1586, up 41 pips. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1627, official closing price was 7.1690, and overnight closing price was 7.1740. 【Raw Materials - USD Market Prices】 Ethylene (Asia): CFR Northeast Asia: $850/ton CFR Southeast Asia: $860/ton Propylene (Northeast Asia): FOB Korea average: $745/ton, down $5/ton CFR China average: $795/ton, down $5/ton North Asia LPG (CIF): Propane: $536.5-538.5/ton Butane: $506.5-508.5/ton South China LPG (August arrival, CIF): Propane: $566-576/ton Butane: $536-546/ton Taiwan LPG (CIF): Propane: $536.5-538.5/ton Butane: $506.5-508.5/ton 【LLDPE - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Film grade: $880-930/ton (Huangpu) Injection grade: $940/ton (Dongguan) 【HDPE - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Film grade: $910-930/ton (Huangpu) Hollow grade: $860-870/ton (Huangpu) 【LDPE - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Film grade: $1,105-1,120/ton (Yantian) Coating grade: $1,350/ton (Huangpu) 【PP - USD Market Prices (CFR)】 Homopolymer: $935-980/ton (Huangpu, up $5/ton) Copolymer: $965-995/ton (Huangpu) Film stock: $1,000/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).  

News Digest: Raw Materials - PureCycle Technologies Secures $300M for Global Recycling Expansion Automotive - EU sets phased targets for recycled plastic in vehicles Packaging - Danone Canada invests $9M in PET yogurt cup production Electronics - Midea invests in four new projects in Brazil's Minas Gerais Medical - Sanner Begins Medical Injection Molding Operations in North Carolina Macro - US media: Iran may build nuke if key facilities attacked or supreme leader assassinated Price - Ethylene Asia: CFR NE Asia $830/ton, up $10   International News Details   1.Versalis plans industrial-scale chemical recycling in Italy after demo plant launchVersalis SpA, the chemicals business of Eni Spa, said it is in the design phase for a 40,000 metric tons per year plant planned to be built at Priolo, Italy, for the chemical recycling of mixed waste plastics. The company, which announced June 19 it had successfully completed initial production tests at a demonstration chemical recycling plant in Mantua, Italy, with a nameplate processing capacity of 6,000 metric tons per year of secondary raw materials, said it has already completed a feasibility study for the larger project.    2. PureCycle Technologies Secures $300M for Global Recycling ExpansionU.S.-based polyolefin chemical recycling company PureCycle Technologies Inc. has announced it has secured $300 million in funding. The funds will be used to support the company’s goal of recycling 500,000 tons of polypropylene (PP) plastic annually by 2030. The focus will be on building chemical recycling facilities in Augusta, Georgia (USA); Antwerp, Belgium; and Rayong, Thailand. 3. NOVA Chemicals Commissions Recycling Plant for PE Film in Indiana NOVA Chemicals Corp., based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has launched its first polyethylene (PE) film recycling facility, SYNDIGO1, in Connersville, Indiana. Spanning 450,000 square feet, this advanced facility is designed to recycle 145,000 bales of used plastic film annually, producing over 100 million pounds of SYNDIGO recycled PE (rLLDPE) suitable for both food and non-food packaging. Full operations are expected by early 2026. 4. Midea invests in four new projects in Brazil's Minas Gerais Midea announced 198 million reais ($39.6M) in investments across four projects in Minas Gerais, Brazil: a logistics center, Welling motor plant, Midea EPS plant, and new refrigerator factory, creating 830 jobs. Alert! India launches anti-dumping probe into Chinese TPU paint protection filmsIndia's Directorate General of Trade Remedies initiated an anti-dumping investigation into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based surface/paint protection films from China, covering HS codes 39095000, 39191000, etc. EU sets phased targets for recycled plastic in vehicles The EU Council finalized end-of-life vehicle (ELV) regulations, mandating recycled plastic content to increase from 15% (6 years after enactment) to 20% (8 years) and 25% (10 years), laying groundwork for recycled steel, aluminum, and critical materials targets. Sanner Begins Medical Injection Molding Operations in North Carolina Germany’s Sanner announced today that it has officially begun manufacturing operations in Greensboro, NC. The new 60,000-square-foot facility is dedicated to the production of critical injection-molded components for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging, as well as desiccant-related products. US toy giants sue president at Supreme Court over tariff policyLearning Resources and hand2mind filed an emergency motion at the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of former President Trump's tariff policies under the IEEPA, which they say have surged import costs for the toy industry. Danone Canada invests $9M in PET yogurt cup productionDanone Canada will invest $9 million at its Boucherville, Quebec plant to locally produce PET yogurt cups for its Oikos Greek-style high-protein yogurt brand. Overseas Macro Updates 【US media: Iran may pursue nukes if key sites attacked or leader killed】 The New York Times reported US intelligence assesses Iran could decide to build nuclear weapons if the US attacks its Fordo enrichment facility or Israel assassinates Supreme Leader Khamenei, though Iran has not yet made a final decision. 【Trump "delays two weeks" on Iran attack decision】The New York Post said Trump is cautious about bombing Iran, worrying about creating "another Libya" if the regime falls, hence delaying the decision by two weeks. 【South Korea imposes provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese sodium dithionite】South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance will levy 15.15% on Yantai Jinhe Insurance Powder Factory and related firms, 33.97% on other Chinese producers, effective June 21 for four months. Price Information 【USD/CNY central parity】  7.1695, up 34 pips (prev: 7.1729; official close: 7.1882; overnight: 7.1870) 【raw materials (USD/ton)】 Ethylene Asia: CFR NE Asia 830 (up 10), CFR SE Asia 850 Propylene NE Asia: FOB Korea avg 715 (up 5), CFR China avg 760 North Asia LPG CIF: Propane 582-584, Butane 552-554 South China LPG July arrival: Propane 619-629, Butane 556-566 Taiwan LPG CIF: Propane 582-584, Butane 552-554 【LLDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: $915/ton (CFR Huangpu) Injection: $960/ton (CFR Dongguan) 【HDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: $900-915/ton (CFR Huangpu) Hollow: $865/ton (CFR Huangpu) 【LDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: $1,035/ton (CFR Xiamen) 【PP USD Market Prices】 Homopolymer: $890-975/ton (CFR Huangpu, up $5/ton) Copolymer: $965-990/ton (CFR Huangpu) Film stock: $1,025-1,090/ton (CFR Huangpu) Transparent: $1,100/ton (CFR Huangpu) Pipe: $1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai)  

International News Digest: Raw Materials News -Brenntag Specialties and ExxonMobil extend distribution agreement for White Oils in EMEA Packaging News - Balcan Innovations makes $200-million investment in Quebec, U.S.Auto News - Volvo May Initiate Large-scale Layoffs in China Medical News - TekniPlex Healthcare opens flagship barrier protection systems plant in Wisconsin Macro News - Israel Attacked Area Near Iran's Heavy Water Reactor Price Information - The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar was quoted at 7.1729, up 32 points. The following are the details of international news: 1.Brenntag Specialties and ExxonMobil extend distribution agreement for White Oils in EMEA Brenntag announced the extension of the distribution agreement with ExxonMobil on White Oils. After decades of cooperation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, CEE and the Baltics, the agreement now also includes Iberia, the Netherlands and Israel. ExxonMobil's white oil products are manufactured in accordance with the European Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and processed in the clean room at Brenntag's Hamburg site. This ensures high product quality, competitive delivery cycles, and reliable supply security in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. 2. FEAD: Ambition must not be compromised FEAD welcomes the Council’s adoption of a General Approach on the proposed End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR), but underlines several problematic clauses that need to be remedied during the Trilogue. While acknowledging the importance of progress in the legislative process, FEAD warns that diluting minimum recycled content targets and timelines undermines the Regulation’s ability to deliver true circularity in the automotive sector. 3. Balcan Innovations makes $200-million investment in Quebec, U.S. Saint-Léonard, Que.based film and flexible packaging maker Balcan Innovations has completed installation of their new Windmoller & Hoelscher (W&H) printing press in Terrebonne, Que., in what’s being described as the first in a series of major investments in new extrusion, printing, and bag-making machinery for their Wisconsin and Quebec-based facilities. 4. Volvo May Initiate Large-scale Layoffs in ChinaOn the morning of June 19th, GAC learned from multiple sources that Volvo has recently carried out large-scale layoffs across China, with a ratio as high as 50%, affecting multiple positions in engineering research and development and supply chain. The specific list is expected to be announced and all operations completed by the end of this month. GAC immediately sought verification from Volvo China's official channel. The relevant person in charge responded, "We haven't heard of it yet." However, perhaps this rumor is not groundless; it's just that the scale and scope of the layoffs may be different. It's worth noting that this rumor emerged only three weeks after Volvo globally announced the layoff of 3,000 employees. Looking back to May 26th, this Swedish automaker officially announced a global restructuring plan, involving 1,200 employees in Sweden and 1,800 positions in other regions around the world. 5.TekniPlex Healthcare opens flagship barrier protection systems plant in Wisconsin Healthcare product maker TekniPlex Healthcare has opened a new 200,000-square-foot facility in Madison, Wis., that will serve as the flagship location for the company’s Barrier Protection Systems business. First announced in June 2023, the site will strengthen Tekni-Plex’s ability to support medical device and pharmaceutical companies along with their downstream partners, including hospitals, outpatient surgery centres, laboratories and patients, with reliable access to sterile barrier packaging that protects life-saving medical technologies, the company said in a June 12 statement. 6. 27th International Waste Plastics Day set to take place on 24-25 June in Germany The 27th International Waste Plastics Day is set to take place in Dresden, Germany, on 24 and 25 June. Organised by the German association for secondary raw materials and waste disposal bvse, this year’s congress is to focus on the theme of Plastics Recycling: Out of the Crisis and Into the Future. More than 300 participants are expected to take part. 7. UPM Raflatac business area to be renamed as UPM Adhesive Materials UPM Raflatac business area and reporting segment will be renamed UPM Adhesive Materials as of June 12, 2025. The new reporting segment name will be in use from the Interim Report Q2 2025 onwards.   Macro Market Information: 【Israel attacks area near Iran's heavy water reactor】 Xinhua News Agency quoted Iran's Mehr News Agency as reporting on the 19th that Israel launched attacks on areas near Iran's Khondab heavy water reactor facility. According to relevant officials, personnel at the facility had been evacuated previously, and there is no radiation risk at the facility. Israel had previously warned of launching attacks on this facility. 【IDC: China's floor cleaning robot market shipment volume grew 21.4% year-on-year in Q1】 The latest report released by the International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that in the first quarter of 2025, China's floor cleaning robot market shipped 1.188 million units, a year-on-year increase of 21.4%, with the shipment growth rate exceeding 20% for two consecutive quarters. Affected by the "national subsidy policy", the trend of deepened concentration among leading manufacturers is more obvious than in the global market, accelerating market reshuffle, and the market share gap between the Top 5 manufacturers is continuously narrowing. While the cost-effectiveness of new products is accelerating upgrading, it brings hidden inventory concerns, and some old models face greater inventory pressure. Since 2025, the technological upgrading directions have focused on bionic robotic arms and AI interaction, but the average shipment unit price has declined, further squeezing manufacturers' profit margins. 【US-Mexico presidents hold phone call, Mexican economy minister to visit US to promote trade consultations】 On the local time of June 18, Mexican President Ximbaum stated that she had a phone conversation with US President Trump. It is reported that during the conversation, Ximbaum proposed to Trump to promote a "comprehensive agreement" to jointly address security, immigration, and trade issues. Ximbaum also revealed that Mexican Economy Minister Ebrard will visit the US to promote trade issue consultations, while focusing on security and immigration issues with the US side.   Price Information:   【RMB to USD Central Parity Rate】 The central parity rate of RMB against USD was set at 7.1729, up 32 pips; the previous trading day's parity was 7.1761, the official closing price was 7.1868, and the night session close was 7.1900. 【Raw Materials USD Market Prices】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $820/ton (up $10/ton); CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average $720/ton; CFR China average $760/ton. North Asia LPG CIF price: Propane $580-582/ton; Butane $550-552/ton. South China LPG late July CIF price: Propane $612-622/ton; Butane $554-564/ton. Taiwan region LPG CIF price: Propane $580-582/ton; Butane $550-552/ton. 【LLDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: $915/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $960/ton (CFR Dongguan). 【HDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: $900-915/ton (CFR Huangpu, down $10/ton); Hollow: $865/ton (CFR Huangpu, up $5/ton). 【LDPE USD Market Prices】 Film: $1035/ton (CFR Xiamen). 【PP USD Market Prices】 Homopolymer: $890-970/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: $965-990/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: $1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1100/ton (CFR Huangpu, up $35/ton); Pipes: $1160/ton (CFR Shanghai).

International News Guide: Raw Materials News - OQ to showcase 17 new PP and PP grades at K 2025 Automotive News - HARMAN Launches New Display Featuring Samsung Neo QLED Technology Medical News - ThermoFab Rebrands to Better Reflect Breadth of Plastic Processing Services Packaging News - Industrial Packaging Manufacturer MAUSER Commissions IBC Recycling Plant at BASF Site in Spain Macro News - Israel Launches Airstrike on Iran's Capital; Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: Israel Will Face Severe Punishment Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton   Details of International News: 1.OQ to showcase 17 new PP and PP grades at K 2025 OQ, Oman’s global energy group, has introduced 17 new application-focused polymer grades over the past year. This reinforces its commitment to delivering transformative material solutions tailored to address global megatrends such as food preservation, water security, and energy saving. These grades will be showcased for the first time in Europe at K 2025, one of the leading plastics and rubber trade fairs in Düsseldorf. 2.HARMAN Launches New Display Featuring Samsung Neo QLED Technology Today, consumers expect vehicles to deliver premium visual experiences on par with high-end TVs and personal devices. However, the harsh requirements of automotive environments have made it difficult to achieve such display performance. According to foreign media, HARMAN, a leader in automotive technology and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., has launched a new display product that brings true consumer-grade tech viewing experiences to vehicles. The display will be installed in the new Tata Harrier.ev model, marking the first in-vehicle integration of Samsung's proprietary Neo QLED technology, which has been exclusively licensed to HARMAN and optimized by HARMAN for automotive applications. 3.ThermoFab Rebrands to Better Reflect Breadth of Plastic Processing Services ThermoFab offers its customers in the medical device space and within other regulated industries far more than thermoforming services, and it has now rebranded to reflect that reality. It’s new name is Innova Engineered Plastics, explicitly calling out its “innovation, expanded capabilities, and focused vision as the full-service enclosure provider of choice for startups to Fortune 500 companies,” said Innova. 4.Industrial Packaging Manufacturer MAUSER Commissions IBC Recycling Plant at BASF Site in Spain Industrial packaging manufacturer commissions IBC recycling plant at BASF site in Spain Industrial packaging manufacturer Mauser Packaging Solutions has commissioned a new plant for processing intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) in Tarragona, Spain. Located on the premises of BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com), the facility reconditions used IBCs and extracts recyclates from containers that are no longer fit for reuse.  5.BASF Starts New World-Class Hexamethylenediamine Plant in France, Boosting Capacity to 260,000 Tons Recently, BASF announced that its new world-class HMD  plant in Charleroi, France, has been successfully started up. The plant, which began construction in 2022, is of great significance for the successful start-up, boosting BASF's annual HMD production capacity to 260,000 tons. 6.American Axle to Supply Core Components for Volkswagen Group's Scout American powertrain system supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. announced that it has signed an important cooperation agreement with Scout Motors, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, to supply front axle electric drive units and e-Beam rear axles for the upcoming new electric Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck. Image source: American Axle It is reported that the two highly anticipated new Scout models will adopt a body-on-frame chassis architecture, standard with a pure electric powertrain system, and optional gasoline engines to enhance comprehensive range. Currently, Scout Motors has simultaneously opened the reservation channel for the two new Traveler and Terra models, and the first mass-produced models are expected to roll off the production line in 2027. 7. Borealis triples net income in 2024 Stefan Doboczky, Borealis CEO since July 2024, explains how the company's net income reached €566 million in 2024, with operating profit improved by €300 million 8. Farm plastic waste recycling options a 'leap forward for sustainability' Recycling agricultural bags could divert up to 45,000 tonnes of single-use soft plastics from landfill each year. Many farmers either burn or bury plastic to avoid significant landfill costs.   Overseas Macro Market Information: [Israel Launches Airstrike on Iran's Capital] Local time in the early morning of the 13th, the Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes on dozens of targets related to Iran's nuclear program and other military facilities within Iran, naming the operation "Strength of the Lion." [Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: Israel Will Face Severe Punishment] Local time on the 13th, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel would face severe punishment. Khamenei also confirmed the killing of several Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. [Japanese Trade Negotiator: Refuses to Reach Partial Agreement with the US] Japanese Trade Negotiator Akaike Ryohei said on Friday that Japan will insist on demanding a reassessment of US tariffs and will not accept a partial agreement. "Reaching a partial agreement is impossible. Our goal is to reach a comprehensive agreement that satisfies both Japan and the US," Akaike told reporters before departing for Washington. Akaike Ryohei is preparing for the sixth round of tariff negotiations with the US to conduct final negotiations before the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and US President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada. [US ITC Officially Launches 337 Investigation into Ink Cartridges and Components] On June 12, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to launch a 337 investigation into certain ink cartridges and components I and II. A number of Chinese enterprises, including Dongguan Ocbestjet Digital Technology Co., Ltd. in Guangdong, China, are listed as defendants. The US International Trade Commission will determine the end date of the investigation within 45 days of filing. [Iran's Ministry of Energy: Hydropower Infrastructure and Oil Refining and Storage Facilities Undamaged] Local time on the 13th, Iran's Ministry of Energy and the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said that Iran's hydropower infrastructure, oil refining facilities, and storage facilities had not been damaged. Hydropower services continued to operate normally, and the operation of oil facilities and fuel supply continued stably throughout the country without interruption.   Price Information: [RMB to USD Central Parity Rate] The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1772, up 31 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1803, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1824, and the overnight closing price was 7.1715. [Raw Material US Dollar Market Prices] Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average $710/ton; CFR China average $750/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price, propane $545-547/ton; butane $515-517/ton. South China frozen cargo July arrival CIF price, propane $591-601/ton; butane $531-541/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price, propane $545-547/ton; butane $515-517/ton.   [LLDPE US Dollar Market Prices] Film: $895/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $970/ton (CFR Dongguan);   [HDPE US Dollar Market Prices] Film: $900-920/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: $865-870/ton (CFR Huangpu);   [LDPE US Dollar Market Prices] Film: $1,025-1,035/ton (CFR Huangpu);   [PP US Dollar Market Prices] Homopolymer: $885-935/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: $955-1,040/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: $1,025-1,090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: $1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai).

International News Digest: Raw Material News-Braskem achieves a significant breakthrough in olefin separation technology! Auto News -Tesla's Market Value Plunges 150 Billion Amid Public Dispute Between Trump and Musk E-News- LK Group's Die-Casting Equipment Lands in North America as Xusheng Group's Mexico Factory Achieves First Production Line Milestone​​Packaging News-DuPont expands medical packaging capacity in Costa Rica Medical  New-LyondellBasell enters agreement for the sale of Aequita olefin/polyolefin assets in  Europe Macro News - Indian Central Bank Cuts Reserve Requirement and Interest Rates Price Information - North Asia Frozen Cargo CIF, Propane 537-539 USD/ton   The following is a detailed report on international news: 1. LyondellBasell enters agreement for the sale of Aequita olefin/polyolefin assets in  Europe LyondellBasell (Rotterdam, the Netherlands; www.lyondellbasell.com) today announced that it has entered into an agreement and exclusive negotiations with AEQUITA (Munich, Germany; www.aequita.com) for the sale of select olefins and polyolefins assets and the associated business in Europe. The sites to be sold have been part of the previously announced European strategic assessment and are located in Berre (France), Münchsmünster (Germany), Carrington (U.K.) and Tarragona (Spain). 2. DuPont Expands Medical Packaging Capacity in Costa Rica DuPont has expanded its sterile operations via an addition to its healthcare manufacturing facility in Heredia, Costa Rica, the company announced today. The 16,000-square-foot expansion enable the production of sterile packaging at the site for the global medical device industry while increasing capacity of existing medical tubing operations, DuPont said. 3. Braskem, olefin separation technology has made a major breakthrough ! Braskem and Ardent Process Technologies ( ' Ardent ' ), the largest polyolefin producer in the Americas, a global market leader and a pioneer producer of industrial-scale biopolymers, announced that the innovative olefin-paraffin separation technology project jointly developed by the two companies has been successfully completed, marking a major breakthrough in polyolefin production efficiency. The two sides started cooperation in November 2020, and the core is to develop and test Ardent 's Optiperm TM membrane technology on a dedicated demonstration device in the Braskem plant. The rigorous development project has successfully achieved key performance indicators, including membrane efficiency, durability and operational stability. 4. Tesla's Market Value Plunges 150 Billion Amid Public Dispute Between Trump and Musk According to foreign media reports,Tesla Inc.′s stockprice plummeted 150 billion in market value in a single day, following a highly publicized feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and former head of the "Government Efficiency Department." 5. SK Chemical, together with the Ministry of Administrative Security of Korea and the local government to create a benchmark model for waste banner recycling SK Chemical announced that the company signed a memorandum of understanding on waste banner recycling cooperation with five local governments and REVELOP, Sejinplus, Kakao and other enterprises in its Ulsan factory in the southern district of Ulsan City, aiming to promote the coordinated development of regions and enterprises. The agreement is a key part of the South Korean Ministry of Administration and Security 's joint local government and enterprise cooperation project to promote a virtuous cycle of waste banners. It aims to convert recycled waste banners into raw materials and reprocess them into new products through chemical technology. 6. Duroflex 3 years recycled 2 million plastic bottles India 's leading brand of sleep solutions Duroflex announces that, to date, it has successfully converted 2 million waste PET plastic bottles into environmentally friendly mattress fabrics. Through this innovative green project, Duroflex not only promotes the recycling of plastic waste in India, but also provides practical solutions for sustainable consumption, further strengthening its leading position in the field of green manufacturing. 7. Heidelberg 's latest financial report : annual sales of 18.7 billion yuan, China contributed nearly 2.5 billion on June 5, Heidelberg officially released its 2024 / 25 financial year ( as of March 31,2025 ) performance report. The report shows that despite the complex market environment, Heidelberg still maintained a steady operating performance and successfully achieved the preset financial goals. Specifically, in the 2024 / 25 fiscal year, Heidelberg achieved sales of 2.28 billion euros ( about 18.7 billion yuan ), and the packaging solution business also showed a positive order growth trend. Its new orders increased by 7 % compared with the previous fiscal year, reaching 1.272 billion euros. 8. LK Group's Die-Casting Equipment Lands in North America as Xusheng Group's Mexico Factory Achieves First Production Line Milestone​​Recently, die-casting equipment supplied by ​​LK Group​​ for ​​Xusheng Group's​​ Saltillo factory in Mexico has completed installation and commissioning, enabling the efficient launch of the customer's first production line. The cross-border delivery (including transportation and installation) was accomplished within five months, successfully replicating the "China Speed" in North America. This milestone signifies the expansion of the two companies' collaboration from China to the global market. As Xusheng Group's strategic partner for nearly two decades, LK Group has driven this initiative through a dual-engine approach of "​​cutting-edge equipment + comprehensive services​​," achieving synergistic overseas expansion of "​​Chinese equipment + Chinese solutions​​" in the North American market. This also demonstrates that LK Group's global service capabilities have ascended to a new level. Overseas macro market information: 【India's central bank cuts the reserve requirement and interest rates.】 The Reserve Bank of India has lowered the benchmark interest rate. The interest rate was lowered by 50 basis points to 5.5%, with an expectation of 5.75%. The Reserve Bank of India lowered the cash reserve ratio by 100 basis points to 3%, with an expectation of 4%. After the reduction in the cash reserve ratio, the yield on India's 10-year government bonds fell by 6 basis points to 6.19%. The yield on India's 5-year government bonds fell by 14 basis points, currently at 5.68%. 【South Korea says it will continue to closely communicate with the U.S. on foreign exchange policy. There is speculation that exchange rates may become a topic in trade negotiations.】 South Korea will continue discussions with the United States on its foreign exchange policy to promote mutual understanding; previously, the U.S. Treasury had placed South Korea on an observation list and called for it to restrain currency intervention. The South Korean Ministry of Finance stated in a Friday declaration that it aims to seek greater understanding in foreign exchange policies through regular communication and ongoing forex consultations with the U.S."Mutual understanding and trust." U.S. and South Korean officials held exchange rate consultations in Milan last month, leading to speculation that the Trump administration is willing to accept a depreciation of the dollar, and the exchange rate may become a topic in trade negotiations. 【The YOY decline in Japan 's exports in the first 20 days of May was affected by the Trump administration 's tariff measures】The Japanese government reported Friday that exports in the first 20 days of May were down 3 % from a year earlier. In contrast, the export volume in the first 20 days of April increased by 2.3 %, and the export volume increased by 2 % throughout April. Exports grew by an average of 6.2 % in the year to April.   Price information: 【CNY to USD central parity】 CNY to USD central parity is 7.1845, up 20 points ; the median price of the previous trading day was 7.1865, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1838, and the previous day and night closing price was 7.1790. 【Upstream raw material USD market price】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Northeast Asia Propylene: The FOB Korea average price is $745 per ton; the CFR China average price is $775 per ton. North Asia frozen cargo landed price: propane537-539 USD/ton; Butane 504-506 USD/ton. South China Frozen GoodsThe CIF spot prices in early July: propane at $601-$611 per ton; butane at $541-$551 per ton. Taiwan Region Frozen Goods CIF Price, Propane$537-539/ton; Butane $504-506/ton. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film: 875 USD per ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $970 per ton (CFR Dongguan) 【HDPE USD market price】 Film:900-920 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: USD 865-870 / ton ( CFR Whampoa ) 【LDPE USD market price】 Film:$1025-1035/ton (CFR Huangpu) 【PP USD market price】 Uniform aggregation:890-935 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymerization:955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu; Membrane material:USD 1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu) Transparent:1085 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu) Pipes:1,160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).  

Headline News: Raw Material News - Alpek to Shut Down PET Plant with Annual Capacity of 170K Tons Virgin & 35K Tons Recycled PET Auto News -Mercedes-Benz, BMW Scramble to Secure Rare Earth Supply Amid China's Export Restrictions​​   Packaging News -PepsiCo CSO's In-depth Analysis: Challenges and Opportunities Behind Revised Packaging Targets​​ Macro news - Mexico President Slams U.S. Steel/Aluminum Tariff Hikes as "Unfair and Baseless", Vows Countermeasures​ Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 780/ton;CFRSoutheastAsia850/ton   The following are the details of international news: 1. HanoiPlas 2025 showcases advanced plastics, rubber, recycling solutions HanoiPlas 2025, the 13th edition of the Hanoi International Plastics and Rubber Industry Exhibition, is taking place from June 4-7, attracting over 200 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions.Covering 9,000 square metres of exhibition space, HanoiPlas 2025 is showcasing a wide spectrum of the latest in machinery, advanced materials, sustainable recycling solutions, and more. The exhibition has gathered leading industry players who are unveiling their latest technologies and equipment, offering visitors insights into the future trends and innovations driving the plastics and rubber sectors. 2 EREMA Reports 13% Revenue Decline to €330 Million Amid Global Challenges​ Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, the plastics recycling industry faces multifaceted challenges. Nevertheless, Austria-based ​​EREMA Group​​ maintains its leadership position through profound technological expertise and continuous innovation. The company is intensifying efforts in key sectors like recycled PET, driving the industry toward high-quality and sustainable development. 3. Mercedes-Benz, BMW Scramble to Secure Rare Earth Supply Amid China's Export Restrictions​ U.S. and European automakers have expressed concern about China 's export controls on rare earth metals, saying the move could have a knock-on effect on global auto production, according to foreign media reports. Mercedes-Benz Group and BMW Group are in urgent consultation with suppliers to ensure a stable supply of parts containing rare earth materials. Among them, Mercedes-Benz is exploring the possibility of stockpiling specific parts. According to Ford Motor, due to the extension of China 's approval process for rare earth exports, the export time of some parts has increased, and the transportation cost has also increased. Ford Chief Financial Officer Sherry House pointed out at the UBS Automotive Conference held in New York, the United States on June 4 : ' This has put pressure on the highly organized system. She pointed out that export controls mean that automakers must look for alternative parts or new supply channels. Last month, Ford 's factory in Chicago had to shut down for a week due to a shortage of rare earths, and the factory mainly produces Explorer models. A spokesman for BMW Group said that although its car factory is currently operating normally, some supply chain networks have been affected by China 's rare earth metal export restrictions. However, the spokesman did not give further details. 4. Qosina Adds Sealed Air's PE-based Film to Bioprocessing Product Portfolio Supplier of single-use components for medical devices Qosina has entered into a strategic partnership with packaging specialist Sealed Air. As a result of this collaboration, Qosina has added  Nexcel Bio1250 , a robust, co-extruded bioprocessing bag film to its portfolio of bioprocessing products. 5 ALBIS establishes subsidiary in Tel Aviv, Israel ALBIS continues its international growth with the establishment of a subsidiary in Tel Aviv, Israel. This strategic move marks another step in its expansion beyond Europe and APAC. 6. South Korea 's Seho Tech launched a new generation of NeXgener polyurethane foaming agent South Korea 's Seho Tech recently launched NeXgener polyurethane, which is a new generation of polyurethane foam foaming agent that meets modern environmental protection standards and has no impact on performance, marking a change in the global insulation industry. NeXgener is a 100 % chemical-based foaming agent specially developed for polyurethane applications. It produces strong internal heat through cross-linking reaction, and can better control foam expansion by adjusting water content. Its high hydroxyl value ( OH-V ~ 400 ) allows the use of MDI to increase, thereby improving foam performance. 7. Alpek will shut down a plant with an annual output of 170,000 tons of PET and 35,000 tons of recycled PET Alpek, a petrochemical and polyester product giant, recently announced that it will stop operating its Fayetteville plant in North Carolina, the United States. The company has issued an official application for workers ' adjustment and retention notices, and the shutdown will affect the work of 90 employees. The plant is operated by Alpek Polyester USA and acquired by Alpek in 2021, with an annual capacity of 170,000 tons of PET resin and 35,000 tons of recycled PET flakes. 9. Kuraray shut down polyester resin and polyester filament production plant Kuraray Co., Ltd.announced recently that it decided to stop its manufacturing subsidiary Kuraray Saijo Co., Ltd. ( located in Xitiao City, Ehime County ; production of polyester resin and polyester filament. Kuraray said that in 1969, the company began to produce polyester resin for filaments, while manufacturing and selling polyester filaments CLAVELLA TM. In 1987, the company began manufacturing and selling polyester resin KURAPET TM for molded products. However, in recent years, due to market changes and equipment aging caused by maintenance and update costs rise, Kuraray polyester related business is facing difficulties. The company has been considering whether to continue to carry out the business ; however, it is concluded that it is difficult to ensure stable production and achieve sustainable profitability in the future.   Overseas macro market information: 【The United States has comprehensively restricted the entry of citizens from 12 countries. Trump : related to the Colorado attack】 The White House issued a notice on the 4th, announcing a comprehensive restriction on the entry of citizens from 12 countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran, and Yemen into the United States, and partially restricting the entry of citizens from 7 countries such as Burundi. According to the AFP report, US President Donald Trump said on the same day that the relevant restrictions were related to attacks on pro-Israel groups in Colorado. 【 The auction results for Japan's 30-year government bonds have been released, with the bid-to-cover ratio hitting a new low since 2023.】 Japan auctioned 30-year government bonds, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.92, lower than the 12-month average level of 3.39, and it is the lowest bid-to-cover ratio since 2023. After the auction results were released, Japanese government bond futures saw a decline in gains, with the yield on 30-year bonds dropping by 6 basis points to 2.885%. 【The Iraqi Ministry of Oil stated that the reason for the reduction in oil exports is the forced production cut to comply with OPEC quotas.】  The Iraqi Ministry of Oil stated that the reason for the decrease in Iraq's oil exports is the inability to receive and export oil produced in the Kurdistan region, along with being forced to cut production to comply with OPEC quotas. 【Mexican President: The U.S. raising steel and aluminum tariffs is "unfair," and we will take countermeasures.】 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on the 4th that the United States' recent move to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products is "unfair", "lacks legal basis", and is "unsustainable." The Mexican government will assess the situation and then formulate countermeasures to protect the development of its steel and aluminum industries.   Price information: 【USD/CNY central parity rate】 The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar was set at 7.1865, up by 21 basis points. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1886, the official closing price was 7.1890, and the overnight closing price was 7.1760. 【Upstream raw material prices in US dollars】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Acrylic Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price is $745/ton; CFR China average price is $775/ton. The North Asian frozen cargo landed price: propane $544.5-$546.5 per ton; butane $511.5-$513.5 per ton. The CIF price for South China frozen goods in July is as follows: propane $607-617 per ton; butane $542-552 per ton. The CIF price of frozen goods in Taiwan area, propane 544.5-546.5 US dollars/ton; butane 511.5-513.5 US dollars/ton. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film: $875/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $970/ton (CFR Dongguan); 【HDPE USD market price】 Film: $900-$920 per ton (CFR Huangpu). Hollow: 865-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【 LDPE USD market price】 Film: 1025-1035 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【PP PP USD Market Price】 Homopolymer: 890-935 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: 955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Material: $1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe materials: 1,160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).

Global News Digest: Raw Material News- Europe's Largest! BASF Officially Commissions Black Mass Plant​ Auto News- Volkswagen Restructures German Operations: 20,000 Employees Agree to Early Departure Packaging News-Tech Revolutionizes Packaging: Starbucks Launches Compostable Cup Across Europe Electronic News- Smartphone Market Stagnates: Q1 2025 Growth at Just 0.2% Macro News- Mexico to Seek U.S. Exemption from Steel Tariff Hike Price Information-Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia780 / CFR Southeast Asia850 /   The following are details of international news:   1.Europe's Largest! BASF Officially Commissions Black Mass Plant​ June 3rd​​ – BASF announced the successful commencement of commercial operations at its Black Mass plant in Schwarzheide, Germany. This advanced facility represents a significant milestone for BASF's battery recycling business. It is one of Europe's largest commercial Black Mass plants, with an annual processing capacity of up to 15,000 metric tons of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap. This capacity is equivalent to processing approximately 40,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. 2 Sika and Sulzer to establish plastics recycling JV for the construction sector Sika AG (Baar, Switzerland) and Sulzer Ltd. (Winterthur, Switzerland) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture (JV) to advance plastics recycling in the construction industry. The aim is to combine the strengths of both companies: Sika’s extensive expertise in polymer applications and high performance building materials and Sulzer’s leading process knowledge in chemical recycling. The joint venture, based in the Zurich area, will be founded as an independent company, with each partner holding a 50 percent stake. Operational activities will commence in the second half of 2025 with pilot projects in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 3. Cadbury Launches Packaging with 80% Recycled Plastic​​Recently, Mondelēz International's iconic chocolate brand ​​Cadbury​​ has unveiled a major upgrade in the UK market: its ​​sharing-size chocolate bars​​ will now use new packaging containing ​​80% recycled plastic​​. This initiative not only demonstrates Cadbury’s firm commitment to sustainability but will also annually provide ​​over 300 million chocolate bars​​ with a "green coat."The shift is projected to ​​reduce virgin plastic usage by ~600 metric tons per year​​ — equivalent to the weight of ​​40 double-decker buses​​. This marks ​​the highest proportion of recycled plastic ever used in Cadbury's global packaging 4. Premix Group opens plastics manufacturing plant in North Carolina Premix Group, a global leader in electrically conductive plastics, announced the opening of its state-of-the art US manufacturing facility in Apple Creek, North Carolina. With a $79 Million investment from the Department of Defense (DoD) and Health and Human Services (HHS), this facility represents a major step in securing the domestic supply chain for critical diagnostics and other high-impact applications. 5. Brazilian Billionaire Moves: Battle for Control of Petrochemical Giant Braskem Intensifies Braskem, one of South America's largest petrochemical companies, is at the center of a potential power shift. According to Brazilian financial media, Braskem's major shareholder ​​Novonor​​ has confirmed receiving a ​​non-binding acquisition proposal​​ for the company's controlling stake. The offer comes from an investment fund managed by Brazilian billionaire ​​Nelson Tanure​​, known for high-profile acquisitions. If successful, this move could restructure ownership of one of the Americas' most prominent plastic producers. 6. Volkswagen Restructures German Operations: 20,000 Employees Agree to Early Departure On June 4, Bloomberg reported that ​​Volkswagen AG​​ will cut ~20,000 jobs in Germany through ​​voluntary early departures by 2030​​. At a Wolfsburg workers' assembly, HR Chief ​​Gunnar Kilian​​ stated the company had achieved significant cost reductions at six German plants while implementing layoffs "in a socially responsible manner." As Europe's largest automaker, VW faces rising costs, weak European demand, and fierce competition from Chinese rivals, necessitating production capacity and workforce reductions. 7. Rare Earth Crisis: China’s Export Restrictions Threaten German Auto Production Germany’s ​​Automotive Industry Association (VDA)​​ warned on June 3 that China’s controls on ​​rare earth exports​​ could halt German auto production. VDA President ​​Hildegard Müller​​ noted that slow export license approvals and customs delays are disrupting supplies of critical vehicle components. This marks the first formal warning from Germany’s auto sector about production risks due to rare earth shortages. 8. Tech Revolutionizes Packaging: Starbucks Launches Compostable Cup Across Europe ​​Starbucks​​ has partnered with ​​Metsä Board​​, ​​Transcend Packaging​​, and ​​Qwarzo​​ to launch a ​​home-compostable coffee cup​​ with a plastic-free lid in 10 European countries. The cup features a mineral-based coating (developed by Italy’s Qwarzo) that provides heat/water resistance while enabling recyclability. The fiber-based lid eliminates single-use plastic. Rollout includes Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary. 9. Smartphone Market Stagnates: Q1 2025 Growth at Just 0.2% Per ​​Canalys​​ (now part of ​​Omdia​​), global smartphone shipments grew marginally (0.2%) to ​​296.9 million units​​ in Q1 2025, marking three consecutive quarters of slowing growth as replacement cycles plateau. ​​Samsung​​ led with 60.5M units, followed by ​​Apple​​ (55M, 19% share) and ​​Xiaomi​​ (41.8M, 14%). ​​Vivo​​ (22.9M) and ​​OPPO​​ (22.7M) ranked fourth and fifth.   Overseas macro market information:   【Citigroup: High Upside Potential for Chinese NEV Makers in June​】 ​Citigroup notes that most new energy vehicle (NEV) brands saw ​​week-on-week order recovery​​ last week. Coupled with recent ​​promotional campaigns​​ by automakers, June presents significant upside potential. 【Lee Jae-myung Sworn In as South Korea’s President​】 Lee Jae-myung was formally ​​sworn in​​ as South Korea’s 21st president at the National Assembly on June 4. His term began at 6:21 a.m. local time, following confirmation by the ​​National Election Commission​​.  【Mexico to Seek U.S. Exemption from Steel Tariff Hike】 Mexican Economy Minister ​​Marcelo Ebrard​​ stated Mexico will request a U.S. exemption from the planned 50% steel tariff this week. Ebrard will meet U.S. officials in Washington on Friday and warned Mexico has a "​​Plan B​​" if tariffs proceed. 【AliExpress Opens to Local Merchants in Poland​】 Following Germany, Alibaba’s AliExpress has ​​opened to local Polish merchants​​. Industry sources confirm the move aims to expand local business operations after attracting major Polish enterprises over the past year.  【Canadian Wildfires Spread; Saskatchewan to Evacuate Thousands​】 Wildfires continue to spread across Canada. Saskatchewan’s Premier confirmed ​​thousands more evacuations​​ are imminent in the province’s north, adding to the 9,000 already displaced. Total evacuees may reach ​​15,000​​, with 400+ structures destroyed.  【Vietnam’s Exports Grow 14% YoY in May​】 Vietnam’s May exports rose ​​14% year-on-year​​, with a ​​trade surplus of $4.67 billion​​.    Price information:   【USD/CNY Central Parity Rate​】 Central Parity Rate​​: 7.1886 (down 17 pips) Previous trading day: 7.1869 Official closing price: 7.1895 Overnight settlement: 7.1878 【Upstream Raw Material Prices (USD)】 Ethylene Asia:CFRNortheast Asia780 / CFRSoutheast Asia850 / Acrylic Northeast Asia:FOB Average price in South Korea745 / CFRAverage price in China775 /North Asia frozen cargo CFR, propane545-547 /Ton; Butane514-516 / South China Frozen Goods7FOB price, propane603-613 /Tons; Butane538-548 / The arrival price of frozen goods in the Taiwan region, propane545-547 /Tons; Butane514-516 / 【LLDPE market price（USD）】 Film grade​​:875 / CFRHuangpu); ​​Injection grade：970 / CFRDongguan 【HDPE market price（USD）】 Film grade​​ : 900-920 / CFRHuangpu); Blow molding grade​​:  865-870 / CFRHuangpu) 【LDPE market price(USD)】 ​​Film grade​​:  1025-1035 / CFRHuangpu); 【PP market price（USD）】 Homopolymer​​:  890-935 / CFRHuangpu)(↓15/mt) Copolymerization: 955-1060 / CFRHuangpu; Film grade​​:  1025-1090 / CFRHuangpu); ​​Transparent grade​​:  1085 / CFRHuangpu); ​​Pipe grade​​:  1160 / CFR(Shanghai).  

News Digest: Raw Material News-Huntsman Completes European Maleic Anhydride Strategic Review Auto News-BMW, Mercedes-Mercedes and Volkswagen are in talks with the US Department of Commerce regarding tariffs. Packaging News-CARBIOS Sign procurement contracts with L'Oréal and L'Occitane. Macro News-The court overruled! United States Court of International Trade blocks Trump tariff policy takes effect Price Information-Ethylene Asia:CFR Northeast Asia780 / CFRSoutheast Asia850 /   The following are international news details: 1. Huntsman Completes European Maleic Anhydride Strategic Review Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) announced today that it has completed the strategic review of its European Maleic Anhydride business. As a result of this review, the Company will close its Maleic Anhydride facility located in Moers, Germany. The closure of the operations at Moers is expected to be complete by the end of the current quarter. In 2024, the European Maleic Anhydride business generated an adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $10 million. Going forward, the Company intends to serve customers in the European region from its North American facilities located in Pensacola, Florida and Geismar, Louisiana. As a result of the closure of the Moers, Germany facility, Huntsman expects to incur a one-time non-cash asset impairment charge of approximately $75 million during the second quarter of 2025.      2. BASF intends to take over shares in Alsachimie joint venture from DOMO Chemicals BASF and DOMO Chemicals have signed an agreement giving BASF the right to take over DOMO Chemicals’ 49% share of the Alsachimie joint venture, in which BASF currently holds 51%. According to applicable laws, the intended transaction is subject to consultations with the relevant social bodies of Alsachimie, following which both companies would enter into a binding purchase agreement. Pending these consultations, BASF and DOMO Chemicals expect to close the transaction by mid-2025.   3. CARBIOS signs its first biorecycled PET sales contracts with two global cosmetics leaders CARBIOS, a pioneer in the development and industrialization of biological technologies to reinvent the life cycle of plastic and textiles, announces the signature of its first multi-year offtake contracts with L'ORÉAL and L'Occitane en Provence for biorecycled r-PET from its future commercial plant in Longlaville.These commercial contracts confirm the demand from global leading brands for recycled and recyclable PET from enzymatic recycling, which enables them to meet both their circularity and quality objectives for their packaging. 4. Borealis and Borouge expand their global capacity for XLPE and semicon compounds Borealis and Borouge expand their global capacity for XLPE and semicon compoundsAs the global shift to renewable energy accelerates, electricity grid infrastructure needs to keep pace. Borealis and Borouge are responding with a significant expansion of their global capacity for cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and semiconductive (semicon) compounds. In this way, they are supporting customers to deliver the power cables essential to distribution and transmission grids.  5. Plugging to July ! Several ports around the world are severely congested On May 28, local time, Jacques van der Meren, chief executive of the Port of Antwerp-Brugge, Belgium, said to the outside world that affected by the US tariff policy, geopolitical tensions, climate change and other factors, ports across Europe, including Antwerp, are facing serious congestion. Industry analysis predicts that the European shipping bottleneck is expected to continue until July, ' it will take 6 to 8 weeks to control the situation '. At the same time, port congestion may be spreading to ports in China and the United States. 6.Balrampur Chini Mills unveils India’s first PLA brand Balrampur Chini Mills (BCML), one of the largest sugar manufacturing companies in India, has launched the country’s first polylactic acid (PLA) brand.The new PLA brand is called ‘Balrampur Bioyug’. Balrampur is the region where the company is located. In Sanskrit, yug’ (युग) means ‘age’, epoch’, or ‘era’, referring to a significant period of time. ‘Bioyug’ therefore stands for ‘bioage’, signifying BCML’s wish to move India into an era of bio-based circularity. 7.Stepan Company Announces Polyol Price Increase for North America effective July 1, 2025 Effective July 1, 2025, or as contracts allow, Stepan will increase the price for STEPANPOL® and TERATE® Rigid Polyester Polyols used in the Americas by $0.05 per pound. This increase is necessary due to the continued escalation in raw material costs. 8. BMW, Mercedes, VW in talks with US over possible tariff deal On May 28, according to media reports, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are consulting with the U.S. Department of Commerce on tariffs, aiming to reach an agreement in early July. The talks are understood to focus on BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen considering investing billions of dollars in the US as part of a potential tariff relief deal. 9. India 's Motherson intends to acquire MarelliRecently, India 's auto parts giant Motherson submitted a takeover offer to Japan 's Marelli to integrate resources through debt restructuring ( 20 % face value acquisition debt ) to impact the world 's top ten. As the controlling shareholder, KKR will write off the equity, and the creditors ' meeting will be held on May 26. Marilyn is the core supplier of Nissan and Stellantis, and its profit margin is expected to increase in 2024. If the deal succeeds, Motherson 's ranking will jump from 14th. In the past 20 years, the group has acquired 45 enterprises, diversified layout covering aviation, medical and other fields, with a market value of $ 15 billion.   Overseas macro market information: 【Federal court rules Trump overstepped authority! U.S. federal court blocks Trump.tariff policy takes effect】 According to CCTV news, on May 28, local time, CCTV reporters learned that the U.S. Federal Court prevented the tariff policy announced by President Trump on April 2, " Emancipation Day, " and ruled that Trump overstepped his authority and imposed comprehensive tariffs on countries that exported more to the United States than imported. The International Trade Court in Manhattan, New York, said that the U.S. Constitution gives the U.S. Congress exclusive power to regulate trade with other countries, and the president 's emergency powers to protect the U.S. economy are not above these powers. The lawsuit was filed by the Center for Freedom and Justice, a non-profit, non-partisan U.S. litigation agency, on behalf of five small U.S. businesses affected by tariffs, the first major legal challenge to Trump 's tariff policy. 【The United States will review all visa holders associated with Harvard University.】 According to senior officials of the U.S. Department of State, in addition to student visas, the U.S. Department of State will also conduct substantive reviews of B-1 business visas, B-2 travel visas and other visas related to Harvard University. The purpose of the investigation is to identify potential security vulnerabilities or other abuses in the visa system. 【 Macy's plans to raise prices Due to the impact of tariffs 】 Macy 's said on May 28 that it lowered its profit forecast for fiscal year 2025 ( beginning Feb. 2 ) due to tariff hikes and plans to raise the price of the goods it sells. Tony Spring, the chief executive of Macy 's, told the media that about 20 % of the products sold by Macy 's are from China. The impact of tariffs alone has led to a reduction in the company 's earnings per share guidance of $ 0.15 to $ 0.4 this fiscal year. In order to hedge the cost rise caused by tariffs, the company will take a targeted approach to raise prices and may stop selling some goods. 【 Japan 's 30-year bond yield rose 8 basis points to 2.98 %】 As Japan 's ultra-long-term debt continued to fluctuate, Japan 's 30-year bond yield rose. The yield of 20-year Treasury bonds rose 5 basis points to 2.445 %. The auction of 20-year and 40-year Treasury bonds was weak, and 30-year Treasury bonds will be auctioned next week. 【Goldman Sachs recommends buying gold and oil as a long-term hedge.】 Goldman Sachs suggests that gold and oil can be used as tools to fight inflation in long-term investment portfolios, and says that gold is attractive as a safe haven when the outside world is worried about the credibility of US institutions and the ability of crude oil to withstand supply shocks. Analysts such as Daan Struyven said that investors using the so-called 60 / 40 portfolio have always been able to maintain an average annual return, while increasing these two commodities in the long-term configuration can reduce risk. 【The EU and the United Arab Emirates officially launched free trade agreement negotiations】 The EU and the United Arab Emirates officially launched bilateral free trade agreement negotiations on 28 th, creating the possibility for the EU to reach the first comprehensive trade agreement in the Gulf region. The European Commission 's member for trade and economic security, Marosh Chevjovic, and the United Arab Emirates ' Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Sani Ben Ahmed Zeyudi reiterated the common vision of reaching an agreement in Dubai on the same day, and reached an agreement on the road map. The substantive negotiations will be launched as early as June. The first negotiation meeting will focus on reducing commodity tariffs, facilitating services, digital trade and investment flows. The two sides will also explore ways to promote trade in strategic areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen energy and key raw materials.   Price information: 【Central parity rate of RMB against USD】 The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar is reported at7.1907, lower13point; previous trading day's central parity rate7.1894, the previous trading day's official closing price7.1907, the day and night market closed at7.1967。 【Upstream raw material USD market prices】 Ethylene Asia:CFRNortheast Asia780 / CFRSoutheast Asia850 / Propylene Northeast Asia:FOBSouth Korea average price750 / CFRChina average price785 / North Asia frozen cargo CIF, propane545.5-547.5 /Ton; butane518.5-520.5 / South China Frozen Goods6Landed cost under moon, propane618-628 /Ton; butane563-573 / The landed price of frozen goods in the Taiwan region, propane545.5-547.5 /Ton; butane518.5-520.5 / 【LLDPEUS dollar market price】 Film:880 / CFRHuangpu Injection molding:970 / CFRDongguan), down20 / 【HDPEU.S. dollar market price】 Film:905-925 / CFRHuangpu), down5 / Hollow865-870 / CFRHuangpu); 【LDPEUS dollar market price】 Film:1025-1040 / CFRHuangpu, It seems like there's a location "Huangpu" followed by a finance term "". However, the term "" alone doesn't form a complete sentence or phrase with "Huangpu". If you intended to convey a specific message or context involving these terms, please provide additional details. Based on the given characters, the direct translation would be: Huangpu, decline/fall. If "Huangpu" is meant to be part of a larger phrase or sentence, more context is needed for an accurate translation.10 / 【PPUS dollar market price】 Homopolymerization:905-950 / CFRHuangpu); Gather together:955-1060 / CFRHuangpu; Membrane material:1025-1090 / CFRHuangpu); Transparent1095 / CFRHuangpu); Pipes:1160 / CFR(Shanghai).

International News Digest: Raw Materials News​​-UBE Corporation Opens Specialty Materials Application Center in Osaka, Focusing on Nylon and Engineering Plastics​​ Automotive News​​-France’s April New Car Registrations Drop 5.6%​​ Packaging News​​-Launch of PP sealed cup for Nesco Medical News-Borouge and Mubadala Bio to supply polyolefins to boost UAE healthcare sector   Macro News​​-Vietnam Plans to Revise Cross-Border E-Commerce Tax, Ending Duty-Free Threshold for Small Parcels​​ Price Information - The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1894, down by 18 points. The following is an overview of international news: 1.UBE Corporation has established a Specialty Materials Application Center at its R&D center in Osaka, Japan, focusing on nylon and other engineering plastics. UBE Corporation recently announced the opening of a new building, the Specialized Materials Application Center, within its Osaka R&D Center located in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. This specialized materials application center is dedicated to efficiently and swiftly conducting all tasks from composite material development to application development. UBE Corporation intends to use this facility to provide innovative solutions, create new value, and collaboratively advance application development with its clients in response to societal and market demands. 2.In April, new car registrations in France decreased by 5.6% year-on-year. The data released by the French Automotive Industry Platform (Plateforme de la filière automobile, or PFA) shows that in April this year, despite the same number of working days as the same period last year, new car registrations in France still decreased by 5.6% year-on-year to 138,694 units. In the first four months of this year, new car registrations in France also decreased by 7.3% year-on-year to 548,782 units, a reduction of 43,099 vehicles. 3. Launch of PP sealed cup for Nesco German rigid packaging producer Jokey has developed a transparent, sealed cup in partnership with Turkey-based F&B service business Nesco Bubble Tea Company.The custom-made cup, developed for Nesco’s Popping Bubble Tea product, is produced from injection moulded virgin polypropylene and is designed to withstand an 88°C pasteurisation process for 40 minutes. 4.Vietnam plans to adjust cross-border e-commerce import taxes, and tax exemptions for small parcels may become a thing of the past. The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) recently submitted a comment letter to the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam regarding the draft decree on customs management of e-commerce import and export goods. In this document, the VCCI suggested discontinuing the regulation that exempts import tax for orders valued below 1 million Vietnamese dong (approximately 278 RMB). As a result, Vietnam will become the latest country to join the global "crackdown on small-sum tax exemptions," following Japan. 5.Borouge and Mubadala Bio to supply polyolefins to boost UAE healthcare sector    Borouge and Mubadala Bio to supply polyolefins to boost UAE healthcare sectorBorouge has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Mubadala Bio, a life sciences company dedicated to pursuing better health outcomes for the UAE and beyond.The partnership will explore the supply of polyolefin materials to enable local manufacturing of medical products, reinforcing local manufacturing capabilities while contributing to the future of the UAE’s healthcare and life sciences sectors. 6. US toy makers struggle to survive The adjustment of U.S. tariffs reduced from 145% to 30% has not brought general benefits to the toy industry. According to CCTV reports, due to the instability of tariff policies, American customers are more cautious in placing orders than before. Recently, trendy toy company Super7 announced layoffs, toy store MudPuddles Toys closed branches, and toy store Kip's Toyland is struggling with operations. Many toy businesses in the U.S. are. (Note: The last part "" was not fully translated. The complete translation should be "are facing survival crises".) 7. INC-5 are approaching, with major countries holding divergent positions In August 2025, the fifth round of negotiations for the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty (INC-5) will resume in Geneva, Switzerland. Since the negotiations began in 2022, 175 participating countries have not yet reached consensus on the core provisions, and there are significant differences in their positions. As a major player in the global plastics industry, the United States has exhibited a clearly wavering stance.Oil-producing countries represented by China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.Firmly oppose any form of plastic production restrictions.Moreover, the EU-led Plastic Ban Coalition has proposed the most radical governance plan: completely eliminating plastic pollution by 2040. India prioritizes development rights, explicitly rejecting any restrictions or taxes on virgin plastic polymers while strongly demanding that the transfer of funds and technology from developed countries be made a legal obligation. The Latin American Group, led by Brazil, has taken a middle path, showing openness to production limits but emphasizing the need for a just transition plan. They have innovatively suggested establishing a global network of plastic governance technology centers. 8. UPM and Orkla Finland: Co-create Panda Milk Chocolate High Barrier Paper-based Packaging Recently, a paper-based packaging product for Panda milk chocolate co-created by UPM and Orkla Finland has been fully launched on the shelves of supermarkets in Finland. This innovative paper-based packaging is based on UPM Asendo™ Pro 75g barrier paper, which not only meets excellent packaging functionality but also represents a significant step forward for the brand towards its sustainability goals. 9.Chemical recycling requires €400B investment to become competitive Chemical recycling may achieve cost parity with virgin plastics production in 20 to 30 years in Europe, a new report by US-based consulting firm Bain & Company has revealed. The following is overseas macro market information: 【The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced an interest rate cut, reducing the policy rate from 3.50% to 3.25%, marking the sixth consecutive rate cut, in line with market expectations. 【The Peruvian government issued a statement: it will seek high-level meetings with China and Brazil to promote the "Two Oceans Railway" project, which aims to span the South American continent, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and create a new trade corridor for China. The Peruvian Minister of Economy stated willingness to jointly fund the project, and has currently promoted the development of the Lima to Ica section, while studying the construction of multiple railway sections. Earlier in May, it was reported that China and Brazil were actively discussing feasible construction plans for the "Two Oceans Railway," with China showing strong interest in assisting with the project. 【 Japan's 40-year government bond auction results were released. After Japan's 20-year government bond had the worst auction since 2012, the bid-to-cover ratio for Japan's 40-year government bond hit a new low since last July. Following the auction results, Japan's 30-year government bond yield rose 10 basis points to 2.93%, the dollar/yen fell nearly 30 points in the short term, and the 10-year Japanese government bond yield increased by 6.5 basis points to 1.525%. 【Canalys: Q1 European smartphone shipments fell 2% Canalys' latest research shows that in the first quarter of 2025, European smartphone shipments decreased by 2% year-on-year to 32.4 million units, mainly due to weak demand for entry-level devices. Canalys stated that driven by Apple and Samsung, the demand for high-end models in Europe remained strong, with devices priced above 800 euros accounting for a record 32% in the first quarter. Price Information: 【Renminbi to US dollar middle rate】 The central parity rate of the renminbi against the US dollar was reported at 7.1894, down by 18 points. The central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1876, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1949, and the night session closing price was 7.1955. 【Upstream raw material US dollar market prices】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price $750/ton; CFR China average price $785/ton. The CIF price of frozen goods in North Asia: propane is $544.5-546.5/ton; butane is $517.5-519.5/ton. South China frozen cargo CIF prices for June: Propane 619-629 USD/ton; Butane 564-574 USD/ton. The CIF price for frozen goods in the Taiwan region is $544.5-546.5/ton for propane and $517.5-519.5/ton for butane. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film: $880/ton (CFR Huangpu) Injection molding: $990/ton (CFR Dongguan); 【HDPE US Dollar Market Price】 Film: $910-$930 per ton (CFR Huangpu). Hollow: 865-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【 LDPE USD market price】 Film: 1035-1040 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【PP USD market price】 Homopolymer: $905-$950/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: 955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: 1025-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1095/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: $1160/ton (CFR Shanghai).

Recently, Braskem, a Brazilian chemical giant, and Fitesa, a nonwoven fabric manufacturer, announced that they will apply Braskem's "I'm green™" bio-based high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to the nonwoven fabric field. Braskem and Fitesa pointed out that this progress marks a further expansion of their influence in the bicomponent nonwoven fabric market.This material is optimized for spunbond processes, with its bio-based raw materials derived from sugarcane bio-ethanol, reportedly offering a negative carbon footprint. The material demonstrates improved processing performance and higher spinning stability, contributing to an increase in the bio-based content of products in the global hygiene products supply chain. For non-woven fabrics, the main characteristics of the "I'm green™" bio-based polyethylene include its melting point and Vicat softening point temperature, which are suitable for producing high-strength filaments. Both companies stated that using sugarcane bioethanol as a raw material directly impacts the carbon footprint of the final product.The material has also been optimized for the production of high-speed non-woven fabrics to ensure stability and efficiency in the production process. Furthermore, this material has the same durability and performance as traditional polyethylene and can be fully recycled within existing polyethylene recycling processes.The two companies also stated that their bio-based content is measurable, traceable, and meets industry standards.

On May 4, according to foreign media reports, international energy giant Shell is discussing with its advisory team the possibility of acquiring its rival, British Petroleum (BP). The merger of the two British companies would create a giant valued at over 200 billion pounds (approximately 1.93 trillion yuan) and would become one of the largest acquisitions in the oil and gas industry. Bloomberg News cited insider reports that this oil giant has been continuously discussing with advisory teams in recent weeks about the feasibility and strategic value of acquiring BP. The company is waiting for further declines in stock price and oil price before deciding whether to proceed with the acquisition. The final decision will largely depend on whether BP's stock price continues to fall. Over the past 12 months, due to the business restructuring plan failing to gain investor approval coupled with a plunge in oil prices, BP's stock price has cumulatively fallen by nearly one-third. Shell may also hold back, waiting for BP to take the initiative and seek other potential bidders. Reports suggest that the relevant discussions are still at an early stage, and Shell may ultimately choose to focus on share buybacks and small acquisitions rather than pursue such a large-scale merger. A spokesperson for Shell stated: "As we have repeatedly emphasized, our current focus is to continuously enhance the company's operational efficiency, maintain strategic focus, and advance business simplification, thereby fully unleashing Shell's intrinsic value." For many years, BP and Shell were almost of comparable size, but in recent years, Shell's scale has grown to nearly twice that of BP, with a market value of approximately £149 billion. However, in the face of pressure to improve profitability and cut costs, BP CEO Murray Auchincloss announced plans to sell $20 billion worth of assets by 2027 and reduce spending and stock buybacks. To boost investor confidence, the company also announced the departure of its strategic director.

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).