DOMO Chemical Launches Recycled Polyamide! African Plastic Leader Secures Multi-Million Dollar Funding! Engel Showcases Drone Manufacturing Process

Global News Briefing

Raw Materials-Nigeria’s Leading Recycled Plastic Firm Polysmart Secures $5 Million Strategic Investment

Automotive-Turning Waste into Wealth: DOMO Chemical’s Recycled Polyamide Powers a Low-Carbon Future

Electronics-Researchers Develop a Polymer Blend with Four Times the Energy Storage Capacity of Ordinary Capacitors

Packaging-SCGC, Dow, and Taokaenoi Sign MoU to Build a Closed-Loop Recycling System for Snack Packaging

Machinery-Engel to Showcase Mass Production Process for Thermoplastic Composite Drone Wings at JEC WORLD

Macro-Israeli Defense Minister: Any New Supreme Leader of Iran Will Be a “Target for Elimination”

Details of Global News

SCGC, Dow, and Taokaenoi Sign MoU to Build a Closed-Loop Recycling System for Snack Packaging

Taokaenoi Food & Marketing Public Company Limited (TKN), SCG Chemicals (SCGC), and Dow Thailand Group jointly announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The collaboration aims to drive transformation in the snack industry through the "Advanced Recycling Technologies for Food-Grade Recyclable Packaging" project.

Engel to Showcase Mass Production Process for Thermoplastic Composite Drone Wings at JEC WORLD

Austrian plastic processing equipment manufacturer Engel announced that it will showcase the fully automated mass production of thermoplastic composite rotor blades for drones at the upcoming JEC World Composite Show in Paris. This scalable production solution integrates high performance, integrated noise reduction, and sustainable development in a single continuous process.

Pearl Group Upgrades Innovative Upcycling Program: Converts Waste PET Bottles into High-Performance Eco-Friendly Insulation Materials

Pearl Group, a global leader in polyurethane systems, recently launched a new upgraded upcycling program that recycles PET plastic bottles for use in its product portfolio. By incorporating crushed PET plastic bottles into the polyester production process, the company reuses plastic waste to create high-end insulation materials with superior environmental performance. Upon full implementation, Pearl Group plans to recycle the equivalent of 420 million plastic bottles annually. The first commercial batches have been successfully delivered and are being rolled out across all business segments.

Turning Waste into Wealth: DOMO Chemical’s Recycled Polyamide Powers a Low-Carbon Future

Amid the global wave of pursuing a circular economy, DOMO continues to innovate and launch its chemical recycling polyamide solution – the TECHNYL® 4EARTH® series. This technology converts post-industrial (PIR) and post-consumer (PCR) waste into high-performance engineering materials, providing truly sustainable and reliable material choices for various industries.

DOMO uses advanced depolymerization technology to reduce waste polyamide 6 (PA6) products back to monomers, which are then repolymerized into brand-new PA6 engineering plastics. This process breaks through the limitations of traditional physical recycling, achieving closed-loop regeneration of waste. The final product matches the performance of virgin materials, truly realizing "from waste to high-quality regeneration."

Nigeria’s Leading Recycled Plastic Firm Polysmart Secures $5 Million Strategic Investment

On March 3, Verdant IMAP, a financial services firm focused on the African market, announced that it had successfully served as the financial advisor for a $5 million strategic equity financing round for Polysmart Packaging Group (Polysmart), Nigeria’s leading recycled plastic enterprise. The investor is a private equity fund with deep roots in the African market. The funds will be mainly used to expand production, upgrade the operating system, and accelerate the construction of a world-leading recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) processing platform in Nigeria.

This capital injection is regarded as a significant milestone in Polysmart’s development. The company will further optimize its waste collection and sorting processes, introduce cutting-edge European environmental technologies, and continuously improve the production efficiency of high-quality recycled plastic resins. This move not only aims to consolidate its dominant position in the Nigerian market but also to strengthen its global competitiveness as a key link in the international circular economy supply chain.

European Association Calls for Increased Recycled Plastic Use in Europe to Build a Green, Circular, and Resilient Future

The European Association of Plastic Recyclers recently issued a warning that the EU must urgently finalize the calculation method for recycled plastic content in beverage bottles to secure the future of Europe’s plastic recycling industry. Although PET is the second most recycled polymer in the EU, the industry is facing increasingly severe challenges: low-priced imports have driven down recycled plastic prices and caused inventory backlogs, putting European domestic recycling facilities at risk of survival at a critical time for meeting the EU’s circular economy targets.

The calculation method to be introduced under the framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive is at a decisive juncture. Its definition of "recycled plastic" will directly determine whether Europe can build a robust recycling ecosystem or gradually shrink under external market pressure.

Researchers Develop a Polymer Blend with Four Times the Energy Storage Capacity of Ordinary Capacitors

A research team from Pennsylvania State University published findings in the journal Nature: they have developed a new material made from low-cost, commercially available plastics. At temperatures up to 482°F (approximately 250°C), this material exhibits energy storage capabilities four times higher than conventional capacitors.

Overseas Macro Market News

Israeli Defense Minister: Any New Supreme Leader of Iran Will Be a “Target for Elimination”

On March 4, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatened that anyone who becomes Iran’s supreme leader and confronts Israel and the United States will be a "target for elimination" by Israel. Gallant said on social media that day: "No matter what his name is or where he is, he will be an undisputed target for elimination."

Trump Threatens Spain Over Non-Cooperation in Strikes Against Iran; Chinese Foreign Ministry: Trade Should Not Be Weaponized

On March 4, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning presided over a regular press conference. According to reports, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade relations with Spain after the Spanish government refused to allow the U.S. to use its air bases for strikes against Iran. What is China’s comment on this?

In response, Mao Ning stated: "Military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran violate international law. Trade should not be instrumentalized or weaponized."

Kuwait’s Al-Kout Industrial Projects Company Suspends Plant Operations

The company’s main businesses include chlor-alkali chemical production, oilfield development services, and logistics. It is a core supplier in Kuwait’s water and desalination markets. Al-Kout holds over 70% of the local chlor-alkali market share across all categories in Kuwait, with exports accounting for nearly 40%, mainly to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, India, and other regions.

Chairman of South Korea’s Financial Services Commission: South Korea Will Actively Launch a 100-Trillion-Won Market Stabilization Plan If Needed

The Chairman of South Korea’s Financial Services Commission stated at a meeting with market experts that South Korea is closely monitoring the stock market. If market volatility becomes excessive, the country will actively utilize its 100-trillion-won market stabilization plan. The commission will closely monitor potential market disruptions during periods of increased stock market volatility and severely punish any violations.

Market experts at the meeting noted that South Korea has the capacity to respond with policy measures. Market participants should make rational judgments based on trust in the economy and financial markets rather than excessive anxiety.

Trump’s "Warship Escort for Oil Tankers" Remark Draws Skepticism

On March 3, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. Navy would begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. However, the remark has drawn skepticism from industry insiders, who argue that the U.S. military currently lacks the capability to undertake this mission. Trump also said he has instructed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance and guarantees at "very reasonable rates" for maritime trade in the Gulf region, particularly energy trade.

Iranian Media: Election of Supreme Leader May Be Postponed to Next Week

Late on March 3, Iran’s Fars News Agency quoted informed sources as reporting that the election of Iran’s supreme leader may be postponed to next week. The sources said that the highest level of security measures have been taken to ensure the smooth election of the supreme leader by the Assembly of Experts. The election is likely to be held in person after the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Price Information

CNY/USD Central Parity Rate: Reported at 6.9124, down 36 basis points; previous central parity rate was 6.9088, previous official closing at 16:30 was 6.8997, and previous night session closing was 6.9193.

Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices (March 3)

CFR Northeast Asia: $780/ton, up $30/ton

CFR Southeast Asia: $760/ton, up $20/ton

Northeast Asia Propylene FOB Korea Average: $820/ton, up $15/ton

CFR China Average: $880/ton, up $20/ton

North Asia Frozen Cargo CIF: Propane $754–764/ton; Butane $754–764/ton

South China Frozen Cargo CIF (Early April): Propane $807–817/ton; Butane $802–812/ton

Taiwan Region Frozen Cargo CIF: Propane $754–764/ton; Butane $754–764/ton

LLDPE USD Market Prices

Film: $890/ton (CFR Shanghai)

Injection Molding: $1,080/ton (CFR Huangpu)

HDPE USD Market Prices

Film: $1,060/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Blow Molding: $950/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Injection Molding: No quotation

Pipe: No quotation

LDPE USD Market Prices

Film: $1,160/ton (CFR Dongguan)

Coating: No quotation

PP USD Market Prices

Homopolymer: $950/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Copolymer: $1,000/ton (CFR Nansha)

Film Grade: $1,100/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Transparent Grade: $1,160/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Pipe Grade: $1,180/ton (CFR Shanghai)