Tesla Achieves Mass Production of Dry-Electrode Batteries; PP Cold Drink Cups Earn U.S. Universal Recyclability Certification

International News Highlights

Major Enterprise News - Beyond PTFE Dependence! Zeus' New PFX Platform Reshapes Catheter Materials

Packaging News - SABIC-Certified Recycled PPSU Material Used in Moyuum Baby Bottles

Exhibition News - Sun Chemical to Showcase Advanced Plastic Pigments at Plastindia 2026

Automotive News - Major Lithium Battery Breakthrough! Musk: Tesla Achieves Mass Production of Dry-Electrode Batteries

Macro News - Trump Threatens Iran Again: "Bad Things Could Happen" If No Deal Reached

Price Information - Ethylene CFR Northeast Asia at $700/ton, CFR Southeast Asia at $685/ton

International News Details

1. Beyond PTFE Dependence! Zeus' New PFX Platform Reshapes Catheter Materials

Zeus officially launched the innovative PFX platform, focusing on three core pillars: product performance, design flexibility, and sustainability, to drive technological innovation and upgrading in the catheter field. As the first commercialized product under the PFX platform, Zeus simultaneously released the PFX Flex Sub-Lite-Wall next-generation catheter liner, specifically developed to replace cast polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials.

Zeus stated that the PFX platform integrates a full range of fluorine-free polymer solutions, whose performance indicators fully meet the needs of R&D engineers while opening up new possibilities for catheter design and manufacturing.

2. SABIC-Certified Recycled PPSU Material Used in Moyuum Baby Bottles

SABIC announced that Moyuum, an innovative brand of high-end baby care products, has adopted its recycled Duradex™ Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) ECHO material for the production of a new series of baby bottles. This marks the first time in the South Korean market that certified recycled materials have been used to manufacture baby bottles, demonstrating Moyuum's dual commitment to product safety and environmental responsibility.

3. Sun Chemical to Showcase Advanced Plastic Pigments at Plastindia 2026

From February 5 to 10, 2026, Plastindia 2026 will be held in New Delhi, India. Sun Chemical will participate in the exhibition, showcasing its latest pigments and color solutions for the plastic industry.

At the exhibition, Sun Chemical will highlight high-end colorants dedicated to near-infrared (NIR) light management, including organic and inorganic pigments specifically developed for solar thermal management, laser welding, and lidar applications. A key highlight of the exhibition is the company's newly launched Spectrasense™ Black K 0089 FK pigment product, which can fully meet the requirements of various demanding technical applications.

Additionally, Sun Chemical will display a full range of colorants for spinning, providing supporting solutions for polypropylene, polyester, and polyamide fibers. The product lineup includes those certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 ECO PASSPORT, as well as new spinning-specific pigment grades such as FASTOGEN® Pink K 4430 FP.

4. Major Lithium Battery Breakthrough! Musk: Tesla Achieves Mass Production of Dry-Electrode Batteries

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the company has overcome key technical bottlenecks in lithium battery manufacturing and successfully achieved mass production of dry-electrode technology. This breakthrough, hailed by Musk as a "major advancement" in lithium battery production technology, marks a crucial step for the electric vehicle industry in reducing manufacturing costs and improving production efficiency.

In a post on social media platform X, Musk stated that scaling dry-electrode technology from the laboratory to mass production was extremely challenging and an "exceedingly difficult" task. He specifically congratulated Tesla's engineering, production, supply chain teams, and strategic partners, confirming that the company has solved this long-standing technical problem plaguing the battery industry.

5. Polypropylene Cold Drink Cups Earn U.S. Universal Recyclability Certification

Polypropylene (PP) cold drink cups, commonly used for takeaway cold beverages, have achieved a significant milestone in sustainability. Through the joint efforts of How2Recycle, NextGen Consortium, The Recycling Partnership, Starbucks, and WM, these cups have officially obtained the "Nationwide Universal Recyclability" certification.

This achievement means that over 60% of households in the United States can dispose of PP cold drink cups through curbside recycling or drop-off recycling programs, representing a key step in reducing waste and advancing the circular economy. In just the past four months, the recycling coverage of PP cups has expanded to an additional 2 million households. This progress reflects the continuous expansion of recycling coverage, which has grown by more than 10% in recent years.

The attainment of this milestone relies on unprecedented collaboration across the entire industrial chain, with enterprises, recycling organizations, and communities working together to upgrade recycling infrastructure and promote consumer education.

6. "Budget Version" Model Y Launches in the U.S. with Simplified AWD Configuration

On February 3, Tesla launched a new all-wheel drive (AWD) version of the Model Y in the U.S. market, priced at $41,990 (approximately RMB 292,000). The company also adjusted its model naming system, discontinuing the "Standard" designation, with the former Standard version renamed the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) version.

Reportedly, the Model Y AWD is positioned between the Model Y RWD and the Premium series. Equipped with a dual-motor AWD system, its 0-60mph acceleration is shortened to 4.6 seconds compared to the RWD version. The EPA-estimated range is 473 kilometers, using the same 69kWh base battery as the RWD version but with a slightly shorter range (516 kilometers for the RWD base version). The AWD version is priced $2,000 higher than the RWD base version.

Overseas Macro Market

Trump Threatens Iran Again: "Bad Things Could Happen" If No Deal Reached

On Monday local time, U.S. President Donald Trump once again implied that the United States might take military action against Iran if the two countries fail to reach an agreement on the nuclear issue.

According to reports from Xinhua News Agency and other media, Trump told reporters at the White House on February 2 that negotiations between the United States and Iran are ongoing, and he hopes to reach a deal through negotiations. Trump stated that the United States is engaged in dialogue with Iran: "If we can make some kind of deal, that would be great. If not, bad things could happen." He once again issued a military threat against Iran, repeating claims that the United States has deployed a "massive" fleet to Iran, "even larger than the one in Venezuela."

Japan Announces Successful Extraction of Rare Earth-Containing Sediment from Minamitorishima Waters; MFA Responds

According to Kyodo News, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) announced on February 2 that its deep-sea research vessel "Chikyu" successfully extracted rare earth-containing sediment from the seabed at a depth of approximately 5,600 meters in waters off Minamitorishima (Ogasawara Village, Tokyo).

MFA: China Must Work with All Peace-Loving Countries to Curb Japan's Right-Wing "Remilitarization" Ambitions

In response to Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev's recent statement that Russia firmly opposes Japan's attempt to accelerate "remilitarization," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference on February 3 that China and Russia hold highly consistent positions on Japan-related issues. Japan's accelerated "remilitarization" threatens regional peace and stability, which has aroused great vigilance from the international community and regional countries. China must work with all peace-loving countries to curb the ambitions of Japan's right-wing forces to promote "remilitarization" and jointly uphold the fruits of the victory of World War II and the hard-won world peace.

Foreign Media Reports U.S. to Launch Critical Minerals Stockpiling Plan; MFA Responds

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian hosted a regular press conference. A reporter asked: The United States is expected to launch a critical minerals stockpiling plan with an initial fund of $12 billion. This move comes as Washington seeks to reduce its reliance on China for resources such as rare earths. What is China's comment?

"China's position on safeguarding the stability and security of the global industrial chain for critical minerals remains unchanged. All parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role in this regard," Lin Jian said.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated on social media on February 3 that he has instructed Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian to conduct "fair and impartial negotiations" with the United States based on the principles of dignity, prudence, and pragmatism.

Indian Official: The trade agreement with the United States addresses Washington's demands for reducing India's high tariffs in sectors such as automobiles. The trade agreement covers certain agricultural products. Under the agreement, India has committed to purchasing U.S. goods including oil, defense products, electronic products, pharmaceutical products, telecommunications products, and aircraft. Negotiations on a more comprehensive agreement covering additional sectors will continue.

Price Information

RMB/USD Central Parity Rate Rises 87 Pips to 6.9608

The RMB/USD central parity rate was set at 6.9608, up 87 pips; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 6.9695, the official closing price was 6.9513, and the previous night session closed at 6.9448.

Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

Ethylene: CFR Northeast Asia at $700/ton; CFR Southeast Asia at $685/ton.

Northeast Asia propylene: FOB Korea average at $785/ton; CFR China average at $835/ton.

North Asia refrigerated cargo CIF: propane at $577-$579/ton; butane at $597-$599/ton.

China South China refrigerated cargo CIF for early March arrival: propane at $613-$623/ton; butane at $608-$618/ton.

Taiwan refrigerated cargo CIF: propane at $577-$579/ton; butane at $597-$599/ton.

LLDPE USD Market Prices

Film: $830/ton (CFR Xiamen); Injection molding: $910/ton (CFR Xiamen).

HDPE USD Market Prices

Film: $910/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $800/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow molding: $785-$850/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe: $1000/ton (CFR Huangpu).

LDPE USD Market Prices

Film: $1025/ton (CFR Huangpu); Coating: $1240/ton (CFR Huangpu).

PP USD Market Prices

Injection molding: $840/ton (CFR Dongguan); Copolymer: $870/ton (CFR Nansha); Film: $960/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1080/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe: $1130/ton (CFR Shanghai).