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. Adnoc said it is also progressing with preparations for the proposed establishment of Borouge Group International, which is set to be a top-four global polyolefins producer. Adnoc’s proposed 46.94% shareholding in the new entity is expected to be held by XRG on completion of the transaction, subject to regulatory approvals. Borouge Group International will be formed from the merger of the two Adnoc/OMV olefin and polyolefin joint ventures, Borealis AG and Borouge PLC, plus the subsequent acquisition of Nova Chemicals Corp. OMV will also have a 46.94% stake in Borouge Group International, which is expected to be formed in the first quarter of 2026. Adnoc said it remains committed to its “longstanding partnership” with OMV through XRG. OMV confirmed in a separate statement July 16 that Adnoc has informed OMV of its intention to transfer the 24.9% stake. OMV also noted that the transfer is subject to regulatory approvals.    

International News Guide: Raw Material News -Scientists Crack the Code for Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Plastic Recycling Automotive News - Nissan and Foxconn Plan to Jointly Produce Electric Vehicles in Japan: 60-Year-Old Factory Is Expected to Be Revived Packaging News - LISBON：Launch of Europe's First City-Wide Reusable Cup System Aerospace News - Syensqo and Terma Strengthen Aerospace, Defense Partnership Macro News - Foreign Media: US Officials Hint at Extending Tariff Negotiation Deadline Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $850/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $860/ton   The following is the details of international news: 1.Trump: Tariff Letters for Various Countries to Be Announced Soon, with the Highest Tax Rate of 70% US President Trump posted on social media on the 6th local time that the US government will start releasing tariff letters or tariff agreements with trading partners from 12:00 noon local time on the 7th. Trump previously stated that he plans to impose tariff measures of up to 70% on goods from some countries starting from August 1. 2. UAE Unveils Groundbreaking EPR Pilot Targeting Packaging Waste, Backed by 26 Leading Companies In a landmark move to revolutionize how packaging waste is managed, the United Arab Emirates has launched the region’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) pilot, placing the onus of post-consumer waste squarely on manufacturers and brand owners. 3. Syensqo and Terma Strengthen Aerospace, Defense Partnership Syensqo (Alpharetta, Ga., U.S. and Brussels, Belgium) and Terma A/S (Denmark), renowned for its mission-critical composites manufacturing solutions in aerospace, defense and security, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement. Both parties committed to developing a growth framework to foster collaboration in composites advancement and leverage each partner’s expertise and resources to progress joint initiatives. 4. UBE Launches Two New Certified Products Under U-BE-INFINITY Line UBE Corporation announces that it has certified its two newly certified the following products as the U-BE-INFINITY environmentally friendly products brand.The U-BE-INFINITY brand is given to products under development, products developed by the UBE Group that demonstrate particularly outstanding positive environmental impacts, thereby enhancing the added value of the relevant products under development, products. UBE seeks to help solve global environmental issues with U-BE-INFINITY brand products. 5. LISBON：Launch of Europe's First City-Wide Reusable Cup System Lisbon has become the first European capital to introduce a city-wide reusable cup system, aiming to reduce plastics waste and emissions across its hospitality sector.  6.Scientists Crack the Code for Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Plastic Recycling Recent studies in the US show that most plastics are never recycled. The numbers probably fare worse for other countries in the world. In a significant step forward for sustainable materials science, a new American study has unveiled a breakthrough in the enzymatic recycling of PET — the world’s most common plastic, used in everything from water bottles to food packaging and clothing fibers. 7.Shell Warns That Its Q2 Natural Gas and Oil Trading Performance Will Be Significantly Lower Than the Previous Three Months Shell warned that its natural gas and oil trading performance in the second quarter will be significantly lower than that in the previous three months. 8.Nissan and Foxconn Plan to Jointly Produce Electric Vehicles in Japan: 60-Year-Old Factory Is Expected to Be Revived Nissan Motor and Hon Hai are in talks to cooperate in producing electric vehicles in Japan, which may save Nissan's Oppama Factory in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture from closure. The Oppama Factory, an important production base of Nissan, has been a mainstay of Nissan's production since it was put into use in 1961. It currently mainly produces models such as "Note" with an annual production capacity of 240,000 vehicles.   Overseas Macro Market Information:   【Thai Finance Minister Says Revised Trade Proposal Has Been Submitted to the US】 Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said that Thailand has submitted a revised trade proposal to the United States, hoping to avoid the 36% punitive tariffs threatened by the Trump administration before the July 9 deadline.Note: The revision was made after Pichai's visit to Washington last week, when he said he had received feedback from US officials. 【Foreign Media: US Officials Hint at Extending Tariff Negotiation Deadline】 US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated on the 6th that President Trump will send letters to trading partners this week to inform them of the tariff rates that the US plans to impose. For countries that fail to reach an agreement, the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" will take effect on August 1. US media interpreted that Yellen's statement hinted that the US side 默许 the July 9 deadline for tariff negotiations to be extended by several weeks. 【Indonesia Promises to Buy More US Wheat in a Bid to Reach a Trade Agreement】 Indonesia plans to buy more wheat from the United States in a bid to reach a trade agreement before the tariffs take effect. Franciscus Welirang, Chairman of the Indonesian Flour Millers Association (Aptindo), said in a telephone interview that Indonesia will sign a memorandum of understanding on wheat procurement with the United States from 2025 to 2030 in Jakarta on Monday. He said that Indonesia may buy at least 800,000 tons of wheat from the United States this year, up from 740,000 tons in 2024, and at least 1 million tons annually from 2026. According to data from the US Department of Agriculture, the last time the United States sold more than 1 million tons of wheat to Indonesia was in 2020, with exports of about 1.2 million tons. Although the newly promised procurement volume has increased, it still accounts for only a small part of Indonesia's total wheat procurement. The US Department of Agriculture predicts that Indonesia's wheat imports will reach 12 million tons in the 2025-26 fiscal year. 【Japan's Real Wages in May Recorded the Largest Drop in Nearly Two Years】 Data released by the Japanese government on the 7th showed that Japan's real wages continued to decline in May, with the largest drop in nearly two years. According to data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan's real wages fell for the 5th consecutive month in May, a 2.9% decrease compared with the same period last year, the largest drop since September 2023. 【Upgrading the Free Trade Agreement, the First Round of Sino-Georgian Negotiations Held in Beijing】 From July 3 to 4, the second meeting of the Joint Committee of the "China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement" and the first round of negotiations on the upgrading of the agreement were held in Beijing. It is reported that the "China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement" officially came into effect on January 1, 2018, and the upgrading of the agreement includes four chapters: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Investment and E-Commerce.   Price Information: 【RMB central parity rate against USD】 The central parity rate of RMB against USD was reported at 7.1506, up 29 points; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1535, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1652, and the night session closing price was 7.1653. 【US dollar market price of upstream raw materials】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $850/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $860/ton.Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average $745/ton; CFR China average $795/ton.North Asia frozen cargo CIF: propane $528-530/ton; butane $503-505/ton.South China frozen cargo CIF for early August: propane $557-567/ton; butane $522-532/ton.Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF: propane $528-530/ton; butane $503-505/ton. 【LLDPE US dollar market price】 Film: $875-930/ton (CFR Huangpu);Injection molding: $940/ton (CFR Dongguan); 【HDPE US dollar market price】 Film: $910-930/ton (CFR Huangpu);Blow molding: $860-870/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【LDPE US dollar market price】 Film: $1080-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu);Coating: $1350/ton (CFR Huangpu) 【PP US dollar market price】 Homopolymer: $935-980/ton (CFR Huangpu);Copolymer: $965-995/ton (CFR Huangpu);Film grade: $1000/ton (CFR Huangpu);Transparent grade: $1085/ton (CFR Huangpu);Pipe grade: $1160/ton (CFR Shanghai).

Highlights of International News: Raw Materials: Sulzer Launches Polystyrene(PS) Recycling Technology Automotive: Renault Records a €9.5 Billion Loss Due to Accounting Method Adjustments. Electronics: Envalior and Partners Develop Gearbox Concept for Robot Arms with Engineering Plastics Packaging: AMERICHEM Consolidation of European Activities Under US Brand / Streamlining Advances Company's 2030 Sustainability Goals Medical: Sekisui Chemical to Construct New Injection-Molding Plant in Pune, India Macro Economy: Thailand's Constitutional Court decides to suspend Prime Minister Paetongtarn from office. Price Info: Homopolymer PP: $935–980/ton (CFR Huangpu). Details of International News: Envalior and partners develop gearbox concept for robot arms with engineering plastic Envalior, SENTImotion and Frencken Group have developed a new gearbox concept for robot arms based on advanced engineering plastic.Unlike previous designs based on metal or plastic, it enables the entry into the cost-effective large-scale production of lightweight and energy-efficient robots. The development partners are presenting the new concept to the general public for the first time at the automatica robotics trade fair in Munich, Germany.   2. Sulzer launches polystyrene recycling technology SulzerLtd. (Winterthur, Switzerland) is proud to announce the launch of its licensed EcoStyrene polystyrene recycling technology, a groundbreaking solution for the chemical recycling of contaminated polystyrene materials. The EcoStyrene process addresses one of the chemical recycling industry’s most significant challenges: effectively processing waste polystyrene materials that contain multiple types of contaminants. Unlike conventional recycling methods that require pristine feedstock, our technology efficiently processes polystyrene waste containing flame retardant components and food residue, transforming these previously unrecyclable materials into valuable resources that can be reintroduced into the production cycle, including food contact applications. 3. PRET Expands Global Footprint with New Mexico Plant Pret Composites Mexico Co., Ltd. marked a historic milestone: the successful trial production at PRT Mexico Plant, inaugurating a new chapter in North American intelligent manufacturing. This milestone signifies a key step in the group's global strategy, laying a solid foundation for deepening its presence in the North American market. In the future, it will become a composite materials intelligent manufacturing hub radiating across the Americas.   4. Sekisui Chemical to construct new injection-molding plant in Pune, India Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) has decided to establish sixth injection-molding plant in India for Sekisui DLJM Molding Pvt. Ltd., which manufactures and sells injection molded products for automobiles in Pune, Maharashtra in western India. The investment for establishing the new injection-molding plant is approximately $3 million, and it is expected to go into operation in January 2026.   5. AMERICHEM：Consolidation of European activities under US brand / Streamlining advances company's 2030 sustainability goals US masterbatch and compounds specialist Americhem has announced plans to consolidate its European activities under the Americhem brand as it moves to align operations across global quality and manufacturing standards. 6.Renault Records €9.5 Billion Loss Due to Accounting AdjustmentsOn July 1, French automaker Renault announced that it would record an approximately €9.5 billion loss in its first-half results due to a change in the accounting method for its equity investment in Nissan. The move comes as the two companies adjust their 20-year partnership, with Renault gradually reducing its stake in Nissan, which is facing sales declines and financial pressures.   7. Key Process Improvements Save Energy and Cut Costs for Recycling Polyester With Enzymes A successful collaboration involving a trio of research institutions has yielded a road map toward an economically viable process for using enzymes to recycle plastics.The researchers, from NREL, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the University of Portsmouth in England, previously partnered on the biological engineering of improved PETase enzymes that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET). With its low manufacturing cost and excellent material properties, PET is used extensively in single-use packaging, soda bottles, and textiles.   8.Sharp Sells Camera Module Business for ¥2.4 Billion; Foxconn Subsidiary Takes Over On June 30, Sharp announced the transfer of 51% equity in its subsidiary SSTC-held SAIGON STEC CO., LTD (SSTEC) and part of its fixed assets to a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group for approximately ¥2.4 billion (approximately ¥119 million). The equity transaction was completed on the same day for ¥533 million (approximately ¥26.479 million), and the remaining asset transfer is expected to be finalized by the end of September 2025. Sharp stated that the sale of the camera module business will bring a ¥2.426 billion special profit, further optimizing the group's asset structure. This move signals Sharp's gradual divestment from non-core businesses, while Foxconn strengthens its industrial chain layout through its subsidiary Fullertain.   Overseas Macro Market Information:   Thailand's Constitutional Court Suspends Prime Minister Paetongtarn from OfficeOn July 1 local time, Thailand's Constitutional Court decided to accept a petition to impeach Prime Minister Paetongtarn and suspend her from office. On June 20 local time, the Speaker of Thailand's House of Lords submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court to impeach Prime Minister Paetongtarn, alleging that her phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen violated the constitution and ethical norms.   Musk Responds to Trump's Comments on Reviewing Subsidies: 'Cut Them All, Now!'Earlier, Trump claimed that Musk may have received more subsidies than anyone in history, and without subsidies, he might have to close down and return to his native South Africa. "Maybe we should let the Department of Efficiency take a good, hard look at this? It could save a fortune!" Musk replied in a user comment, "Cut them all, now." Tesla's stock price fell more than 7% at one point.   Japan's 10-Year Government Bond Auction Demand Stronger Than 12-Month AverageDemand for Japan's 10-year government bond auction was stronger than the 12-month average, as expectations of the central bank raising interest rates weakened, easing upward pressure on longer-term bond yields. The bid-to-cover ratio for the auction was 3.51, higher than 3.66 in the previous auction last month and the 12-month average of 3.14. Another sign of strong demand was the 0.03 gap between the average price and the minimum accepted price, compared with 0.01 in the previous auction. Since the end of May, Japan's sovereign bond auctions have been in the spotlight after a poor response to Japan's 20-year bond auction, leading to record highs in ultra-long bond yields. The surge in Japanese government bond yields has impacted global bond markets, with investors remaining vigilant about the expanding government deficit.   Canalys: U.S. Desktop and Laptop Shipments Grew 15% YoY in Q1 to 16.9 Million UnitsData from Canalys shows that U.S. desktop and laptop shipments grew 15% year-on-year to 16.9 million units in the first quarter of 2025. Due to manufacturers increasing shipments in response to tariff policy adjustments, channel inventory has increased significantly, facing subsequent pressure to clear inventory. At the same time, weakened consumer spending will slow annual growth. Full-year PC shipments are expected to grow by only 2% in 2025. With a large number of Windows system upgrades set to begin after Windows 10 ends service in October 2025, shipment growth is expected to rebound to 4% in 2026.   Price Information:   USD/CNY Central Parity Rate The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar was set at 7.1534, up 52 pips; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1586, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1656, and the overnight trading close was 7.1636.   Raw Material Prices in USD Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $850/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $860/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average $745/ton; CFR China average $795/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $532.5–534.5/ton; Butane $502.5–504.5/ton. South China frozen cargo August arrival CIF price: Propane $564–574/ton; Butane $529–539/ton. Taiwan frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $532.5–534.5/ton; Butane $502.5–504.5/ton.   LLDPE Prices in USD Film: $880–930/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $940/ton (CFR Dongguan).   HDPE Prices in USD Film: $910–930/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: $860–870/ton (CFR Huangpu).   LDPE Prices in USD Film: $1,090–1,100/ton (CFR Huangpu); Coating: $1,350/ton (CFR Huangpu).   PP Prices in USD Homopolymer: $935–980/ton (CFR Huangpu); Random copolymer: $965–995/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: $1,000/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: $1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai).  

International News Digest: Raw Materials News- Covestro acquires Pontacol: expansion in specialty films    Automotive News-Audi Considers New U.S. Plant with Costs up to €4 Billion Packaging News- India’s Dhunseri Ventures plans Rs22 billion polyfilm capacity expansion Medical News-“First of its kind” inhaler to reshape respiratory drug delivery Macro News-Japan Still Studying Timing for Next Round of U.S. Trade Talks Price Information-Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $840/MT; CFR Southeast Asia $860/MT   Detailed International News: 1.Iran Mulls Closing Strait of Hormuz Iranian officials hinted at potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz, a statement that triggered a surge in international crude oil prices. Goldman Sachs warned that in an extreme-risk scenario, prolonged blockade of the Strait could drive global oil prices to over $100 per barrel. Located between Oman and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, handling one-third of global seaborne crude oil transport and one-fifth of liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has dubbed it "the world's most important oil chokepoint."   2. Covestro Acquires Pontacol: Expansion in Specialty Films   On June 23, 2025, Covestro has signed an agreement to acquire Pontacol, a Swiss manufacturer of multilayer adhesive films. With this acquisition, Covestro strategically expands its specialty films portfolio and further advances the implementation of its "Sustainable Future" corporate strategy. At the same time, the company continues to consistently expand its growth in sustainable and innovative business areas.   3. India’s Dhunseri Ventures plans Rs22-billion polyfilm capacity expansion India’s Dhunseri Ventures Ltd (DVL) plans to invest rupee (Rs) 22.4 billion ($260 million) to expand its packaging film capacity through brownfield and greenfield expansions, a company official said on Tuesday.The expansion would be done through its wholly owned subsidiary Dhunseri Poly Films Pvt Ltd (DPFPL).   4.Audi Considers New U.S. Plant with €4B Cost Aiming to avoid tariff conflicts between the U.S. and the EU, Audi is considering building a new plant in the United States. Reports indicate that establishing a plant in the southern U.S. would be the costliest option under consideration, with company sources estimating the investment could reach €4 billion (approximately ¥33.1 billion).   5. Ensinger to expand production capacity of polyimide powder Ensinger to expand production capacity of polyimide powderPlastics processor Ensinger is increasing the production capacity of its TECAPOWDER product line. The polyimide material will be produced not only at the company’s site in Lenzing, Austria, but also in Obernburg am Main, Germany. The new production line at the Industrie Centre Obernburg (ICO) is expected to be operational by 2027.   6. “First of its kind” inhaler to reshape respiratory drug delivery Cambridge Healthcare Innovations (CHI), a start-up designing and licensing revolutionary inhaler technology, has announced Quattrii, the ‘first ever’ dry powder inhaler (DPI) engine that is capable of delivering large volumes of biologic and mRNA molecules in a single inhalation. The engine will be available for pharmaceutical companies to start using in Phase 1 clinical trials from Q4 of this year.  7. Cititoy Invests in Indonesia Plant with 4,000 Workers Following reports of toy manufacturers like GFT, Delin, Huaden, Weixing, Yunhao, Hualong, Qifeng, Jinfu, Lianzhi, Xuri, and Longchang investing in Indonesian factories, global toy giant Cititoy is preparing to build PT Kids Play Indonesia in Subang Smartpolitan, Indonesia. The first-phase project is scheduled for completion and operation in September 2025, with all products to be exported via Patimban Seaport.   8. First PP Packaging Plant in Russia's Zabaykalsky Krai Starts Operation, with an annual capacity of 1.7 million to fill the regional gap A polypropylene packaging material production plant has been built in Russia 's Transbaikal region. The enterprise produces polypropylene mesh woven bags on a large scale for the storage and transportation of fruit and vegetable products. At present, there is no similar enterprise in the region. 9. Mexico's Chemical Industry Poised to Attract $50B Investment José Carlos Ponce, President of Mexico's National Chemical Industry Association (ANIQ) and CFO of Mexican chemical producer Alpek, stated that the Mexican chemical sector could attract $50 billion in investment over the next decade if key challenges—including the operational performance of state-owned energy giant Pemex—are addressed.   Overseas Macro Market Information   1.Japan Still Finalizing Timing for Next U.S. Trade Talks Japan's chief negotiator and Minister of Economic Revitalization, Ryō Akasawa: Committed to reaching a mutually beneficial trade agreement with the U.S., without setting a deadline; still studying timing for the next negotiation round.   2.South Korea Seeks Exemption from U.S. Auto and Steel Tariffs The South Korean government stated that Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo held his first meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, D.C. Yeo emphasized the importance of exempting key goods like automobiles and steel from U.S. tariffs and expressed South Korean industry concerns over recent developments in U.S. export control policies. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to swiftly reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.   3.Iran and Israel Announce Formal Ceasefire Local time on June 24, Iran and Israel declared a formal ceasefire.   4.Trump Confirms Iran-Israel Ceasefire in Effect At 1:00 a.m. ET on the 24th, U.S. President Trump posted on social media: "Ceasefire is now in effect. Do not violate." Earlier, at 6:02 p.m. ET on the 23rd, Trump announced the ceasefire would begin in approximately 6 hours—12:00 a.m. ET on the 24th. The agreement includes two 12-hour ceasefire phases: Iran initiates the first, followed by Israel, with the war officially ending after 24 hours.   5.Japan's 20-Year JGB Bid-to-Cover Ratio Hits Highest Since March After Japan's Ministry of Finance reduced ultra-long-term bond issuance, the bid-to-cover ratio for 20-year Japanese government bonds (JGBs) reached 3.11 in Tuesday's auction—the highest since March. The previous auction in May had a ratio of 2.5, a more than 10-year low, though still below the 12-month average of 3.31.   6.Indian Officials: India and U.S. Still Aim to Reach Trade Deal by July Deadline Indian officials said India and the U.S. hope to finalize a preliminary trade agreement before the U.S. tariff hike deadline on July 9, though challenges remain—particularly in sectors like agriculture.   Price Information   CNY/USD parity Rate Reaches Highest Since November 2024 The central parity rate was set at 7.1656, up 54 pips from the previous day. The previous day's parity rate was 7.1710, official closing price 7.1858, and overnight closing price 7.1772.   Upstream Raw Materials (USD Prices) Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $840/MT; CFR Southeast Asia $860/MT Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average $750/MT (+$35); CFR China average $800/MT (+$35) North Asia LPG C&F: Propane $589–591/MT; Butane $558–560/MT South China LPG July C&F: Propane $617–627/MT; Butane $554–564/MT Taiwan LPG C&F: Propane $589–591/MT; Butane $558–560/MT   LLDPE USD Prices Film: $920/MT (CFR Huangpu); Injection: $950/MT (CFR Dongguan)   HDPE USD Prices Film: $910–920/MT (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: $860–870/MT (CFR Huangpu)   LDPE USD Prices Film: $1,105–1,130/MT (CFR Yantian); Casting: $1,330/MT (CFR Huangpu)   PP USD Prices Homopolymer: $890–975/MT (CFR Huangpu) (-$5); Copolymer: $965–995/MT (CFR Huangpu) Transparent: $1,120/MT (CFR Huangpu) (+$20); Pipe: $1,160/MT (CFR Shanghai)    

International News Digest: Raw Materials - EU Weighs Measures to Save Plastic Recycling Firms Automotive - Tesla Robotaxi Debuts Quietly with ~10 Model Ys Packaging -BASF Japan and partners to develop bag-in-box container for edible oil using rPA Electronics - MediaTek Sues Huawei at EU Unified Patent Court Medical - World’s First Commercial Polymer Heart Valve Launched! Macro - 50% Tariff on "Steel Derivatives" Takes Effect Today! Price - Ethylene Asia: CFR NE Asia $830/ton, Up $10   International News Details EU Considers Support Measures to Rescue Plastic Recyclers The EU is considering ways to support European plastics recyclers. Speaking to the press after the June 17 Environment Council meeting, European Commissioner Jessika Roswall said she discussed European plastic recyclers’ urgent need for support with Ministers.The meeting was held by Roswall, the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, together with Environment Ministers for EU member states. Tesla Robotaxi Debuts Quietly with Only ~10 Model YsTesla CEO Elon Musk announced via social media platform X that the company’s Robotaxi service launched Sunday, calling it "the culmination of a decade of hard work." Only about 10 Robotaxis were initially deployed, limited to invited social media influencers with restricted driving zones—modest compared to Musk’s earlier autonomous taxi visions. BASF Partners to Develop rPA-Based Edible Oil Bag-in-Box PackagingBASF Japan, Kohjin Film & Chemicals, TOPPAN, a group company of TOPPAN Holdings Inc., and J-OIL MILLS, INC. are collaborating to develop Japan's first “bag-in-box” (BIB*2) commercial container for edible oil using chemically recycled polyamide. This collaboration supports the recycling of packaging materials. MediaTek Sues Huawei at EU Unified Patent CourtHFI Innovation, a subsidiary of MediaTek, sued five Huawei-affiliated companies at the Mannheim division of the EU Unified Patent Court (UPC) for infringing European Patent EP2689624, an LTE patent titled "Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel Search Space Configuration Method." This responds to Huawei’s earlier patent infringement lawsuit against MediaTek. World’s First Commercial Polymer Heart Valve Launched!Foldax’s Tria mitral valve obtained approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), becoming the world’s first commercial polymer heart valve. Made from proprietary LifePolymer™—a non-animal-derived polymer designed for anti-calcification and biostability—Tria™ reduces calcification risks and eliminates the need for lifelong anticoagulants, outperforming traditional biological and mechanical valves. 50% Tariff on "Steel Derivatives" Takes Effect Today!The U.S. Department of Commerce imposed a 50% tariff on steel-derived household appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, etc.) from June 23. The move adds eight appliance categories to "steel derivatives," sparking EU-U.S. tariff negotiations with unclear prospects. The EU may take broad countermeasures if no agreement is reached. Researchers Develop Catalyst to Break Down PFAS in Wetting Agents Chemists at Goethe University Frankfurt developed a catalyst targeting  capable of breaking down per-and polyfluorinated organic substances (PFAS) - also known as ‘forever chemicals’ - in a targeted manner. PFAS are widely used to make surfaces resistant to dirt and water, but their extreme persistence in the environment and potential health risks have made them a growing concern. What sets this new catalyst apart is that it does not rely on costly or toxic heavy metals like platinum, palladium, or iridium. Beyond its ability to degrade PFAS, the catalyst could also be used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals Wearable Breakthrough! Diabetes Patch Pump System Nears LaunchPharmaSens AG, developer of an innovative insulin patch pump, and SiBionics, a CGM technology leader, announced a strategic partnership to develop the niia signature—an integrated patch pump system combining insulin delivery and real-time glucose monitoring for diabetics.   Overseas Macro Updates Iran to Continue Uranium EnrichmentIran will persist with uranium enrichment, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said, stressing, "No one can tell Iran what to do." Japan Denies U.S. Demand to Raise Defense Spending to 3.5% of GDPJapan rejected reports that the U.S. demanded defense spending reach 3.5% of GDP. "It’s not about the amount but how Japan enhances capabilities," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said. Global Shipping Alerts to Middle East Risks as Two Supertankers U-Turn Before HormuzTwo VLCCs carrying ~2 million barrels of crude oil turned back from the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the first diversions since Israel’s June 13 attacks. Tanker freight rates have surged 90%, with derivatives rising further. Goldman Warns Middle East Tensions Could Push Brent to $110Goldman Sachs said oil and gas prices could rise if Hormuz Strait shipments drop by half for a month, potentially pushing Brent to $110/barrel. A 1.75 mb/d reduction in Iranian supply could lift Brent to $90. U.S. Plans to Withdraw Semiconductor Waivers for China OperationsU.S. Commerce Department notified TSMC, Samsung, and other chipmakers of plans to revoke waivers allowing them to use U.S. technology in mainland China.   Price Information 【USD/CNY Central Parity】7.1710, down 15 pips (prev: 7.1695; official close: 7.1837; overnight: 7.1820) 【Raw Materials (USD/ton)】 Ethylene Asia: CFR NE Asia 840 (up 10), CFR SE Asia 860 (up 10) Propylene NE Asia: FOB Korea avg 715; CFR China avg 765 (up 5) North Asia LPG CIF: Propane 586-588, Butane 556-558 South China LPG July arrival: Propane 625-635, Butane 562-572 Taiwan LPG CIF: Propane 586-588, Butane 556-558 【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: $890-980/ton (CFR Huangpu, up $5/ton) Copolymer: $965-995/ton (CFR Huangpu, up $5/ton) Transparent: $1,100/ton (CFR Huangpu) Pipe: $1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai)  

International News Highlights  Raw Materials News - Westlake Epoxy and Alpha Recyclage Composites to advance composites recycling Automotive News - Toray and partners launch end-of-life aircraft recycling program for composites Machanery News- North American plastics machinery shipments drop again in Q1 2025 Packaging News - Topstar's Whole-Plant Solution Helps North American Customers Achieve Intelligent Upgrades Medical News - Boston Scientific Sells Its Veteran Campus Macro News - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Denies "Iran Transmitting Messages to Israel via Cyprus" Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton   Details of International News  Toray and partners launch end-of-life aircraft recycling program for compositesToray Advanced Composites, Daher, and TARMAC Aerosave announce the launch of a joint End-of-Life Aerospace Recycling Program for commercial aircraft production.Working with Airbus, this collaborative initiative will focus on advancing recycling technology practices in aerospace manufacturing by recovering and reusing end-of-life secondary structural components made from continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. Westlake Epoxy and Alpha Recyclage Composites to advance composites recycling Corporation announced that Westlake Epoxy will collaborate with Alpha Recyclage Composites to support them in scaling up the recycling capacity for carbon fiber composite materials.This collaboration will provide support to Westlake’s composite customers in their development of improved circular options for both production (scrap or off spec composite materials that otherwise become waste) and end-of-life waste. The recovery of the carbon fibers from composite materials for reuse in new or emerging applications aims to establish a more sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration. Borouge Signs $531 Million Logistics Agreement to Enhance Petrochemical Export Capability Petrochemical giant Borouge Plc recently announced the signing of a 15-year, AED 1.95 billion (approximately $531 million) cooperation agreement with ADNOC L&S, a logistics services company under Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), to optimize maritime logistics processes and enhance the UAE's petrochemical export capability. Boston Scientific Sells Its Veteran Campus Recently, according to the official website of CBRE, the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment company, Boston Scientific has put its 24-acre campus in Minnetonka, Minnesota, up for sale. Records show that Boston Scientific has been operating at 10700 Bren Road West since the 1980s and redeveloped it in 2013. The site now features 225,900 square feet (approximately 21,000 square meters) of modern laboratory, office, and warehousing space, long serving as the core function for its medical device manufacturing. Braskem, America's Largest PP Producer, Makes a Major Strategic Shift Considering a challenging environment for the petrochemical industry and a prolonged downcycle-exacerbated by high energy costs and reduced economic activity in Europe-Braskem is redirecting all resources toward its core business: the production of chemicals and plastics. As such, Braskem is divesting from the mechanical recycling joint venture, Upsyde, with Terra Circular, which focused on producing road plates and pallets from post-consumer plastic. Japan's Ethylene Equipment Utilization Rate Remains Depressed for 33 Consecutive Months Recently, statistics released by the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association showed that in April, the domestic ethylene equipment utilization rate in Japan was 78.6%, remaining below the 90% target for measuring prosperity for 33 consecutive months. The prolonged downturn in ethylene equipment utilization shows no sign of improvement. The association stated that in view of changing market conditions and reduced utilization rates due to increased regional production, each enterprise is taking measures to advance structural reforms. In terms of adjusting ethylene production equipment, in addition to the announced plan to close two units in Chiba Prefecture and one unit in Kanagawa Prefecture, in April, three companies in western Japan—Mitsui Chemicals, Asahi Kasei, and Mitsubishi Chemical—merged their two units into one. This will reduce Japan's domestic ethylene production capacity by 30% to approximately 4.4 million tons. Regarding this restructuring, Koji Kudo, President of the Petrochemical Industry Association, said it is unlikely that two or three units will be closed consecutively. Closing these units is meaningless unless environmental protection measures are taken simultaneously. Xycle breaks ground on chemical recycling plant in Rotterdam Xycle has broken ground on its first commercial-scale pyrolysis plant, located in the port of Rotterdam.Dow, ING, Invest-NL, Polestar Capital and Vopak are among the investors in the Dutch chemical recycler . North American plastics machinery shipments drop again in Q1 2025 Economy Market Forecast Plastics Processes Shipments of extruders were strong and increased by double digits year-over-year, but injection molding machine shipments were down. Shipments of injection molding and extrusion machinery in North America fell to US$252.1 million in the first quarter of 2025 from the previous quarter, which is a decline of 17.5 per cent from the last quarter of last year and 4.6 per cent decline year-over-year, according to a new report from the Plastics Industry Association’s Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES). Topstar's Whole-Plant Solution Helps North American Customers Achieve Intelligent Upgrades In a newly built Mexican food packaging factory in North Carolina, the intelligent manufacturing solution provided by Topstar is operating efficiently. Industrial robots flexibly adjust their operation trajectories according to process requirements, and advanced machine vision technology acts as an "electronic eye," significantly improving the production efficiency and product qualification rate of food boxes. This in-depth cooperation originated from the customer's procurement need for single machines. Topstar verified the performance of the solution through on-site testing at the Mexican factory. According to customer feedback, while maintaining high efficiency, the equipment reduces comprehensive costs by approximately one-third compared to similar European and American products. The excellent performance has prompted the customer to continue purchasing, gradually replacing the original equipment.   Overseas Macro Market Information  Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Denies "Iran Transmitting Messages to Israel via Cyprus" The Tehran Times reported that the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the news that "Iran transmitted messages to Israel via Cyprus." "Iran has not transmitted any messages to Israel through any country, and this claim is completely false," the spokesperson said. Israeli Refinery in Haifa Hit by Iranian Missile, Causing Fire Local time on the 16th, a refinery in Haifa, northern Israel, was hit by an Iranian missile, triggering a large fire. Japanese Finance Minister: Discussing with Markets Is Key to Ensuring Stable Government Bond Trading Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said that before the much-watched meeting between the Ministry of Finance and investors, discussing with market participants is a key factor in ensuring stable government bond trading. He stated that as the Bank of Japan reduces its bond purchases, the government needs to find other investors to fill the gap. The Japanese Ministry of Finance plans to hold a meeting with primary dealers on June 20, three days after the Bank of Japan's policy decision, where the central bank is widely expected to slow the pace of reducing bond purchases at this meeting. U.S. Diplomatic Facilities in Israel Damaged in Iranian Attack Local time on the 16th, U.S. diplomatic facilities in Tel Aviv, Israel, were damaged in the missile attack launched by Iran in the early morning of the same day. In the early morning of the day, Iran launched a new round of missile attacks on Israel, and air raid sirens sounded in multiple areas of Israel. South Korea to Submit Supplementary Budget Plan to the Cabinet on June 19 According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea will submit a supplementary budget plan to the cabinet on June 19. Morgan Stanley Raises Q3 Brent Crude Price Forecast Morgan Stanley: Due to the Israel-Iran conflict, the Q3 Brent crude oil price forecast is raised to $67.50 per barrel.   Price Information  RMB to U.S. Dollar Central Parity RateThe central parity rate of RMB against the U.S. dollar was reported at 7.1789, down 17 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1772, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1813, and the overnight trading close was 7.1853. Upstream Raw Material US Dollar Market Prices Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average $720/ton, up $10/ton; CFR China average $760/ton, up $10/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $575-577/ton; Butane $543.5-545.5/ton. South China frozen cargo July upper CIF price: Propane $587-597/ton; Butane $534-544/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $575-577/ton; Butane $543.5-545.5/ton. LLDPE US Dollar Market Prices Film: $915/ton (CFR Huangpu), up $10/ton; Injection molding: $960/ton (CFR Dongguan); HDPE US Dollar Market Prices Film: $900-915/ton (CFR Huangpu), up $5/ton; Hollow: $865/ton (CFR Huangpu); LDPE US Dollar Market Prices Film: $1,035/ton (CFR Xiamen); 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 Highlights:   Raw Materials News：Canadian Court Orders NOVA Chemicals to Pay Dow an Additional CAD$1.6 Bilion in Ethylene DisputeAutomotive News：Mitsui Chemicals achieves automation of tank allocation planning through digital transformation Electronics News：Ineos starts cracking recycled plastics feedstock at Lavéra, France Packaging News： BioTech adopts LIMEX Pellet for sustainable detergent packaging in Vietnam Macro News： US officials informed that Israel is fully prepared for military action against Iran Price Information: Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average price at US$710/ton, up US$10/ton   Details of International News:   Canadian Court Orders NOVA Chemicals to Pay Dow an Additional CAD$1.6 Bilion in Ethylene DisputeThe long-standing legal battle between chemical giants Dow and NOVA Chemicals Corporation has taken another significant turn, with the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, Canada, issuing a judgment on June 10, 2025, ordering NOVA Chemicals to pay Dow an additional CADS1.620 bilion (approximately $1.2 bilion) in damages. This substantial sum relates to losses Dow incurred from the companies jointly owned ethylene asset located in Joffre, Alberta. Canada. Japanese power giant JERA to increase procurement of US LNGOn June 12, JERA, a Japanese power giant, announced it has signed 20-year agreements to annually procure up to 5.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from four US companies, located in Texas and Louisiana. The company stated this move aims to diversify LNG procurement channels, increasing the proportion of US purchases from approximately 10% to around 30%. Ineos starts cracking recycled plastics feedstock at Lavéra, France Ineos said it has received its first initial batch of pyrolysis oil (pyoil) produced from recycled post-consumer waste plastics for processing into olefins at its steam cracker in Lavéra, France. The specific volume of pyoil received was not given. The company’s Olefins & Polymers Europe business took delivery of the pyoil at Lavéra and will use it to produce virgin-quality polymers, it said in an announcement on June 11. COIM × Ariete creates cycling protective eyewear with 70% biobased TPU materialAriete, a brand under Sandro Mentasti and a leader in ski goggles, motorsport, and cycling equipment, has announced a strategic partnership with COIM, a multinational company specializing in specialty chemicals (mainly producing polyesters, polyols, polyurethanes, and resins for composites and coatings). Together, they have developed a revolutionary product: the Ariete 8K protective eyewear. This new eyewear represents months of joint R&D by Ariete and COIM teams, dedicated to significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The Ariete 8K combines cutting-edge design, superior technical performance, and a firm commitment to environmental sustainability. Additionally, it has passed certification tests for Class II personal protective equipment in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/425 and UNI EN 1938:2010 safety standards, ensuring the highest level of safety for users. Speciality chemicals group launches PFAS-free processing aids ahead of K 2025Ahead of the K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, Clariant has introduced its AddWorks PPA range – a set of polymer processing aids (PPAs) developed specifically for polyolefin extrusion. The company said that the launch addresses growing regulatory and market pressure to eliminate PFAS substances from plastic additives, particularly in food packaging applications. BioTech adopts LIMEX Pellet for sustainable detergent packaging in Vietnam TBM announced that BioTech has adopted LIMEX Pellet for its detergent packaging. LIMEX Pellet is an eco-conscious material mainly made from inorganic substances like calcium carbonate.  BioTech is known for producing detergents with natural ingredients, prioritizing safety and environmental care. Their flagship products, “Bio Clean” and “Bio Baby,” are free from harmful chemicals. They are trusted by multiple generations for skin safety.   Birch Biosciences Enters into Global Patent License Agreement with NREL to Advance Enzymatic Plastic Recycling Process Birch Biosciences, a startup focused on AI-powered enzymatic plastic recycling, today announced a global patent license agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to commercialize a novel enzymatic deconstruction processing technology that breaks down polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—a common plastic used in packaging and textiles—to recover valuable chemical building blocks. Mitsui Chemicals achieves automation of tank allocation planning through digital transformationOn June 12, it was reported that Mitsui Chemicals has developed an automated tool for liquid product tank allocation planning at its Osaka, Japan plant, which was put into use in March 2025. The tool standardizes the previously skill-dependent tank allocation planning work, reducing man-hours by 80%, while enabling faster response to environmental changes and improving planning accuracy. The liquid products produced at the plant need to be stored in multiple tanks. When storing products, considerations and adjustments must be made for tank selection, quality test analysis and inspection time, and delivery time based on orders. This work, known as "tank allocation," requires considering complex factors such as the filling rate and inspection status of each tank, making experienced personnel indispensable.   Overseas Macro Market Information:   US officials informed that Israel is fully prepared for military action against IranMultiple sources told CBS that US officials have been informed that Israel is fully prepared for military action against Iran. The report said the US expects Iran may retaliate against certain US military bases in Iraq, which is part of the reason the US earlier advised some Americans to leave the region. The US State Department has ordered non-emergency personnel at embassies and consulates to evacuate Iraq, citing "escalating regional tensions." Iranian President: Iran will not reach a nuclear deal at any costOn local time June 11, Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran will not reach a nuclear deal at any cost. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran will not build nuclear bombs but will not allow anyone to pressure Iran. To stabilize rice prices, Japanese government releases reserve rice againOn local time June 11, the Japanese government launched a new batch of reserve rice releases, with nearly 100 retailers applying to sell rice. The 120,000 tons of reserve rice released on the 11th were all produced in 2021. If all this rice is purchased by retailers, the Japanese government will release 100,000 tons of rice produced in 2020. Foreign investors buy record amount of South Korean bonds in MayAccording to a statement from the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea, overseas investors net bought 11.34 trillion won (US$8.3 billion) of listed bonds last month, the largest monthly inflow on record, continuing the strong momentum from April. The balance of listed bonds held by foreign investors increased to 300.5 trillion won over the same period. As of June 10, overseas investors have net bought South Korean bonds for 31 consecutive trading days, the longest streak since 2023. UK's goods exports to US drop by record high in AprilOffice for National Statistics (ONS): The drop in UK goods exports to the US in April was the largest on record. The decline in exports to the US "may" be related to Trump's tariffs. UK economy shrinks in April, sounding alarm for StarmerThe UK economy shrank for the first time in six months, sounding an alarm in the ear of Prime Minister Starmer, who is counting on economic growth to fund the government's ambitious spending plans. The Office for National Statistics announced on Thursday that after two months of healthy growth, GDP fell by 0.3% in April, worse than economists' forecast of a 0.1% decline. Services and manufacturing contracted, while construction grew. The data sets a weak tone for economic performance in the second quarter, as businesses and consumers face rising unemployment, heavier tax burdens, and Donald Trump's tariffs.   Price Information:   USD/CNY central parity rateThe central parity rate of USD/CNY was set at 7.1803, up 12 pips; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1815, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1858, and the overnight session closed at 7.1890. Upstream raw material US dollar market prices Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia US$790/ton, up US$10/ton; CFR Southeast Asia US$850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average price US$710/ton, up US$10/ton; CFR China average price US$750/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: propane US$540-542/ton; butane US$510-512/ton. South China frozen cargo July arrival price: propane US$598-608/ton; butane US$538-548/ton. Taiwan frozen cargo CIF price: propane US$540-542/ton; butane US$510-512/ton. LLDPE US dollar market prices Film: US$895/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: US$970/ton (CFR Dongguan). HDPE US dollar market prices Film: US$900-920/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: US$865-870/ton (CFR Huangpu). LDPE US dollar market prices Film: US$1025-1035/ton (CFR Huangpu). PP US dollar market prices Homopolymer: US$885-935/ton (CFR Huangpu), down US$5/ton; Copolymer: US$955-1040/ton (CFR Huangpu), down US$20/ton; Film stock: US$1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: US$1085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: US$1160/ton (CFR Shanghai).   Editor: Carrie

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).

International News Digest: Raw Material News -Nova officially opens Syndigo 1 PE film recycling facility in Indiana Auto News - Hyundai is considering raising car prices in the US market after June 2nd Packaging News - Philippines: Approves the Use of PET Plastic Bottles as Additives in National Highway Construction Electronic and Electrical News-NVIDIA's chips for China will see a significant price cut Macro News - Federal Reserve's Kashkari: Long-term high tariffs will increase the risk of stagflation Price Information - Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price 760 USD/ton; CFR China average price 795 USD/ton Here are the details of international news: 1.The deadline for tariff negotiations between the EU and the US has been extended to July 9 On May 25 local time, U.S. President Trump revealed on social media that the EU requested to extend the deadline for tariff negotiations to July 9, and he agreed. Subsequently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted that the EU and the U.S. have the world's most important and close trade relationship. Europe is ready to swiftly and decisively advance the negotiations. In order to reach a good agreement, the EU needs to extend the deadline to July 9. 2. Nova officially opens Syndigo 1 PE film recycling facility in Indiana Calgary-based polyethylene (PE) maker Nova Chemicals Corp. has officially commissioned its first PE film recycling plant, in Connersville, Ind. The facility, called Syndigo 1, is described by Nova officials as “one of the largest and most sophisticated plastic film mechanical recycling facilities in the world.” 3、The EU has launched an investigation into PET imports from Vietnam The European Commission has launched an investigation to assess whether it is justified to impose anti-dumping measures on imports of PET from Vietnam. This investigation was initiated based on a complaint from EU PET producers, who allege that dumped imports of PET from Vietnam are harming the EU's domestic PET manufacturing industry. The EU's PET production directly employs 1,600 workers. In 2024, the total value of the EU's PET plastics market exceeded 4 billion euros. If the investigation confirms that the EU's PET industry has been harmed or is under threat of harm due to PET imports from Vietnam, the European Commission may impose anti-dumping duties. The investigation must be completed within a maximum of 14 months. If dumping and corresponding injury are provisionally confirmed, temporary anti-dumping measures must be imposed within 8 months. 4、DKSH acquires specialty polymer distributor APN Plastics DKSH announced the signing of an agreement to acquire APN Plastics, a distributor of specialty polymers operating in Australia and Malaysia. This acquisition will enable DKSH Performance Materials to further expand its presence in these two markets based on a diversified customer base. APN Plastics is renowned for its extensive technical expertise in biomedicine and engineering plastics. The annual net sales of APN Plastics exceed 25 million Swiss francs. 5. Walmart, Nestlé, and Mars collectively exit the Plastic Pact Recently, many well-known brands and retail giants have withdrawn from the U.S. Plastics Pact (USPP), drawing significant industry attention. The pact aims to bring together along the plastic value chain to collectively achieve sustainable packaging goals by 2025. As the largest retailer in the U.S., Walmart has explicitly stated that it will no longer participate in this pact. According to archived information on the USPP website, companies such as Mondelēz International, Mars, Nestlé, and L'Oréal USA, which were former members of the pact, seem to have quietly withdrawn recently. 6.Hyundai  is reportedly considering raising car prices in the U.S. market after June 2 Hyundai  is reportedly considering raising car prices in the U.S. market after June 2. In 2024, South Korea's auto exports to the U.S. reached $34.7 billion, accounting for 49% of its total auto exports. This figure has maintained rapid growth over the years. As Hyundai's largest single market globally, the U.S. contributes significantly to the group's revenue. 7. Philippines: Approves the use of PET plastic bottles as additives in the construction of national highways In response to Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.'s commitment to sustainable and resilient infrastructure, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has officially approved the use of PET plastic bottle waste as an additive in national road construction projects. This innovative initiative is inspired by the successful trial in 2024 of using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags as paving material. Building on this, the DPWH is further exploring the clever incorporation of PET bottle waste into asphalt mixtures. This new type of mixture not only significantly enhances the durability of roads but also effectively extends the lifespan of asphalt concrete surface layers, providing a practical and productive solution to the problem of plastic pollution. 8、NVIDIA to significantly reduce chip prices for China U.S. chip giant Nvidia is reportedly set to launch an artificial intelligence (AI) chip based on the Blackwell architecture for the Chinese market, with a significantly lower price than its previous H20 chip. Mass production is expected to begin as early as June. Reports indicate that this AI processor, built on the latest Blackwell architecture, is expected to be priced between $6,500 and $8,000, significantly lower than the H20. A lower price typically implies relatively weaker chip specifications and a more simplified manufacturing process. The following is overseas macro market information: 【General Administration of Customs: Allows the import of fresh Dutch apples that meet relevant requirements】 The General Administration of Customs announced that in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of China and the "Protocol on Plant Quarantine Requirements for the Export of Fresh Apples from the Netherlands to China between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Kingdom of the Netherlands", fresh apples from the Netherlands that meet the relevant requirements are allowed to be imported with immediate effect. 【 Japan announces new plan for government rice reserves, to stop bidding and lower prices】 Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced a new plan for the release of government stockpiled rice on the 26th. In the future, the rice will no longer be sold through bidding but will be directly contracted to large retailers. The pre-tax price for every 60 kilograms of brown rice will be 10,700 yen, which is 47% cheaper than the price at the most recent bidding. Previously, Japan's newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Shinjiro Koizumi, said on the 24th that the government plans to sell stockpiled rice directly to retailers instead of auctioning it to intermediaries as before, hoping to stabilize rice prices in this way. 【The congestion at major European ports is intensifying.】 The report shows that congestion at major ports in the Nordic region and other hub areas is worsening, suggesting that the trade war could spread maritime transport disruptions to Asia and the United States, driving up freight rates. According to a report released by London-based maritime consultancy Drewry on Friday, waiting times for berths at the Port of Bremen, Germany, increased by 77% from late March to mid-May. During the same period, delays at the Port of Antwerp increased by 37%, while those at the Port of Hamburg rose by 49%. Waiting times at the Port of Rotterdam and the Port of Felixstowe in the UK also lengthened. 【Fed's Kashkari: Long-term high tariffs will increase the risk of stagflation】 Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari (2026 FOMC voter): Uncertainty is the biggest issue on the minds of the Federal Reserve and American businesses. The Fed is indeed in a wait-and-see mode. The impact of tariffs creates stagflation effects, and long-term high tariffs will increase the risk of stagflation; the question now is the extent of stagflation. Investors are reassessing the direction of global investment. 【 India's 10-year government bond yield rises】 The yield on India's 10-year government bonds rose 3 basis points to 6.28%. Previously, the Reserve Bank of India said it would pay a dividend of 2.69 trillion rupees to the government, which was below market expectations. 【Analysis: The USD/JPY may still fall towards the 140 level.】 For macro traders prepared for US policy to inflict "self-harm" on the dollar, the decline in USD/JPY is emblematic of waning confidence in the currency. Amid conflicting signals on how trade tariffs will play out, the exchange rate has seen reflexive swings, with USD/JPY just touching its lowest level this month. The yen is also being bolstered by the narrowing US-Japan interest rate differential, moving towards 140 or higher. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiguro and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in June, with forex traders anticipating upward pressure on the yen during the meeting. While yen leveraged long positions are high, this does not prevent USD/JPY from accelerating momentum sell-offs after breaking below the April 29 low of 141.97. 【"U.S. oil production may have peaked"】 The Financial Times reported on the 25th local time that U.S. oil companies are cutting expenditures and reducing the number of working drilling platforms, as President Trump's tariffs have driven up the costs of steel and aluminum, two key materials for the oil industry. The fall in crude oil prices has also squeezed profits. This has prompted industry executives to warn that the decade-long "shale boom" in the United States is coming to an end. The following are price information: 【Central parity rate of RMB vs USD】 The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1833, up by 86 points. The central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1919, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1895, and the night session of the previous trading day closed at 7.1798. 【 Upstream raw material US dollar market prices】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton, down $20/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price 760 USD/ton; CFR China average price 795 USD/ton. North Asia CIF prices for frozen cargo: Propane at 538.5-540.5 USD/ton; Butane at 512.5-514.5 USD/ton. The CIF price for South China frozen goods in June is propane at $616-626/ton; butane at $566-576/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price, propane $538.5-$540.5 per ton; butane $512.5-$514.5 per ton. 【LLDPE US dollar market price】 Film: 900 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $990/ton (Dongguan Free Trade Zone spot). 【HDPE USD market price】 910-930 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: 865-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu), down 10 USD/ton; 【LDPE USD market price】 Film: 1035-1040 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu), down 15 USD/ton; 【 PP USD market price】 Average concentration: $950-985 per ton (spot) Copolymer: 980-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: 1025-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1095/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $5/ton. Pipe material: 1160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).

News Headlines: Raw Materials News - $380 Million! PPG to Build New Aerospace Coatings Plant in the United States Automotive News - FF Officially Receives Factory and Operation Center in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE Packaging News-PepsiCo moves its sustainability goal posts Electronics and Electrical News-PLASTPOL Poland Exhibition ongoing! KINGFA responds to European market demands with new materials. Macroeconomic News- South Korea may hold a third round of trade negotiations with the U.S. after the election. Price InformationEthylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $870/ton   The following are details of international news: 1、 $380 million! PPG to build new aerospace coatings factory in the USA Recently,PPG will invest $380 million to build a new aerospace coatings and sealants production facility in Shelby, North Carolina, USA. The construction project of this 62-acre plant will initially include production and warehousing units, with plans to start construction in October 2025 and expected completion in the first half of 2027. 2、FF officially receives the factory and operation center in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. On May 23, Faraday Future (FF) announced that it had officially taken over the Ras Al Khaimah factory and operations center in the UAE. This factory will be used to support the production of both FF and FX models. Previously, on May 21, 2025, during the "Made in UAE 2025" summit, the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) officially announced the cooperation project. FF’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Faraday Future Middle East FZ-LLC, signed the relevant agreement with RAKEZ on the spot. 3、Acquisition of SL Recycling site in Germany As expansion opportunities for German recycler Thees Kunststoffverarbeitung are limited at its headquarters location in the long term, the company plans to acquire an additional site in the neighbouring town of Bakum.According to Thees, the site already fulfils the requirements of a plastics recycler and offers enough space to efficiently organise and automate operations. By the end of 2025, Thees intends to install at least three recycling lines in Bakum and employ 10 to 15 people. The site is expected to focus primarily on the treatment of post-consumer waste, though the firm also recycles industrial waste. 4、Yizumi Turkey Subsidiary Opens: Leveraging the Asia-Europe Hub to Propel a New Global Landscape Local timeOn May 21, Yizumi Turkey Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as: Turkey Subsidiary) held a grand opening ceremony and open day event in Istanbul's Silivri. Industry experts, representatives from agency companies, and client representatives attended the celebration. At the event, Mr. Zhang Tao, Director and Deputy General Manager of Yizumi, General Manager of the Injection Molding Machine Division, and General Manager of the International Business Division, delivered a speech. He pointed out that the establishment of the Turkey subsidiary is not only an important milestone in Yizumi's globalization journey, marking substantial progress in the company's strategic layout to deepen its presence in the Middle East and Africa markets, but also symbolizes a key step in Yizumi's commitment to localizing its strategy and building a new pattern of coordinated development between the Asian and European markets. 5、PepsiCo moves its sustainability goal posts PepsiCo. Inc. is cutting some key environmental goals related to plastic packaging and extending its timeline to achieve those new targets.The Purchase, N.Y.based beverage and snack food giant is replacing a previous goal of using 50 percent recycled content in plastic packaging by 2030 to with a new target of "40 percent or greater recycled content in our plastic packaging by 2035 or sooner," the company said. 6、Researchers to develop a process to remove pollutants from plastic production Researchers at the University of Minnesota are developing a process to remove pollutants from plastic production with selective combustion.The process involves engineering certain materials to only react to one molecule found in a mixture of hydrogen and carbon atoms, called hydrocarbons, and effectively removing toxic pollutants found in different plastics. 7、PLASTPOL in Poland is ongoing! KINGFA responds to European market demands with new materials. The 2025 PLASTPOL Poland Exhibition has grandly opened! At Pavilion 5, B21, KINGFA is fully demonstrating to the European market how our innovative materials empower industries and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals..Focusing on the Three Core Highlights of the KINGFA Booth：1、The Charm of Biobased Materials；"Turning waste into treasure"Recycled plastic(PCR)；3、Driving performance upgrades"Hardcore" Special Engineering Plastics(SEP)。 8、Packaging company must pay £476,995 after fraud conviction A company and its director have been ordered to pay £476,995 at Birmingham Crown Court following an investigation into the fraudulent entry of waste packaging data.At Birmingham Crown Court, Shaobo Qin, a director of EDU Case Ltd, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and was handed a 2-year prison sentence suspended for 18 months. Overseas macro market information: 【Surging higherJapan's rice price rose by 98.4% in April, marking the highest increase since 1971. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan announced that the data shows,In April, Japan's consumer price index excluding fresh food was 110.9, up 3.5% year-on-year. Among this, the rice category surged by 98.4% compared to the same period last year. This marks the largest increase since comparable data became available in 1971 and represents the seventh consecutive month of record-breaking growth. 【The EU will cancel the tariff-free policy for Ukrainian agricultural products.】  The spokesperson for the European CommissionOn the 22nd, it was stated that the EU will not extend the wartime "autonomous trade measures" implemented since 2022, which exempted Ukrainian agricultural products from tariffs. The EU spokesperson said that the current tariff-free policy for Ukraine will expire on June 5th, and from June 6th, agricultural trade between the EU and Ukraine will be carried out under the framework of the trade agreement signed by both parties in 2017. 【The European Parliament passes bill imposing tariffs on Russian and Belarussian fertilizers and agricultural products.】  Local timeOn the 22nd, the European Parliament voted to pass a new tariff bill imposing tariffs on fertilizers and some agricultural products from Russia and Belarus. Specific measures include a basic tariff of 6.5% on fertilizers imported from Russia and Belarus, with an additional tax of 40 to 45 euros per ton to be added during the period from 2025 to 2026. Regarding agricultural products, it was decided to impose a 50% tariff on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that have not yet been subject to additional tariffs. 【To avoid uncertainty in trade policy, American importers are rushing to build up inventory. "Bonded warehouse" stockpiling Chinese goods Facing the abuse of export control measures by the US, American importers are accelerating the construction of bonded warehouses to stockpile Chinese goods, demonstrating the high degree of integration between the Chinese and American economies. According to ReutersOn the 21st, it was reported that importers in the United States, from clothing to auto parts, are rushing to build bonded warehouses for all kinds of Chinese imported goods. According to a previous CNN report, bonded warehouses can store imported goods for up to five years. These companies plan to use bonded warehouses to avoid tariffs and the uncertainty brought about by the US government's chaotic trade policies, waiting until the situation becomes clear before taking out the goods and paying tariffs at the latest rate. 【 Korea may hold a third round of trade talks with the U.S. after the general election】  According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea may hold a third round of trade talks with the United States after the general election. 【Report: The U.S. Trade Representative will inform the EU.Their proposal is not good enough. The British Financial Times reported that, according to the information obtained by the US Trade Representative's Office, People familiar with Lille's thinking revealed that Griel is preparing to tell EU counterpartsMaroš Šefčovič, the EU's proposal for trade negotiations did not meet U.S. expectations. The U.S. was dissatisfied with the EU's offer to only mutually reduce tariffs rather than commit to independently lowering them. 【European Central Bank Governing Council member Stournaras: Expected There will be an interest rate cut in June. European Central Bank Governing Council member Stournaras said that he expects Interest rates will be cut in June and then remain stable.   Price information: 【Central parity rate of RMB against USD】 The central parity rate of the yuan against the dollar is reported.7.1919, down 16 points; the previous trading day's midpoint was 7.1903, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.2040, and the previous night session closed at 7.2060. 【 Upstream raw material US dollar market prices】 Ethylene Asia:CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $870/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price $760/ton; CFR China average price $795/ton. North Asia frozen cargo, propane FAS price540.5-542.5 USD/ton; Butane 514.5-516.5 USD/ton. South China Frozen Goods June CIF prices: Propane 617-627 USD/ton; Butane 567-577 USD/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price, propane540.5-542.5 USD/ton; Butane 514.5-516.5 USD/ton. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film:900 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $990/ton (Dongguan Bonded Area spot); 【HDPE USD market price】 Thin film:910-930 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu) The void: It seems there might have been a misunderstanding in the original request as "" translates directly to "middle air" or "center hollow", not "The void". If you meant something else, please provide more context.$865-880 per ton (CFR Huangpu) 【LDPE USD market price】 Film:1040-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu) 【PP USD market price】 Uniform aggregation:970-985 USD/ton (spot); Copolymerization:980-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Membrane material:1025-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent:1030-1100 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu), an increase of 15 USD/ton; Pipe materials:1,160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).  

International News : Raw Material News-Syensqo's high service temperature prepreg replaces titanium in Boeing  Automotive News-The European Union initiates anti-dumping investigations into imported pneumatic rubber tyres for passenger cars and light trucks from China. Electronic News-Cannon Viking launches two new machines for continuous slabstock polyurethane foam production Packaging News- Greco Project Creates High-Performance Biodegradable Food Packaging Medical headlines-J&J Faces $147M Antitrust Verdict in Catheter Case Macro NewsThe House Rules Committee approves Trump's comprehensive tax cut bill. Price Information- Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $870/ton   Below are the details of international news:  1、OPECReportedly, discussions are underway to increase production by 411,000 barrels per day in July. On May 22, it was reported that OPEC+ members were discussing whether to agree on another large-scale production increase at the June 1 meeting, which could be the organization's third consecutive month of adding extra oil production to the market. Delegates said that one of the options under discussion was to increase production by 411,000 barrels per day in July, but no final agreement had been reached. 2、Syensqo's high service temperature prepreg replaces titanium in Boeing  Syensqo  in partnership with Boeing, a producer of military and commercial aircraft successfully demonstrated Syensqo’s CYCOM® 5250-4HT high service temperature prepreg as a viable replacement for titanium on the MQ-25™ Stingray exhaust nozzle.  3、The European Union has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into pneumatic rubber tires for new passenger cars and light trucks from China. On May 21, the European Commission announced that, in response to the application submitted by the Coalition Against Unfair Tyre Imports on April 7, 2025, it has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into new pneumatic rubber tyres for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles originating from China. The products involved are new pneumatic rubber tyres for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles used on motor vehicles (including station wagons and racing cars), buses, or trucks with a load index not exceeding 121. 4、J&J Faces $147M Antitrust Verdict in Catheter Case A federal jury in Santa Ana, CA, found Friday that Johnson & Johnson, through its Biosense Webster business, violated antitrust laws by withholding clinical support to hospitals using third-party, FDA-regulated reprocessed catheters, awarding the plaintiff, Innovative Health, more than $147M in damages.   5. BayerCo.Lab Recognized as a Large Enterprise Open Innovation Center in Shanghai Pudong New Area Co.Lab has officially been recognized by the Pudong New Area of Shanghai as a Major Enterprise Open Innovation Center (GOI), becoming an important partner in Pudong's efforts to build an international biopharmaceutical innovation hub. Joining the GOI signifies that Co.Lab, as Bayer's frontier window and new platform for external collaboration, will further deepen its connection with the local biopharmaceutical innovation ecosystem. It will fully leverage Bayer's global innovation resources, cooperation networks, and industry-leading position to vigorously promote the transformation of early-stage innovative achievements, empower the development of startups, and accelerate the construction of an open innovation cluster for China's pharmaceutical industry. 6、ZEEKR Energy partners with Shell, and the first batch will be connected.666 Shell charging stations On May 22, it was reported that ZEEKR announced yesterday that ZEEKR Energy had reached a cooperation with Shell, and the first batch of 666 Shell charging stations, with a total of more than 12,000 high-quality charging terminals, had been connected.According to the introduction, the scale of third-party high-quality charging terminals connected to ZEEKR Energy has exceeded 100,000.1.29 million, achieving 100% coverage of all prefecture-level cities in mainland China. Among them, the number of high-speed service areas connected has reached 5,025; the number of ultra-fast charging stations (single-gun peak power ≥ 360kW) connected has reached 7,448. 7. Europe Greco Project Builds High-Performance Biodegradable Food Packaging In May 2025, an important research project named Greco successfully secured €7.6 million (approximately 61.8 million RMB) in funding from the Horizon Europe program. This financial injection will provide strong support for the innovative development of the food packaging industry, with the potential to reshape the entire industry landscape through innovative technologies and sustainable solutions. 8. Nike, multiple products will increase in price. According to reports from American media, Nike will raise prices on a large number of footwear, apparel, and equipment products starting this week. Among them, products priced atShoe styles priced between $100 and $150 will increase by $5, while those over $150 will see a $10 price hike. Sources said that the price adjustment measures will take effect no later than June 1st, but some items may reflect the retail price this week. In response to media inquiries, Nike avoided mentioning tariffs and only stated that the company regularly assesses its business situation and adjusts prices in seasonal planning. 9、Cannon Viking has launched two new devices for the continuous production of block polyurethane foam. Cannon Viking has launched two new machines for continuous production of block foam—Purform and Purform Elite. These next-generation machines, available globally from May 20th, represent a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of continuous block foam production. Overseas macro market information: 【The U.S. House Rules Committee approves Trump's comprehensive tax cut bill. The U.S. House Rules Committee approved Trump's comprehensive tax cut bill, paving the way for a full House vote on Trump's tax cut legislation. 【Judicial challenge escalates as 12 U.S. states sue federal government over tariff policy, case goes to trial】 Twelve US states formed a coalition and filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on April 23, accusing it of violating laws with its tariff policies. The US Court of International Trade began hearing the case on May 21. 【618 Tmall Global offers free shipping and local returns in 12 countries and regions overseas.】 During the 618 period, Taobao expanded its "Global Free Shipping Plan" to 12 countries and regions, covering Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, Taiwan, 【Bank of Japan member: Calls for "moderate and gradual" interest rate hikes Asahi Noguchi, a member of the Bank of Japan's Policy Board, expressed a more cautious view on the future pace of the central bank's interest rate hikes, saying that it should adopt a "moderate and gradual approach." 【Japanese officials stated that the Group of Seven is discussing the issue of imposing a price cap on Russian oil. A senior official from Japan's Ministry of Finance stated that the finance authorities of the G7 are discussing at the working level how to address the issue of the price cap on Russian oil. The official mentioned that, given the significant drop in oil prices, it is naturally worth considering whether the price cap of $60 per barrel still makes sense. 【U.S. Secretary of State says Chevron's operating permit in Venezuela will not be extended. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on his social media account on May 21 local time that the oil operating license during Biden's administration is set to expire on May 27 as planned. Rubio was referring to the operating license of Chevron, the only oil company currently operating in Venezuela. Richard Grenell, the special envoy of former U.S. President Donald Trump, said on the 20th that the U.S. would extend Chevron's operating permit in Venezuela by 60 days. 【The Iranian Parliament: Iran will never give up its nuclear rights. Iranian media reported on the 21st that the Iranian parliament issued a statement on the same day, saying that Iran would not give up its nuclear rights stipulated in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, especially the right to enrich uranium. The statement said that Iran's nuclear activities and uranium enrichment activities are legal and justified, and are completely in line with the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Price information: 【Renminbi to US Dollar central parity rate】 The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar is 7.1903, up 34 points; the previous trading day's central rate was 7.1937, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.2065, and the night session of the previous day closed at 7.2031. 【Upstream raw material USD market price】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $870/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price 760 USD/ton, down 10 USD/ton; CFR China average price 795 USD/ton, down 10 USD/ton. North Asia cryogenic cargo, propane at $543.5-$545.5 per ton; butane at $518.5-$520.5 per ton. The CIF price of South China frozen goods in June is as follows: propane 623-633 USD/ton; butane 573-583 USD/ton. The CIF price for frozen goods in the Taiwan region is propane at $543.5-545.5 per ton; butane at $518.5-520.5 per ton. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film: $900/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $10/ton; Injection molding: $990/ton (spot in Dongguan Bonded Zone); 【HDPE USD market price】 Film: $910-$930 per ton (CFR Huangpu). $865-880/ton (CFR Huangpu) 【LDPE USD market price】 Film: $1040-1060/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $5-10/ton; 【PP Dollar market price】 Homopolymer: $970-$985/ton (spot); Copolymer: 980-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Membrane material: 1025-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: 1015-1085 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: 1160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai). Edit: (The original instruction was just the word "Edit", which doesn't need translation. If you want a specific sentence or phrase translated, please provide it.)Carrie

At a Glance A federal jury found J&J's Biosense Webster violated antitrust laws by withholding support for reprocessed catheters. J&J said it is reviewing the verdict and evaluating all legal options, including appeal. The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors applauded the verdict. A federal jury in Santa Ana, CA, found Friday that Johnson & Johnson, through its Biosense Webster business, violated antitrust laws by withholding clinical support to hospitals using third-party, FDA-regulated reprocessed catheters, awarding the plaintiff, Innovative Health, more than $147M in damages. "We are disappointed with the outcome and respectfully disagree with the jury’s decision," J&J said in a statement provided to MD+DI. "We continue to believe our actions are pro-competitive and meet our responsibility to ensure patient safety and product performance. We are carefully reviewing the verdict and evaluating all legal options, including appeal. Johnson & Johnson MedTech remains committed to upholding the highest standards in how we support customers and deliver critical care solutions."The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR) applauded the verdict, calling it a victory for America's hospitals, providers, patients, and the environment. “For too long, Johnson & Johnson has used tying arrangements and other tactics to interfere with fair competition from lower-cost, FDA-regulated, reprocessed single-use devices (SUDs),” said Daniel Vukelich, the association's president and CEO. “We hope this jury’s message will be heard loud and clear: hospitals want to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions by using more reprocessed SUDs without fear of retribution by their original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).” According to the AMDR, FDA-regulated reprocessed SUDs help hospitals reduce costs, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. The organization also noted that using reprocessed SUDs can help address supply chain issues. Along with Innovative Health, AMDR members include Arjo ReNu Medical, Medline Renewal, Stryker's Sustainability Solutions, Sustainable Technologies (a Cardinal Health business), and Vanguard. "For decades, AMDR and its member companies have reported potentially anticompetitive market manipulation tactics by some OEMs. This case brings these tactics under closer examination," the organization noted in its statement.

On May 14, Japanese medical device manufacturer Terumo announced that it has acquired its Leverkusen plant in Germany from WuXi Biologics for 150 million euros (approximately 1.2 billion yuan). The plant, originally a Bayer asset, was purchased by WuXi Biologics in 2020 for 77 million euros. It has a capacity of 10 million bottles and is used for advanced aseptic filling lines and lyophilization equipment. The acquisition is expected to be completed by March 2026, with all of the approximately 150 existing employees transferring to Terumo's umbrella. It is anticipated that production will commence by 2030, with the facility primarily used for manufacturing prefilled syringes in the future. After the acquisition is completed, the factory will become Tyremao's first overseas CDMO base. Why is WuXi Biologics selling? For WuXi Biologics, this is part of its strategic adjustment, and it will focus on capacity construction in core regions in the future. According to the public information from WuXi Biologics, "the divestiture of the Leverkusen plant will help improve the company's operational agility and expand diversified solutions. The company will further focus on the construction of large-scale biologics capacity at its Singapore base in the future." In 2024, Wuxi Biologics has started construction of a CDMO facility in the Tuas Biomedical Park in Singapore, covering an area of 13.5 hectares. It is expected to add 120,000 liters of production capacity and hire 1,500 employees. Additionally, the company is constructing a $300 million manufacturing facility in Worcester, Massachusetts, expected to be completed in 2027. In fact, this is not the first time this year that WuXi Biologics has sold overseas assets. On January 6th of this year, WuXi Haid (a wholly-owned subsidiary of WuXi Biologics) sold its vaccine manufacturing facility in Ireland to Merck, with the total transaction amount reaching approximately $500 million. Why does Taiermao want to buy? This transaction holds significant importance for Terumo, marking a crucial step in strengthening its global presence and addressing the growing demand in the biopharmaceutical sector. In recent years, Terumo has been hoping to establish a CDMO production base outside of Japan to expand its production capacity, enhance its global service capabilities, and accelerate the global expansion of its CDMO business. Regarding the Wuxi Biologics factory in Germany, Hikaru Samejima, CEO of Terumo, stated that acquiring the facility is a critical step in enhancing the competitiveness of their CDMO business. By integrating the high-quality, stable production operations and talent at the Leverkusen facility, it will significantly boost global responsiveness. Terumo also stated that in the future, it will fully leverage its existing advantages to develop and produce prefilled syringes and vial formulations, accelerate supply chain optimization, and meet the strong demand for CDMO services in the European and American markets.

Siemens Healthineers has just announced plans to move part of Varian's manufacturing operations from Mexico to the United States. The company plans to transfer Varian's manufacturing operations in Baja California, Mexico, to Palo Alto, California, which is expected to add about 50 manufacturing jobs. Not only that, the company also plans to invest $150 million in new projects to expand production scale, create job opportunities, and better serve American customers.   01 Set up additional warehouses in the US Build Experience Center Against the current backdrop, many healthcare technology companies are seeking to improve their domestic infrastructure in the U.S. to mitigate the impact of potential tariff policies that may be implemented by the Trump administration. Siemens Healthineers’ move is in line with this trend. Siemens Healthineers' recent investment in the U.S. is built on its annual R&D spending of $900 million in the country. Since 2019, Siemens Healthineers has also invested $1 billion in the U.S. through facility expansions, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. In addition to migrating Varian's manufacturing operations, Siemens Healthineers also plans to enhance the resilience of its supply chain by opening two new large supply warehouses. These warehouses, located in Dayton, New Jersey, and Manteca, California, are expected to increase the availability of parts supply by nearly a third, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the supply chain. Additionally, the company plans to build a 60,000-square-foot experience center in Charlotte, North Carolina, to help healthcare providers achieve digital and healthcare transformation. Siemens Healthineers expects that this business migration will streamline supply chain processes and enhance its ability to meet the demand for radiotherapy solutions. John Kowal, President and Head of Siemens Healthineers Americas, said, "We have a large workforce and broad innovative portfolio in the U.S. and are making important contributions to the U.S. healthcare system. With this new investment, we are further demonstrating our long-term commitment and dedication to growing with the U.S. economy."   02 Roche Group has been "backstabbed" Siemens Healthineers: Remain Cautious Recently, Jochen Schmitz, the Chief Financial Officer of Siemens Healthineers, stated that the current 10% basic tariff imposed by the U.S. accounts for over 50% of the company's tariff costs. The Trump administration's goal was to use tariffs as leverage to force companies to bring production jobs back to the U.S. in order to reduce their product costs. Siemens Healthineers allocates its business in various countries roughly according to the regional sales volume. Therefore, the United States has about 30% of Siemens Healthineers' employees, Europe 40%, Asia 20%, and China 10%. From the above personnel allocation, it is evident that the US market stands second only to Europe in importance. Bernd Montag, CEO of Siemens Healthineers, stated that the US market will account for approximately 36% of the company's revenue in 2024. Bernd Montag said that the company can shift production, but only if it sees "economic justification." That means we do have a strong business base in the US, and we believe we have the ability to adapt to any tariff environment going forward. But these kinds of decisions don’t get made overnight, and the situation is still fluid. For long-term investment like this, you need clarity. As for making adjustments to our production footprint to accommodate a bigger structural shift, it’s too early to say. But let me be clear: in the medium term, we’re confident that with our global manufacturing footprint, we can mitigate any potential impact from tariffs,” Montag said. Bernd Montag's remarks reflect a certain level of uncertainty and a wait-and-see attitude among some businesses regarding the unpredictable environment created by the frequent policy changes of the Trump administration. For example, recently, diagnostics giant Roche was betrayed. In April, Roche announced that it will invest $50 billion in the United States over the next five years, creating more than 12,000 jobs, with a focus on the medical device sector. On May 12, Roche announced plans to invest up to $550 million (nearly 4 billion RMB) to expand its continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) manufacturing center in the United States. On that day, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order at a press conference in the White House aimed at significantly reducing domestic drug prices in the United States to align them with the lowest drug prices in the world. Trump anticipated that this move would lead to a substantial decrease in prescription drug and medication prices in the U.S., with reductions of up to 59% to 90%. He referred to this initiative as "one of the most influential executive orders in American history."   It is important to note that the U.S. market may contribute more than 60% of the global revenue and over 70% of the profits in the innovative drug sector. This policy undoubtedly strikes at the heart of pharmaceutical companies.   On May 14th, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche responded urgently that if U.S. President Donald Trump implements an executive order to cut the cost of prescription drugs, the company will need to reconsider its planned investments in the United States. Roche expects that this executive order will not affect its business this year, but it stated that it would undermine America’s position as a world-leading pharmaceutical and healthcare ecosystem, hinder U.S. economic growth, and lead to unemployment.   Compared with Roche Group's aggressive investment in the United States, Siemens Healthineers' supply chain adjustments are currently more cautious. Schmitz said that Siemens Healthineers might first make some minor adjustments to its supply chain to mitigate the impact of tariffs, or consider adjusting its pricing strategy. The company may also more closely examine its corporate costs and expenditures, and make cuts if necessary to offset the costs brought by increased tariffs. He said that so far, Siemens Healthineers has been cautious about raising prices to mitigate the impact of tariffs.   03 The impact of tariffs in the fourth quarter may significantly intensify. On May 7th, Siemens Healthineers released its second-quarter financial report. Despite the impact of tariffs, the financial results remained strong. However, Siemens Healthineers indicated that the impact of tariffs could significantly intensify in the coming months, and the company expects to invest between $227 million and $340 million in tariff mitigation measures. Siemens Healthineers' revenue for the second quarter of 2025 reached $6.7 billion, a 25% increase compared to the second quarter of 2024. New orders grew strongly in the second quarter. The imaging business segment experienced the fastest growth, with an increase of nearly 9%; Varian's radiation therapy business segment saw a 13% growth in orders; advanced therapy business grew by 4%; and the diagnostics business is expected to achieve a 6.3% growth. In the second quarter, revenue for the imaging business segment grew by 8.7% to nearly $3.7 billion. Particularly strong performance was seen in molecular imaging, where novel tracers used for theranostics drove volumes in the U.S. PETNET business as well as in the computed tomography (CT) business. The CT business also delivered strong results. At the 2024 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Siemens unveiled a new range of photon-counting CT systems at different price points, with orders set to begin in 2025. From a regional perspective, the imaging business in the Americas has seen significant growth. The positive performance in North America is largely attributed to an 8-year, $600 million partnership agreement reached with Alberta, Canada. This agreement aims to enhance the province's capacity to provide medical services to an increasing number of patients by introducing new imaging and radiation therapy systems. Siemens stated that the agreement involves the sale of a large number of new imaging and treatment systems. In addition, revenue in the Asia-Pacific region has seen slight growth. Meanwhile, due to ongoing delays in customer orders, revenue in China has experienced a slight decline. In the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, revenue has decreased compared to the strong growth seen in the same period last year. For the fiscal year 2025, Siemens Healthineers still expects revenue to grow by 5% to 6% year over year. Excluding the factors of tariffs and the uncertainties brought about by the U.S. trade war, the financial results would have been more positive. The company will closely monitor the fourth quarter, as it is typically the period with the most orders. At that time, the U.S. is expected to impose a higher tariff of 20% on goods from Europe, which will have the maximum impact on increasing volumes of import and export trade. — Trump's capriciousness has had a significant impact on the healthcare sector. His tariff policies have led to increased costs for medical supplies and equipment, disrupting supply chain stability andAt the same time, his "Most Favored Nation" drug pricing policy, although aimed at lowering drug prices, has faced significant challenges in implementation and has already sparked strong backlash from the pharmaceutical industry. These policy uncertainties pose challenges for the healthcare industry, prompting companies to reassess their market positioning and strategies. They also accelerate the overseas expansion of medical products and domestic substitution in China, driving the reconfiguration of the global healthcare value chain.

Diabetes giant, reorganization twice in less than half a year, terminates important product line! 01 Global Diabetes Giant: Will be further reorganized! Recently (May 9, 2025), according to foreign media reports, the globally renowned diabetes medical device manufacturer Embecta will launch a new restructuring plan aimed at streamlining its organizational structure and optimizing resources. It has not yet been disclosed whether this restructuring will lead to further layoffs. It is worth mentioning that this is the company's second restructuring action in the past six months. Last November, the company announced a major decision: the official termination of its much-anticipated insulin patch pump project, withdrawal from the market, accompanied by restructuring and layoffs. Embecta was spun off from the global top 10 medical device company BD in 2022, has over 100 years of insulin delivery experience, employs more than 2,000 people, and is one of the largest diabetes device companies in the world. The production line that was suspended is precisely the Insulin Patch Pump, a disposable insulin delivery system that received FDA 510(k) clearance in September of last year. The production line was once highly anticipated, and its CEO, Kurdikar, had previously positioned the insulin patch pump technology as the team's top strategic priority on multiple occasions. The system is a disposable wearable patch pump equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology and a color touchscreen lock controller, capable of providing adjustable basal and mealtime insulin infusion for up to 72 hours based on individual user needs. In addition, the system features a tubeless design with a built-in 300-unit insulin reservoir, making it especially suitable for type 2 diabetes patients who require higher daily insulin doses. The termination work for the project has been basically completed. Emberta reported that its profit for the quarter was $23.5 million. For the three months ended March 31, sales were $259 million, equivalent to earnings of $0.40 per share. Embecta's sales decreased by 9.8%, and profits also declined by 18.7%. Excluding one-time items, the earnings per share were 70 cents, 11 cents higher than Wall Street's expectations. However, the sales fell short of expectations, with experts forecasting revenue of $261.8 million. Amidst restructuring news and mixed second-quarter results, Embecta's stock price fell over 8% in a single day. 02 Embecta's Two-Year Journey: From high-profile entry to successive amputations Embecta's history can be traced back to the 1920s, as the creator of groundbreaking products such as the world's first dedicated insulin syringe and the first disposable glass syringe, nearly monopolizing the insulin syringe market. However, after a century of the passage of time, the glorious achievements of Embecta have been gradually replaced by slowing performance. In April 2022, Embecta officially separated from BD to operate as an independent publicly traded company. After the spin-off, Embecta announced its focus on the GLP-1 market, viewing its disposable insulin delivery system under development as a hope to revive its prominence. Last September, the product received FDA approval, marking a victory. So, at this critical moment, why did Embecta fail to seize the opportunity, but instead hit the brakes, terminate projects, and undergo continuous restructuring? Stock price plunges 67% in 2 years Despite the ideal being very rich, the reality is quite stark. Ever since going public independently, Embecta's stock price has not performed well. The company's closing stock price on May 9th was $11.97, a 67% decrease compared to the $36.64 price in November 2022. To make matters worse, following the continued downturn, there were frequent rumors about the potential sale of the entire company. Although the company's stock price received a short-term boost when the patch pump was approved by the FDA, it failed to achieve a significant turnaround, which also indirectly indicates that the market's bet on Embecta was not very optimistic. Over 11 billion in long-term debt Embecta also faces another severe reality challenge - its persistently high debt problem. In fields with lower competitive barriers, players will inevitably face the awkward situation of being overtaken by latecomers and having their competitiveness weakened. On the contrary, to establish a foothold in a high-barrier track, higher requirements are placed on the technological content of the product. This path is even more perilous, often requiring substantial financial support and a long period of commercialization validation, with product certification being just the beginning. Currently, Embecta's finances are not very robust. According to its latest report for the 2024 fiscal year, the company's long-term debt amounts to $1.565 billion (approximately 11.35 billion yuan). Embecta 2024 Financial Report Embecta total liabilities Baidu Stock Market Under the dual pressure of time and funding, coupled with the uncertainty of tariffs, Embecta inevitably finds itself "struggling to keep up," facing the difficult choice between ideals and reality. In this situation, Embecta has no choice but to continually restructure in order to gain strategic breathing room.

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

ThermoFab, a supplier of heavy gauge plastic enclosures and related single use components for the medtech and other regulated industries, reports that it has acquired key reaction injection molding (RIM) assets from Mearthane Products Corp. All RIM components will be manufactured in ThermoFab’s USMCA-compliant Mexicali facility, allowing for efficient delivery throughout North America with no tariffs. This strategic investment significantly enhances ThermoFab’s RIM molding capacity, improving production efficiency and flexibility in manufacturing complex, high-performance enclosures, the company said in the announcement. Mearthane Products Corp., based in Apex, NC, is specialized in the development and manufacture of advanced polyurethane products. Supporting production of intricate, lightweight molded parts The newly acquired assets include multiple custom-built hydraulic down-stroke molding presses that can accommodate component sizes from 36 x 48 to 60 x 78 inches, with pressures up to 8,000 PSI. The machines are equipped with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), precision mixing heads, and advanced hydraulic systems, enabling the production of impact-resistant large, intricate, and lightweight molded components. The acquisition also includes advanced RIM dispensing systems with dual pressurized tank assemblies, high-performance temperature controllers, and integrated mixing technologies. The systems enhance material consistency, reduce cycle times, and allow for the processing of a range of polyurethane formulations — including high-impact structural foams and elastomers — for medical, industrial, and defense applications, said ThermoFab. The benefits of ThermoFab’s expanded RIM capabilities include: Expanded press sizes that accommodate larger and more intricate designs, suitable for medical device enclosures and robotics components. Enhanced material versatility, as high-performance polyurethane formulations provide superior strength, lightweight properties, and impact resistance. Faster cycle times and optimized material flow, resulting in improved lead times and reduced production costs. Seamless integration of RIM, thermoforming, injection molding, and CNC machining under one roof. Tariff-free production in new Mexican facility The integration of these assets into its new 50,000-square-foot Mexicali facility enables cost-effective nearshore manufacturing with enhanced capabilities and faster turnaround times, the company said. All RIM components produced in Mexicali are fully USMCA-compliant and exempt from tariffs, offering a significant advantage for North American customers, added ThermoFab. Applications of the technology cited by the company include surgical robotics, organ transport devices, genetic sequencing devices, people scanning technologies, autonomous robots, and information systems. ThermoFab said that its capabilities encompass the entire production lifecycle, from design and initial prototyping to full-scale production and assembly. Shirley, MA–based ThermoFab is a subsidiary of the Producto Group, a portfolio company of Culper Capital Partners. A contract manufacturer and supplier of precision tooling and components for the life sciences, semiconductor, aerospace, and defense sectors, Producto acquired ThermoFab in 2022.

Amcor has completed construction of its advanced coating facility in Selangor, Malaysia, less than a year after it opened a new innovation center in Europe and announced a merger with Berry Global Group Inc. The advanced coating facility marks a significant milestone for the company and the region, as the company noted it is the first in Asia to feature state-of-the-art air knife coating technology dedicated to healthcare packaging. The facility is an expansion of Amcor’s existing healthcare packaging plant in Selangor, creating an integrated manufacturing campus. With the addition, Amcor said it becomes the first company in Asia capable of producing both top and bottom substrates for medical device packaging at a single site. Company officials say the development enhances supply chain resilience and shortens lead times for customers across the region, while also setting a new benchmark for production standards. Outfitted with advanced systems including water-based coating, online inspection, and the new air knife technology, the facility is designed for precision and efficiency. The air knife system uses high-speed air streams to apply coatings evenly, improving product consistency and reducing material waste. Commitment to customers Chris Kenneally, president of Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific, said the company’s investment in this new facility reflects its unwavering commitment to support customers across the Asia Pacific region. “By introducing advanced coating technology and boosting local production capacity, we are better positioned to meet the growing regional demand for sterile, reliable packaging and to offer our customers greater flexibility and security,” he said. Virginie Maes, vice president of global healthcare for Amcor, pointed out that by producing its industry-leading global product platform locally, it brings the company closer to its customers, enhancing supply security and flexibility. “By investing in advanced coating technologies and expanding our regional capabilities, we are not only addressing the growing demand for high-performance healthcare packaging but also reinforcing our promise to deliver a consistent and innovative value proposition to our customers worldwide,” she said.  This new facility is part of Amcor's broader commitment to expanding its healthcare capabilities in the Asia Pacific region, according to the company, which noted recent initiatives include the acquisition of healthcare packaging company MDK in China, the establishment of a grid lacquer paper unit in India, and the construction of a co-extrusion blown film and printing plant in Singapore. European innovation center open Amcor in 2024 opened a new Amcor Innovation Center Europe in Ghent, Belgium, which joins existing centers in the US, South America, and Asia Pacific markets. The facility adds approximately 6,000 square meters to the Amcor Ghent campus to include meeting space, offices, an R&D laboratory/development area, and warehousing space. The facility includes a material science center, consumer engagement center, eCommerce lab, and packaging and recycling test center.  Amcor has pledged to develop all its packaging to be recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025 and to increase its use of recycled materials significantly. In line with that commitment, the new facility is designed and built according to BREEAM sustainability certification standards. The new facility represents a "significant investment toward more sustainable, circular, and innovative packaging," according to Michael Zacka, president of Amcor Flexibles Europe, Middle East, and Africa. It includes multiple technologies and equipment spanning R&D, film extrusion processes, and packaging/filling operations, and services that follow the company's collaborative approach, called Catalyst, encompassing broader market, consumer, and sustainability needs. Merger nears close Amcor continues to move forward with its merger with Berry Global.  Last month, the companies received US antitrust clearance for the combination. As a result, the $8.4 million deal remains on track to close in the middle of calendar year 2025. The all-stock acquisition of Berry by Amcor is expected to bring $650 million in annual cost benefits and other synergies in three years. The new business will leverage more than 400 production facilities to serve customers in more than 140 countries.

Recently, Abbott released its Q1 2025 earnings report, with total revenue of $10.36 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.0%. However, behind this seemingly steady report lie hidden concerns. The company's CEO, Robert Ford, warned investors during the earnings call that the U.S. government's additional tariffs on China would result in a loss of "hundreds of millions of dollars" for the company throughout the year, with the medical device business being the hardest hit. This statement confirms Barclays Bank's previous analysis - although Abbott is relatively less affected among top medical device companies, the field of medical devices still faces dual pressures of supply chain restructuring and rising costs.   01 leads the way, translates to "leads the way" or "takes the lead" in this context. Diagnostic services lag behind Abbott delivered a report card of "steady growth + improved profitability" in the first quarter of 2025. Total revenue: $10.36 billion, an increase of 4.0% year-over-year; excluding the COVID-19 testing business, organic growth was as high as 8.3%. Core Business Performance: Medical Devices: Revenue of $4.895 billion (accounting for 47% of total revenue), a year-over-year increase of 9.9%, with organic growth of 12.6%. Notable contributions from sub-segments such as Diabetes Management (+21.6%) and Structural Heart Disease. Nutrition business: Revenue of $2.146 billion, global organic growth driven by adult nutrition products Ensure® and Glucerna® by 8.7%. Diagnostic business: Revenue was $2.054 billion, a year-over-year decrease of 7.2%. Excluding COVID-19 testing revenue (which amounted to only $84 million), the core laboratory business barely achieved a 0.5% growth. Significant regional differentiation: The U.S. market grew by 8.4%, far exceeding the 1.2% growth of international markets. Particularly in the medical device sector, the growth rate in the U.S. (such as +27.1% for diabetes care business) was significantly higher than the global average. Profitability Optimization: Gross margin increased to 52.8%, and adjusted net profit grew by 10.9% year-over-year to reach $1.919 billion. This performance was driven by effective cost management and strong sales of high-margin products, such as the FreeStyle Libre® continuous glucose monitoring system.   02 Tariff Impact: Medical devices become a "disaster zone." Although Abbott's financial report performance is impressive, the "approaching tariff threat" it faces cannot be ignored, and Ford clearly outlined the specific impact pathway of this challenge. In the Sino-US tariff game, latest developments show that the Trump administration is planning to impose a 245% tariff on China, with medical devices not being exempted. Given that Abbott's revenues are about 45% reliant on the medical device sector, this means that its supply chain and export costs in the Chinese market will face significant pressure. At the same time, import restrictions implemented by Canada and Mexico, along with tariffs on steel and aluminum policies internationally that have created regional retaliatory tariffs, have further driven up the cost of raw materials. Due to the long production cycle of medical equipment and the fact that contract prices are often locked in, companies cannot resolve impacts in the short term by raising prices or transferring costs. From a potential risk perspective, if the tariff costs are entirely borne by the company, Abbott's medical device business, which currently has a gross margin of about 60%, may face the risk of decline; emerging markets such as Asia and Latin America, which rely on low-price strategies to open up markets, may also lose competitiveness due to rising costs.   03 5 Invest $500 million to build a factory in the U.S., what's the goal? To withstand the impact of the tariff storm, Abbott has unveiled two core strategies. Firstly, the construction of a distributed production network is carried out with 90 production bases to create an "anti-risk moat". CEO Ford uses FreeStyle Libre® as an example to explain the layout logic, stating that 2 factories in the United States serve domestic demand, and 4 other bases cover the global market. If all production capacity were concentrated in Southeast Asia or Europe, the risk would be uncontrollable. The strategy reduces reliance on a single supply chain through localized production, such as specializing in glucose monitoring sensors at the Irish factory and focusing on regional demand at the Chinese facility. Simultaneously, it implements redundancy by backing up critical components across multiple regions to ensure stable supply amid sudden tariffs or geopolitical conflicts. Secondly, to promote the expansion of production in the United States, Abbott announced two key investments, investing $500 million in the expansion of factories in Illinois and Texas, adding 300 new jobs, focusing on enhancing the research and development and production capacity of blood transfusion equipment. The main goal is to reduce dependence on imports through local production and strive for policy preferences brought by the "Made in USA" label. In the short term, this plan can reduce reliance on imported components and directly avoid cost pressures brought by Sino - US tariffs; in the long term, it focuses on the research and development and production of high - value - added products such as cardiovascular devices, consolidating its technological barriers and industry leadership in the high - end medical device field. However, the production cost in the United States is significantly higher than that in Asian regions, which may weaken the price competitiveness of products. Moreover, the construction cycle of the factory is relatively long, and it will not be put into operation until the end of 2025. In the short term, tariff pressure still needs to be borne. In terms of short-term buffer measures, Abbott opted to increase inventory of key raw materials, but Ford also warned that "hoarding is not a sustainable solution," while jointly lobbying with industry group AdvaMed to seek tariff exemptions for medical devices, despite slim chances of success.   04 No one was spared. Leading companies collectively under pressure Amid the ongoing impact of the tariff storm, leading companies in the global medical equipment sector are all affected, collectively bearing immense pressure. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.US) warned in its financial report that by 2026, its tariff losses will reach $400 million, with the medical device division being hit the hardest. The main issues Johnson & Johnson faces are twofold: first, it is difficult to adjust the supply chain, as medical equipment transportation contracts have already locked in prices, making it hard to flexibly adjust costs in response to tariff changes in the short term; second, geopolitical risks are compounded, with Sino-American tariff conflicts being the primary source of losses, while retaliatory tariffs from Mexico and Canada add further pressure. In terms of strategy, Johnson & Johnson and Abbott show clear differences: Johnson & Johnson relies more on “acquisition + restructuring” to optimize its business (for example, by acquiring Abiomed to strengthen its cardiovascular sector), but it has relatively fewer proactive measures in response to tariff impacts; Abbott, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on enhancing the flexibility of its production network, reducing risks by diversifying its capacity layout. From an industry-wide perspective, this phenomenon conveys two important signals: for companies that struggle to pass on tariff costs to downstream entities, long-term profit margins may continue to erode; meanwhile, possessing a globalized supply chain layout and flexible adjustment capabilities is increasingly becoming a critical survival skill for leading enterprises to navigate geopolitical risks. In response to tariff shocks, Abbott has built a distributed network with 90 production bases, such as the decentralized production of FreeStyle Libre across 6 locations to reduce risks. At the same time, it has invested $500 million to expand its domestic U.S. factories, attempting to hedge tariffs through local production. However, high domestic costs and long construction cycles still put pressure on it in the short term. Within the industry, Chinese companies like Mindray are capturing market share with their local supply chains, accelerating the restructuring of the global medical device supply chain. As Ford said, tariffs are driving the medical industry towards Globalization 2.0, and companies need to find a new balance between technological barriers and cost control.

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