PRET Invests in Mexico; Sulzer launches PS recycling technology ; Envalior and partners develop gearbox concept for robot arms

Highlights of International News:

Raw Materials: Sulzer Launches Polystyrene(PS) Recycling Technology

Automotive: Renault Records a €9.5 Billion Loss Due to Accounting Method Adjustments.

Electronics: Envalior and Partners Develop Gearbox Concept for Robot Arms with Engineering Plastics

Packaging: AMERICHEM Consolidation of European Activities Under US Brand / Streamlining Advances Company's 2030 Sustainability Goals

Medical: Sekisui Chemical to Construct New Injection-Molding Plant in Pune, India

Macro Economy: Thailand's Constitutional Court decides to suspend Prime Minister Paetongtarn from office.

Price Info: Homopolymer PP: $935–980/ton (CFR Huangpu).

Details of International News:

1. Envalior and partners develop gearbox concept for robot arms with engineering plastic
   
   

Envalior, SENTImotion and Frencken Group have developed a new gearbox concept for robot arms based on advanced engineering plastic.Unlike previous designs based on metal or plastic, it enables the entry into the cost-effective large-scale production of lightweight and energy-efficient robots. The development partners are presenting the new concept to the general public for the first time at the automatica robotics trade fair in Munich, Germany.

2. Sulzer launches polystyrene recycling technology

SulzerLtd. (Winterthur, Switzerland) is proud to announce the launch of its licensed EcoStyrene polystyrene recycling technology, a groundbreaking solution for the chemical recycling of contaminated polystyrene materials.

The EcoStyrene process addresses one of the chemical recycling industry’s most significant challenges: effectively processing waste polystyrene materials that contain multiple types of contaminants. Unlike conventional recycling methods that require pristine feedstock, our technology efficiently processes polystyrene waste containing flame retardant components and food residue, transforming these previously unrecyclable materials into valuable resources that can be reintroduced into the production cycle, including food contact applications.

3. PRET Expands Global Footprint with New Mexico Plant

Pret Composites Mexico Co., Ltd. marked a historic milestone: the successful trial production at PRT Mexico Plant, inaugurating a new chapter in North American intelligent manufacturing. This milestone signifies a key step in the group's global strategy, laying a solid foundation for deepening its presence in the North American market. In the future, it will become a composite materials intelligent manufacturing hub radiating across the Americas.

4. Sekisui Chemical to construct new injection-molding plant in Pune, India

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) has decided to establish sixth injection-molding plant in India for Sekisui DLJM Molding Pvt. Ltd., which manufactures and sells injection molded products for automobiles in Pune, Maharashtra in western India. The investment for establishing the new injection-molding plant is approximately $3 million, and it is expected to go into operation in January 2026.

5. AMERICHEM：Consolidation of European activities under US brand / Streamlining advances company's 2030 sustainability goals

US masterbatch and compounds specialist Americhem has announced plans to consolidate its European activities under the Americhem brand as it moves to align operations across global quality and manufacturing standards.

6.Renault Records €9.5 Billion Loss Due to Accounting Adjustments
On July 1, French automaker Renault announced that it would record an approximately €9.5 billion loss in its first-half results due to a change in the accounting method for its equity investment in Nissan. The move comes as the two companies adjust their 20-year partnership, with Renault gradually reducing its stake in Nissan, which is facing sales declines and financial pressures.

7. Key Process Improvements Save Energy and Cut Costs for Recycling Polyester With Enzymes

A successful collaboration involving a trio of research institutions has yielded a road map toward an economically viable process for using enzymes to recycle plastics.The researchers, from NREL, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the University of Portsmouth in England, previously partnered on the biological engineering of improved PETase enzymes that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET). With its low manufacturing cost and excellent material properties, PET is used extensively in single-use packaging, soda bottles, and textiles.

8.Sharp Sells Camera Module Business for ¥2.4 Billion; Foxconn Subsidiary Takes Over

On June 30, Sharp announced the transfer of 51% equity in its subsidiary SSTC-held SAIGON STEC CO., LTD (SSTEC) and part of its fixed assets to a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group for approximately ¥2.4 billion (approximately ¥119 million). The equity transaction was completed on the same day for ¥533 million (approximately ¥26.479 million), and the remaining asset transfer is expected to be finalized by the end of September 2025. Sharp stated that the sale of the camera module business will bring a ¥2.426 billion special profit, further optimizing the group's asset structure. This move signals Sharp's gradual divestment from non-core businesses, while Foxconn strengthens its industrial chain layout through its subsidiary Fullertain.

Overseas Macro Market Information:

Thailand's Constitutional Court Suspends Prime Minister Paetongtarn from Office
On July 1 local time, Thailand's Constitutional Court decided to accept a petition to impeach Prime Minister Paetongtarn and suspend her from office. On June 20 local time, the Speaker of Thailand's House of Lords submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court to impeach Prime Minister Paetongtarn, alleging that her phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen violated the constitution and ethical norms.

Musk Responds to Trump's Comments on Reviewing Subsidies: 'Cut Them All, Now!'
Earlier, Trump claimed that Musk may have received more subsidies than anyone in history, and without subsidies, he might have to close down and return to his native South Africa. "Maybe we should let the Department of Efficiency take a good, hard look at this? It could save a fortune!" Musk replied in a user comment, "Cut them all, now." Tesla's stock price fell more than 7% at one point.

Japan's 10-Year Government Bond Auction Demand Stronger Than 12-Month Average
Demand for Japan's 10-year government bond auction was stronger than the 12-month average, as expectations of the central bank raising interest rates weakened, easing upward pressure on longer-term bond yields. The bid-to-cover ratio for the auction was 3.51, higher than 3.66 in the previous auction last month and the 12-month average of 3.14. Another sign of strong demand was the 0.03 gap between the average price and the minimum accepted price, compared with 0.01 in the previous auction. Since the end of May, Japan's sovereign bond auctions have been in the spotlight after a poor response to Japan's 20-year bond auction, leading to record highs in ultra-long bond yields. The surge in Japanese government bond yields has impacted global bond markets, with investors remaining vigilant about the expanding government deficit.

Canalys: U.S. Desktop and Laptop Shipments Grew 15% YoY in Q1 to 16.9 Million Units
Data from Canalys shows that U.S. desktop and laptop shipments grew 15% year-on-year to 16.9 million units in the first quarter of 2025. Due to manufacturers increasing shipments in response to tariff policy adjustments, channel inventory has increased significantly, facing subsequent pressure to clear inventory. At the same time, weakened consumer spending will slow annual growth. Full-year PC shipments are expected to grow by only 2% in 2025. With a large number of Windows system upgrades set to begin after Windows 10 ends service in October 2025, shipment growth is expected to rebound to 4% in 2026.

Price Information:

USD/CNY Central Parity Rate

The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar was set at 7.1534, up 52 pips; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1586, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1656, and the overnight trading close was 7.1636.

Raw Material Prices in USD

Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $850/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $860/ton.

Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average $745/ton; CFR China average $795/ton.

North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $532.5–534.5/ton; Butane $502.5–504.5/ton.

South China frozen cargo August arrival CIF price: Propane $564–574/ton; Butane $529–539/ton.

Taiwan frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $532.5–534.5/ton; Butane $502.5–504.5/ton.

LLDPE Prices in USD

Film: $880–930/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection molding: $940/ton (CFR Dongguan).

HDPE Prices in USD

Film: $910–930/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Hollow: $860–870/ton (CFR Huangpu).

LDPE Prices in USD

Film: $1,090–1,100/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Coating: $1,350/ton (CFR Huangpu).

PP Prices in USD

Homopolymer: $935–980/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Random copolymer: $965–995/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Film material: $1,000/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Transparent: $1,085/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipe material: $1,160/ton (CFR Shanghai).