【Overseas News Highlights】 SABIC Launches New Products! Amcor Opens New U.S. Headquarters! UPM and BASF Enter Strategic Partnership!

SABIC Launches New Products! Amcor Opens New U.S. Headquarters! UPM and BASF Enter Strategic Partnership!

International News Briefing

Raw Material News: Polyethylene Alternative Composite Structure – UPM and BASF Co-develop Fiber-based Barrier Packaging

Film Material News: Major Commissioning! Smurfit Westrock Launches New Reifenhäuser 7-layer Barrier Blown Film Production Line

Packaging News: Amcor’s Q3 Revenue Exceeds RMB 40 Billion, Surging 77.4% YoY; New U.S. Headquarters Announced

Aerospace News: SABIC Unveils Ultem SU3102P Reactive Oligomer, Reshaping Aerospace Composite Manufacturing

Macro News: Pakistan’s Prime Minister: US-Iran Negotiations Will Soon Lead to Lasting Peace

Detailed International News

1.Amcor’s Q3 Revenue Tops RMB 40 Billion, Up 77.4% YoY; New U.S. Headquarters Confirmed

According to the latest Q3 financial report for fiscal year 2025–2026, Amcor posted net sales of USD 5.91 billion (approximately RMB 40.25 billion) in the quarter, a sharp year-on-year increase of 77.4%. Its revenue for the first three quarters reached USD 17.108 billion (around RMB 116.5 billion).The nearly 80% growth is mainly attributable to financial statement consolidation, as Berry’s financial data was not included in the same period last year. Even excluding consolidated factors, Amcor has achieved substantial improvement in profitability.CFO Stefan Schegg announced a major plan: Amcor will establish a new U.S. headquarters. Starting from 2027, the company will relocate part of its functional departments from Zurich, Switzerland to Miami, Florida, USA.

2.SABIC Launches Ultem SU3102P Reactive Oligomer to Redefine Aerospace Composite Manufacturing

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has officially launched Ultem SU3102P, a reactive oligomer – a groundbreaking toughening agent for thermoset composites set to reshape the aerospace manufacturing landscape.This innovative Polyetherimide (PEI) oligomer is engineered for primary and secondary load-bearing aerospace structural components, applicable to wing panels, fuselage frames, spoilers and interior parts. It delivers unprecedented formulation design flexibility without compromising processability.The product won the 2026 Edison Awards Gold Medal, offering a targeted solution to key industry challenges amid booming global air traffic demand.

3.Polyethylene Alternative Composite: UPM & BASF Develop Fiber-based Barrier Packaging

Formulators developing fiber-based packaging materials now have a proven reference solution: combining UPM barrier paper & base barrier paper with BASF Joncryl® HPB series water-based coating resins.The integrated solution meets barrier performance requirements for food and non-food packaging, while complying with recyclability standards under the current EU regulatory framework, including EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (2025/40).

4.Major Production Launch! Smurfit Westrock Commissions New Reifenhäuser 7-layer Barrier Blown Film Line

Packaging manufacturer Smurfit Westrock has officially put a new barrier blown film production line into operation at its Ibi plant in Alicante, Spain. The line made its debut operation at the plant’s open house event.Equipped with core technology from Reifenhäuser’s Blown Film Division, the line ensures strict production tolerance control while enabling high-output and high-efficiency manufacturing.

5.NatureWorks’ 75,000-ton PLA Plant in Thailand Commissioned; Global Capacity Surpasses 1 Million Tons

Global leading biopolymer manufacturer NatureWorks officially inaugurated its fully integrated Ingeo™ biopolymer production complex in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.The new site boasts an annual PLA production capacity of 75,000 tons, manufacturing the full portfolio of Ingeo™ grades. Combined with its existing 150,000-ton PLA capacity in the United States, NatureWorks’ total PLA capacity reaches 225,000 tons.This makes NatureWorks the world’s first PLA producer with two operational production bases, strategically strengthening its global supply capacity for sustainable materials.

Overseas Macro Market News

Iran to Provide Full Services for Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian media reported on the 7th that the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization has issued an official notice to all vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters. Iran will supply vessels with food, fuel, medical support and limited repair services.

Vessels may contact the nearest Iranian port traffic control via VHF Channel 16 for assistance. The notice will be broadcast three times daily for the next three days.

ECB Governing Council Member Nagel: Rate Hike Likely Next Month If Middle East Tensions Ease Insignificantly

ECB Governing Council Member Joachim Nagel stated that an interest rate hike is likely in June if Middle East tensions show no meaningful de-escalation.

“If the outlook does not improve markedly, I expect we will raise interest rates in June,” Nagel commented. He also noted that 2025 inflation will be significantly higher than pre-Middle East conflict forecasts, as the war has damaged oil and gas extraction and processing facilities, with refineries expected to take time to restore full output.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: Iran National Football Team to Participate in World Cup; Calls for FIFA Support

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a media interview on May 6 that the Iranian men’s national football team will compete in this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

He stressed that under FIFA regulations, host governments are obligated to provide necessary facilities regardless of political factors, and called on FIFA to offer appropriate support for Iran’s participation.

Emirates’ Global Network Restored to 96% Capacity; Operational Capacity Back to 75% of Pre-disruption Levels

Emirates Airline announced that its global flight network has recovered to 96% operational coverage after a period of service disruption. In recent weeks, the carrier has gradually resumed routes across the Americas, Europe, Africa, West Asia, GCC states, Far East and Australasia.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister: US-Iran Negotiations to Evolve Into Lasting Peace Soon

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on the 6th that Pakistan has mediated a temporary US-Iran ceasefire and hosted the Islamabad talks, describing it as a “historic breakthrough”. He expressed confidence that US-Iran diplomatic negotiations will soon translate into lasting peace.

Addressing a conference in Islamabad, Sharif said Pakistan will continue diplomatic efforts to end conflicts and advance regional peace, noting that war and instability serve no nation in the region.

Iranian Media: Iranian Oil Tankers Break Through U.S. Blockade to Enter Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported on the 7th that an Iranian LPG tanker regularly supplying Yemen has successfully broken through U.S. sanctions and entered the Strait of Hormuz, with a second Iranian tanker also navigating into the waterway. Empty tanker arrivals will buy more time for Iran’s oil storage and production operations.

Price Information

Central Parity Rate of RMB Against USD Breaks 6.85 for First Time in Over Three Years

The central parity rate of RMB against USD was set at 6.8487, hitting a new high since March 24, 2023, up 75 basis points. The previous day’s central parity stood at 6.8562, official closing price 6.8149, and night session closing price 6.8133.

Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

May 6 Ethylene: CFR Northeast Asia USD 1,280/ton (stable); CFR Southeast Asia USD 1,310/ton (stable)

Propylene: FOB South Korea average USD 1,270/ton (stable); CFR China average USD 1,320/ton (stable)

May 1 North Asia Naphtha CIF: Propane USD 876–884/ton; Butane USD 976–984/ton

South China China May Naphtha CIF: Propane USD 935–945/ton; Butane USD 985–995/ton

Taiwan Naphtha CIF: Propane USD 876–884/ton; Butane USD 976–984/ton

Plastic Raw Material USD Market Prices

LLDPE (Film Grade): USD 1,330/ton (CFR Huangpu)

HDPE: Film Grade USD 1,350/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow Molding Grade USD 1,400/ton (CFR Yantian); Injection Molding Grade USD 1,320/ton (CFR Huangpu)

LDPE (Film Grade): USD 1,700/ton (CFR Huangpu)

PP: Homopolymer USD 1,420/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer USD 1,600/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film Grade USD 1,630/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent Grade USD 1,500/ton (CFR Huangpu)