【Overseas Highlights】U.S. Deploys Strongest Military Force in Middle East in History; Black Swan Graphene Acquires Farpaco; Barnes Renames

International News Digest:

Raw Materials NewsBlack Swan Graphene Acquires Farpack to Strengthen Injection Molding Manufacturing and Graphene Industrialization

Injection NewsBarnes Molding officially renamed to Spectrix, delivering end-to-end injection molding system solutions.

Automotive News Highlights-Honda: Will Stop Selling Cars in Korea by the End of This Year

Exhibition HighlightsOQ Group exhibited its full range of polypropylene and polyethylene products dedicated to packaging applications at the 2026 Yasi Plastics & Rubber Exhibition.

Macro NewsThe U.S. says it is deploying the strongest military force in history to the Middle East

Price InformationThe central parity rate of the Chinese yuan against the U.S. dollar was set at 6.8650, down by 15 basis points.

The following is the details of international news.

1. Barnes Molding officially rebrands as Spectrix, delivering end-to-end injection molding system solutions.

Barnes Molding Solutions officially launched its new name — Spectrix. The custom injection molding company announced the news this week at Chinaplas 2026.

A new brand image demonstrates the group's complete injection molding technology "full spectrum" capabilities, covering brands such as Männer, Foboha, Synventive, Priamus, Thermoplay, and Gammaflux. The then private company had acquired the aforementioned brands successively since 2010. In 2025, the private equity firm Apollo Global Management acquired Barnes Group for a reported price of $3.6 billion.

2. Black Swan Graphene acquires Farpack to strengthen injection molding manufacturing and graphene industrialization.

Black Swan Graphene Co., Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Falpaco Rubber & Plastic Co., Ltd., a Quebec, Canada-based manufacturer specializing in custom-molded plastic and rubber components.

The total consideration for this transaction is12.7 million Canadian dollars(On a cash-free, debt-free basis, with post-closing adjustments permitted.) This acquisition was completed pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement dated March 22, 2026, among Claude Robichaud, 9032-3627 Québec Inc. (a company wholly owned by Robichaud), the Robichaud Family Trust, Farpack, Black Swan Graphene Co., Ltd., and Black Swan Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Black Swan.

3. OQ Group will exhibit its full range of polypropylene and polyethylene products specifically designed for packaging applications at the 2026 Yasi Plastics & Rubber Exhibition.

OQ to exhibit at CHINAPLAS 2026 – Shanghai Yashi Plastics and Rubber ExhibitionPolypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE) Full Product SeriesThe series comprises 17 grades, suitable for diverse applications including flexible packaging, rigid packaging, household goods, and durable consumer products. The company stated that this product portfolio fully reflects itsApplication-orientedThe concept of polymer research and development.

Middle East situation impacts Japan and South Korea supply chains, core photoresist solvent shortage

According to THE ELEC’s report on April 23, shortages of PGME/PGMEA—key solvents for photolithography—have emerged due to disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Middle East situation and interruptions in naphtha supply from Japan. Japanese suppliers including Shin-Etsu, JSR, and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo have notified Samsung and SK Hynix of procurement suspensions, impacting the production of critical materials such as photoresists, bottom anti-reflective coatings (BARCs), and spin-on hard masks.

Currently, six of Japan’s 12 naphtha cracking centers have reduced production, directly constraining PGME/PGMEA output due to declining propylene supply; the spot price of naphtha has nearly doubled. As raw material changes require re-certification, Japanese manufacturers are actively seeking alternative supplies from Korea and China. Korean companies Chemtronics and Jaewon have achieved mass production, while Hanwool plans to import Chinese-made PGME/PGMEA through its subsidiary and supply them to major Japanese manufacturers. The window for domestic substitution of electronic solvents continues to widen.

Honda: Will stop selling cars in South Korea by the end of this year.

IT April 23 report, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that it will terminate the automobile sales business of its South Korean subsidiary, Honda Korea Co., Ltd., by the end of 2026. The subsidiary is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, and mainly engages in the sales of Honda motorcycles and automobiles.

Honda stated that, in light of changes in the global and South Korean automotive market environments, and to concentrate corporate resources and strengthen long-term competitiveness, Honda has decided to withdraw from the South Korean car sales market after a comprehensive evaluation. Even though it is terminating its car sales business, Honda will continue to provide after-sales services to Honda car users in the South Korean market, including vehicle maintenance, parts supply, and warranty support.

6. Tesla's capital expenditure to soar to $25 billion: Musk bets on AI and robots

The latest data shows that Tesla (TSLA.O) expects to invest additional billions of dollars this year to support Musk's ambition of transforming the electric vehicle pioneer into an artificial intelligence and robotics company.

The company disclosed on Wednesday.This year's capital expenditure will exceed $25 billion, roughly triple that of last year.Higher than the previous forecast of approximately $20 billion. Musk stated during Tesla’s first-quarter earnings call: “You should expect a very significant increase in capital expenditures.”

In the first three months of 2026, Tesla's spending was less than $2.5 billion, far below the quarterly average required to meet the annual spending target. This helped the company achieve a positive free cash flow of $1.4 billion, much better than analysts had previously expected, as they had forecasted the company would consume nearly $1.9 billion in cash.

Overseas Macro Market

Israel Ministry of Defense ProcurementAir-launched weapons valued at over $200 million

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on the 23rd that to enhance its operational capabilities in the near term and address security challenges over the next decade, its Defense Procurement Administration has signed a multi-year air-launched weapons procurement order worth over $200 million with Elbit Systems. Elbit Systems is one of the largest and most important defense companies in Israel and is a major supplier to the Israeli military.

Maersk said the Strait of Hormuz remains "tightly closed"

In its latest customer advisory, Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk stated that tensions in the Middle East remain high, with three container vessels attacked by Iranian forces this week, and the Strait of Hormuz currently remains "tightly closed."

Pakistan's Interior Minister meets with U.S. embassy officials, discussing U.S.-Iran negotiation issues.

On April 23 local time, Pakistan's Interior Minister Muhabbat Khan Naveed met with officials from the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan. During the meeting, both sides had a detailed discussion on the latest regional situation. They also discussed diplomatic efforts to hold the second round of U.S.-Iran talks. Emphasize that to permanently resolve the conflict, diplomatic channels must remain open.

[US military says 31 ships have been ordered to turn around or return to Iranian ports since the blockade]

U.S. Central Command stated on social media on the 22nd that, since the U.S. imposed a maritime blockade on Iran, it has ordered 31 vessels to turn back or return, most of which are oil tankers.

U.S. State Department Urges U.S. Citizens in Iran to Depart Immediately

On the 22nd, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs posted on social media that, given Iran's announcement partially reopening its airspace, U.S. citizens in Iran should depart immediately. The post advised U.S. citizens to monitor local media for the latest updates on the situation and to contact commercial airlines for information on available flights out of Iran. Additionally, U.S. citizens may also exit Iran by land through Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan, but should avoid border areas with Afghanistan, Iraq, or Pakistan.

US says it is deploying its strongest military force in the Middle East in history.

U.S. Central Command stated that since the U.S. military began its blockade operations in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters on April 14, it has ordered 31 vessels to turn back or return to port as part of the blockade. U.S. Central Command also said that the U.S. military is currently deploying the most comprehensive and powerful force ever in the Middle East region.

Price Information:

The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar was reported at 6.8650, a decrease of 15 basis points. The central parity rate of the previous trading day was 6.8635, the onshore RMB closing price at 16:30 was 6.8219, and the night session closing price was 6.8288.

[Upstream Raw Material USD Market Price]

Ethylene CFR Northeast Asia 1370 USD/ton stable, CFR Southeast Asia 1410 USD/ton stable.

Northeast Asian propylene FOB Korea average price held steady at $1,320/ton, while CFR China average price rose by $20/ton to $1,340/ton.

North Asia CFR prices for frozen cargo: propane at $802–812 per metric ton; butane at $902–912 per metric ton.

China South China import price for May, propane 976-986 USD/ton; butane 1026-1036 USD/ton.

CIF price for refrigerated cargo in the Taiwan region: propane at USD 802–812 per metric ton; butane at USD 902–912 per metric ton.

LLDPE USD price market

Film: USD 1,350 per metric ton (CFR Huangpu)

Injection molding: $1,600/ton (CFR Huangpu);

HDPE US Dollar Market Price

Film: $1,420/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Hollow: USD 1,300/ton (CFR Dongguan);

Injection molding: 1420 USD/ton (CFR Yantian)

Pipe material: No quotation;

LDPE USD Market Price

Film: 1580 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan)

Coating: No quote.

PP USD Market Price

Homopolymer: USD 1,440/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Copolymer: 1680 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Film: 1630 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Transparent: USD 1,550 per metric ton (CFR Huangpu)

Piping: No quotation.