IMAGE COURTESY OF POLYVEL New softening agents developed by masterbatch supplier Polyvel are designed for the efficient and cost-effective production of nonwoven polypropylene (PP) products with extra-soft surfaces. Small doses of the additives achieve effects ranging from simple, smooth surfaces to so-called “supersoft” products with an ultra-soft feel reminiscent of natural silk, according to Polyvel. Soft to the touch, pleasing to the eye The process aids are suitable for all products touting soft-touch tactile properties and aesthetic appeal. In addition to hygienic textiles, applications include the automotive, furniture, medical technology, and construction sectors. Polyvel also can accommodate customer-specific applications. Extensive tests by neutral certification and testing laboratories confirm that the additives are safe for use in products that come in contact with human skin, such as diapers, as well as food, said the company. The processing aids are PFAS-free and do not contain any chemicals named on the Substance of Very High Concern list at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Alternatives to conventional plasticizers During extrusion with the help of additive masterbatches such as Polyvel NH-P01, dosages as low as 0.5% are sufficient to achieve elevated levels of softness in PP nonwoven surfaces. The additives can replace conventional plasticizers and the chemicals usually associated with them. The process aids are introduced during the production process, preventing the fibers’ fabric gels from forming a brittle surface with a rough feel after extrusion. The dissolved additive in the PP nonwoven permanently migrates to the fiber’s surface. A distributor of specialty additive masterbatches and custom compounds in thermoplastic applications, Polyvel offers a wide-ranging product portfolio. It said that customers have been focusing, in particular, on additives for processing in-demand bioplastics to add specific technical and functional properties to applications. Polyvel is based near Hamburg, Germany.

On March 25, the Ningbo Ecological Environment Bureau Yinzhou Branch announced the 36,000-ton color masterbatch technological transformation project of Ningbo Color Masterbatch Co., Ltd., marking the company's strategic focus shifting towards optimizing existing production capacity and technological upgrades.It is worth noting that this public notice also disclosed Ningbo Color Mother's latest decisions on its two previous fundraising projects—the company, due to the need for an IPO, plans to implement the "annual production of 20,000 tons of high-end products.""Color masterbatch project""Regarding the 'Research and Development Center Upgrade Project,' as of now, these two projects have not been implemented and are not planned to be implemented."Three major fundraising projectsListed period fund raising for constructionNingbo Cama was listed in June 2021. According to its prospectus, it planned to raise funds of 419,842,500 yuan, which would be used for the following projects in order of priority: annual production of 20,000 tons of mid-to-high-end masterbatch, expansion of annual production of 10,000 tons of mid-to-high-end masterbatch in Zhongshan, RD center upgrade, and supplementary working capital.Source: Ningbo Masterbatch ProspectusAnnual production of 20,000 tons of mid-to-high-end masterbatch project: an investment of 234.2788 million yuan is planned to technically transform the company's original masterbatch production line, adding a capacity of 12,000 tons/year of black masterbatch and 8,000 tons/year of white masterbatch. The construction period is 24 months.RD Center Upgrade Project: Ningbo Color Master plans to invest 39 million yuan to expand the existing RD center, improve RD and testing equipment, introduce RD technical talents, and enhance the overall technology and equipment level of the RD center. The construction period is 24 months.Postponement becomes termination.It is worth noting that according to the originally planned construction schedule, the two major fundraising projects of Ningbo Color Masterbatch were supposed to be completed and put into operation within the established timeframe. However, in the financial report released by Ningbo Color Masterbatch in 2023, it was stated that the completion of these two projects will be delayed until June 2025.Annual production of 20,000 tons of medium-to-high-end color masterbatch projectThe company's "Annual Production of 20,000 Tons of Mid- to High-End Masterbatch Project" plans to utilize part of the old factory buildings and related facilities of the dismantled company, and introduce advanced production lines and strengthen production management to achieve the upgrade of the product production line.The implementation location has been updated to include a new subsidiary in Chuzhou, and the implementation method has been changed from partial demolition and construction of old factory buildings to renovation of old factory buildings and construction of new factory buildings.The company has extended the scheduled date for the fundraising project to reach its usable state to June 23, 2025.Annual Production of 10,000 Tons of Mid-to-High-End Color Masterbatch Zhongshan Expansion ProjectThe project was put into operation in June 2023, but the initial production capacity was not fully utilized, so it failed to achieve the expected returns.RD Center Upgrade ProjectAfter prudent evaluation and comprehensive consideration, the company has postponed the date when the fundraising investment project reaches the预定可使用状态 (预定 ready-to-use state) to June 23, 2025. (Note: The phrase "预定可使用状态" is partially in Chinese. In full English, it translates to "预定 ready-to-use state". For clarity in the context of project management, it typically means the project is ready for its intended use. Thus, a more precise translation would be: "After prudent evaluation and comprehensive consideration, the company has postponed the date when the fundraising investment project reaches the ready-to-use state to June 23, 2025.")However, in the environmental impact report table released in March 2025, it was stated that the company, due to its need for listing, commissioned the preparation of the "Ningbo Masterbatch Co., Ltd. Additional Production of 20,000 Tons of High-end Masterbatch Production Line" and the "Ningbo Masterbatch Co., Ltd. RD Center Upgrade Project" in 2020, and obtained approval from the Yinzhou District Environmental Protection Bureau of Ningbo City (Yin Huan Jian [2020] No. 106, Yin Huan Jian [2020] No. 107).So far, these two projects have not been implemented and are planned not to be implemented anymore.36,000-ton masterbatch technology transformation projectChanges in Fundraising Projects: Multiple Practical ConsiderationsThe 36,000-ton masterbatch technological transformation project origin:Ningbo Colour Masterbatch commissioned the preparation of an environmental impact assessment report form for the annual production of 20,000 tons of plastic new material multifunctional masterbatch project in June 2016.The project passed the completion environmental protection acceptance in 2017.Due to market demand, the company is carrying out technical renovations on the production line and supporting facilities of the original project, which has an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons of plastic new material multifunctional masterbatch (replacing some production equipment, replacing cooling towers, and adding waste gas treatment facilities, etc.). After the renovation, the annual production capacity of 36,000 tons of mid-to-high-end color masterbatch can be achieved.The total investment for this technological transformation project is 8.5 million yuan.The termination of the two major IPO fundraising projects not only means a waste of previous investments, but also could potentially damage the company's reputation and market confidence. Although the newly initiated technology renovation project seems to be a move towards technological upgrades, whether it can achieve the expected results remains uncertain.The "variations" of Ningbo color masterbatch may well be a true reflection of the industry's transformation pains, reminding every participant that in fierce market competition, there are no eternal winners; only by continually adapting to changes can one survive in the market.

March 31, 2025The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the final anti-dumping determinations on imports of epoxy resins from China, India, South Korea, Thailand, and the Taiwan region of China.Due to the failure of Chinese enterprises to participate in the defense, a ruling was made.The dumping margin of Chinese manufacturers/exporters is 354.99%.The dumping margins for producers/exporters from India range from 12.69% to 15.68%, from South Korea range from 5.62% to 7.59%, from Thailand is 5.25%, and from Taiwan, China range from 10.93% to 26.98%.Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final countervailing duty determination on epoxy resin imported from China, India, South Korea, and the Taiwan region of China. As Chinese companies did not participate in the proceedings, a ruling was made.JiangsuThree treesThe rates for Jiangsu Sanmu Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Bluestar Dongda Chemical, and other producers/exporters in China are all 547.76%.The tax rates for Indian producers/exporters range from 10.66% to 103.72%, for South Korean producers/exporters range from 1.01% to 1.84%, and for producers/exporters from Taiwan range from 3.38% to 19.13%. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is expected to issue the final ruling on anti-dumping and countervailing duty injury on May 12, 2025.This case involves products under U.S. Customs Tariff Code 3907.30.0000.On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations on epoxy resins imported from China, India, South Korea, and Chinese Taiwan, and an anti-dumping investigation on epoxy resins imported from Thailand.

Recently, Changzhou Jinyong Technology Materials Co., Ltd. has made a new breakthrough in the field of masterbatch production technology, successfully obtaining a utility model patent named "Intelligent Adding Device for Antioxidant Masterbatch Auxiliary Materials," with authorization announcement number CN 222694649 U, and the application date dated back to June 2024.According to the patent abstract, this innovative technology proposes a completely new antioxidant color masterbatch feeding mechanism. The core design of this mechanism involves ingeniously fixing the motor inside the material输送管道内，其输出轴上装配有螺旋送料杆，该杆左端通过轴承与输送管道左内壁相连，从而实现旋转功能。此外，添料管内设有固定筒，筒内通过轴承旋转连接有一个转动筒，其进料口与出料口采用错位式设计，有效提高了加料过程的精度。According to the patent abstract, this innovative technology proposes a completely new antioxidant color masterbatch feeding mechanism. The core design of this mechanism involves ingeniously fixing the motor inside the material conveying pipe, with its output shaft equipped with a spiral feeder rod that is connected to the left inner wall of the conveying pipe via a bearing on its left end, thereby achieving rotational functionality. Additionally, a fixed cylinder is set inside the feeding pipe, within which a rotating cylinder is connected through a bearing, featuring an offset design for its feed inlet and discharge outlet, effectively enhancing the accuracy of the feeding process.It is understood that the device also specifically sets a fixed frame inside the material feeding pipe, with the right end of the spiral feeding rod passing through the fixed frame via a bearing and connected to it for rotation. Even more innovatively, the fixed frame is equipped with a synchronous drive dispersion mechanism. This design not only ensures that the processing equipment can maintain a sealed state throughout the entire process of adding masterbatch additives, effectively isolating external air and preventing the oxidation of processing materials, but also fully disperses the masterbatch additives, avoiding issues related to the adhesion of additives that could affect processing quality, thereby further enhancing the efficiency and quality of masterbatch production.

Recently, information released by the National Intellectual Property Administration indicates that Anhui Yingchuan New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. has successfully obtained a patent titled "Vertical Color Masterbatch Sieving Device." Its authorization announcement number is CN 222678695 U, and the patent application date was April 2024.This patent relates to a vertical color masterbatch screening device, which is ingeniously designed. Its main body is a vertical screening box. The inner side walls of the screening box are symmetrically provided with first limiting grooves. In the middle of the inner walls of the first limiting grooves, first sliding rods are fixedly installed. On the outer walls of the first sliding rods, there are slidingly connected first sliding blocks. The upper and lower ends of the outer walls of the first sliding blocks are welded with first springs, which are welded to the middle of the inner walls of the first limiting grooves. The middle part of the first springs surrounds the outer walls of the first sliding rods.It is understood that during actual use, when the color masterbatch falls inside the sieve net, under the impact of its own gravity, in conjunction with the elastic potential energy of the first slider rod, as well as the sliding effect of the first slider rod and the first slider block, it can perform a sieving operation on the color masterbatch that has fallen inside the sieve net. This unique design significantly improves the sieving efficiency. Moreover, this device only requires a vertical classification box to achieve its function, without the need for a large area, effectively ensuring high work efficiency during the use of the device. It has brought about a new technological breakthrough to the field of color masterbatch sieving.

According to the relevant regulations on the approval procedures for environmental impact assessments of construction projects, the Nanchang Jinxian Ecological Environment Bureau plans to accept the environmental impact assessment documents for the following projects. This is now announced to the public, and the public notice period is from March 24, 2025, to March 28, 2025, for a total of 5 working days.Project Name: Junyu Industrial Co., Ltd. Medical Colorant Material Project in Jinxiang CountyConstruction Location: First floor of 2#D Type Factory Building, Jiangxi Jinxian Medical Device Technology Park (within the High-end Medical Device Park)Construction Unit: Jinxian County Junyu Industrial Co., Ltd.Project Overview: The total investment for this project is 2 million yuan, covering an area of 1044.29 m2. The project includes equipment such as extruders, high-grade mixers, crushers, vibrating machines, and fans. It adopts production processes including batching, mixing, heating and melting, injection molding and extrusion, and packaging to produce medical masterbatches.Project product scheme and scale:

The State Intellectual Property Office information shows that Shaoxing City Shangyu Hongyue Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. has applied for a patent titled "A Kind of Yellow Plastic Masterbatch," with the publication number CN 119661973 A.The patent abstract discloses a yellow plastic masterbatch, which includes the following components by weight: 880-960 parts of ABS terpolymer, 20-40 parts of polyethylene low molecular wax, 5-15 parts of ethylene bis stearamide, 5-15 parts of zinc stearate, 20-40 parts of titanium dioxide, 1-5 parts of iron oxide yellow, 1-5 parts of macromolecular yellow, 1-5 parts of permanent yellow, 1-5 parts of flame retardant, and 1-5 parts of antioxidant. The invention addresses the technical problems of poor color concentration, flame retardancy, and oxidation resistance in traditional yellow plastic masterbatches.With this innovative formula, the yellow plastic masterbatch developed by Shangyu Hongyue Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. in Shaoxing City has not only significantly improved color concentration but also greatly enhanced the flame retardancy and antioxidant properties of the product, offering a more efficient and safer coloring solution for the plastics processing industry.According to Tianyancha data, Shaoxing Shangyu Hongyue Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., established in 2008 and located in Shaoxing City, is an enterprise primarily engaged in the rubber and plastic products industry. The company has a registered capital of 200,000 RMB and a paid-in capital of 200,000 RMB. Through Tianyancha's big data analysis, Shaoxing Shangyu Hongyue Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. has participated in 2 bidding projects, with 1 trademark record and 32 patent records in terms of property线索.

Due to the continuous rise in raw material costs, after Longqi Enterprise issued a price increase notice on March 21st, other titanium manufacturers also followed by raising their prices, leading to the "third round" of price increases in the titanium dioxide industry. However, there has been no noticeable improvement in downstream demand. Despite it being the traditional peak season of “golden March and silver April,” buyer sentiment for signing orders is not as high as expected. There is a situation where demand from previous orders has been over-consumed, and currently, buyers are mainly placing orders for essential needs. The situation of manufacturers is polarized, with some still in a state of processing and shipping orders, while others have increased inventory and generally adopt a wait-and-see attitude. Under this situation, some manufacturers are primarily focused on fulfilling earlier orders, and they are relatively cautious about receiving new orders and large orders. The execution of new order prices remains to be confirmed. Currently, the market is still in a观望state, maintaining a wait-and-see attitude.The global economic recovery has driven an increase in international market demand. Simultaneously, the results of anti-dumping investigations by major importing countries have been successively implemented, leading foreign customers to stockpile 1-2 months of inventory in advance. This demand frontloading has caused a rise in China's titanium dioxide exports in the first quarter. However, export growth has slowed due to international trade frictions and exchange rate fluctuations.According to customs data, from January to February 2025, the cumulative export of titanium dioxide reached 315,900 tons, increasing by 7.68% year-on-year. The export volume of sulfuric acid process titanium dioxide was 257,600 tons, with the top three export destinations being India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 20.57%, 6.88%, and 5.56% of the total export volume, respectively. About 58,400 tons of chlorinated process titanium dioxide were exported, with the top three export destinations being India, Egypt, and South Korea, which accounted for 18.17%, 8.75%, and 7.33% of the total chlorinated process export volume, respectively. The export data from the first two months of this year shows that the economic growth of emerging developing countries such as India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, along with the development of infrastructure and real estate, has led to strong demand in downstream industries such as coatings and plastics. On the other hand, the reduction caused by EU anti-dumping measures has forced domestic titanium dioxide enterprises to accelerate the development of markets in Southeast Asia due to the impact of anti-dumping measures in the EU and India.Due to the dual impact of rising raw material costs and declining market demand, it is expected that titanium dioxide prices will decrease in the second quarter following the off-peak and peak season cycle. On the supply side, limited new capacity release is influenced by industry profits, but the market oversupply situation remains difficult to alleviate. With the continuous advancement of environmental policies and accelerated industry consolidation, the titanium dioxide industry will move towards scale and intensification, and the market share of leading companies will further expand. It is expected that the mainstream market price of sulfuric acid process rutile titanium dioxide in the second quarter will be 14,200-15,900 yuan/ton, with a negotiation price fluctuation range of about 300-500 yuan/ton. The actual transaction price will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on order volume and manufacturer inventory levels.

Gulbrandsen, a company专注于生产聚氨酯用锡催化剂, has announced plans to establish additional polyethylene wax manufacturing capabilities and a new functional polymers plant at its facility in Dahej, India.The expansion, expected to be operational by mid-2026, will help Gulbrandsen increase its production of specialty polymers and waxes to meet growing global demand, ensure supply reliability, and expand its product portfolio.Specialty polymers and waxes are fundamental components of everyday materials. Product lines related to end uses include expanded polystyrene (EPS), release agents, personal care and cosmetics, adhesives, inks, and coatings."This investment highlights our commitment to serving global customers," said Ron Hatchell, Global Business Director of Gulbrandsen. "By expanding our production capacity and diversifying our product offerings, we are enhancing our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers and solidifying our leadership position in the industry."In addition to this major expansion, Gulbrandsen has also recently completed de-bottlenecking work that has unleashed additional capacity at its existing wax plant in Vadodara.The new facility in Dahej will utilize state-of-the-art technology and adhere to the highest safety and environmental sustainability standards, reflecting Gulbrandsen's commitment to responsible manufacturing.

New Journey Together | Peak梅 Chemical Intelligent Manufacturing Base Inauguration Ceremony01.On March 28th, amidst the gentle spring breeze at Xiangshan Bay, Fengmei Chemical's new production base was officially inaugurated with the sound of ceremonial cannons! Over 200 attendees, including government leaders, industry experts, partners, and media representatives, gathered at the scene to witness this strategic moment.*Zhou Xiaofeng, the Chairman, in the middleCompany Introduction02.Ningbo Fengmei Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. was established in January 2023 and is under the Fengmei Holdings Group led by Chairman Mr. Zhou Xiaofeng. It is an innovative enterprise focused on high-performance chemical materials. The product line includes adhesives for automotive bodywork and chemical products for components, specifically: epoxy structural adhesives for OEMs, epoxy edge bonding adhesives, vibration-damping support adhesives, PVC sealants, and glass bonding adhesives, as well as water-based coating adhesives, hot melt adhesives, and structural bonding adhesives for automotive parts; chemical products for power batteries and energy storage such as fireproof coatings, polyurethane structural adhesives, polyurethane thermal conductive structural adhesives, thermal conductive gels, potting adhesives, anti-stone impact coatings, UV-curable adhesives, and epoxy resins and foaming materials for composite battery shell bottom protective plates; providing customers with specialized chemical system solutions for the automotive market.New Landmark of Intelligent Manufacturing: The Industry Height in Digital.03.The industry benchmark intelligent production factory covers an area of 53 acres (approximately 35,000 square meters). Groundbreaking will take place in April 2024, and the project will be efficiently constructed over 11 months, officially commencing production in March 2025. The total investment for the project is 370 million RMB, and upon reaching full production capacity, it will achieve an annual output of 50,000 tons of adhesives and coatings, widely used in the fields of new energy vehicles, electronic packaging, and more.Digital production space04.By constructing a highly advanced third-generation intelligent adhesive manufacturing system, the main production line features a dual-product flexible co-line design, with an annual output of 10,000 tons of battery structural adhesive/body structural adhesive.Reserved 5,000-ton capacity expansion interface for backup expansion module【Raw Material Intelligent Control System】Fully enclosed pneumatic conveying system: Equipped with a two-stage cyclone dust removal device, real-time monitoring of raw material moisture content.Low-temperature dehumidifying drying tower: Powder dew point control at -40℃, drying efficiency improved by 50% compared to traditional equipment.【Process Intelligent Control Hub】MES full-process intelligent control platform: integrates 300+ sensor networks to achieve precise closed-loop control of temperature, pressure, and rotational speed.Multi-formula Matrix Management System: Preset 12 process templates, supports 0.1-second parameter switching【Core Reaction System】Ross Double Shaft Mixer (US original):Equipped with HV-7 type blades, stepless speed regulation from 100 to 2000 rpm.Three-way mixed effectsCollision energy accumulation system: Achieve 5,000,000 effective particle collisions, with a product fineness of D50 ≤5μm."Unlocking the Xiangshan Base Land Line Matrix"05.Pilot RD Cluster5-200L gradient reaction kettle set | Covers 6 major process developmentsTechnology Matrix: Nine Black Tech Decodes 【Providing You with More Choices】06.Covering five major adhesive systems: Polyurethane | Epoxy | Silicone | Acrylic | Hybrid - Structural design of prepolymers: Selection and design of key components and ratios, optimization of processes to ensure performance meets application requirements.- Filler compounding technology: selecting suitable filler types, shapes, particle size distribution, and proportions, optimizing processes to ensure performance meets application requirements.Hybridization technology: Utilize the performance characteristics of different components to design physical or chemical hybrid mixing, optimize processes, and ensure that performance meets application requirements.- Toughening technology: By designing the structure of toughening agents, improve the toughness of materials and enhance impact resistance and fracture resistance.Surface treatment technology: Altering the surface properties of materials through physical or chemical methods to enhance wear resistance, corrosion resistance, compatibility, and other performance characteristics.- Fire prevention and heat insulation: Use fireproof coatings, heat insulation materials, etc., to increase the fire resistance limit of the structure, reduce heat transfer, and ensure safety.Environmental sustainability: Emphasize reducing resource consumption, minimizing environmental impact, promoting renewable energy, energy-saving technologies, etc., to achieve sustainable development.- Elastic structure: Utilize the elastic deformation characteristics of materials to achieve specific functions or forms, focusing on material selection, structural design, and manufacturing processes to balance elasticity and structural bonding.- UV curing: Utilizes ultraviolet light to rapidly cure coatings, enhancing production efficiency, and designs various products to meet diverse needs. 【Strategic Opening】Panoramic View of Fengmei Chemical Phase II Intelligent Manufacturing Base Exposed!07.The 100,000-ton new material aircraft carrier officially sets sail.High-performance coatings 30,000 tons30,000 tons of battery adhesive20,000 tons of automotive structural adhesive10,000 tons of glass sealantAnd related supporting raw material intermediates 10,000 tons.Three Golden Ratios for Scientific Planning:Production Efficiency: Achieving the Golden Ratio of "Industrial Plant Clusters + RD Hub + Ecological Spaces" with a 1.2 Plot RatioFunctional Evolution: Dual Workshops + Intelligent Warehouse and Distribution + Vertical RD Center Build an Industrial Closed LoopHuman关怀: Employee canteen integrated with green landscape, redefining the new ecosystem of chemical industrial parkCore architectural complex:Class 10,000 cleanroom ×2Class A Intelligent Storage CenterResearch and Development Building (Equipped with CNAS Laboratory)Digital Central Control TowerNingbo Fengmei Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. is mainly engaged in the research and development, production, and sales of high-performance automotive coatings, adhesive materials for power batteries and automotive components, and automotive foaming materials. The company has first-class trial production and research capabilities, an intelligent and digitalized production workshop, which can quickly and stably mass-produce products and provide rapid customer response services.Fengmei Chemical is committed to accelerating the promotion and application of advanced materials in the automotive sector. We have established close and in-depth collaborations with multiple OEMs and automotive component suppliers, aiming to become a globally leading company specializing in automotive chemicals.

Recently, in accordance with relevant regulations of the construction project environmental impact assessment approval process, the Yinzhou Branch of the Ningbo Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau has, after careful deliberation, decided to issue proposed approval opinions on the environmental impact assessment documents of a batch of construction projects. To ensure the authority and fairness of the approval work, while fully respecting and safeguarding the public's right to know and their environmental rights, the said branch specially discloses the core information of the environmental impact assessment documents of the relevant construction projects.Project Name: Annual Production of 36,000 Tons of Mid- to High-End Masterbatch Production Line Technical Upgrade ProjectConstruction location: No. 168, Jinhui West Road, Panhuo Street, Yinzhou DistrictConstruction Entity: Ningbo Color Mother Particle Co., Ltd.Project Overview: The company is conducting a technical upgrade (including replacing some production equipment, cooling towers, and adding new waste gas treatment facilities, etc.) on the original production line and supporting facilities of the 20,000-ton-per-year plastic new material multifunctional masterbatch project. After the upgrade, the production capacity will reach 36,000 tons per year of mid-to-high-end color masterbatch.According to reports, in 2021, Ningbo Color Masterbatch announced plans to invest 234.2788 million yuan in a project to produce 20,000 tons of mid-to-high-end masterbatches annually. The project aimed to upgrade the company's existing masterbatch production line, with plans to add an annual capacity of 12,000 tons of black masterbatch and 8,000 tons of white masterbatch. The project was filed with the Development and Reform Bureau of Yinzhou District, Ningbo City. However, the project has not been implemented to date and is now planned to be canceled.In addition, the current Ningbo color masterbatch Chuzhou "annual production of 50,000 tons of color masterbatch project" has completed 80% of its infrastructure construction and is expected to be put into production in the fourth quarter of 2025. Once fully operational, the production capacity can increase by 50%, adding an annual revenue of 700 million yuan.

On March 28, Arkema held a grand celebration at its Changshu production base to mark the 20th anniversary of its organic peroxide plant and the commissioning of new production capacity, signifying the official completion and operation of another key growth project. This expansion increased the organic peroxide capacity at the Changshu base to 2.5 times its original level, greatly enhancing Arkema's ability to serve customers in multiple high-growth markets across Asia, particularly in strategic industries such as renewable energy.Arkema's Luperox® organic peroxides, as a niche additive, are important reaction initiators for various polymers and have a wide range of applications in energy, construction, packaging, pharmaceuticals, sports equipment, and other fields. They are an important part of Arkema's advanced materials business. In the context of the global green energy transition and the increasing demand for lightweight materials, Luperox® organic peroxides play a key role in the manufacturing processes of products such as photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbine blade composites.Over the past 20 years, Arkema's organic peroxide plant in Changshu has doubled its production capacity. In the future, Arkema will continue to deepen its presence in China, leveraging China's innovation ecosystem and industrial advantages to provide more sustainable specialty material solutions for the global market. Arkema's acquisitions and divestituresArkema Group was established in October 2004, following the restructuring of the chemical business of its former parent company, Total Group, and was listed in 2006. Headquartered in Paris, France, it is a global leader in the production of specialty chemicals. The group has two main business segments: specialty materials and intermediates. The specialty materials segment comprises three business departments: adhesive solutions, advanced materials, and coating solutions. Through ongoing acquisition and divestment initiatives, Arkema has focused its business on specialty materials, with revenue from specialty materials reaching 91.56% by 2024. Performance situationIn 2024, Arkema's overall sales reached €9.544 billion, remaining stable compared to 2023 (€9.514 billion), thanks to the growth of the specialty materials business in Asia, with a volume increase of 2.4%. The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to €1.532 billion, an increase of 2.07% year-on-year. The revenue from intermediates was €768 million, with an EBITDA of €198 million. Arkema's intermediates business mainly focuses on fluorochemicals, and Arkema is a global leader in the production of fluorochemical products. The Forane® series includes refrigerants, foaming agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, lithium battery electrolyte salts, and additives, making it the world's largest supplier of fluorinated blowing agents for rigid foam.In 2024, Arkema's specialty materials revenue reached 8.739 billion euros, with EBITDA of 1.42 billion euros.In 2024, advanced materials accounted for 37.32% of total revenue, making it the largest source of revenue. In 2024, the revenue from the advanced materials sector reached €3.562 billion, with a sales growth of 1.2%, driven by positive trends in the Asian market, although a significant decline in the European market partially offset this growth. The sales of high-performance polymers grew well, particularly supported by the battery, sports, energy, and medical markets; however, the slowdown in the automotive market in the second half of the year, especially in Europe, had a certain impact. The department's sales also benefited from a positive scope effect of 4.7%, thanks to the contribution of PIAM (acquired in 2023, a leader in polyimide films for flexible printed circuit boards and graphite sheets for markets such as mobile devices and electric vehicles). In 2024, the EBITDA for advanced materials was €707 million, a year-on-year increase of 6.16%, driven by the growth of high-performance polymers, a strong presence in Asia, contributions from the development of new application areas (such as the sports field), the integration of PIAM, and the development of low-emission fluorinated products.In 2024, the Adhesive Solutions division achieved sales of €2.722 billion, with a volume growth of 2.4%, primarily driven by industrial adhesives. EBITDA saw a significant year-on-year increase of 8.4%, and the EBITDA margin improved significantly to a record 15.1% (up from 14.0% in 2023). Arkema has successively acquired companies such as AEC Polymers, Bostik, Den Braven, XL Brands, Ashland, Shanghai Zhiguan High Polymer Materials Polytec PT, and Dow Chemical's flexible packaging adhesive business, continuously enhancing its strength and market share in the adhesive segment.In 2024, the sales of the coatings solutions division increased by 2.2%, reaching 2.455 billion euros, with approximately 30% coming from acrylic monomers. Sales volume grew by 6.8%, driven by the industrial coatings and electronics markets, as well as the commissioning of capacity expansion projects for UV-curable resins in China. Sales of upstream acrylic products in Europe also saw an increase, mainly supported by the hygiene and water treatment markets. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to 301 million euros (compared to 327 million euros in 2023).North America, Europe, and Asia are the main sales regions for Arkema, with the revenue share from Asia and other regions of the world increasing from 18% in 2005 to 32% in 2024.By market segment, the revenue share from the housing and construction, as well as the general industrial sectors, is the highest. World-leading categoriesArkema Advanced Materials mainly includes PEKK (polyetherketoneketone), amine products, electroactive polymers, fluoropolymers, glass coatings, hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, molecular sieves, organic peroxides, oxygen-containing solvents, specialty acrylics and crosslinkers, specialty fatty chemicals, specialty polyamide resins, surfactants, fluid technologies, sulfur chemicals, etc. Coating solutions mainly include acrylics, coating resins, plastic additives, rheology modifiers, and UV-curable resins.Arkema's flagship product, the bio-based Rilsan® polyamide 11 series, has been world-renowned for over 70 years. As a complement to this series, Arkema also offers Rilsamid® PA12 resin, Orgalloy® polyolefin/polyamide alloys, Platamid® copolyamide hot melt adhesives, Orgasol® precision particle-sized polyamide powders, and the Pebax® thermoplastic elastomer series, among other products.In the 1960s, PEKK was invented as part of the Apollo space program. Arkema officially entered the PEKK field by acquiring the American company Oxford Performance Materials (OPM), which brought them the production technology and related patents for PEKK, laying the foundation for subsequent commercial production. In collaboration with the chemical company PCAS, Arkema established Europe's first PEKK industrial production plant in France. After years of research and development investment, the production process has been commercialized, and a larger-scale production plant is currently being constructed in the United States.PEKK has a very high melting point (300℃-360℃) and offers excellent chemical resistance and corrosion resistance. Arkema's Kepstan® PEKK combined with carbon fiber can serve as a high-performance alternative to certain metal components, while weighing only half as much, making it suitable for applications in aerospace, offshore oil and gas extraction, and additive manufacturing processes (3D printing).Arkema is a global leader in the production of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) resins, with Kynar® PVDF established in 1965. In 2010, Arkema acquired Piezotech, which is part of Arkema's industrial incubator. This company has developed a range of high-value electroactive fluoropolymers derived from PVDF (thermoplastic fluoropolymers), which are next-generation materials with high performance suitable for various fields such as robotics, aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics.Arkema's subsidiary Sartomer is a global supplier of光固化树脂 (light-curing resins), monomers, acrylates, and methacrylate copolymers. Its product range includes high-performance products such as acrylate monomers, epoxy acrylates, polyurethane acrylates, polyester acrylates, and acrylate methacrylate monomers.By acquiring a controlling stake in PI Advanced Materials, Arkema has expanded its product range to include polyimide films.Source: Arkema official website, annual report, chemical new materials, Baidu, etc.

Recently, BASF and the renowned specialty chemicals manufacturer Sika joined forces to jointly develop a novel amine-based building block for epoxy resin curing, successfully launching it on the market under BASF's Baxxodur® EC 151 brand.The ideal choice for flooring applicationsBaxxodur® EC 151 curing agent is a "star product" specially designed for flooring applications. It can demonstrate outstanding performance in production workshops, warehouses, assembly workshops, and parking lots.This curing agent imparts low viscosity and excellent flow properties to the epoxy resin flooring solution, making the coating application easy and simple, with even distribution after application. In terms of environmental protection, it significantly reduces the amount of diluent required, and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is reduced by up to 90%.In terms of performance, epoxy resin coatings formulated with Baxxodur® EC 151 can cure quickly and thoroughly across a wide temperature range. Compared to traditional curing agents, this solution reduces curing time by approximately two-thirds, allowing the floor to be put into use shortly after construction and significantly shortening the project cycle.Amine curing agents have great potentialEpoxy resin itself has poor physical properties. After adding a curing agent, it undergoes a cross-linking reaction under certain conditions, forming a three-dimensional network structure of polymers, which then exhibits excellent performance.According to the structure of the curing agent, it can be divided into amine addition products, polysulfide compounds, polyamides, anhydride types, amine types, isocyanate compounds, imidazoles, and resin-type curing agents, etc. Among these, the most widely used and having the broadest application range is polyamines, which account for more than 70% of the total amount of curing agents. The use of polyamines is mostly in the form of modified polyamine derivatives.Amine curing agents have already demonstrated excellent performance in the flooring field, but their potential extends far beyond this. In areas such as adhesives, amine curing agents also hold promising application value.Upstream and downstream collaborative developmentIn order to break the poor linkage between the upstream and downstream of the domestic chemical industry and promote innovative development in the field of organic amines, we are particularly hosting the "2025 (13th) Epoxy Resin High-End Application Technology Exchange Conference and Organic Amines and Modified Amines Industry Forum." This forum brings together numerous industry experts, corporate representatives, and research institutions, and will showcase a series of new products and technologies.The forum includes advanced hydrogenation technologies for high-value organic amines, the development pattern of the ethylene amine industry, the development of N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, the prospects for methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride, the design of multifunctional amine fast curing agents, introductions to green catalytic technologies for special amine derivatives, and the applications of aromatic amine derivatives in epoxy resins.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued document No. 291 [2023] to assign the revision task for the industry standard "Solvent-based Adhesives for Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Plastic Pipeline Systems" (2023-1725T-QB).Currently, the working group has completed the drafting of the standard solicitation draft. We are now widely soliciting feedback on the text of the standard solicitation draft (see Attachment 1). We ask all units and relevant experts to carefully read and fill out the "Feedback Form," and send the suggestions to xiaomei_chen@atontech.cn by April 30, 2025, with a copy sent to the secretariat's email at pipesc3@163.com.The National Technical Committee for Standardization of Plastic Products, Sub-Technical Committee on Plastic Pipes, Fittings, and Valves (SAC/TC48/SC3) was established in 1984. It is the national and industry standard technical authority for plastic pipes, fittings, and valves in China. At the same time, it is responsible for the domestic technical correspondence with the International Organization for Standardization ISO/TC138. The secretariat of SAC/TC48/SC3 is located at the Institute of Plastic Processing and Application Research of the Light Industry / Beijing Technology and Business University.

Since October 2024, the market price of dipentaerythritol (DPE) has surged from 20,000 yuan per ton to 60,000 yuan per ton, with a significant increase of 200% in just half a year, far exceeding the overall increase in commodity prices during the same period.Behind this sharp fluctuation is the high concentration of global double-season pentaerythritol production capacity - the top five enterprises control more than 70% of the market share, and only a few domestic enterprises such as Hubei Yihua and Zhong Yi Da have the ability to produce at scale.Currently, the surge in demand for high-reliability PCBs in AI servers and autonomous driving sectors has highlighted the strategic value of dipentaerythritol as a core curing agent for PCB photocurable inks, a key raw material for aviation lubricants, and a "chip-level" intermediate for high-end coatings. Its usage is expected to triple, positioning it at the forefront of the AI computing revolution and the upgrade of high-end manufacturing. The application of dipentaerythritol in color masterbatchesMainly used as dispersant and stabilizerCore advantagesChemical properties: Star-shaped structure with 6 hydroxyl groups, forms strong hydrogen bonds with pigments, enhancing dispersibility and stability.High temperature resistance: melting point 215-225°C, suitable for high-temperature processing environments.Low hygroscopicity: stable in the air, avoiding performance degradation due to moisture absorption.Specific applicationsPigment dispersant:Mechanism: Hydroxyl groups form hydrogen bonds with the pigment surface, reducing surface energy and promoting uniform dispersion.Effect: Particle size refined to 1μm, color strength increased by 20%-30%.Stabilizer:Weather resistance: Prevents pigment agglomeration, enhances weather resistance and migration resistance.Chemical Stability: Stable in acidic and basic environments, avoiding side reactions.Typical scenarioHigh-end Plastics: Masterbatches for engineering/specialty plastics such as PC, PA, and PEEK, ensuring color uniformity and weather resistance.Fiber masterbatch: Enhances the dye uptake and color fastness of polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fibers.Functional masterbatch: synergistically enhances comprehensive performance with additives such as antistatic and flame retardant agents.Environmental regulations and high-end demand are driving the increased use of DPE in color masterbatches, but technical barriers (requiring purification from pentaerythritol by-products) limit production capacity, with only a few domestic enterprises achieving large-scale production.According to the整理 of the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, the following five enterprises currently stand out in the field of double pentaerythritol domestically. Five enterprisesHubei YihuaIndustry Position: A leader in the phosphate chemical industry, being the top producer of pentaerythritol in Asia and second globally.Capacity and technology:Producing 60,000 tons of pentaerythritol annually (second globally), with its double-segment capacity accounting for over 30% of the domestic share;Mastering the patented technology of "high-temperature condensation + cascade recrystallization" can achieve a double-season purity of over 98% (industry-leading).Profitability: The profit per ton of pentaerythritol has risen from 10,000 yuan to nearly 50,000 yuan.Main business: Manufacturing and sales of fertilizers and chemical products, including urea, diammonium phosphate, polyvinyl chloride, pentaerythritol, sodium hydrosulfite, etc.ZhongyidaIndustry position: The second-largest domestic producer of pentaerythritol.Capacity and technology:The Chifeng Ruiyang Base has the world's largest single-unit pentaerythritol production facility (43,000 tons).Being the first in the country to achieve co-production of single, double, and triple pentaerythritol, with a double conversion efficiency of 45% (industry average 30%) and purity of 83% (meeting international standards).Main business: Production and sales of fine chemical products.YuntianhuaIndustry position: Phosphorus chemical industry leader, the world's fourth-largest phosphate fertilizer producer.Production capacity and technology:The total production capacity of pentaerythritol is 100,000 tons (ranked second domestically), with its dual-season products exclusively supplied to the aerospace and military sectors.Double-season purity over 90%, with a market share exceeding 20% in China.Main Business: Production and sales of chemical fertilizers, chemical raw materials, and products, including phosphate fertilizer (5.55 million tons/year), urea (2.6 million tons/year), and compound fertilizer (1.85 million tons/year).Jinnuo IndustryIndustry Position: Leader in the food additives sub-sector.Production Capacity and Technology:The production capacity of pentaerythritol is 20,000 tons, and it extends the layout of double pentaerythritol through the formaldehyde-pentaerythritol industry chain.The new purification unit is scheduled to commence operations in the second quarter of 2025.Major Business: Production and sales of fine chemical products and basic chemical products.Jianbang SharesIndustry position: A leading enterprise in the field of polymer material environmental protection additives.Production Capacity and Technology:The core product series of pentaerythritol esters has been applied on a large scale in the field of biodegradable plastics.The construction of the "42,000 tons per year polymer additive project" has completed equipment debugging.Main Business: Research, production, and sales of environmentally friendly polymer material additives.It is worth noting that Hubei Yihua will shut down its production base in Yichang in June 2025 due to the Yangtze River environmental relocation plan, which means that 30% of global capacity will face at least a one-year gap.

The Administrative Approval Bureau of Zhenjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone intends to make an approval decision on the environmental impact assessment document for a plastic product manufacturing project. The basic information of the environmental impact assessment document for which the approval decision is to be made will be publicly announced.Construction Unit: Zhenjiang Baosu Polymer Materials Co., Ltd.Project Name: Annual Production of 16,000 Tons of Environmentally Friendly Special Halogen-Free Optical Cable Materials and 2,000 Tons of Color Masterbatch ProjectConstruction location: No. 2 Dingmao Wenxin Road, Zhenjiang Economic Development ZoneEnvironmental Impact Assessment Agency: Jiangsu Meihong Safety and Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.Project Overview: A proposed investment of 50.0367 million yuan to lease the existing factory of Jiangsu Yaqi Energy-saving Technology Co., Ltd. (No. 2 Wenxin Road, Dingmao, Zhenjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone), purchase equipment including a mixing production line, twin-screw production line, high mixer, twin-screw extruder unit, air compressor, circulating water pump, dust removal and environmental protection equipment, homogenization warehouse, oven, etc., and establish an annual production capacity of 16,000 tons of environmentally friendly specialty halogen-free optical cable materials and 2,000 tons of masterbatch.

Endeavor 3D today announced the launch of HP PA 12 Flame Retardant (FR), a halogen-free material with a powder reusability rate of 60%. Endeavor 3D is one of the first contract manufacturers in North America to offer this high-performance material, which has been validated and approved by HP for production-ready applications using Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing technology. Endeavor 3D stated that this adoption further strengthens its commitment to providing industrial-grade parts for specialized applications in the electrical, robotics, and industrial sectors.Meets strict safety and flammability standards.HP 3D PA 12 FR, supported by Evonik, is a cost-effective material with high reuse rates, disruptive per-part costs, and excellent surface finish, reducing waste and lowering production costs. This material has achieved UL 94 V0 certification at a thickness of 2.5 mm, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and flammability standards. HP 3D PA 12 FR is particularly suitable for any type of electronic or electrical component enclosures that require UL 94 V0 rating, ranging from battery holders, cable conduits, and light covers to household appliance housings and similar parts that need a combination of functionality and aesthetics.Break the traditional expectations of performance and cost.Endeavor 3D CEO Phil Arnold stated, “By adding HP 3D PA 12 flame retardant to our product portfolio, Endeavor 3D continues to lead manufacturers in providing high-quality production-grade additive manufacturing solutions that challenge traditional performance and cost expectations. This material represents a significant step for manufacturers in producing flame-retardant components at a low cost, and we are proud to be one of the first companies to bring it into production.”

Color masterbatch, as a new type of coloring agent for polymer materials, is widely used in the industrial field. The following are its main application directions.In the plastic industry, masterbatch plays an important role. On one hand, it can be used for coloring various plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. By adding different colors and proportions of masterbatch, a wide range of colorful plastic products can be produced, such as plastic pipes, sheets, containers, films, and toys. On the other hand, according to information from the masterbatch industry website, certain masterbatches can also impart special properties to plastics. For example, adding masterbatch containing ultraviolet absorbers can enhance the weather resistance of plastics, preventing plastic products from aging and fading outdoors due to UV exposure; adding masterbatch with antistatic properties can give plastic surfaces conductivity, reducing static accumulation and avoiding dust accumulation and electric shock issues.In the rubber industry, color masterbatches are also essential. They can be used for coloring rubber products such as tires, seals, hoses, and sheets, exhibiting good dispersion in rubber, enabling uniform and vibrant colors that meet the aesthetic requirements of different applications. Some special functional color masterbatches can also improve the properties of rubber; for example, adding carbon black-containing color masterbatches not only turns rubber products black but also enhances their strength, wear resistance, and conductivity. Adding certain metal oxide color masterbatches can improve the heat resistance and aging resistance of rubber.In the fiber industry, masterbatches are widely used. During the production of chemical fibers such as polyester fibers, nylon fibers, and polypropylene fibers, masterbatches are extensively utilized for fiber coloring. By uniformly mixing masterbatches with polymer chips before spinning, various colored fibers can be produced through melt spinning. This coloring method is more environmentally friendly and efficient compared to traditional dyeing methods, as it reduces wastewater discharge and energy consumption. In addition, some functional masterbatches can endow fibers with special properties. For example, adding masterbatches containing antibacterial agents can impart antibacterial and deodorizing functions to fibers, making them commonly used in the production of medical and health products as well as high-end clothing fabrics. Adding masterbatches with far-infrared emission functions can enable fibers to have warming properties and promote blood circulation, which are often used in the production of functional textiles.In the paint industry, masterbatches also play an important role. They can be used for color matching in paints. By adding masterbatches to the paint and employing processes such as stirring and dispersing, the desired color can be achieved. Compared to traditional pigment color matching methods, using masterbatches for color matching is more convenient and accurate, reducing pigment dust dispersion and waste while improving color matching efficiency and quality. Some masterbatches can also enhance the performance of the paint; for example, adding masterbatches containing anti-rust pigments can improve the anti-rust properties of the paint, commonly used in metal anti-corrosion coatings. Adding pearlescent masterbatches can give the paint a pearl-like luster, increasing its decorative quality, often used in high-end coatings such as automotive paints and furniture paints.

Recently, the titanium dioxide industry is indeed staging an intriguing "double act": on one hand, there are frequent announcements of price increases, while on the other hand, multiple companies are simultaneously suspending production for maintenance. Why, in the context of high prices for titanium concentrate and sulfuric acid, as well as repeated price hikes for titanium dioxide, is the industry choosing to "brake against the trend"?Behind this seemingly contradictory logic lies the precise weighing of costs, market, and policy pressures by enterprises. The Color Masterbatch Industry Network will take you deep into the analysis, unveiling the truth behind this industry puzzle.I. Cost Squeeze: The Survival Paradox Amid Rising PricesThe core costs of titanium dioxide production come from titanium concentrate and sulfuric acid. In 2024, sulfuric acid prices are running at high levels, and since the beginning of 2025, titanium concentrate prices have been soaring, directly increasing the production costs of titanium dioxide.However, despite multiple price increases for titanium dioxide, it is still difficult to cover the rising costs. Taking sulfate process titanium dioxide as an example, the production costs are comprised of over 50% titanium concentrate and sulfuric acid, while the industry average profit margin in 2024 is less than 5%. This "scissors difference" where the cost increase outpaces the selling price forces companies to reduce costs and increase efficiency through non-market means.Case evidence: A medium-sized titanium dioxide company has calculated that if it operates at full capacity, it will incur a loss of over 200 yuan per ton of titanium dioxide; however, if it reduces production by 30% and optimizes its processes, the loss can be narrowed to within 50 yuan.Suspending production for maintenance has become a reluctant choice to stem the losses.II. Supply and Demand Game: "Hunger Marketing" Amidst Price HikesOn the surface, the titanium dioxide market is in short supply.Demand side: The paint and plastics industries are recovering, and the export market is booming.Supply side: The operating rate of enterprises is below 75%, and inventory levels are low.However, the "collective action" of halting production for maintenance reveals another kind of logic.Artificially Creating Scarcity: Some companies in the market reduce their operating rates through maintenance, exacerbating the market's "out of stock" expectations and stimulating immediate demand.Price increase and price-following strategy: Leading companies (such as Longbai Group) take the lead in raising prices, while small and medium-sized enterprises follow suit under the pretext of maintenance, forming a "maintenance-price increase" cycle.III. Policy Pressure: Environmental Protection and Anti-Dumping Drive Strategic UpgradesDemand for alternatives to chlorination processWith the tightening of environmental protection policies, the sulfate process titanium dioxide faces elimination pressure due to high pollution, while the chloride process technology has become an industry trend due to its environmental advantages.Leading enterprises such as Longbai Group can enhance the capacity of the chlorination process by carrying out production halts for maintenance and technical upgrades, thereby consolidating their market position.Anti-dumping forces transformationThe European Union has imposed anti-dumping duties of up to 39.7% on Chinese titanium dioxide, resulting in a sharp decline in export volume.The company has adjusted its production line layout during maintenance, shifting some capacity to domestic sales or new energy materials (such as lithium iron phosphate), and utilizing by-product ferrous sulfate to reduce lithium battery costs.Capital Game: Valuation Management Amidst Price HikesThe decision to suspend production and conduct maintenance is underpinned by considerations from the capital market.Profit adjustment: Reduce production through maintenance to lessen the impact of losses on financial statements.Expectation management: Release the "supply-demand imbalance" signal to drive up stock prices.Conclusion: A meticulously designed industrial chess game.The wave of price increases for titanium dioxide, coupled with production halts and maintenance, essentially represents the industry's "dimensional reduction strike" against cost, market, and policy pressures. The underlying logic can be summarized as follows:Short-term: Create scarcity through maintenance, drive up prices, and optimize costs.Long-term: Complete technical upgrades, production line adjustments, and strategic transformation after maintenance.This phenomenon reveals a truth about the industry: in cyclical industries, true competition occurs not only at the market front but also in the deep control of the industrial chain and the precise grasp of strategic timing.The "shutdown philosophy" of titanium dioxide enterprises may be the starting point of the next industrial cycle.

 In the development of electric vehicles, range has always been a key indicator of consumer concern. Unlike traditional fuel vehicles, the range of electric vehicles directly affects the daily user experience. One of the key factors influencing range is the overall weight of the vehicle.Generally speaking, the body weight of electric vehicles is positively correlated with energy consumption. Similarly, for battery electric vehicles, the heavier the body, the shorter the range. This means that, in the absence of breakthrough advancements in battery technology, vehicle lightweight design is an economical and direct solution to enhance the range of electric vehicles.In this technological revolution of lightweight electric vehicles, Grace's high-performance CONSISTA® polypropylene catalyst and UNIPOL® polypropylene process technology can play an important role.Grace CONSISTA® Polypropylene CatalystGrace CONSISTA® polypropylene catalyst is an advanced catalyst system specifically designed for polypropylene production. It not only helps to precisely control the quality and performance of polypropylene but also significantly improves production efficiency, reduces scrap rates, and assists in the production of lightweight polypropylene materials.By using this high-performance polypropylene to replace traditional heavier metal components in cars, such as bumpers, electric vehicles can significantly reduce their weight, thereby enhancing their range. These components can achieve a weight reduction of 30% while fully complying with today's stringent automotive safety standards.Grace UNIPOL® Polypropylene Process TechnologyThe Grace UNIPOL® polypropylene technology, as a leading gas-phase process, has been proven to be a stable and commercially viable solution for large-scale polypropylene resin production. This versatile production process significantly reduces investment costs, lowers operating and maintenance costs, providing greater economic benefits for electric vehicle manufacturers.By combining Grace's UNIPOL® polypropylene process technology with CONSISTA® polypropylene catalyst, it can play a key role in the manufacturing of lithium-ion battery cases.For electric vehicles, battery safety is a core issue that cannot be ignored. When lithium battery packs experience a collision, they are prone to short circuits if subjected to severe compression or damage, which can lead to fire and explosion accidents. Therefore, the battery enclosure needs to possess a high level of stability and impact resistance.The impact-resistant copolymer polypropylene produced using Grace UNIPOL® technology meets the strength requirements for battery box housings while effectively promoting lightweighting of the entire vehicle. This material exhibits excellent impact performance at both room temperature and low temperatures, effectively preventing breakage during assembly and use, ensuring the safety of the battery system.With the rapid development of the electric vehicle market, lightweight technology will continue to be an important means to enhance driving range. Grace provides strong technological support for the electric vehicle industry through its innovative polypropylene catalysts and UNIPOL® polypropylene process technology.