【Overseas News Highlights】Middle East Giant Invests $10 Billion in New Production Capacity! LG Launches Single-Material Film; Celanese Releases Earnings Report

International News Highlights

Raw Materials News - Including MDI, Polyols and More! UAE Signs $10 Billion Chemical Production Project

Automotive News - Celanese Releases Q1 2026 Earnings Report

Food News - LG Chem Launches Ultra-Thin Single-Material Packaging Film for Food Use

Packaging News - Origin Announces Liquidation and Sale of PET Bottle Cap Technology

Footwear & Apparel News - Crocs Shoe Materials Recycled into Frisbees, Embracing Plastic Circular Economy

Macroeconomic News - Iran Claims US Military Strikes 6 Iranian Civilian Vessels

Below are the details of international news:

1. Including MDI, Polyols and More! UAE Signs $10 Billion Chemical Production Project

On May 6, 2026, TA'ZIZ and Alpha Dhabi Holding announced a strategic cooperation agreement at the "Make it in the Emirates" event, investing approximately $10 billion (36.7 billion dirhams) in new chemical production capacity at the TA'ZIZ Chemicals Project in Ruwais Industrial City, Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi. The two parties are advancing joint feasibility studies and market research in accordance with the UAE's industrial strategy and the "Make it in the Emirates" initiative to implement this strategic cooperation. The new chemicals will include styrene and polystyrene, acrylic acid and its derivatives, polyols, MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate), epoxy resins, and linear alpha-olefins.

2. LG Chem Launches Ultra-Thin Single-Material Packaging Film for Food Use

LG Chem is showcasing UNIQABLE™, an ultra-thin single-material packaging film developed specifically for consumer packaging applications such as food, pet food, and household products. The single-material structure of this material has reached a thickness of 12 microns, while maintaining strength, heat sealability, and moisture barrier properties comparable to traditional multi-material films. The technical limitations targeted by UNIQABLE™ have been widely recognized in the industry: single-material structures are generally easier to recycle, but typically require greater thickness to achieve the performance levels of multi-layer composite films. LG Chem stated that its thinning technology has reduced the material thickness by 2 microns, solving this performance-thickness trade-off, making the film an ideal choice for lightweight packaging while being recyclable. This single polyethylene structure is designed to enhance recyclability within the framework of the circular economy without compromising performance.

3. Crocs Shoe Materials Recycled into Frisbees, Embracing Plastic Circular Economy

Trash Panda Disc Golf, headquartered in Denver, USA, has partnered with Crocs, based in Broomfield, to create 100% recycled plastic custom frisbees. All raw materials are made from recycled plastic, including waste Crocs shoe materials collected through the brand's "Old Crocs. New Life." shoe recycling program and processed by crushing. The partners stated that this collaboration confirms that thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and the exclusive Croslite material can be efficiently recycled and remanufactured into durable sports goods. This frisbee uses recycled TPU plastic as the base, with visible, colorful Croslite recycled particles embedded inside. It not only has a unique appearance but also confirms the feasibility of post-consumer plastic recycling and reuse. Each frisbee is a concrete case of the implementation of the circular economy concept, allowing plastic resources to continue to exert their use value and avoid waste landfilling.

4. Celanese Releases Q1 2026 Earnings Report

Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global chemical and specialty materials company, announced diluted earnings per share of $0.41 and adjusted earnings per share of $0.85 for the first quarter of 2026 under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Net sales were $2.3 billion, up 6% quarter-on-quarter, with volume growth of 5%, a small positive impact from exchange rates, and stable prices. This performance was driven by strong product mix and cost efficiency metrics in the company's Engineering Materials business; at the same time, the Acetyl Chain business actively took actions to capture higher value opportunities. However, these gains were partially offset by higher raw material and energy costs in both business segments.

5. Origin Announces Liquidation and Sale of PET Bottle Cap Technology

Recently, Origin Materials, an innovative packaging materials company headquartered in California, announced that due to failure to obtain subsequent financing, the company will initiate a process of "orderly wind-down" of its operations. As part of the liquidation plan, the company will sell its core assets - the all-PET bottle cap design technology and related intellectual property rights.

6. Sanrio Establishes First Office in India

Sanrio recently announced the opening of its first representative office in India to further deepen its presence in the world's most populous consumer market. The newly established India office is located in Mumbai. At the same time, the company appointed Ruchi Pangasa as Director of Operations for India, responsible for Sanrio's overall business in the region. Ruchi has extensive experience in the international licensing industry and will lead the team to accelerate Sanrio's growth strategy in India. Sanrio stated that the establishment of a local office is a key step in its long-term growth vision, aiming to establish a deeper and more direct connection with the Indian market.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market

[Iran Claims US Military Strikes 6 Iranian Civilian Vessels]

According to a report by Iran's Mehr News Agency on the 9th, Fawad Muradzadeh, a local official from Iran's Lengeh Port, stated that on the evening of the 8th, U.S. fighter jets struck Iranian cargo ships and fishing boats near Khasab Port in the Oman Sea, resulting in 6 injuries and 6 missing persons. Muradzadeh said that 6 vessels were attacked, all owned by residents of Mu'allem Port in the central part of Lengeh Port County, carrying a total of 20 people. The injured are currently receiving treatment in hospitals in Oman.

[Iranian Official: Supreme Leader is in Very Good Health]

According to a report by Iran's Fars News Agency on the 8th, Seyed Mazahir Hosseini, an official from the office of Iran's Supreme Leader, said that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba was slightly injured in the U.S. military attack on February 28 and has now recovered and is in very good health.

[Trump Says He May Relocate Some U.S. Troops from Germany to Poland]

U.S. President Trump told the media on the 8th that he may withdraw some U.S. troops from Germany and station them in Poland. When asked if he might transfer some U.S. troops from Germany to Poland, Trump told reporters: "I might do that." He said: "Poland would love that. We have a very good relationship with Poland. I also have a very good relationship with the (Polish) president."

[Trump Says He Hopes the Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Will Continue]

U.S. President Trump told the media at the White House on the evening of the 8th that he hopes the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will continue and believes it will help ease the Russia-Ukraine situation. When asked if the three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine starting on the 9th, which he announced earlier that day, could be extended, Trump replied: "It's possible, that would be good."

[Trump Says He May Resume "Project Freedom" Operations]

U.S. President Trump told the media at the White House on the 8th that the United States may resume "Project Freedom" operations aimed at guiding stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and expects to receive a response from Iran to the U.S.-proposed U.S.-Iran agreement plan that evening.

[Iranian Media: Iran Is Drafting Relevant Legal Proposals on the Strait of Hormuz]

According to a report by Iran's Tasnim News Agency on the 8th, Iran is drafting relevant legal proposals on the Strait of Hormuz. The Chairman of the National Security Committee of the Iranian Parliament stated that the committee has held multiple meetings with relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ports and Maritime Organization to discuss the content of the draft. The draft will be submitted for consideration immediately after the parliament resumes its session.

Price Information

[U.S. Dollar Market Prices of Upstream Raw Materials]

On May 8th, ethylene CFR Northeast Asia was $1210/ton, down $40/ton; CFR Southeast Asia was $1240/ton, down $40/ton.

Northeast Asia propylene FOB Korea average price was $1260/ton, down $10/ton; CFR China average price was $1300/ton, down $20/ton.

North Asia refrigerated cargo CIF prices: propane $829-837/ton; butane $929-937/ton.

South China refrigerated cargo early June CIF prices: propane $916-926/ton; butane $966-976/ton.

Taiwan region refrigerated cargo CIF prices: propane $829-837/ton; butane $929-937/ton.

[LLDPE U.S. Dollar Market Price]

Film: $1330/ton (CFR Huangpu)

[HDPE U.S. Dollar Market Prices]

Film: $1350/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow molding: $1420/ton (CFR Yantian); Injection molding: $1320/ton (CFR Huangpu)

[LDPE U.S. Dollar Market Price]

Film: $1700/ton (CFR Huangpu)

[PP U.S. Dollar Market Prices]

Homopolymer: $1420/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: $1600/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film grade: $1630/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1500/ton (CFR Huangpu)