International News Highlights  Raw Materials News - Westlake Epoxy and Alpha Recyclage Composites to advance composites recycling Automotive News - Toray and partners launch end-of-life aircraft recycling program for composites Machanery News- North American plastics machinery shipments drop again in Q1 2025 Packaging News - Topstar's Whole-Plant Solution Helps North American Customers Achieve Intelligent Upgrades Medical News - Boston Scientific Sells Its Veteran Campus Macro News - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Denies "Iran Transmitting Messages to Israel via Cyprus" Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton   Details of International News  Toray and partners launch end-of-life aircraft recycling program for compositesToray Advanced Composites, Daher, and TARMAC Aerosave announce the launch of a joint End-of-Life Aerospace Recycling Program for commercial aircraft production.Working with Airbus, this collaborative initiative will focus on advancing recycling technology practices in aerospace manufacturing by recovering and reusing end-of-life secondary structural components made from continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. Westlake Epoxy and Alpha Recyclage Composites to advance composites recycling Corporation announced that Westlake Epoxy will collaborate with Alpha Recyclage Composites to support them in scaling up the recycling capacity for carbon fiber composite materials.This collaboration will provide support to Westlake’s composite customers in their development of improved circular options for both production (scrap or off spec composite materials that otherwise become waste) and end-of-life waste. The recovery of the carbon fibers from composite materials for reuse in new or emerging applications aims to establish a more sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration. Borouge Signs $531 Million Logistics Agreement to Enhance Petrochemical Export Capability Petrochemical giant Borouge Plc recently announced the signing of a 15-year, AED 1.95 billion (approximately $531 million) cooperation agreement with ADNOC L&S, a logistics services company under Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), to optimize maritime logistics processes and enhance the UAE's petrochemical export capability. Boston Scientific Sells Its Veteran Campus Recently, according to the official website of CBRE, the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment company, Boston Scientific has put its 24-acre campus in Minnetonka, Minnesota, up for sale. Records show that Boston Scientific has been operating at 10700 Bren Road West since the 1980s and redeveloped it in 2013. The site now features 225,900 square feet (approximately 21,000 square meters) of modern laboratory, office, and warehousing space, long serving as the core function for its medical device manufacturing. Braskem, America's Largest PP Producer, Makes a Major Strategic Shift Considering a challenging environment for the petrochemical industry and a prolonged downcycle-exacerbated by high energy costs and reduced economic activity in Europe-Braskem is redirecting all resources toward its core business: the production of chemicals and plastics. As such, Braskem is divesting from the mechanical recycling joint venture, Upsyde, with Terra Circular, which focused on producing road plates and pallets from post-consumer plastic. Japan's Ethylene Equipment Utilization Rate Remains Depressed for 33 Consecutive Months Recently, statistics released by the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association showed that in April, the domestic ethylene equipment utilization rate in Japan was 78.6%, remaining below the 90% target for measuring prosperity for 33 consecutive months. The prolonged downturn in ethylene equipment utilization shows no sign of improvement. The association stated that in view of changing market conditions and reduced utilization rates due to increased regional production, each enterprise is taking measures to advance structural reforms. In terms of adjusting ethylene production equipment, in addition to the announced plan to close two units in Chiba Prefecture and one unit in Kanagawa Prefecture, in April, three companies in western Japan—Mitsui Chemicals, Asahi Kasei, and Mitsubishi Chemical—merged their two units into one. This will reduce Japan's domestic ethylene production capacity by 30% to approximately 4.4 million tons. Regarding this restructuring, Koji Kudo, President of the Petrochemical Industry Association, said it is unlikely that two or three units will be closed consecutively. Closing these units is meaningless unless environmental protection measures are taken simultaneously. Xycle breaks ground on chemical recycling plant in Rotterdam Xycle has broken ground on its first commercial-scale pyrolysis plant, located in the port of Rotterdam.Dow, ING, Invest-NL, Polestar Capital and Vopak are among the investors in the Dutch chemical recycler . North American plastics machinery shipments drop again in Q1 2025 Economy Market Forecast Plastics Processes Shipments of extruders were strong and increased by double digits year-over-year, but injection molding machine shipments were down. Shipments of injection molding and extrusion machinery in North America fell to US$252.1 million in the first quarter of 2025 from the previous quarter, which is a decline of 17.5 per cent from the last quarter of last year and 4.6 per cent decline year-over-year, according to a new report from the Plastics Industry Association’s Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES). Topstar's Whole-Plant Solution Helps North American Customers Achieve Intelligent Upgrades In a newly built Mexican food packaging factory in North Carolina, the intelligent manufacturing solution provided by Topstar is operating efficiently. Industrial robots flexibly adjust their operation trajectories according to process requirements, and advanced machine vision technology acts as an "electronic eye," significantly improving the production efficiency and product qualification rate of food boxes. This in-depth cooperation originated from the customer's procurement need for single machines. Topstar verified the performance of the solution through on-site testing at the Mexican factory. According to customer feedback, while maintaining high efficiency, the equipment reduces comprehensive costs by approximately one-third compared to similar European and American products. The excellent performance has prompted the customer to continue purchasing, gradually replacing the original equipment.   Overseas Macro Market Information  Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Denies "Iran Transmitting Messages to Israel via Cyprus" The Tehran Times reported that the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the news that "Iran transmitted messages to Israel via Cyprus." "Iran has not transmitted any messages to Israel through any country, and this claim is completely false," the spokesperson said. Israeli Refinery in Haifa Hit by Iranian Missile, Causing Fire Local time on the 16th, a refinery in Haifa, northern Israel, was hit by an Iranian missile, triggering a large fire. Japanese Finance Minister: Discussing with Markets Is Key to Ensuring Stable Government Bond Trading Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said that before the much-watched meeting between the Ministry of Finance and investors, discussing with market participants is a key factor in ensuring stable government bond trading. He stated that as the Bank of Japan reduces its bond purchases, the government needs to find other investors to fill the gap. The Japanese Ministry of Finance plans to hold a meeting with primary dealers on June 20, three days after the Bank of Japan's policy decision, where the central bank is widely expected to slow the pace of reducing bond purchases at this meeting. U.S. Diplomatic Facilities in Israel Damaged in Iranian Attack Local time on the 16th, U.S. diplomatic facilities in Tel Aviv, Israel, were damaged in the missile attack launched by Iran in the early morning of the same day. In the early morning of the day, Iran launched a new round of missile attacks on Israel, and air raid sirens sounded in multiple areas of Israel. South Korea to Submit Supplementary Budget Plan to the Cabinet on June 19 According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea will submit a supplementary budget plan to the cabinet on June 19. Morgan Stanley Raises Q3 Brent Crude Price Forecast Morgan Stanley: Due to the Israel-Iran conflict, the Q3 Brent crude oil price forecast is raised to $67.50 per barrel.   Price Information  RMB to U.S. Dollar Central Parity RateThe central parity rate of RMB against the U.S. dollar was reported at 7.1789, down 17 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1772, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1813, and the overnight trading close was 7.1853. Upstream Raw Material US Dollar Market Prices Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average $720/ton, up $10/ton; CFR China average $760/ton, up $10/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $575-577/ton; Butane $543.5-545.5/ton. South China frozen cargo July upper CIF price: Propane $587-597/ton; Butane $534-544/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $575-577/ton; Butane $543.5-545.5/ton. LLDPE US Dollar Market Prices Film: $915/ton (CFR Huangpu), up $10/ton; Injection molding: $960/ton (CFR Dongguan); HDPE US Dollar Market Prices Film: $900-915/ton (CFR Huangpu), up $5/ton; Hollow: $865/ton (CFR Huangpu); LDPE US Dollar Market Prices Film: $1,035/ton (CFR Xiamen); PP US Dollar Market Prices Homopolymer: $885-935/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: $955-1,040/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: $1,025-1,090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: $1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai).

In an environment characterized by economic uncertainty, Erema was able to maintain its market position. Revenue fell by 13 per cent in the past financial year. Nevertheless, the company considers itself to be on a stable course. Headquarters of the Erema Group in Ansfelden, Austria: it is from here that solutions for plastics recycling are developed and marketed worldwide.© Erema Economic and geopolitical uncertainty around the world continues to present challenges for the plastics recycling industry. Despite a decline in sales of around 13 per cent compared to the previous year, the Erema Group has maintained stability and set an important strategic course for the future based on its strong market presence. The technologies and solutions offered by the companies in the Eerema Group mean that it covers the entire value chain of mechanical plastics recycling. „By combining our expertise, together we ensure our customers remain competitive in a dynamic market environment,“ says CEO Manfred Hackl. This is a success factor that is reflected in the broad range of products, as well as in high system availability and the quality of service provided by the Group. Despite the current challenges, there is still plenty of potential for growth, as Manfred Hackl explains: „More and more high-quality products are made from recycled pellets. The plastics industry has recognised that the proportion of recycled materials used in new products needs to continue to increase in order to achieve our shared goal of circularity.“ CEO Hackl Calls for a Reliable Framework While the European market has been subdued, the Group experienced positive momentum in North America and Asia. Regulations such as the PPWR (packaging and packaging waste directive), which has come into force in the EU, also give a positive outlook in Europe, provided that competitiveness can increase again. “This would mean launching initiatives that combine ecological and economic interests and strengthen the industrial base, like the Clean Industrial Deal in the EU. Just as important are global developments that create reliable framework conditions, such as the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and legal requirements for mandatory use of recycled materials in new products,“ says Manfred Hackl. Recently, Erema has noticed a reluctance to invest in the polyolefins post-consumer segment. On the other hand, demand for recycling solutions for production waste and bottle-to-bottle applications has remained stable. There is a clear trend towards implementing larger-scale machines in both the PET and PO sectors. The increasing industrialisation of these sectors requires solutions that are cost-effective and can be easily adapted to meet demand. Erema supports its customers during this transformation process and continues to set standards in the industry. The joint venture with Lindner Washtech has proven to be an important development in providing efficient overall solutions along the value chain. Successful Thinking Outside the Box The ongoing growth of plastics recycling can be seen not only in the established segments, but also increasingly in newer application segments involving chemical recycling, and fibre & textile recycling. Erema started up its first large-scale extruders for chemical recycling during the 2024/25 financial year. The development of fibre-to-fibre recycling also looks very promising. Initial pilot projects have already been carried out, and an reference system will start operation later this year. The commissioning of a recycling machine for post-consumer textiles by Pure Loop, one of the Group‘s subsidiaries, at Salvation Army Trading Company in spring 2024, marks a new milestone. The project won the Plastics Industry Award. It Doesn‘t Work Without Recycling At the end of the 2024/25 financial year, the Erema Group completed a comprehensive investment programme spanning the last five years with a volume of EUR 145 million. “Part of this programme involved the Group‘s own component manufacturing company 3S, which has been optimised with an investment of EUR 23 million to significantly increase the in-house production share of key components and strengthen the Group‘s supply chain over the long term,“ reports Horst Wolfsgruber, CFO of the EREMA Group. Manfred Hackl, CEO of the Erema Group (right) and Horst Wolfsgruber, CTO of the Erema Group.© Erema The company has also strengthened its international sales structure by appointing Christoph Wöss as Global Sales Director in April. In future, the strategic focus will be aligned even more closely with the specifics of regional demand as well as market and customer requirements. Despite challenging market conditions, the Erema Group still focuses on the ongoing development of efficient recycling solutions in all sectors. “We are convinced that the demand for recycling technologies will keep increasing in the coming years,“ says Manfred Hackl. “The framework conditions remain challenging, but the usage of plastic will continue to increase. The only way to meet this demand responsibly is with reliable recycling.“

International News Guide: Raw Materials News - OQ to showcase 17 new PP and PP grades at K 2025 Automotive News - HARMAN Launches New Display Featuring Samsung Neo QLED Technology Medical News - ThermoFab Rebrands to Better Reflect Breadth of Plastic Processing Services Packaging News - Industrial Packaging Manufacturer MAUSER Commissions IBC Recycling Plant at BASF Site in Spain Macro News - Israel Launches Airstrike on Iran's Capital; Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: Israel Will Face Severe Punishment Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton   Details of International News: 1.OQ to showcase 17 new PP and PP grades at K 2025 OQ, Oman’s global energy group, has introduced 17 new application-focused polymer grades over the past year. This reinforces its commitment to delivering transformative material solutions tailored to address global megatrends such as food preservation, water security, and energy saving. These grades will be showcased for the first time in Europe at K 2025, one of the leading plastics and rubber trade fairs in Düsseldorf. 2.HARMAN Launches New Display Featuring Samsung Neo QLED Technology Today, consumers expect vehicles to deliver premium visual experiences on par with high-end TVs and personal devices. However, the harsh requirements of automotive environments have made it difficult to achieve such display performance. According to foreign media, HARMAN, a leader in automotive technology and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., has launched a new display product that brings true consumer-grade tech viewing experiences to vehicles. The display will be installed in the new Tata Harrier.ev model, marking the first in-vehicle integration of Samsung's proprietary Neo QLED technology, which has been exclusively licensed to HARMAN and optimized by HARMAN for automotive applications. 3.ThermoFab Rebrands to Better Reflect Breadth of Plastic Processing Services ThermoFab offers its customers in the medical device space and within other regulated industries far more than thermoforming services, and it has now rebranded to reflect that reality. It’s new name is Innova Engineered Plastics, explicitly calling out its “innovation, expanded capabilities, and focused vision as the full-service enclosure provider of choice for startups to Fortune 500 companies,” said Innova. 4.Industrial Packaging Manufacturer MAUSER Commissions IBC Recycling Plant at BASF Site in Spain Industrial packaging manufacturer commissions IBC recycling plant at BASF site in Spain Industrial packaging manufacturer Mauser Packaging Solutions has commissioned a new plant for processing intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) in Tarragona, Spain. Located on the premises of BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com), the facility reconditions used IBCs and extracts recyclates from containers that are no longer fit for reuse.  5.BASF Starts New World-Class Hexamethylenediamine Plant in France, Boosting Capacity to 260,000 Tons Recently, BASF announced that its new world-class HMD  plant in Charleroi, France, has been successfully started up. The plant, which began construction in 2022, is of great significance for the successful start-up, boosting BASF's annual HMD production capacity to 260,000 tons. 6.American Axle to Supply Core Components for Volkswagen Group's Scout American powertrain system supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. announced that it has signed an important cooperation agreement with Scout Motors, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, to supply front axle electric drive units and e-Beam rear axles for the upcoming new electric Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck. Image source: American Axle It is reported that the two highly anticipated new Scout models will adopt a body-on-frame chassis architecture, standard with a pure electric powertrain system, and optional gasoline engines to enhance comprehensive range. Currently, Scout Motors has simultaneously opened the reservation channel for the two new Traveler and Terra models, and the first mass-produced models are expected to roll off the production line in 2027. 7. Borealis triples net income in 2024 Stefan Doboczky, Borealis CEO since July 2024, explains how the company's net income reached €566 million in 2024, with operating profit improved by €300 million 8. Farm plastic waste recycling options a 'leap forward for sustainability' Recycling agricultural bags could divert up to 45,000 tonnes of single-use soft plastics from landfill each year. Many farmers either burn or bury plastic to avoid significant landfill costs.   Overseas Macro Market Information: [Israel Launches Airstrike on Iran's Capital] Local time in the early morning of the 13th, the Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes on dozens of targets related to Iran's nuclear program and other military facilities within Iran, naming the operation "Strength of the Lion." [Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: Israel Will Face Severe Punishment] Local time on the 13th, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel would face severe punishment. Khamenei also confirmed the killing of several Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. [Japanese Trade Negotiator: Refuses to Reach Partial Agreement with the US] Japanese Trade Negotiator Akaike Ryohei said on Friday that Japan will insist on demanding a reassessment of US tariffs and will not accept a partial agreement. "Reaching a partial agreement is impossible. Our goal is to reach a comprehensive agreement that satisfies both Japan and the US," Akaike told reporters before departing for Washington. Akaike Ryohei is preparing for the sixth round of tariff negotiations with the US to conduct final negotiations before the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and US President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada. [US ITC Officially Launches 337 Investigation into Ink Cartridges and Components] On June 12, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to launch a 337 investigation into certain ink cartridges and components I and II. A number of Chinese enterprises, including Dongguan Ocbestjet Digital Technology Co., Ltd. in Guangdong, China, are listed as defendants. The US International Trade Commission will determine the end date of the investigation within 45 days of filing. [Iran's Ministry of Energy: Hydropower Infrastructure and Oil Refining and Storage Facilities Undamaged] Local time on the 13th, Iran's Ministry of Energy and the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said that Iran's hydropower infrastructure, oil refining facilities, and storage facilities had not been damaged. Hydropower services continued to operate normally, and the operation of oil facilities and fuel supply continued stably throughout the country without interruption.   Price Information: [RMB to USD Central Parity Rate] The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1772, up 31 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1803, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1824, and the overnight closing price was 7.1715. [Raw Material US Dollar Market Prices] Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $790/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average $710/ton; CFR China average $750/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price, propane $545-547/ton; butane $515-517/ton. South China frozen cargo July arrival CIF price, propane $591-601/ton; butane $531-541/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price, propane $545-547/ton; butane $515-517/ton.   [LLDPE US Dollar Market Prices] Film: $895/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $970/ton (CFR Dongguan);   [HDPE US Dollar Market Prices] Film: $900-920/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: $865-870/ton (CFR Huangpu);   [LDPE US Dollar Market Prices] Film: $1,025-1,035/ton (CFR Huangpu);   [PP US Dollar Market Prices] Homopolymer: $885-935/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: $955-1,040/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film material: $1,025-1,090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: $1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai).

Industrial packaging manufacturer Mauser Packaging Solutions has commissioned a new plant for processing intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) in Tarragona, Spain. Located on the premises of BASF , the facility reconditions used IBCs and extracts recyclates from containers that are no longer fit for reuse. The US company did not disclose the amount of the investment. Ready for the next cycle: reconditioning of returned IBCs (Photo: Mauser) Mauser announced that the processed IBCs will not only be used for the products of the German chemical giant, but also by other companies in the region. The new plant has been certified by the German federal institute for materials research and testing, BAM (Berlin; BAM 11027 and BAM 14817) and thus meets the requirements for the transport and handling of hazardous goods, the company said.The expansion of the Tarragona site is part of a comprehensive investment programme worth around USD 1 bn (EUR 877 mn), with which Mauser is investing in recycling projects, among other things, to reduce CO₂ emissions and promote the circular economy. Mauser Packaging Solutions employs around 11,000 people at more than 180 locations worldwide.

International News Highlights:   Raw Materials News：Canadian Court Orders NOVA Chemicals to Pay Dow an Additional CAD$1.6 Bilion in Ethylene DisputeAutomotive News：Mitsui Chemicals achieves automation of tank allocation planning through digital transformation Electronics News：Ineos starts cracking recycled plastics feedstock at Lavéra, France Packaging News： BioTech adopts LIMEX Pellet for sustainable detergent packaging in Vietnam Macro News： US officials informed that Israel is fully prepared for military action against Iran Price Information: Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average price at US$710/ton, up US$10/ton   Details of International News:   Canadian Court Orders NOVA Chemicals to Pay Dow an Additional CAD$1.6 Bilion in Ethylene DisputeThe long-standing legal battle between chemical giants Dow and NOVA Chemicals Corporation has taken another significant turn, with the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, Canada, issuing a judgment on June 10, 2025, ordering NOVA Chemicals to pay Dow an additional CADS1.620 bilion (approximately $1.2 bilion) in damages. This substantial sum relates to losses Dow incurred from the companies jointly owned ethylene asset located in Joffre, Alberta. Canada. Japanese power giant JERA to increase procurement of US LNGOn June 12, JERA, a Japanese power giant, announced it has signed 20-year agreements to annually procure up to 5.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from four US companies, located in Texas and Louisiana. The company stated this move aims to diversify LNG procurement channels, increasing the proportion of US purchases from approximately 10% to around 30%. Ineos starts cracking recycled plastics feedstock at Lavéra, France Ineos said it has received its first initial batch of pyrolysis oil (pyoil) produced from recycled post-consumer waste plastics for processing into olefins at its steam cracker in Lavéra, France. The specific volume of pyoil received was not given. The company’s Olefins & Polymers Europe business took delivery of the pyoil at Lavéra and will use it to produce virgin-quality polymers, it said in an announcement on June 11. COIM × Ariete creates cycling protective eyewear with 70% biobased TPU materialAriete, a brand under Sandro Mentasti and a leader in ski goggles, motorsport, and cycling equipment, has announced a strategic partnership with COIM, a multinational company specializing in specialty chemicals (mainly producing polyesters, polyols, polyurethanes, and resins for composites and coatings). Together, they have developed a revolutionary product: the Ariete 8K protective eyewear. This new eyewear represents months of joint R&D by Ariete and COIM teams, dedicated to significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The Ariete 8K combines cutting-edge design, superior technical performance, and a firm commitment to environmental sustainability. Additionally, it has passed certification tests for Class II personal protective equipment in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/425 and UNI EN 1938:2010 safety standards, ensuring the highest level of safety for users. Speciality chemicals group launches PFAS-free processing aids ahead of K 2025Ahead of the K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, Clariant has introduced its AddWorks PPA range – a set of polymer processing aids (PPAs) developed specifically for polyolefin extrusion. The company said that the launch addresses growing regulatory and market pressure to eliminate PFAS substances from plastic additives, particularly in food packaging applications. BioTech adopts LIMEX Pellet for sustainable detergent packaging in Vietnam TBM announced that BioTech has adopted LIMEX Pellet for its detergent packaging. LIMEX Pellet is an eco-conscious material mainly made from inorganic substances like calcium carbonate.  BioTech is known for producing detergents with natural ingredients, prioritizing safety and environmental care. Their flagship products, “Bio Clean” and “Bio Baby,” are free from harmful chemicals. They are trusted by multiple generations for skin safety.   Birch Biosciences Enters into Global Patent License Agreement with NREL to Advance Enzymatic Plastic Recycling Process Birch Biosciences, a startup focused on AI-powered enzymatic plastic recycling, today announced a global patent license agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to commercialize a novel enzymatic deconstruction processing technology that breaks down polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—a common plastic used in packaging and textiles—to recover valuable chemical building blocks. Mitsui Chemicals achieves automation of tank allocation planning through digital transformationOn June 12, it was reported that Mitsui Chemicals has developed an automated tool for liquid product tank allocation planning at its Osaka, Japan plant, which was put into use in March 2025. The tool standardizes the previously skill-dependent tank allocation planning work, reducing man-hours by 80%, while enabling faster response to environmental changes and improving planning accuracy. The liquid products produced at the plant need to be stored in multiple tanks. When storing products, considerations and adjustments must be made for tank selection, quality test analysis and inspection time, and delivery time based on orders. This work, known as "tank allocation," requires considering complex factors such as the filling rate and inspection status of each tank, making experienced personnel indispensable.   Overseas Macro Market Information:   US officials informed that Israel is fully prepared for military action against IranMultiple sources told CBS that US officials have been informed that Israel is fully prepared for military action against Iran. The report said the US expects Iran may retaliate against certain US military bases in Iraq, which is part of the reason the US earlier advised some Americans to leave the region. The US State Department has ordered non-emergency personnel at embassies and consulates to evacuate Iraq, citing "escalating regional tensions." Iranian President: Iran will not reach a nuclear deal at any costOn local time June 11, Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran will not reach a nuclear deal at any cost. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran will not build nuclear bombs but will not allow anyone to pressure Iran. To stabilize rice prices, Japanese government releases reserve rice againOn local time June 11, the Japanese government launched a new batch of reserve rice releases, with nearly 100 retailers applying to sell rice. The 120,000 tons of reserve rice released on the 11th were all produced in 2021. If all this rice is purchased by retailers, the Japanese government will release 100,000 tons of rice produced in 2020. Foreign investors buy record amount of South Korean bonds in MayAccording to a statement from the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea, overseas investors net bought 11.34 trillion won (US$8.3 billion) of listed bonds last month, the largest monthly inflow on record, continuing the strong momentum from April. The balance of listed bonds held by foreign investors increased to 300.5 trillion won over the same period. As of June 10, overseas investors have net bought South Korean bonds for 31 consecutive trading days, the longest streak since 2023. UK's goods exports to US drop by record high in AprilOffice for National Statistics (ONS): The drop in UK goods exports to the US in April was the largest on record. The decline in exports to the US "may" be related to Trump's tariffs. UK economy shrinks in April, sounding alarm for StarmerThe UK economy shrank for the first time in six months, sounding an alarm in the ear of Prime Minister Starmer, who is counting on economic growth to fund the government's ambitious spending plans. The Office for National Statistics announced on Thursday that after two months of healthy growth, GDP fell by 0.3% in April, worse than economists' forecast of a 0.1% decline. Services and manufacturing contracted, while construction grew. The data sets a weak tone for economic performance in the second quarter, as businesses and consumers face rising unemployment, heavier tax burdens, and Donald Trump's tariffs.   Price Information:   USD/CNY central parity rateThe central parity rate of USD/CNY was set at 7.1803, up 12 pips; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1815, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1858, and the overnight session closed at 7.1890. Upstream raw material US dollar market prices Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia US$790/ton, up US$10/ton; CFR Southeast Asia US$850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average price US$710/ton, up US$10/ton; CFR China average price US$750/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: propane US$540-542/ton; butane US$510-512/ton. South China frozen cargo July arrival price: propane US$598-608/ton; butane US$538-548/ton. Taiwan frozen cargo CIF price: propane US$540-542/ton; butane US$510-512/ton. LLDPE US dollar market prices Film: US$895/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: US$970/ton (CFR Dongguan). HDPE US dollar market prices Film: US$900-920/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: US$865-870/ton (CFR Huangpu). LDPE US dollar market prices Film: US$1025-1035/ton (CFR Huangpu). PP US dollar market prices Homopolymer: US$885-935/ton (CFR Huangpu), down US$5/ton; Copolymer: US$955-1040/ton (CFR Huangpu), down US$20/ton; Film stock: US$1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: US$1085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe material: US$1160/ton (CFR Shanghai).   Editor: Carrie

Ahead of the K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, Clariant has introduced its AddWorks PPA range – a set of polymer processing aids (PPAs) developed specifically for polyolefin extrusion. The company said that the launch addresses growing regulatory and market pressure to eliminate PFAS substances from plastic additives, particularly in food packaging applications. Clariant unveils PFAS-free polymer processing aids ahead of K 2025 (Photo: Clariant) The new products – AddWorks PPA 101 FG and AddWorks PPA 122 G – are PFAS-free alternatives to conventional fluoropolymer-based aids. According to Clariant, the additives are designed to meet regulatory requirements and support processing efficiency.According to the speciality chemicals group, both products are free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, inorganic materials, silicones, or polysiloxanes, and are designed for compatibility with food contact and packaging regulations. In addition, the additives align with recyclability requirements under the forthcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).Clariant said users can expect enhanced extrusion efficiency and improved film surface properties – without negative impacts on sealability or mechanical behaviour. AddWorks PPA 101 FG is supplied as a 100% active fine grain suitable for incorporation via host resin or masterbatch, while AddWorks PPA 122 G is available as a pre-formulated masterbatch for ease of use.

International News Briefing: Raw Materials News - China's Trade Representative: China and the US have reached a framework agreement in principle;Auto News-Tesla's Robotaxi Begins Public Road Testing;Tech News - Ahead of Samsung and SK Hynix: Report says Micron becomes Nvidia's first SOCAMM supplier; Medical News - Lubrizol and IMCD Expand Distribution Agreement to Provide Medical-Grade TPU Solutions for the North American Market;Macro News - The Russian ambassador to the United States said that the two countries are engaged in "pragmatic negotiations";Price information - CFR Northeast Asia: 780 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia: 850 USD/ton The following are the details of international news: 1.China's chief trade negotiator: China and the US have reached a framework agreement in principle. On June 10 local time, Li Chenggang, China's deputy minister of commerce and representative for international trade negotiations, said in London that the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism was professional, rational, in-depth and candid. The two sides have reached a framework in principle on implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state on June 5 and the Geneva talks. 2. Trump's tariff stick continues! The appellate court rules: It can remain in effect during the appeal period! According to a report by Bloomberg on June 11th, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled on Tuesday that the Trump administration can continue to enforce its global tariff policy during the appeal period. This ruling temporarily overturned the previous injunction issued by a lower court. The case was initially brought by New York importers, aiming to challenge the legality of Trump's imposition of tariffs under the emergency act. The court said the case involves "extremely important issues" and has decided to hold a hearing on July 31. Although the court did not disclose the specific reasons, it believed that the government had met the conditions for suspending the preliminary injunction, and no judge raised any objection. The Justice Department argued that the concerns of US officials about ongoing trade negotiations were more important than the economic losses claimed by the small businesses that filed the lawsuit. 3. Lubrizol and IMCD Expand Distribution Agreement to Offer Medical-Grade TPU Solutions for the North American Market As a leading provider of medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) solutions, Lubrizol has expanded its distribution agreement with IMCD to meet the demand for medical solutions in the US and Canadian markets. This collaboration aims to extend the mature partnership focused on medical-grade TPU in Europe to North America, helping IMCD enhance market penetration, efficiently manage inventory, and strengthen customer relationships. 4. Agilyx, Green Dot enter PS feedstock agreement for chemical recycling US-based chemical recycler Agilyx and Germany’s Green Dot Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to source waste polystyrene (PS) feedstock for chemical recycling. Under the agreement, Green Dot will supply Agilyx with an expected 20,000 tonnes of PS feedstock.5.Two types of solvents, DMAC and NEP, have been included in the REACH restricted substances list by the European Union. The Official Journal of the European Union has published Regulation (EU) 2025/1090, announcing the revision of Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation by adding new entries 80 and 81, which explicitly include N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and 1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP) in the list of restricted substances. This move aims to enhance worker health protection and reduce the risks associated with these two chemicals in industrial applications. The regulation will come into force on June 23. 6. Development banks invest EUR 3 bn in Clean Oceans Initiative 2.0 As recently announced by the European Investment Bank (EIB), a coalition of public development banks has declared a renewed commitment to fighting marine plastics pollution with the launch of the Clean Oceans Initiative 2.0 (COI 2.0). The expanded programme, unveiled at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France (9-13 June), sets a new joint financing target of EUR 3 bn for 2026 to 2030. 7. Tesla's Robotaxi Begins Public Road Testing The Science and Technology Daily reported on the 11th that Tesla's Robotaxi has recently been tested on public roads in Austin, Texas. The first batch of test vehicles are Model Ys marked with "Robotaxi", accompanied by another Model Y as a monitoring vehicle. According to the company's disclosure, about 10 self-driving cars will be deployed in the initial stage of the Robotaxi test, and the scale will be expanded based on the test feedback. 8. Ahead of Samsung and SK Hynix: Report says Micron becomes Nvidia's first SOCAMM supplier On June 10th, the South Korean media kedglobal published a blog post, reporting that Micron has taken the lead over Samsung and SK Hynix to become the first supplier of NVIDIA's next-generation memory solution, SOCAMM. Similar to the previous LPCAMM2, SOCAMM currently also features a single-sided four-chip pad and three fixed screw holes design. However, unlike LPCAMM2, SOCAMM has no protruding trapezoidal structure on the top, which reduces the overall height and makes it more suitable for server installation environments and liquid cooling. Overseas macro market information: Russia and U.S. Engage in "Pragmatic Negotiations" to Ease Tensions​​Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Alexander Darchiyev stated that Moscow and Washington are conducting "pragmatic negotiations" to eliminate irritants in bilateral relations, as reported by TASS. Russia aims to establish a non-confrontational coexistence model with the U.S. Bilateral talks, initially held in Istanbul, will now alternate between the two capitals, with the next round scheduled in Moscow. The countries are also expected to soon discuss resuming direct flights. ​​Jinli Permanent Magnet Secures Export Licenses Amid Rare Earth Regulations​​Jinli Permanent Magnet announced on June 11 via an investor interactive platform that it has obtained export licenses from Chinese authorities following the implementation of medium-to-heavy rare earth export controls. The company now legally exports magnetic materials, components, and motor rotors to regions including the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia. ​​Global Wristwear Market Grows 10.5% YoY in Q1 2025, China Surges 37.6%​​According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, global wristwear device shipments reached 45.57 million units in Q1 2025, marking a 10.5% year-on-year increase. Key drivers include accelerated shipments in Western Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific (excluding India) amid trade tariff adjustments. China’s market grew 37.6% to 17.62 million units, bolstered by national subsidy policies. ​​EU-U.S. Trade Talks Likely to Extend Beyond July 9 Deadline​​The euro/dollar pair briefly rose to 1.1417 amid reports that the EU expects trade negotiations with the U.S. to extend beyond President Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline. While both sides aim to reach an agreement in principle by July 9 to outline further discussions, the EU acknowledges that finalizing details will require additional time. The U.S. is anticipated to respond to the latest proposals in the coming days. Price Information: [USD/CNY Central Parity Rate​​]The People's Bank of China set the USD/CNY central parity rate at 7.1815, up 25 basis points from the previous trading day's rate of 7.1840. The official closing rate on the prior trading day was 7.1869, while the overnight offshore rate settled at 7.1870. ​​[Upstream Feedstock Prices (USD)​​] Ethylene (Asia)​​:CFR Northeast Asia: USD 780/tonCFR Southeast Asia: USD 850/ton Propylene (Northeast Asia)​​:FOB Korea average: USD 700/tonCFR China average: USD 750/ton LPG Prices​​:North Asia CFR:Propane: USD 541.5–543.5/tonButane: USD 511.5–513.5/ton   South China CFR (Early July Delivery):Propane: USD 595–605/tonButane: USD 535–545/ton   Taiwan CFR:Propane: USD 541.5–543.5/tonButane: USD 511.5–513.5/ton ​​[Polyethylene (PE) Prices (USD)​​] ​​LLDPE​​:Film: USD 895/ton (CFR Huangpu)Injection Molding: USD 970/ton (CFR Dongguan) ​​HDPE​​:Film: USD 900–920/ton (CFR Huangpu)Blow Molding: USD 865–870/ton (CFR Huangpu) ​​LDPE​​:Film: USD 1,025–1,035/ton (CFR Huangpu) ​​[Polypropylene (PP) Prices (USD)​​] Homopolymer: USD 890–935/ton (CFR Huangpu) Copolymer: USD 955–1,060/ton (CFR Huangpu) Film Grade: USD 1,025–1,090/ton (CFR Huangpu) Transparent Grade: USD 1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu) Pipe Grade: USD 1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai)  

As recently announced by the European Investment Bank (EIB), a coalition of public development banks has declared a renewed commitment to fighting marine plastics pollution with the launch of the Clean Oceans Initiative 2.0 (COI 2.0). The expanded programme, unveiled at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France (9-13 June), sets a new joint financing target of EUR 3 bn for 2026 to 2030. Development banks launch Clean Oceans Initiative 2.0, pledging EUR 3 bn by 2030 to fight marine plastics pollution (Photo: EIB) In its statement, the EIB said that the urgency of these efforts is underscored by UN projections, which warn that the amount of plastics waste entering oceans could rise from 11 mn t/y in 2021 to as much as 37 mn t/y by 2040 if no action is taken.The COI 2.0 builds on the success of the original Clean Oceans Initiative, launched in 2018 and extended in 2022, which reached its EUR 4 bn financing goal seven months ahead of its 2025 deadline, the EIB said. That funding supported a range of projects focused on reducing the discharge of plastics waste, microplastics, and other litter into the ocean. These included wastewater treatment upgrades in Sri Lanka, China, Egypt, and South Africa, solid waste management systems in Togo and Senegal, and flood control measures in Benin, Morocco, and Ecuador, the bank added.“Delivering on our initial target ahead of schedule demonstrates the power of partnership and collective action,” said EIB vice-president Ambroise Fayolle.The updated initiative broadens its scope, shifting from pollution mitigation to include upstream waste prevention and circular economy strategies. Future projects may involve developing alternatives to plastics and improving resource efficiency to reduce the volume of plastics entering aquatic ecosystems.In addition to the EIB, the initiative is backed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and, for the first time, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which brings regional expertise in Asia – a key area for addressing ocean-bound plastics.The EIB said that projects under COI 2.0 will be evaluated using scientifically robust indicators, with an emphasis on tracking results in plastics pollution prevention. The initiative continues to prioritise investment in coastal regions, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where poor waste and water infrastructure in urban areas contributes significantly to marine litter, the institution added.The lending institution of the EU explained that oceans play a crucial role in climate regulation and biodiversity, absorbing around 30% of global CO₂ emissions. Yet marine ecosystems and the livelihoods they support are increasingly threatened by plastics pollution – most of which originates from mismanaged land-based waste.

Raw material news-Pakistan Initiates Second Sunset Review of Anti-Dumping Duties on PVC Resin from China, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan​​; Automobile news-Teijin 's para-aramid fiber Twaron ® containing circulating components for Bridgestone high-performance racing tire; Packaging news- Pact launches new food grade recycled plastic for milk bottles; Electronic news for milk bottles- U.S. Initiates Section 337 Investigation on Electronic Eyewear​​;Medical news-Johnson Medical lost ! The amount of compensation soared to 3.2 billion; Macro news-Iran said the next round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations will be held in Oman on Sunday; Price information-ethylene Asia : CFR Northeast Asia 780 USD / ton ; cFR Southeast Asia $ 850 / ton. International News Details:​​ Pakistan Initiates Second Sunset Review of Anti-Dumping Duties on PVC Resin from China, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan​​The National Tariff Commission of Pakistan announced the launch of a second sunset review investigation (Case No. 50/2016/NTC/PVC/SR-II/2025) on suspension-grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin imported from China, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan. The investigation, prompted by a petition from domestic producer Engro Polymer and Chemicals Limited, covers the period from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024. The product, classified under HS code 3904.1090, is primarily used in manufacturing pipes, garden hoses, footwear, cables, films, and packaging materials. Existing anti-dumping duties will remain effective during the review, with a final ruling expected within 12 months. Vita Group Unveils Orbis Ultra Foam with Over 95% Recycled Content​​Vita Group, a European leader in flexible polyurethane foam solutions, announced a breakthrough in its 2024 Sustainability Report. Its Orbis Ultra foam incorporates 100% recycled polyols and 100% recycled TDI (derived from recycled TDA), achieving over 95% post-consumer recycled content from end-of-life foam. This innovation marks a milestone in circular economy solutions for the polyurethane industry. Sibur hikes 2030 recycling, sustainable plastics capacity goals Sibur Holding PJSC (Moscow), Russia's largest producer of polymers and synthetic rubber, has hiked its targets for the recycling of waste plastics and the use of bio-based and low-carbon polymers as part of its updated sustainability strategy to 2030. New pilot program to recycle vinyl windows in Canada The Vinyl Institute of Canada (VIC) has announced Project Win-Finity, a national pilot program stewarded by the association and aimed at recycling post-consumer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) windows. Pact launches new food grade recycled plastic for milk bottles Plastic resin made from recycled milk and juice bottles at a Pact-operated recycling facility in Melbourne has passed rigorous testing for use in food and drink packaging.The recycled rFresh 100 food-grade natural High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resin is produced at the Circular Plastics Australia (CPA) recycling plant in Laverton, where plastic milk and juice bottles collected from kerbside recycling bins are sorted, shredded, washed and sanitised before final conversion to a high-quality, food-grade resin. ​​U.S. Initiates Section 337 Investigation on Electronic Eyewear​​IngenioSpec, LLC filed a Section 337 complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging patent infringement by 13 companies—including China’s DJI, Yingmu Technology, and YINGM—involving electronic eyewear and related components. Johnson & Medical Subsidiary Faces 440 Million Antitrust Penalty​**​A U.S. court tripled damages against Biosense Webster (a J&J subsidiary) to 442 million for monopolistic practices that blocked third-party reprocessed medical devices. The ruling highlights growing scrutiny of anti-competitive behavior in healthcare. ​​Teijin’s Recycled Twaron® Powers Bridgestone’s Solar Racing Tires​​Teijin Aramid’s Twaron® para-aramid fiber, containing recycled content, will reinforce Bridgestone tires for the 2025 World Solar Challenge. This marks the first use of circular Twaron® in high-performance racing tires, maintaining strength while advancing sustainability. ​​South Korea Expands EPR Rules to Include Plastic Toys​​South Korea’s revised Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations will mandate toy manufacturers and importers to fund recycling from 2026. Exemptions apply to SMEs with annual sales below ₩10 billion or production under 10 tons. ​​Marelli May File for Bankruptcy, Potential Buyer Emerges​​Global automotive parts supplier giant Marelli is considering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to address a ¥100 billion (≈¥5 billion CNY) funding gap.   Global Macro Market Updates:​​   1. Rare Earth Crisis: Indian Auto Industry Urges Government to Engage China​​Multiple Indian suppliers have applied for rare earth export permits through their Chinese partners, but no approvals have been granted so far. Due to shortages of rare earth magnets, Indian automakers may suspend electric vehicle (EV) production, potentially delaying new EV deliveries. Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director of Bajaj Auto, stated that supplies and inventories are gradually depleting, and production could face severe disruptions by July if the situation remains unresolved. ​​2. Bank of Japan Governor Signals Inflation Remains Below Target, Yen Weakens Further​​Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda emphasized that inflation remains below the central bank’s target, accelerating the yen’s depreciation. While downplaying the likelihood of rate cuts to stimulate the economy, Ueda suggested potential support measures, reinforcing market expectations that monetary tightening remains distant. ​​3. Iran Announces Next Round of Nuclear Talks with U.S. to Begin Sunday in Oman​​Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed via Telegram that the sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. will commence on Sunday in Muscat. Iranian Foreign Minister and lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi will attend the Oslo Forum in Norway on June 11-12. ​​4. UK Employment Sees Sharpest Drop Since 2020 as Wage Growth Slows​​The UK labor market continued to cool amid higher hiring costs, with employment falling sharply and wage growth hitting a seven-month low. According to the UK Office for National Statistics, wage growth excluding bonuses slowed to 5.2% in the three months to April, below economists’ 5.3% forecast. Private sector wage growth—a key metric for the Bank of England—declined from 5.5% to 5.1%. ​​5. Traders Boost Bets on Bank of England Rate Cuts Ahead of German Bond Auction​​European government bonds opened largely flat. The yield on 2-year German government bonds remained flat at 1.87%, while 10-year and 30-year yields dipped 1 basis point to 2.56% and 3%, respectively. Markets await Germany’s 2030 bond auction and comments from European Central Bank officials François Villeroy de Galhau and Olli Rehn. Traders now price in 45 basis points of Bank of England rate cuts by year-end, up from 41 basis points earlier, following weak UK employment and wage data. ​​ Price Information: ​​​【USD/CNY Central Parity Rate​​】The People’s Bank of China set the USD/CNY central parity rate at ​​7.1840​​ on June 10, 2025 (Tuesday), up by ​​15 basis points​​ from the previous trading day’s rate of 7.1855. The official closing rate on June 9 was 7.1838, while the night session close settled at 7.1788. ​​【Upstream Raw Material Prices (USD)】 ​Ethylene Asia : CFR Northeast Asia 780 USD / ton ; cFR Southeast Asia $ 850 / ton. Propylene Northeast Asia : The average price of FOB Korea is $ 700 / ton, down $ 45 / ton ; cFR China 's average price of $ 750 / ton, down $ 25 / ton. CIF North Asian frozen goods, propane 541-543 USD / ton ; butane 510-512 US $ / ton. South China Frozen goods CIF July, propane 595-605 USD / ton ; butane 535-545 US $ / ton. Taiwan frozen goods CIF, propane 541-543 dollars / ton ; butane 510-512 US $ / ton. ​​【LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) USD Prices​​】 Film grade: ​​$870/MT​​ (CFR Qingdao) Injection molding grade: ​​$970/MT​​ (CFR Dongguan) ​​ 【HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) USD Prices​​】 Film grade: ​​$900–920/MT​​ (CFR Huangpu) Hollow products grade: ​​$865–870/MT​​ (CFR Huangpu) ​​【LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) USD Prices​​】 Film grade: ​​$1025–1035/MT​​ (CFR Huangpu) ​​【PP (Polypropylene) USD Prices​​】 Homopolymer: ​​$890–935/MT​​ (CFR Huangpu) Copolymer: ​​$955–1060/MT​​ (CFR Huangpu) Film grade: ​​$1025–1090/MT​​ (CFR Huangpu) Transparent grade: ​​$1085/MT​​ (CFR Huangpu) Pipe grade: ​​$1160/MT​​ (CFR Shanghai)  

Recently, BASF announced that its Black Mass plant in Schwarzheide, Germany, has successfully commenced commercial operations. This advanced facility marks a significant milestone for BASF's battery recycling business. It is one of the largest Black Mass commercial plants in Europe, with an annual processing capacity of up to 15,000 tons of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production waste, equivalent to approximately 40,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. Image source: BASF Battery recycling is also a topic of concern in China. On April 18, 2025, China Resources Recycling Group Battery Co., Ltd. was officially established, vigorously expanding its power battery recycling business and establishing four major platforms: the National Battery Data Center, the National Engineering Technology Center/Laboratory, the National Battery Bank, and the National Battery Recycling Demonstration Base. In March 2025, CATL launched the "Global Energy Recycling Program." According to the 2024 annual report, CATL has established recycling bases covering the globe, forming a large-scale and extensive recycling network system, with an annual processing capacity of 270,000 tons of waste batteries. The recovery rates of nickel, cobalt, and manganese metals can reach 99.6%, and the lithium metal recovery rate can reach 93.8%. Why are many leading companies increasing their focus on battery recycling? Let's interpret this from three aspects: regulations, technology routes, and industrial impacts, as presented by Monomers Vision. Source: Network 1. Policy pressure and resource anxiety: recycling is imperative. The urgency of battery recycling has become unprecedentedly clear by 2025. First, there is regulatory pressure on a global scale. EU New Battery RegulationClear requirements: By 2030, the proportion of recycled cobalt in new batteries should be at least 12%, with lithium and nickel each accounting for 4%; by 2035, this proportion will increase significantly to 20%, 10%, and 12%, respectively. The battery passport requirement mandates that all new batteries be equipped with a digital passport (recording material sources, recycled content, and carbon footprint). Starting from 2025, batteries entering the EU market will need to have full lifecycle data traceability. In the United States,"Inflation Reduction Act"(IRA) It isbattery critical minerals valued must meet: 50% from North America or free trade partners by 2024, rising to 60% in 2025, and reaching 80% by 2027. Additionally, battery manufacturers using recycled metals from North America are eligible for a tax credit of $45 per kWh (comprising a $35 tax credit per cell and $10 per module), which encourages companies like Tesla to accelerate their investments in recycling facilities. In China, the State Council passed in February 2025."Action Plan for Improving the Recycling System of New Energy Vehicle Power Batteries"​Mandatory digital traceability across the entire "production-sales-recycling-regeneration" chain for batteries, with enterprises failing to connect to the system being ineligible for the whitelist qualification. This marks the official entry of China's battery recycling industry into a new phase of standardization and scale. Under policy pressure, establishing recycling chains has become a survival imperative for companies. Actually,“Urban MinesValue emerges. BASFThe "Black Mass" processed at BASF's Schwarzheide plant is an intermediate product rich in critical metals extracted from spent batteries. By refining Black Mass through chemical methods to produce new cathode active materials (CAM), it not only enables the recycling of strategic resources such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to using primary raw materials. Finally, as the world's largest new energy vehicle market, China's new energy vehicle population has exceeded 31.4 million by 2024, with the first batch of battery warranties approaching their expiration. According to reliable forecasts, the retirement volume of power batteries in China will reach 820,000 tons in 2025, and will exceed 4 million tons per year starting from 2028.Drive the recycling market scale to exceed2800Billion yuan. II. Leading Enterprises Make Moves: Technological Pathways and Ecosystem Closure Faced with a trillion-dollar blue ocean and policy pressures, leading companies like BASF are making frequent moves in 2025, with technological pathways and strategic collaborations becoming the focus of competition. The recycling of power batteries is mainly divided into two categories: cascade utilization and regeneration utilization. When the battery capacity is between 50% and 80%, retired power batteries are disassembled and reassembled for cascade utilization. After screening and reassembly, retired batteries can be applied in fields with lower requirements such as energy storage, backup power, and low-speed electric vehicles, extending the full lifecycle value of the batteries. When the battery capacity decays to below 40%, it is disassembled, crushed, and processed to extract raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are then "reincarnated" into new batteries.​This is the core path for recycling critical metals. Since 2018, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has successively recognized 156 enterprises in five batches that comply with the "Industry Norm Conditions for the Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles" as part of the "white list." Among them, 93 enterprises, accounting for 59.6%, are engaged in echelon utilization; 51 enterprises, accounting for 32.7%, are involved in recycling utilization, and 12 enterprises possess dual qualifications for both echelon and recycling utilization. Image source: Global Zero Carbon ZhuanSu World noticed,In the field of battery recycling,Building an ecological closed loop has become an important choice for leading companies. ​​During the 2025 Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo,BASFForming a quadruple strategic partnership with HeFei Guohuan High-Tech (battery production), China Gas (energy and potential recycling channels), and (positive electrode materials) aims to create a "closed-loop eco-chain of the new energy industry." This will cover the entire value chain from material production, battery manufacturing, to recycling and regeneration. In China, this practice of cooperation in battery recycling between different types of enterprises is also very common among leading companies. December 2024,BYD China First Automobile Group CorporationSign the agreement to integrate both parties' nationwide 4S stores and service center resources, establish a retired battery recycling network covering 300 cities, and share dismantling and recycling technologies. BYD will provide cascade utilization batteries for FAW's commercial vehicle energy storage systems. January 2025,Tianneng Group Co-develop a "lifetime archive" system for ride-hailing vehicle batteries, coding and archiving the batteries of 500,000 electric vehicles under Didi. After retirement, the batteries will be collected by Tianneng for targeted recycling, and the used batteries will be utilized in Didi's battery swap network. In March 2025,Ningde Times GCL GroupJointly establish "Times GCL Renewable Technology" to build a comprehensive facility integrating photovoltaic storage, charging, and battery swapping stations with battery recycling centers in the Yangtze River Delta region. Retired batteries, after inspection, can be used as energy storage batteries or disassembled for recycling. May 2025,GEM Mercedes-Benz- The only designated battery recycling service provider in China, responsible for the recovery of retired power batteries from its nationwide dealer network, and uses wet processing technology to extract high-purity nickel and cobalt (purity ≥ 99.8%) through extraction. Note: The phrase "" seems to be incorrectly placed or formulated in the original sentence. If it is meant to describe how the high-purity nickel and cobalt are extracted, a more accurate translation might be: "... and uses wet processing technology toextract high-purity nickel and cobalt (purity ≥ 99.8%)." However, I have translated it as directly as possible based on the provided text. As a result, various types of collaborations have emerged, such as between automakers and recycling companies, battery manufacturers and energy groups, operators and recycling companies, as well as material suppliers and energy service providers. III. Industrial Impact: The Hidden Worries and Restructuring Behind the Prosperity The explosive growth of the battery recycling industry is profoundly reshaping the landscape of the new energy industry chain, but it also faces severe challenges. Hidden worries of overcapacity:Qichacha data shows that there are more than 172,000 battery recycling-related companies currently existing in China, over 60% of which were established in the past three years. As of May 1, 2025, more than 10,000 new companies were registered within the year. However, the "White Paper on the Development of China's Lithium-ion Battery Recycling and Reuse Industry (2025)" reveals a chilling reality: as of the end of 2024, the nominal capacity of the white-listed enterprises in China reached 4.233 million tons/year, but the actual amount of batteries recycled in 2024 was only 654,000 tons.​The overall industry capacity utilization rate is as low as 15.5%.​The reckless expansion like land enclosure has led to severe structural overcapacity. Accelerated normalization process:Behind the low capacity utilization rate are small and scattered enterprises with outdated technology, non-compliance with environmental standards, and difficulties in entering the formal "white list" system. With the strong implementation of China's "Action Plan" and the stringent regulations of the European Union, the requirements for recycling technology, environmental standards, and data traceability will continue to increase.​“ Regular Army" "Small workshop"Substitution and industry reshuffling are inevitable​Full digital traceability will become standard. The profitability of the battery recycling industry:The profitability of the battery recycling industry is not always ideal. Although used lithium batteries contain strategic metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which have high recovery value, the costs and risks involved in the recycling process cannot be ignored. The average profit margin in the industry is around 10%, and after deducting labor costs and other operating expenses, the actual profit space is limited. In addition, recycling companies also face high risks and pollution issues, leading to high environmental costs. Technical barriers determine the outcome:The core of future competition lies in recycling efficiency, metal recovery rates (especially lithium), environmental friendliness, and cost control. Companies need to make continuous breakthroughs in new technologies such as bioleaching, automated disassembly, and efficient extraction of black mass in order to occupy a favorable position in the global resource recycling system. “"Urban Mine"The value reassessment:Efficient battery recycling will significantly reduce dependence on primary mineral resources, enhancing the security of resource supply. The proportion of recycled metals in Translation continuation: The proportion of recycled metals in materials will continue to rise, and resource cycling itself will become an important component of industrial competitiveness. (Note: The last sentence was split and continued to ensure grammatical correctness and flow in English.) IV. Epilogue: The Essential Question in the Era of Circular Economy Battery recycling is no longer just an environmental issue; it has become a nexus of resource strategy, industrial competition, and technological innovation. Leading companies are seizing the initiative by strategically laying out their technologies and creating closed ecological loops. Meanwhile, the continuous tightening of policies and regulations, along with the intensifying market consolidation, is driving the entire industry towards a more efficient, standardized, and sustainable future. Only when every retired battery can be reborn through precise industrial processes can humanity truly achieve a closed-loop transition to a sustainable energy future.   Editor: Lily Source of materials: Global Zero Carbon, China Gas Holdings Limited announcements, Greeenery announcements, Tianneng Group official website news, BASF official website, GCL-Poly Energy official WeChat account, "China Automotive News" and other public reports.

Canadian Plastics Recycling Sustainability The collaboration, spearheaded by the Vinyl Institute of Canada, aims to divert vinyl and glass from landfills for recycling. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Marina Gordejeva The Vinyl Institute of Canada (VIC) has announced Project Win-Finity, a national pilot program stewarded by the association and aimed at recycling post-consumer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) windows. The program, created in partnership with Formosa Plastics Corp. USA, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), and Vision Extrusions Group, is designed to help establish a circular recycling system for vinyl windows across Canada. The project is also supported by Fenestration Canada, Strategic Materials Inc., the Municipal Waste Association of Ontario, the Siding and Window Dealers Association of Canada, Viking Recyclers Inc., and EPL Plastics Inc. In a June 5 statement, VIC officials said the pilot is expected to be in full operation by Sept. 19, 2025, aligning with World Clean Up Day, which addresses the global solid waste problem and marine debris. The project is designed to evaluate a recycled-content model for vinyl windows and set the stage for broader recycling systems. Collection and processing of post-consumer windows will be focused within the Greater Toronto Area, organized by the Win-Finity Task Group, from the removal of windows to their reuse in new products. The VIC is headquartered in Niagara Falls, Ont.

Raw Materials News - Four Key TiO₂ Metrics Determine Masterbatch Quality​​;Packaging News - AMCOR Fully recyclable wet wipe packaging developed in collaboration with Fedrigoni; Equipment News - German plastic machinery orders fell 21% in 2024 ; Macro News - OPEC+ Quota Hikes Yet to Translate into Significant Output Growth​​; Price Information - The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar is 7.1855, down 10 points. International News Details:​​ 1. German plastic machinery orders fell 21% in 2024 Orders for German plastics and rubber machinery fell by another 21% in 2024, adjusted for prices changes, according to official figures from trade group VDMA. 2. AMCOR Fully recyclable wet wipe packaging developed in collaboration with Fedrigoni Packaging manufacturer Amcor has teamed up with speciality paper manufacturer Fedrigoni to launch a fully recycle-ready flexible packaging solution for wet wipes.The product pairs Amcor’s AmPrima Plus flow wrap with Fedrigoni’s patented semi-rigid label to create a mono-material pack that can be recycled in polyethylene recycling streams across Europe.  3. ​​Chanel Is Getting Into the Recycling Business The French luxury giant is launching a new circularity focused venture with investments in waste management and recycling companies, much as it has bought up top-end ateliers in a decades-long push to future-proof its supply chain. 4. ​​Four Key TiO₂ Metrics Determine Masterbatch Quality​​Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a critical raw material for masterbatch production, directly impacts end-product performance. Industry experts highlight four core quality indicators: whiteness, water-soluble content, dispersibility, and opacity. Whiteness, influenced by hydrolysis control, particle size, and calcination temperature, is paramount for high-end white masterbatches. While some manufacturers use fluorescent brighteners for visual enhancement, their effects are short-lived compared to intrinsic TiO₂ quality. 5. ​​Master Bond Launches UV-Curable Adhesive for Diverse Substrates​​ Master Bond launches Master Bond UV15-7HP, a low viscosity, easy to apply, one-part, UV curable adhesive system. Optimal adhesion is achieved in bond line thicknesses of 0.001-0.003 inch.The adhesive can cure rapidly with a minimum intensity of 20-40 milliwatts/cm2 using a UV light source emitting at a wavelength of 320-365 nm. The material can also be cured in sections up to 0.125 inch thick under appropriate conditions, making it suitable for bonding, sealing, coating, and encapsulation. 6. ​​Masterbatch manufacturer obtains French CSTB certification Spanish masterbatch specialist Delta Tecnic said it has developed a pigment additive, which recently obtained certification from the French organisation providing research, consultancy, testing, and certification services in the construction industry CSTB. 7. Avantium signs PEF offtake agreement with Hoogesteger, a fresh juice producer  Avantium signs PEF offtake agreement with Hoogesteger, a fresh juice producerAvantium N.V. has signed a conditional offtake agreement with Hoogesteger, a producer of fresh cold-pressed juices in the Netherlands. Hoogesteger will purchase the 100% plant-based, recyclable polymer PEF (polyetehylene furanoate) from Avantium’s FDCA Flagship Plant for the use in bottles for its fresh juices made from ultra-fresh vegetables, fruit and fresh herbs.   Global Macro Market Updates:​​ ​​ Morgan Stanley: OPEC+ Quota Hikes Yet to Translate into Significant Output Growth​​Morgan Stanley noted that while OPEC+ may be raising oil production quotas to reactivate idle capacity, actual output growth remains negligible. "Daily quotas increased by ~1 million barrels from March to June, yet tangible production growth is elusive," analysts including Martijn Rats stated. Notably, Saudi Arabia’s output shows no marked rise. ​​U.S. Travel Ban on 12 Nations Takes Effect​​A Trump-era travel ban targeting citizens from over a dozen African and Middle Eastern countries officially commenced at 12 AM ET on Monday, reigniting debates reminiscent of the 2017 policy’s legal turmoil. ​​South Korean Egg Prices Hit 4-Year High​​Per the Korea Rural Economic Institute, the average retail price for 30 large eggs reached KRW 7,026 in May—the highest since July 2021. Prices are projected to climb further through August due to supply constraints. ​​Syria to Rejoin SWIFT System​​Syria’s new central bank governor announced the country will fully reintegrate into the SWIFT payment network within weeks, marking a pivotal step toward economic reentry after 14 years of war and sanctions.   ​​ Price Information: ​​​​ [RMB to USD Central Parity Rate] The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar was 7.1855, down 10 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1845, the previous trading day's official closing rate was 7.1847, and the previous night's closing rate was 7.1947. [US Dollar Market Prices of Upstream Raw Materials] Ethylene in Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 780 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia 850 USD/ton. Propylene in Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average 745 USD/ton; CFR China average 775 USD/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF prices: propane 536-538 USD/ton; butane 505-507 USD/ton. South China frozen cargo CIF prices for July: propane 601-611 USD/ton; butane 541-551 USD/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF prices: propane 536-538 USD/ton; butane 505-507 USD/ton. [US Dollar Market Prices of LLDPE] Film: 870 USD/ton (CFR Qingdao); Injection molding: 970 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan). [US Dollar Market Prices of HDPE] Film: 900-920 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: 865-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu). [US Dollar Market Prices of LDPE] Film: 1025-1035 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu). [US Dollar Market Prices of PP] Homopolymer: 890-935 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: 955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Film grade: 1025-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: 1085 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe: 1160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).    

Packaging manufacturer Amcor has teamed up with speciality paper manufacturer Fedrigoni to launch a fully recycle-ready flexible packaging solution for wet wipes. Amcor and Fedrigoni's new mono-material wet wipe packaging is fully recyclable in PE streams (Photo: Amcor) The product pairs Amcor’s AmPrima Plus flow wrap with Fedrigoni’s patented semi-rigid label to create a mono-material pack that can be recycled in polyethylene recycling streams across Europe. This development is in line with the goals of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which mandates that all packaging placed on the European market be recyclable by 2030. Marketing and R&D director at Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives, Federico Lanzi, said the collaboration is consistent with the company’s ESG strategy to 2030, “which aims to have 100% of materials designed for optimal recyclability and end-of-life recovery”. Certified as recyclable by both RecyClass and Institut cyclos-HTP, the new solution reduces packaging weight by up to 15% compared to traditional multi-material packs and cuts carbon footprint by as much as 55%, according to Amcor’s asset life cycle assessment, which is certified by the consultancy Carbon Trust. The design also supports cost savings for brands through lower extended producer responsibility fees, potentially reducing them by up to 35%, the company added.

Spanish masterbatch specialist Delta Tecnic said it has developed a pigment additive, which recently obtained certification from the French organisation providing research, consultancy, testing, and certification services in the construction industry CSTB. Delta Tecnic’s portfolio focuses on colour masterbatches, offering specialised solutions for a range of industrial applications (Photo: Fotolia/akyuterd) Delta Tecnic, which has been owned by investment group Investindustrial since last year said it had recently achieved CSTB approval in Germany, “demonstrating the effectiveness of its proposal for window and door profile manufacturers operating in a highly competitive industrial context, marked by sustainable transformation and heterogeneity of the machinery park”.The Spanish firm said the main technical challenge lies in the pigment’s ability to withstand CSTB’s most severe test; being exposed to extreme environmental conditions, including solar radiation, humidity, water, and abrasive particles, for six months. Such research tested the quality of the pigment’s colouring “and its ability to maintain its aesthetic and functional qualities over the long term”, it added.Brita Kunze, sales director Deltacolor at Delta Tecnic, said pigments had been “specifically selected for their lightfastness and outdoor performance, and in adaptable formats such as small micropellets or the innovative super small pellets, which guarantee perfect colour homogeneity without compromising the mechanical properties of the profile”.The CSTB, which employs nearly 1,000 staff, including 500 engineers, said it was “dedicated to making buildings more efficient and more respectful of people and the environment”.

International News Digest: Raw Material News-Braskem achieves a significant breakthrough in olefin separation technology! Auto News -Tesla's Market Value Plunges 150 Billion Amid Public Dispute Between Trump and Musk E-News- LK Group's Die-Casting Equipment Lands in North America as Xusheng Group's Mexico Factory Achieves First Production Line Milestone​​Packaging News-DuPont expands medical packaging capacity in Costa Rica Medical  New-LyondellBasell enters agreement for the sale of Aequita olefin/polyolefin assets in  Europe Macro News - Indian Central Bank Cuts Reserve Requirement and Interest Rates Price Information - North Asia Frozen Cargo CIF, Propane 537-539 USD/ton   The following is a detailed report on international news: 1. LyondellBasell enters agreement for the sale of Aequita olefin/polyolefin assets in  Europe LyondellBasell (Rotterdam, the Netherlands; www.lyondellbasell.com) today announced that it has entered into an agreement and exclusive negotiations with AEQUITA (Munich, Germany; www.aequita.com) for the sale of select olefins and polyolefins assets and the associated business in Europe. The sites to be sold have been part of the previously announced European strategic assessment and are located in Berre (France), Münchsmünster (Germany), Carrington (U.K.) and Tarragona (Spain). 2. DuPont Expands Medical Packaging Capacity in Costa Rica DuPont has expanded its sterile operations via an addition to its healthcare manufacturing facility in Heredia, Costa Rica, the company announced today. The 16,000-square-foot expansion enable the production of sterile packaging at the site for the global medical device industry while increasing capacity of existing medical tubing operations, DuPont said. 3. Braskem, olefin separation technology has made a major breakthrough ! Braskem and Ardent Process Technologies ( ' Ardent ' ), the largest polyolefin producer in the Americas, a global market leader and a pioneer producer of industrial-scale biopolymers, announced that the innovative olefin-paraffin separation technology project jointly developed by the two companies has been successfully completed, marking a major breakthrough in polyolefin production efficiency. The two sides started cooperation in November 2020, and the core is to develop and test Ardent 's Optiperm TM membrane technology on a dedicated demonstration device in the Braskem plant. The rigorous development project has successfully achieved key performance indicators, including membrane efficiency, durability and operational stability. 4. Tesla's Market Value Plunges 150 Billion Amid Public Dispute Between Trump and Musk According to foreign media reports,Tesla Inc.′s stockprice plummeted 150 billion in market value in a single day, following a highly publicized feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and former head of the "Government Efficiency Department." 5. SK Chemical, together with the Ministry of Administrative Security of Korea and the local government to create a benchmark model for waste banner recycling SK Chemical announced that the company signed a memorandum of understanding on waste banner recycling cooperation with five local governments and REVELOP, Sejinplus, Kakao and other enterprises in its Ulsan factory in the southern district of Ulsan City, aiming to promote the coordinated development of regions and enterprises. The agreement is a key part of the South Korean Ministry of Administration and Security 's joint local government and enterprise cooperation project to promote a virtuous cycle of waste banners. It aims to convert recycled waste banners into raw materials and reprocess them into new products through chemical technology. 6. Duroflex 3 years recycled 2 million plastic bottles India 's leading brand of sleep solutions Duroflex announces that, to date, it has successfully converted 2 million waste PET plastic bottles into environmentally friendly mattress fabrics. Through this innovative green project, Duroflex not only promotes the recycling of plastic waste in India, but also provides practical solutions for sustainable consumption, further strengthening its leading position in the field of green manufacturing. 7. Heidelberg 's latest financial report : annual sales of 18.7 billion yuan, China contributed nearly 2.5 billion on June 5, Heidelberg officially released its 2024 / 25 financial year ( as of March 31,2025 ) performance report. The report shows that despite the complex market environment, Heidelberg still maintained a steady operating performance and successfully achieved the preset financial goals. Specifically, in the 2024 / 25 fiscal year, Heidelberg achieved sales of 2.28 billion euros ( about 18.7 billion yuan ), and the packaging solution business also showed a positive order growth trend. Its new orders increased by 7 % compared with the previous fiscal year, reaching 1.272 billion euros. 8. LK Group's Die-Casting Equipment Lands in North America as Xusheng Group's Mexico Factory Achieves First Production Line Milestone​​Recently, die-casting equipment supplied by ​​LK Group​​ for ​​Xusheng Group's​​ Saltillo factory in Mexico has completed installation and commissioning, enabling the efficient launch of the customer's first production line. The cross-border delivery (including transportation and installation) was accomplished within five months, successfully replicating the "China Speed" in North America. This milestone signifies the expansion of the two companies' collaboration from China to the global market. As Xusheng Group's strategic partner for nearly two decades, LK Group has driven this initiative through a dual-engine approach of "​​cutting-edge equipment + comprehensive services​​," achieving synergistic overseas expansion of "​​Chinese equipment + Chinese solutions​​" in the North American market. This also demonstrates that LK Group's global service capabilities have ascended to a new level. Overseas macro market information: 【India's central bank cuts the reserve requirement and interest rates.】 The Reserve Bank of India has lowered the benchmark interest rate. The interest rate was lowered by 50 basis points to 5.5%, with an expectation of 5.75%. The Reserve Bank of India lowered the cash reserve ratio by 100 basis points to 3%, with an expectation of 4%. After the reduction in the cash reserve ratio, the yield on India's 10-year government bonds fell by 6 basis points to 6.19%. The yield on India's 5-year government bonds fell by 14 basis points, currently at 5.68%. 【South Korea says it will continue to closely communicate with the U.S. on foreign exchange policy. There is speculation that exchange rates may become a topic in trade negotiations.】 South Korea will continue discussions with the United States on its foreign exchange policy to promote mutual understanding; previously, the U.S. Treasury had placed South Korea on an observation list and called for it to restrain currency intervention. The South Korean Ministry of Finance stated in a Friday declaration that it aims to seek greater understanding in foreign exchange policies through regular communication and ongoing forex consultations with the U.S."Mutual understanding and trust." U.S. and South Korean officials held exchange rate consultations in Milan last month, leading to speculation that the Trump administration is willing to accept a depreciation of the dollar, and the exchange rate may become a topic in trade negotiations. 【The YOY decline in Japan 's exports in the first 20 days of May was affected by the Trump administration 's tariff measures】The Japanese government reported Friday that exports in the first 20 days of May were down 3 % from a year earlier. In contrast, the export volume in the first 20 days of April increased by 2.3 %, and the export volume increased by 2 % throughout April. Exports grew by an average of 6.2 % in the year to April.   Price information: 【CNY to USD central parity】 CNY to USD central parity is 7.1845, up 20 points ; the median price of the previous trading day was 7.1865, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1838, and the previous day and night closing price was 7.1790. 【Upstream raw material USD market price】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Northeast Asia Propylene: The FOB Korea average price is $745 per ton; the CFR China average price is $775 per ton. North Asia frozen cargo landed price: propane537-539 USD/ton; Butane 504-506 USD/ton. South China Frozen GoodsThe CIF spot prices in early July: propane at $601-$611 per ton; butane at $541-$551 per ton. Taiwan Region Frozen Goods CIF Price, Propane$537-539/ton; Butane $504-506/ton. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film: 875 USD per ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $970 per ton (CFR Dongguan) 【HDPE USD market price】 Film:900-920 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Hollow: USD 865-870 / ton ( CFR Whampoa ) 【LDPE USD market price】 Film:$1025-1035/ton (CFR Huangpu) 【PP USD market price】 Uniform aggregation:890-935 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymerization:955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu; Membrane material:USD 1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu) Transparent:1085 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu) Pipes:1,160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).  

Headline News: Raw Material News - Alpek to Shut Down PET Plant with Annual Capacity of 170K Tons Virgin & 35K Tons Recycled PET Auto News -Mercedes-Benz, BMW Scramble to Secure Rare Earth Supply Amid China's Export Restrictions​​   Packaging News -PepsiCo CSO's In-depth Analysis: Challenges and Opportunities Behind Revised Packaging Targets​​ Macro news - Mexico President Slams U.S. Steel/Aluminum Tariff Hikes as "Unfair and Baseless", Vows Countermeasures​ Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 780/ton;CFRSoutheastAsia850/ton   The following are the details of international news: 1. HanoiPlas 2025 showcases advanced plastics, rubber, recycling solutions HanoiPlas 2025, the 13th edition of the Hanoi International Plastics and Rubber Industry Exhibition, is taking place from June 4-7, attracting over 200 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions.Covering 9,000 square metres of exhibition space, HanoiPlas 2025 is showcasing a wide spectrum of the latest in machinery, advanced materials, sustainable recycling solutions, and more. The exhibition has gathered leading industry players who are unveiling their latest technologies and equipment, offering visitors insights into the future trends and innovations driving the plastics and rubber sectors. 2 EREMA Reports 13% Revenue Decline to €330 Million Amid Global Challenges​ Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, the plastics recycling industry faces multifaceted challenges. Nevertheless, Austria-based ​​EREMA Group​​ maintains its leadership position through profound technological expertise and continuous innovation. The company is intensifying efforts in key sectors like recycled PET, driving the industry toward high-quality and sustainable development. 3. Mercedes-Benz, BMW Scramble to Secure Rare Earth Supply Amid China's Export Restrictions​ U.S. and European automakers have expressed concern about China 's export controls on rare earth metals, saying the move could have a knock-on effect on global auto production, according to foreign media reports. Mercedes-Benz Group and BMW Group are in urgent consultation with suppliers to ensure a stable supply of parts containing rare earth materials. Among them, Mercedes-Benz is exploring the possibility of stockpiling specific parts. According to Ford Motor, due to the extension of China 's approval process for rare earth exports, the export time of some parts has increased, and the transportation cost has also increased. Ford Chief Financial Officer Sherry House pointed out at the UBS Automotive Conference held in New York, the United States on June 4 : ' This has put pressure on the highly organized system. She pointed out that export controls mean that automakers must look for alternative parts or new supply channels. Last month, Ford 's factory in Chicago had to shut down for a week due to a shortage of rare earths, and the factory mainly produces Explorer models. A spokesman for BMW Group said that although its car factory is currently operating normally, some supply chain networks have been affected by China 's rare earth metal export restrictions. However, the spokesman did not give further details. 4. Qosina Adds Sealed Air's PE-based Film to Bioprocessing Product Portfolio Supplier of single-use components for medical devices Qosina has entered into a strategic partnership with packaging specialist Sealed Air. As a result of this collaboration, Qosina has added  Nexcel Bio1250 , a robust, co-extruded bioprocessing bag film to its portfolio of bioprocessing products. 5 ALBIS establishes subsidiary in Tel Aviv, Israel ALBIS continues its international growth with the establishment of a subsidiary in Tel Aviv, Israel. This strategic move marks another step in its expansion beyond Europe and APAC. 6. South Korea 's Seho Tech launched a new generation of NeXgener polyurethane foaming agent South Korea 's Seho Tech recently launched NeXgener polyurethane, which is a new generation of polyurethane foam foaming agent that meets modern environmental protection standards and has no impact on performance, marking a change in the global insulation industry. NeXgener is a 100 % chemical-based foaming agent specially developed for polyurethane applications. It produces strong internal heat through cross-linking reaction, and can better control foam expansion by adjusting water content. Its high hydroxyl value ( OH-V ~ 400 ) allows the use of MDI to increase, thereby improving foam performance. 7. Alpek will shut down a plant with an annual output of 170,000 tons of PET and 35,000 tons of recycled PET Alpek, a petrochemical and polyester product giant, recently announced that it will stop operating its Fayetteville plant in North Carolina, the United States. The company has issued an official application for workers ' adjustment and retention notices, and the shutdown will affect the work of 90 employees. The plant is operated by Alpek Polyester USA and acquired by Alpek in 2021, with an annual capacity of 170,000 tons of PET resin and 35,000 tons of recycled PET flakes. 9. Kuraray shut down polyester resin and polyester filament production plant Kuraray Co., Ltd.announced recently that it decided to stop its manufacturing subsidiary Kuraray Saijo Co., Ltd. ( located in Xitiao City, Ehime County ; production of polyester resin and polyester filament. Kuraray said that in 1969, the company began to produce polyester resin for filaments, while manufacturing and selling polyester filaments CLAVELLA TM. In 1987, the company began manufacturing and selling polyester resin KURAPET TM for molded products. However, in recent years, due to market changes and equipment aging caused by maintenance and update costs rise, Kuraray polyester related business is facing difficulties. The company has been considering whether to continue to carry out the business ; however, it is concluded that it is difficult to ensure stable production and achieve sustainable profitability in the future.   Overseas macro market information: 【The United States has comprehensively restricted the entry of citizens from 12 countries. Trump : related to the Colorado attack】 The White House issued a notice on the 4th, announcing a comprehensive restriction on the entry of citizens from 12 countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran, and Yemen into the United States, and partially restricting the entry of citizens from 7 countries such as Burundi. According to the AFP report, US President Donald Trump said on the same day that the relevant restrictions were related to attacks on pro-Israel groups in Colorado. 【 The auction results for Japan's 30-year government bonds have been released, with the bid-to-cover ratio hitting a new low since 2023.】 Japan auctioned 30-year government bonds, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.92, lower than the 12-month average level of 3.39, and it is the lowest bid-to-cover ratio since 2023. After the auction results were released, Japanese government bond futures saw a decline in gains, with the yield on 30-year bonds dropping by 6 basis points to 2.885%. 【The Iraqi Ministry of Oil stated that the reason for the reduction in oil exports is the forced production cut to comply with OPEC quotas.】  The Iraqi Ministry of Oil stated that the reason for the decrease in Iraq's oil exports is the inability to receive and export oil produced in the Kurdistan region, along with being forced to cut production to comply with OPEC quotas. 【Mexican President: The U.S. raising steel and aluminum tariffs is "unfair," and we will take countermeasures.】 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on the 4th that the United States' recent move to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products is "unfair", "lacks legal basis", and is "unsustainable." The Mexican government will assess the situation and then formulate countermeasures to protect the development of its steel and aluminum industries.   Price information: 【USD/CNY central parity rate】 The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar was set at 7.1865, up by 21 basis points. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1886, the official closing price was 7.1890, and the overnight closing price was 7.1760. 【Upstream raw material prices in US dollars】 Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Acrylic Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price is $745/ton; CFR China average price is $775/ton. The North Asian frozen cargo landed price: propane $544.5-$546.5 per ton; butane $511.5-$513.5 per ton. The CIF price for South China frozen goods in July is as follows: propane $607-617 per ton; butane $542-552 per ton. The CIF price of frozen goods in Taiwan area, propane 544.5-546.5 US dollars/ton; butane 511.5-513.5 US dollars/ton. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film: $875/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding: $970/ton (CFR Dongguan); 【HDPE USD market price】 Film: $900-$920 per ton (CFR Huangpu). Hollow: 865-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【 LDPE USD market price】 Film: 1025-1035 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【PP PP USD Market Price】 Homopolymer: 890-935 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Copolymer: 955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Material: $1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: $1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe materials: 1,160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).

Top Stories:   Raw Material News- Europe's Largest! BASF Officially Commissions Black Mass Plant​ Auto News- Volkswagen Restructures German Operations: 20,000 Employees Agree to Early Departure Packaging News-Tech Revolutionizes Packaging: Starbucks Launches Compostable Cup Across Europe Electronic News- Smartphone Market Stagnates: Q1 2025 Growth at Just 0.2% Macro News- Mexico to Seek U.S. Exemption from Steel Tariff Hike Price Information-Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia780 / CFR Southeast Asia850 /   The following are details of international news:   1.Europe's Largest! BASF Officially Commissions Black Mass Plant​ June 3rd​​ – BASF announced the successful commencement of commercial operations at its Black Mass plant in Schwarzheide, Germany. This advanced facility represents a significant milestone for BASF's battery recycling business. It is one of Europe's largest commercial Black Mass plants, with an annual processing capacity of up to 15,000 metric tons of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap. This capacity is equivalent to processing approximately 40,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. 2 Sika and Sulzer to establish plastics recycling JV for the construction sector Sika AG (Baar, Switzerland) and Sulzer Ltd. (Winterthur, Switzerland) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture (JV) to advance plastics recycling in the construction industry. The aim is to combine the strengths of both companies: Sika’s extensive expertise in polymer applications and high performance building materials and Sulzer’s leading process knowledge in chemical recycling. The joint venture, based in the Zurich area, will be founded as an independent company, with each partner holding a 50 percent stake. Operational activities will commence in the second half of 2025 with pilot projects in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 3. Cadbury Launches Packaging with 80% Recycled Plastic​​Recently, Mondelēz International's iconic chocolate brand ​​Cadbury​​ has unveiled a major upgrade in the UK market: its ​​sharing-size chocolate bars​​ will now use new packaging containing ​​80% recycled plastic​​. This initiative not only demonstrates Cadbury’s firm commitment to sustainability but will also annually provide ​​over 300 million chocolate bars​​ with a "green coat."The shift is projected to ​​reduce virgin plastic usage by ~600 metric tons per year​​ — equivalent to the weight of ​​40 double-decker buses​​. This marks ​​the highest proportion of recycled plastic ever used in Cadbury's global packaging 4. Premix Group opens plastics manufacturing plant in North Carolina Premix Group, a global leader in electrically conductive plastics, announced the opening of its state-of-the art US manufacturing facility in Apple Creek, North Carolina. With a $79 Million investment from the Department of Defense (DoD) and Health and Human Services (HHS), this facility represents a major step in securing the domestic supply chain for critical diagnostics and other high-impact applications. 5. Brazilian Billionaire Moves: Battle for Control of Petrochemical Giant Braskem Intensifies Braskem, one of South America's largest petrochemical companies, is at the center of a potential power shift. According to Brazilian financial media, Braskem's major shareholder ​​Novonor​​ has confirmed receiving a ​​non-binding acquisition proposal​​ for the company's controlling stake. The offer comes from an investment fund managed by Brazilian billionaire ​​Nelson Tanure​​, known for high-profile acquisitions. If successful, this move could restructure ownership of one of the Americas' most prominent plastic producers. 6. Volkswagen Restructures German Operations: 20,000 Employees Agree to Early Departure On June 4, Bloomberg reported that ​​Volkswagen AG​​ will cut ~20,000 jobs in Germany through ​​voluntary early departures by 2030​​. At a Wolfsburg workers' assembly, HR Chief ​​Gunnar Kilian​​ stated the company had achieved significant cost reductions at six German plants while implementing layoffs "in a socially responsible manner." As Europe's largest automaker, VW faces rising costs, weak European demand, and fierce competition from Chinese rivals, necessitating production capacity and workforce reductions. 7. Rare Earth Crisis: China’s Export Restrictions Threaten German Auto Production Germany’s ​​Automotive Industry Association (VDA)​​ warned on June 3 that China’s controls on ​​rare earth exports​​ could halt German auto production. VDA President ​​Hildegard Müller​​ noted that slow export license approvals and customs delays are disrupting supplies of critical vehicle components. This marks the first formal warning from Germany’s auto sector about production risks due to rare earth shortages. 8. Tech Revolutionizes Packaging: Starbucks Launches Compostable Cup Across Europe ​​Starbucks​​ has partnered with ​​Metsä Board​​, ​​Transcend Packaging​​, and ​​Qwarzo​​ to launch a ​​home-compostable coffee cup​​ with a plastic-free lid in 10 European countries. The cup features a mineral-based coating (developed by Italy’s Qwarzo) that provides heat/water resistance while enabling recyclability. The fiber-based lid eliminates single-use plastic. Rollout includes Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary. 9. Smartphone Market Stagnates: Q1 2025 Growth at Just 0.2% Per ​​Canalys​​ (now part of ​​Omdia​​), global smartphone shipments grew marginally (0.2%) to ​​296.9 million units​​ in Q1 2025, marking three consecutive quarters of slowing growth as replacement cycles plateau. ​​Samsung​​ led with 60.5M units, followed by ​​Apple​​ (55M, 19% share) and ​​Xiaomi​​ (41.8M, 14%). ​​Vivo​​ (22.9M) and ​​OPPO​​ (22.7M) ranked fourth and fifth.   Overseas macro market information:   【Citigroup: High Upside Potential for Chinese NEV Makers in June​】 ​Citigroup notes that most new energy vehicle (NEV) brands saw ​​week-on-week order recovery​​ last week. Coupled with recent ​​promotional campaigns​​ by automakers, June presents significant upside potential. 【Lee Jae-myung Sworn In as South Korea’s President​】 Lee Jae-myung was formally ​​sworn in​​ as South Korea’s 21st president at the National Assembly on June 4. His term began at 6:21 a.m. local time, following confirmation by the ​​National Election Commission​​.  【Mexico to Seek U.S. Exemption from Steel Tariff Hike】 Mexican Economy Minister ​​Marcelo Ebrard​​ stated Mexico will request a U.S. exemption from the planned 50% steel tariff this week. Ebrard will meet U.S. officials in Washington on Friday and warned Mexico has a "​​Plan B​​" if tariffs proceed. 【AliExpress Opens to Local Merchants in Poland​】 Following Germany, Alibaba’s AliExpress has ​​opened to local Polish merchants​​. Industry sources confirm the move aims to expand local business operations after attracting major Polish enterprises over the past year.  【Canadian Wildfires Spread; Saskatchewan to Evacuate Thousands​】 Wildfires continue to spread across Canada. Saskatchewan’s Premier confirmed ​​thousands more evacuations​​ are imminent in the province’s north, adding to the 9,000 already displaced. Total evacuees may reach ​​15,000​​, with 400+ structures destroyed.  【Vietnam’s Exports Grow 14% YoY in May​】 Vietnam’s May exports rose ​​14% year-on-year​​, with a ​​trade surplus of $4.67 billion​​.    Price information:   【USD/CNY Central Parity Rate​】 Central Parity Rate​​: 7.1886 (down 17 pips) Previous trading day: 7.1869 Official closing price: 7.1895 Overnight settlement: 7.1878 【Upstream Raw Material Prices (USD)】 Ethylene Asia:CFRNortheast Asia780 / CFRSoutheast Asia850 / Acrylic Northeast Asia:FOB Average price in South Korea745 / CFRAverage price in China775 /North Asia frozen cargo CFR, propane545-547 /Ton; Butane514-516 / South China Frozen Goods7FOB price, propane603-613 /Tons; Butane538-548 / The arrival price of frozen goods in the Taiwan region, propane545-547 /Tons; Butane514-516 / 【LLDPE market price（USD）】 Film grade​​:875 / CFRHuangpu); ​​Injection grade：970 / CFRDongguan 【HDPE market price（USD）】 Film grade​​ : 900-920 / CFRHuangpu); Blow molding grade​​:  865-870 / CFRHuangpu) 【LDPE market price(USD)】 ​​Film grade​​:  1025-1035 / CFRHuangpu); 【PP market price（USD）】 Homopolymer​​:  890-935 / CFRHuangpu)(↓15/mt) Copolymerization: 955-1060 / CFRHuangpu; Film grade​​:  1025-1090 / CFRHuangpu); ​​Transparent grade​​:  1085 / CFRHuangpu); ​​Pipe grade​​:  1160 / CFR(Shanghai).  

A Canadian scientist is among the latest inductees in the Plastics Hall of Fame. Chul B. Caleb Park, a distinguished professor at the University of Toronto, is a global leader in polymer foaming technologies, driving the production of eco-friendly insulation foam; and is one of a new group of 18 inductees. During his doctoral research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr. Park co-invented the first-generation MuCell injection molding and extrusion technologies. “These innovations have revolutionized plastic manufacturing by reducing material use, improving product performance, and minimizing environmental impact,” Plastics Hall of Fame officials said. “His pioneering work on using supercritical CO₂ as a sustainable blowing agent significantly contributed to the elimination of ozone-depleting substances in insulation foam production.” At the University of Toronto, Park founded the Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, now a globally recognized centre of excellence in polymer research. He has mentored over 300 researchers, including nearly 100 PhD students, and secured more than CA$50 million in research funding. His collaborations with industry partners have led to numerous patented technologies, including open-cell recyclable foams, rotomolded foams, and graphene-based nanocomposites. Many innovations have been successfully commercialized and licensed worldwide, from footwear giants like Crocs to global electronics and materials companies. Members of the new Class of 2025 will be inducted Oct. 7 at the K 2025 trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany. In addition to Dr. Park, they are: Helmut Bacher, Helmuth Schulz, and Georg Wendelin, founders of Erema Group, a plastics recycling technology company. Erwin Bürkle, Krauss Maffei Technologies GmbH, former head of injection molding technology. Norm Fowler, Xerox Corp., strategic initiative Lean Six Sigma and member of the Society of Plastics Engineers international executive committee, 1990-2000. Yukio Iimura, former chairman and CEO of Shibaura Machine Co. Ltd., has made groundbreaking advances in injection molding technology. Bill Knight, Dow Inc., was a key player in recognizing and developing the unique material science defining Dow’s polyethylene (PE) technology, Insite technology, which has defined Dow’s PE business. Robert Langer, MIT, pioneered drug delivery and tissue engineering by growing transplantable tissue in vitro on biodegradable plastic scaffolding. Matthew Naitove, the chief editor of Plastics Technology magazine, has dedicated his professional career to reporting on new technology, trends and business opportunities for plastics processors. Irene Schwarz, Engel Group, was an extraordinary leader of the company and a defining presence in Engel’s history. Charles Sewell, founder of CKS Packaging Inc., is the leader of a manufacturer and global supplier of extrusion blow and injection molded rigid plastic containers. Bill Stavropoulos, twice CEO at Dow, transformed the company by leading a significant restructuring and acquisition of Union Carbide, shifting from a geographic organization to 15 global business units, and led technology, capacity and market advancements for Dow’s polyethylene franchise. Peter Steinbeck, Windmöller & Hölscher Group, former CEO of the 155-year-old family-owned German company that manufactures machinery to produce flexible packaging. William Young, Plastipak Packaging Inc., was chairman of the board of directors and president and CEO of a world leader in the design, manufacturing and recycling of rigid plastic containers for the food, beverage, industrial, aerosol and consumer cleaning products industries. The Plastics Hall of Fame is also inducting three historical figures from the industry’s past. “Many exceptionally qualified candidates from the early days of our industry lack a champion for their legacy during the election process,” the Hall of Fame said. These historical inductees for the Class of 2025 died more than 25 years ago. They are: Otto Röhm and Otto Haas, Röhm and Haas Co., best known for Plexiglas, the flexible, strong, and transparent polymer patented and registered as a brand in 1933. Hans H. Wanders, Rawson Moulding Co., patented what is believed to be the first semi-automatic rotary molding press and was a charter member of Society of the Plastics Industry, now known as the Plastics Industry Association, and the Plastics Pioneers Association. The Plastics Hall of Fame was founded in 1975. The new class brings Hall of Fame membership to 253 people from nine countries, including five Nobel Prize winners in chemistry, the group said.

Sika AG (Baar, Switzerland) and Sulzer Ltd. (Winterthur, Switzerland) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture (JV) to advance plastics recycling in the construction industry. The aim is to combine the strengths of both companies: Sika’s extensive expertise in polymer applications and high-performance building materials and Sulzer’s leading process knowledge in chemical recycling. The joint venture, based in the Zurich area, will be founded as an independent company, with each partner holding a 50 percent stake. Operational activities will commence in the second half of 2025 with pilot projects in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Approximately two million tons of plastic waste are generated in the European construction industry alone each year. Currently, recycling these complex materials is highly fragmented, technically demanding, and often inefficient. As a result, the majority of construction plastics are disposed by the end of their lifecycle, since existing mechanical recycling methods produce low-quality materials that are not suitable for reuse. The joint venture initiators Michael Schüepp, Head of Ventures at Sulzer, and Ivo Schädler, Head of Construction at Sika. (Source: Sika) With this joint venture, Sika and Sulzer are developing a system for the collection, processing and reuse of construction plastics using mechanical and chemical processes. “This joint venture represents a significant milestone on our path toward greater sustainability and circularity in the construction industry. By converting waste into high-quality raw materials, the project helps reduce Scope 3 CO₂ emissions. At the same time, it supports companies in meeting increasing ESG standards and unlocking new value creation streams. Together, we are making a decisive contribution to the sustainable transformation of the construction industry, and thus to the future viability of the sector and our customers.” Ivo Schädler, Head of Construction “Sulzer technologies are at the heart of critical infrastructures and processes. Our solutions enable industries around the world to reduce emissions, reuse resources and recycle materials. Global developments show that our products, services and technologies are more relevant than ever. The combination of Sulzer’s and Sika’s technologies is now paving the way for the construction industry to achieve a functioning circular economy and an even more sustainable future. We are supporting an important industry on its journey toward a more cost-effective, efficient, and low-emission future.” Michael Schüpp, Head of Ventures Sulzer The joint venture between Sika and Sulzer will close gaps in the value chain of the construction industry, and offer customers a comprehensive, cost-efficient service package. The offering will be complemented by local partners, such as logistics and recycling companies, which will be integrated into specific process steps. Recycled materials will thus be reincorporated into the manufacturing process.

International News Digest: Raw Material News-Eastman loses $375M DOE grant for Texas plastics recycling facility； Auto News-Asahi Kasei launches new series of Sunfort™ dry film photoresist； Packaging News- KHS Partnership with Husky to launch lightweight PET bottle ； Macro News-Institution: The growth rate of the global smartphone market has declined for three consecutive quarters.； Price information-The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1869, up 21 points.。   The following is an international news update: 1. Eastman loses $375M DOE grant for Texas plastics recycling facility； After a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nreview, specialty materials company Eastman has lost a $375 million grant it had been awarded in March 2024 to help cover the costs of building its second molecular recycling facility for plastics in the country—a $1.2 billion project—in Longview, Texas, where the company has maintained an operational presence for decades. 2. KHS Partnership with Husky to launch lightweight PET bottle German packaging machinery specialist KHS , in close collaboration with Canadian injection moulding machine manufacturer Husky , has unveiled an ultra-lightweight PET bottle for still beverages.Currently knows as Factor 101, the bottle weighs just 5.89 g while holding 591 ml – a 30% material reduction compared to standard lightweight bottles on the US market, the company said. 3. Sulzer to supply proprietary equipment to Emirates Biotech for PLA facility in UAE Sulzer to supply proprietary equipment to Emirates Biotech for PLA facility in UAESulzer has recently signed a supply contract with Emirates Biotech to provide the proprietary equipment that will serve as the technological core of the world-scale Polylactic Acid (PLA) production facility being built by Emirates Biotech in the United Arab Emirates. This follows a licensing agreement signed in December 2024, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two companies. 4. Asahi Kasei Launches New Sunfort™ Dry Film Photoresist Series According to foreign media reports, Asahi Kasei Corporation (Asahi Kasei has developed the Sunfort™ dry film photoresist TA series, aimed at meeting the growing demand in the advanced semiconductor packaging field for applications such as artificial intelligence (AI) servers. This product is positioned as a strategic product within Asahi Kasei's materials division, aiming to enhance its influence in the rapidly growing next-generation chip packaging market. The dry film utilizes traditional step exposure systems and laser direct imaging (LDI) systems, providing ultra-high resolution that helps transfer circuit patterns onto substrates during the packaging process, thereby improving the performance and precision of back-end processes.  5. BASF launches €6B sale of coatings business BASF SE has launched the previously announced sale of its coatings business, with the potential deal valued at about €6 billion, according to a Bloomberg report May 30. In recent weeks, the company has sent information on the business to potential bidders, the report said. 6. EUROPEN launches interactive guidebook to help businesses navigate EU PPWR EUROPEN has released a new interactive guidebook designed to help businesses navigate the evolving requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).   The following is overseas macro market information: Overseas macro market information: 【Minutes of the Federal Reserve 's May Monetary Policy Meeting.】 tend to act cautiously and predictably in terms of policy easing. He believes that it is not the time to shift policy to an expansionary stance. The policy is in a favorable position and can respond decisively when necessary. Lowering the cash rate is an appropriate response to global risks. The reason for the interest rate cut of 25 basis points is higher than that of 50 basis points. He believes that policy is ' somewhat restrictive ' at the current interest rate level. 【Goldman Sachs : Aluminium prices may fall to $ 2,100 a tonne due to accelerating Indonesian supply.】 Goldman Sachs said it expects aluminium prices to fall to a low of $ 2,100 a tonne by early 2026, a level that would suspend overinvestment in Indonesian smelting capacity. Three 500,000 tonnes smelters in Indonesia will be operational by mid-2026, earlier than expected, according to Goldman Sachs. The increase in production will lead to a million tons of excess supply in 2026, the largest excess since 2020. 【Bank of Japan Governor 's dovish remarks push the yen lower in early trading.】The yen weakened against most other G10 and Asian currencies in early trading due to dovish signs of earlier remarks by Bank of Japan Governor Takeda and Masahiro. Ueda said that uncertainty, including the prospect of trade policy, is still high, and this uncertainty may continue even if the tariffs are determined. The Bank of Japan will not pre-set interest rate policy, nor will it promote interest rate hikes in order to make room for future interest rate cuts. The US dollar rose 0.3 % against the Japanese yen in early trading, the euro rose 0.1 % against the Japanese yen, and the New York dollar rose 0.2 % against the Japanese yen. 【Institution: The growth rate of the global smartphone market has declined for three consecutive quarters.】 The latest research from Canalys shows that in the first quarter of 2025, the global smartphone market achieved only 0.2% growth, with shipments reaching 296.9 million units. As the phased peak of device replacements comes to an end and manufacturers seek healthier inventory levels, the growth rate of the global smartphone market has declined for three consecutive quarters. Samsung ranked first, with shipments reaching 60.5 million units; Apple ranked second, with shipments of 55 million units, capturing a 19% market share; Xiaomi remained in third place, with shipments of 41.8 million units and a market share of 14%. Vivo and OPPO ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, with shipments of 22.9 million units and 22.7 million units. 【Trump says Iran will not be allowed to conduct any uranium enrichment activities.】According to U.S. media reports on June 2, U.S. Middle East envoy Wittekov proposed a new plan regarding the Iran nuclear issue on May 31, which would allow Iran to conduct limited low-concentration uranium enrichment activities for a certain period of time. However, U.S. President Trump later denied this statement, stating that no uranium enrichment activities would be allowed for Iran. 【Japan 's 10-year bond auction is in hot demand, and Thursday 's 30-year auction is the next test.】 In this JPY 2.6 trillion 10-year bond auction, the bidding multiple jumped from 2.54 last month to 3.66, far exceeding the average level of the past year. Investors pay close attention to Thursday 's 30-year auction, which will determine whether the market is ready to meet the pain of normalization after the Bank of Japan withdraws from the ultra-loose policy. 【OECD once again lowered its global economic growth forecast, which is expected to be 2.9 % this year and next. 】 OECD lowered its global economic growth forecast for 2025 from 3.1 % to 2.9 %. The forecast for global economic growth in 2026 is lowered from 3 % to 2.9 %. The U.S. economic growth forecast for 2025 was lowered from 2.2 % to 1.6 %. Japan 's economy is expected to grow by 0.7 % in 2025 and 0.4 % in 2026. The UK 's economy is expected to grow by 1.3 % in 2025 and 1 % in 2026. Germany 's economy is expected to grow by 0.4 % in 2025 and 1.2 % in 2026. OECD said that easing trade tensions is the focus of global policy. Protectionism exacerbates inflationary pressure. The OECD stated that easing trade tensions is a global policy priority. Protectionism has exacerbated inflationary pressures. Price Information: 【Central parity rate of RMB vs USD】 The RMB's central parity rate against the US dollar is set at7.1869, up by 21 points; the previous trading day's midpoint was 7.1848, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1991, and the overnight session closed at 7.1972. 【Upstream raw material USD market prices】 Ethylene Asia:CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton. Propylene Northeast Asia:The average FOB price in South Korea is 745 USD/ton, down 5 USD/ton; the average CFR price in China is 775 USD/ton, down 10 USD/ton. North Asia frozen cargo CIF, Propane550-552 USD/ton; Butane 520-522 USD/ton. South China frozen goods CIF prices in early July: Propane at $602-612/ton; Butane at $537-547/ton. Taiwan region frozen cargo landed price, propane550-552 USD/ton; butane 520-522 USD/ton. 【LLDPE USD market price】 Film:$875/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $5/ton. Injection molding:USD 970/ton (CFR Dongguan) 【HDPE USD market price】 Thin film:$900-920/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $5/ton. Hollow:865-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); 【LDPE USD market price】 Film: (Note: The word "" translates directly to "film" in English, but without additional context, it's not clear if this is referring to a specific type of film or if there should be more to the sentence. Therefore, only "Film" is provided as a direct translation.) 1025-1035 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu), down by 5 USD/ton; 【PP USD market price】 Uniform aggregation:$890-950/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $15/ton. Copolymerization:955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Membrane material:1025-1090 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent: USD 1085/ton (CFR Huangpu), down USD 10/ton. Pipes:1160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).