【Overseas News】US Slashes Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese MDI; Shell Posts Seven Consecutive Quarterly Losses; Tianjin Petrochemical’s Polyolefins Exported to Southeast Asia

International News Highlights:

Raw Materials News – U.S. Announces Final Antidumping Duty Determination on MDI from China: Dumping Margin Reduced Significantly from Over 500% to 85% and Above

News - Volkswagen will stop producing electric vehicles in the US

Tech News: U.S. Plans to Fully Ban Chinese Labs from Testing U.S. Electronics; China Responds!

Macro News -Zelenskyy: Ukraine has started receiving a new batch of "Patriot" missiles.

Price InformationThe central parity rate of the Chinese yuan against the US dollar was set at 6.8654, down 5 basis points.

The following is the detailed international news.：

1. U.S. Announces Final Anti-Dumping Duty Ruling on Chinese MDI: Dumping Margin Slashed from Over 500% to 85%

On April 8, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a notice announcing an affirmative final determination in the antidumping investigation of imports of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) from China: the dumping margins for Covestro Polymers (China) Co., Ltd., Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd., and its exporter Shandong Mingko Co., Ltd. were all determined to be 85.11%, while the dumping margin for all other Chinese producers/exporters was 159.04%.

The involved products primarily fall under U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers 2929.10.8010 and 3909.31.0000.

Tianjin Petrochemical's first self-operated polyolefin product exported to Southeast Asia

Recently, Tianjin Petrochemical successfully completed the export delivery of its first self-branded polyolefin product—polypropylene PPH-CA01. The shipment departed from Tianjin Port by vessel, heading to an end customer in Southeast Asia, marking a successful entry of the company's self-branded polyolefin products into the overseas market.

3. Malaysian researchers develop bio-based polyurethane using palm oil

IMU's Faculty of Pharmacy successfully developed a new polyurethane called OLEONIPUA made from palm oil, which helps reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials, creating a scientifically and economically competitive alternative in the context of global energy conflicts.

The vice president of the college, Dr. Li Cai Xian, pointed out that polyurethane is a common material, mainly used in the production of sponges, cleaning pads, furniture foam, and medical equipment.

4. Shell's chemical business profit remains stable in the first quarter, and the loss trend may continue.

Shell said that due to the low profitability in the chemical industry and a slight decline compared to the previous quarter, it expects its chemical business to record a loss for the seventh consecutive quarter in the first quarter of 2026.

Shell said in its April 8 trading update that adjusted earnings for the chemical business in the first quarter are expected to be similar to the level in the first quarter of 2025. In the first quarter of last year, Shell's chemical division recorded an adjusted loss of 137 million U.S. dollars, which the company attributed to sustained weakness in chemical profitability.

On a month-on-month basis, Shell Chemicals' indicative earnings were basically flat, with a slight decrease of $1 per ton, averaging $139 per ton.

The company stated that the utilization rate of chemical plants improved slightly in the first quarter, rising from 76% in the fourth quarter of last year to the range of 81%-85%.

5. Breaking through traditional limitations! University of Bath develops a more environmentally friendly PMMA chemical recycling route

Researchers at the University of Bath recently announced that they have successfully developed a chemical recycling technology for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is one of the most widely used plastics globally, and traditional recycling methods have found it difficult to recycle efficiently.

The recycling process developed by this UK university team operates at a lower temperature than mechanical recycling and uses environmentally friendly solvents. The process causes no loss in material properties, meaning the plastic can be recycled multiple times with minimal environmental impact.

6, Algenesis Labs announced the results of its product carbon footprint study for bio-based polyols and TPU

A leading company in the field of bio-based and biodegradable polyurethane materials, Algenesis Labs, has announced the latest product carbon footprint (PCF) study results. The study showed that its Soleic® product line can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65% compared to petroleum-based alternatives.

This initial Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) study, conducted in collaboration with the independent sustainability agency TrueNorth Collective, found that Soleic® polyols and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) consistently achieved a 50% to 65% reduction in carbon emissions across key product grades.

7. The U.S. Plans to Impose a Comprehensive Ban on Chinese Laboratories Testing U.S. Electronic Products: China’s Response!

The Federal Communications Commission recently disclosed a highly targeted new proposal. The proposal plans to comprehensively ban all laboratories located in China from testing and certifying various types of electronic devices intended for use in the United States.

If this proposal is passed, it will mean that Chinese laboratories will completely lose their qualification to provide testing services for electronic products entering the U.S. market. This move is seen as another round of stringent restrictions imposed by the U.S. on Chinese enterprises in the technology sector.

In response to this move by the U.S. side, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed China's firm stance, stating that China firmly opposes the U.S. practice of continuously overextending the concept of national security, which it believes seriously disrupts normal economic and trade exchanges between Chinese and American companies.

China pointed out that the U.S. actions not only harm the interests of Chinese enterprises but are also inconsistent with the long-term interests of U.S. businesses and consumers. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.

Volkswagen will stop producing electric vehicles in the United States.

Volkswagen announced on April 9 local time that it will stop the production of the ID.4 electric crossover at its Tennessee assembly plant in mid-April, in order for the plant to prepare for the 2027 model year replacement of the fuel-powered SUV Atlas. The ID.4 is the only electric vehicle produced by Volkswagen in the United States.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market

[Zelensky: Ukraine has begun receiving a new batch of Patriot missiles] According to the Ukrainian News Agency on the 10th, Ukrainian President Zelensky said in an interview with the media that a new batch of Patriot missiles arrived in Ukraine recently. Zelensky said that partners will continue to deliver Patriot missiles to Ukraine. "We are continuously cooperating with partners to ensure air defense capabilities," he said. According to the report, Zelensky previously stated that during his visit to Middle Eastern countries, he had discussed with some partners the supply of Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The countries have reached an agreement on the "Capability-3" type missile, but they still need to coordinate this matter with the United States.

[Suspected Insider Trading Related to Iran Conflict Revealed] According to the U.S. Wall Street Journal’s April 9 report, over $760 million worth of crude oil futures were traded approximately 15 minutes before U.S. President Trump abruptly announced the suspension of strikes against Iran on March 23. Handed over.

[MFA: The U.S. Government Should Immediately Cease Its Blockade, Sanctions, and All Forms of Coercive Pressure Against Cuba] Regarding recent actions by some U.S. lawmakers…

Report: Oil-producing countries in the Middle East are preparing to resume oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Sources said that Middle Eastern oil-producing countries have asked Asian refineries to submit crude oil shipment plans for April and May, in preparation for the final resumption of transportation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Islamabad on High Alert to Host U.S.-Iran Talks The United States and Iran plan to hold negotiations in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Currently, security measures in Islamabad have been significantly strengthened. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that security arrangements for the incoming Iranian and U.S. delegations have been fully implemented, and he emphasized the need to ensure the success of these talks.Meeting SecurityProceed smoothly.

[During the US-Iran ceasefire negotiations, the US initiates a major upgrade plan for Israel's F-35] As the US and Iran announced a ceasefire and began a two-week negotiation period, the US has initiated a major upgrade plan for Israel's F-35 stealth fighter jets. According to a report by The Military Watch Magazine on the 9th, the F-35 fighter jets Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, has received a $11.4 million (approximately RMB 77.8757 million) contract modification to develop three “Production Enhancement” software data load packages for Israel’s F-35 fleet. This program covers software development and systems engineering activities and forms part of Israel’s System Development and Demonstration Phase II (SDDP II) program. It is widely speculated that this initiative aims to tailor F-35 modifications based on the Israeli Air Force’s combat experience gained during high-intensity operations against Iranian and Hezbollah forces.

Price Information:

The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar is 6.8654, down by 5 basis points; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 6.8649, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 6.8410, and the closing price of the night session of the previous day was 6.8305.

[Upstream Raw Material USD Market Price]

On April 8, CFR Northeast Asia ethylene was stable at $1,425/ton, and CFR Southeast Asia ethylene was stable at $1,475/ton.

Northeast Asian propylene FOB Korea average price held steady at $1,325/ton, while CFR China average price fell by $75/ton to $1,340/ton.

North Asian frozen cargo CIF, propane 920-930 USD/ton; butane 1020-1030 USD/ton.

China South China May CFR prices for LPG: propane at USD 990–1000/ton; butane at USD 1040–1050/ton.

Taiwan region frozen goods CIF price, propane 920-930 USD/ton; butane 1020-1030 USD/ton.

[LLDPE US Dollar Market Price]

Film: 1380 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Injection molding: 1500 USD per ton (CFR Shanghai)

Film: USD 1,460 per metric ton (CFR Huangpu)

Hollow: 1380 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan)

Injection molding: USD 1,420 per ton (CFR Yantian)

Pipe material: No quotation;

LDPE USD Market Price

Film: 1600 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan);

Coating: No quotation.

Homopolymer: USD 1,460 per metric ton (CFR Huangpu)

Copolymer: $1,700/ton (CFR Huangpu)