EPA Proposes Expanding PFAS Scope! CATL Breaks Ground on Spanish Plant! Australian Company Launches Home Compostable Recycled Polyester

International News Overview:

Raw Material News: Hainan Baling New Materials' SBC Elastomers Exported to 17 Countries and Regions

Automotive News: Teijin Develops Novel Solvent-Based Recycling Technology to Produce Virgin-Grade Recycled Polycarbonate

Electronic News: €4.1 Billion Investment – CATL Breaks Ground on Spanish Battery Plant

Packaging News: Colines' Custom Cast Film Production Line for LyondellBasell Officially Commissioned

Recycling News: Australia's Intimiti Launches Home Compostable Recycled Polyester

Macroeconomic News: NBS: Profits of Large-Scale Industrial Enterprises Maintain Steady Growth in Jan-Oct

Detailed International News:

1. U.S. EPA Proposes Expanding PFAS Reporting Scope Under TSCA FrameworkThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposal to refine the scope of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Aim at enhancing regulatory practicality and enforceability, the proposal seeks to reduce unnecessary or duplicative reporting burdens on enterprises while ensuring the EPA retains access to critical usage information and safety data related to PFAS. The proposed exemptions and revisions will preserve core PFAS reporting requirements while waiving reporting obligations for activities that are extremely difficult for manufacturers to track or reasonably verify. Specific exempt scenarios include: 1) PFAS produced (including imported) as part of mixtures or products with concentrations not exceeding 0.1%; 2) Imported articles; 3) Certain by-products; 4) Impurities; 5) Chemicals for R&D purposes; 6) Non-isolated intermediates. Additionally, the EPA plans to introduce technical amendments to clarify reporting content for specific data fields and adjust data submission cycles.

2. €4.1 Billion Investment – CATL Breaks Ground on Spanish Battery Plant

On November 26 (local time), Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) and Stellantis Group officially broke ground on their joint-venture battery plant in Spain. Located in Figueruelas, a town in the Aragon Autonomous Community in northeastern Spain, the plant represents the largest Chinese investment in Spain with a total investment of €4.1 billion (approximately RMB 33.68 billion). Supported by €300 million (approximately RMB 2.46 billion) in EU funds, the project will train up to 4,000 workers and is expected to start production by the end of 2026, supplying batteries to Stellantis' automotive manufacturing facilities.

3. Teijin Develops Solvent-Based Recycling Technology for Virgin-Grade Recycled Polycarbonate

Teijin Limited has launched a solvent-based recycling technology capable of producing high-quality recycled polycarbonate (PC) resins with performance comparable to virgin materials. The Japanese company stated that its technology dissolves waste PC resins using solvents to separate pure polymers from contaminants such as surface coatings, addressing industry pain points including material degradation, high costs, and carbon emissions. The technology launch coincides with the European Union's review of the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation draft, which mandates the use of recycled plastics from end-of-life vehicles in new car production. Teijin noted that its solvent-based recycling technology complies with these regulatory requirements, providing a viable solution for industries reliant on high-quality recycled materials.

4. UBE Maruzen Polyethylene Begins Sales of ISCC PLUS-Certified Sustainable EVA Products

November 26, 2025 – Ube Maruzen Polyethylene Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Ube Industries, Ltd. and Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd., announced that its ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers produced at the Chiba Plant in Japan have been fully launched for sale. Having obtained ISCC PLUS certification in December 2023, the company has actively promoted the marketing of ISCC PLUS-certified products manufactured using mass balance methodology and sustainable raw materials.

5. Colines' Custom Cast Film Line for LyondellBasell Officially Commissioned

Colines has successfully installed a cutting-edge cast film production line at LyondellBasell's Cincinnati Technology Center. The newly commissioned 9-layer ALLRollEX series line is specifically designed for high-quality stretch film production. According to the company, its core advantage lies in superior flexibility beyond traditional stretch film manufacturing: interchangeable extruder screws and advanced process design enable production of complex-structured products such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) oxygen barrier films; dual-sided corona treatment equipment provides reliable support for subsequent lamination or printing processes; and a wide thickness adjustment range (10 μm to 102 μm) covers full-scenario application needs.

6. Leading Indian Bottled Water Company Partners with Municipal Government to Establish First Plastic Recycling and Sustainability Center in Mira Bhayandar

On November 27 (local time), Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., India's leading bottled water company, announced a partnership with the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) in Maharashtra to launch a comprehensive plastic waste management project in Mira Bhayandar. Leveraging its flagship sustainability initiative "Bottles for Change," the pioneering project includes a dedicated plastic recycling center and a unique plastic recycling museum – the Sustainability Inspiration Center. These facilities will work together to raise public awareness of responsible plastic disposal, foster environmental sensitivity, and establish an efficient system for collecting and recycling plastic waste from hotels, restaurants, businesses, institutions, and residential communities.

7. Hainan Baling New Materials' SBC Elastomers Exported to 17 Countries and Regions

Since the beginning of this year, the six production lines of Hainan Baling Chemical New Materials Co., Ltd.'s 170,000-ton/year SBC (styrenic thermoplastic elastomer) plant have operated at high capacity with an average load rate of 110% – significantly higher than the industry average operating rate. The company has produced over 150,000 tons of related products, a year-on-year increase of 93%, and successfully exported to 17 countries and regions across Southeast Asia, Europe, South America, and Oceania.

8. Australia's Intimiti Launches Home Compostable Recycled Polyester

Intimiti Australia Pty Ltd. recently announced the successful completion of home composting trials for its next-generation material: rCELYS™ recycled polyester, a compostable recycled polyester fiber. Derived from post-consumer PET bottles, the material retains the durability and versatility of traditional polyester while being fully biodegradable through processing without leaving microplastics.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market Information:

[China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT): To Organize Chinese Entrepreneur Delegation to Visit the U.S. in Early December at the Invitation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce]

On November 27, CCPIT held its regular November press conference. Spokesperson Yang Fan stated that at the invitation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, CCPIT will organize a Chinese entrepreneur delegation to visit the United States in early December. Covering a wide range of sectors including agricultural food, machinery and electronics, financial services, cross-border trade, logistics and transportation, biomedicine, and trendy culture, the delegation will engage in extensive exchanges with U.S. political and business communities, host multiple China-U.S. business exchange events, and actively introduce China's new initiatives for high-quality development and high-level opening-up to various sectors in the U.S.

[National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): Profits of Large-Scale Industrial Enterprises Maintain Steady Growth in Jan-Oct]

The NBS reported that profits of large-scale industrial enterprises increased by 1.9% year-on-year in the first 10 months of 2024, maintaining growth for three consecutive months since August. By sector: profits in the mining industry fell by 27.8% (narrowing by 1.5 percentage points from Jan-Sept); manufacturing profits rose by 7.7%; and profits in the electricity, heat, gas, and water production and supply sector increased by 9.5%. In October, affected by factors such as a higher base in the same period last year and rapid growth in financial expenses, profits of large-scale industrial enterprises decreased by 5.5% year-on-year.

[U.S. Extends Tariff Exemptions on Certain Chinese Goods Until November 10, 2026]

On November 26 (local time), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the extension of tariff exemptions on Chinese goods subject to Section 301 investigations related to technology transfer and intellectual property issues until November 10, 2026. The existing exemptions were originally set to expire on November 29 this year.

[JPMorgan Predicts Fed Rate Cut in December, Revising Earlier "Hold" Forecast]

JPMorgan economists now expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next month, revising their previous forecast that the cut would be delayed until January 2025. A team led by U.S. Chief Economist Michael Feroli stated on Wednesday that comments from key Fed officials (particularly New York Fed President John Williams) supporting a near-term rate cut prompted the reassessment of the rate path. Following the delayed release of the September nonfarm payrolls report last week (due to a government shutdown), JPMorgan had predicted the Fed would keep rates unchanged in December.

[UK Considers Expanding Treasury Bill Market to Meet Potential New Demand from Stablecoin Issuers]

The UK is considering expanding its treasury bill issuance program, a move that could help develop the pound money market and meet potential new demand from buyers such as stablecoin issuers. The UK Debt Management Office (DMO) will launch a consultation in January on "expanding and deepening" the ultra-short-term debt market. Governments of other countries, including the United States, have increasingly relied on treasury bills to meet financing needs.

Price Information:

[RMB/USD Central Parity Rate Hits Highest Since October 14, 2024]

The central parity rate of RMB against the U.S. dollar was quoted at 7.0779, an increase of 17 basis points; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.0796, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.0802, and the night session closing price was 7.0754.

[Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices]

CFR Northeast Asia: 730 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia: 720 USD/ton.

Propylene FOB South Korea (Northeast Asia): Average 695 USD/ton; CFR China: Average 735 USD/ton.

LPG (Frozen Cargo) CIF North Asia: Propane 518-520 USD/ton; Butane 546-556 USD/ton.

LPG (Frozen Cargo) CIF South China (Early December): Propane 561-571 USD/ton; Butane 546-556 USD/ton.

LPG (Frozen Cargo) CIF Taiwan Region: Propane 518-520 USD/ton; Butane 539-541 USD/ton.

[LLDPE USD Market Prices (CFR Huangpu)]

Film Grade: 835-855 USD/ton;

Injection Molding Grade: 935 USD/ton.

[HDPE USD Market Prices (CFR Huangpu)]

Film Grade: 880-900 USD/ton;

Injection Molding Grade: 815-820 USD/ton;

Blow Molding Grade: 830 USD/ton;

Pipe Grade: 1000 USD/ton.

[LDPE USD Market Prices (CFR Huangpu)]

Film Grade: 990-1000 USD/ton;

Coating Grade: 1190 USD/ton.

[PP USD Market Prices]

Injection Molding Grade (CFR Huangpu): 800 USD/ton;

Copolymer Grade (CFR Nansha): 820-860 USD/ton;

Film Grade (CFR Huangpu): 990 USD/ton;

Transparent Grade (CFR Huangpu): 1065 USD/ton;

Pipe Grade (CFR Shanghai): 1100 USD/ton.