California Tightens Plastic Bag Regulations! UBE Adds Two New Products; Brain-Computer Interface to Enter Mass Production Era

International News Roundup

Raw Material News: From Exemption to Ban: California Tightens Plastic Bag Regulations, 2026 New Plastic Restriction Policy Takes Effect

Major Enterprise News: Musk Strikes Again: Brain-Computer Interface to Enter Mass Production Era in 2026! Global Competition Heats Up in the Hundred-Billion-Dollar Track

Auxiliary Agent News: Technip Energies Completes Acquisition of Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials and Catalysts Business

Electronics News: South Korean Media: Samsung Decides Not to Raise Prices of Galaxy S26 Series New Phones

Automotive News: Report: Global EV Sales Growth Rate to Hit Post-Pandemic Low in 2026

Macroeconomic News: Trump Threatens Cuba and Colombia

International News in Detail

From Exemption to Ban: California Tightens Plastic Bag Regulations, 2026 New Plastic Restriction Policy Takes Effect

Recently, numerous supermarkets and grocery stores in the Los Angeles area have taken the lead in banning plastic bags at checkout counters. Starting from January 1, 2026, this measure will be officially implemented across the entire state of California — at that time, consumers across the state will no longer be able to obtain plastic shopping bags at any merchant. As early as 2014, the California Legislature passed a bill banning the use of disposable plastic bags in most retail establishments, but it included an exemption for thicker plastic bags. Such plastic bags are usually made of high-density polyethylene, were defined as reusable products at that time, and possess recyclable properties when meeting specific conditions.

Technip Energies Completes Acquisition of Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials and Catalysts Business

Plastmatch learned on January 4 that Technip Energies recently announced the completion of the acquisition of the Advanced Materials and Catalysts (AM&C) business from Ecovyst, a global leader in specialty catalysts and advanced materials. This strategic transaction further enriches the company's business portfolio by expanding Technip Energies’ capabilities in advanced catalysts. The deal will support the steady growth strategy of its Technology, Products and Services (TPS) business segment in mature markets: on the one hand, it will increase recurring revenue, and on the other hand, it will accelerate business opportunities in sustainable fuels, circular chemistry and carbon capture — these are not only core drivers of long-term value creation, but also key areas for energy transition.

Severe Slump in European and American Markets! Global EV Sales Growth Rate Expected to Hit Post-Pandemic Low This Year

A new report shows that the global growth rate of electric vehicle sales is expected to hit the lowest level since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic hit the global economy in 2026, as the transition away from fuel-powered vehicles faces new obstacles. According to forecasts by research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, due to the sharp slowdown in growth in the European market and the rapid contraction in the US market, global electric vehicle sales (including battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) are expected to increase by only 13% to 24 million units in 2026, far lower than the estimated 22% growth rate in 2025. Corporate executives and analysts point out that factors such as the Trump administration’s revocation of electric vehicle tax incentives and the EU’s relaxation of the original 2035 fuel vehicle ban will affect the industry’s fate this year.

Musk Strikes Again: Brain-Computer Interface to Enter Mass Production Era in 2026! Global Competition Heats Up in the Hundred-Billion-Dollar Track

Recently, American entrepreneur Elon Musk stated on social media that his brain-computer interface company Neuralink will start mass-producing brain-computer interface devices in 2026, and shift to a more streamlined and almost fully automated surgical procedure. CSC Financial Co., Ltd. pointed out in a research report that technological advancements in the upper and middle reaches of the brain-computer interface industrial chain have driven continuous breakthroughs in downstream applications. In recent years, domestic and foreign research in medical fields such as motor recovery and language communication has achieved milestone results. Driven by technological innovation and policy dividends, domestic brain-computer interface companies are expected to gradually realize commercial applications.

Plasreco Promotes PFAS-Free Coating Solutions for Packaging, Leather and Textiles

The Plasreco project is developing silicone-based functional coatings applied via atmospheric pressure plasma technology as a sustainable alternative to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-based coating treatments. The Plasreco project is a collaboration between the Footwear Technology Center inescop and the Plastics Technology Center aimplas. Leveraging their professional expertise in surface treatment and functional coating formulation, the two institutions are helping to transform this technology into industrial applications, providing a scalable alternative to traditional PFAS-based coating systems. The core research direction of the project is to design new organosilicon monomers tailored specifically for atmospheric pressure plasma processes. The coatings prepared therefrom need to achieve stable and repeatable performance under harsh working conditions such as wear, humidity and thermal stress.

Two-Pronged Strategy to Consolidate Market Share! South Korean Media: Samsung Decides Not to Raise Prices of Galaxy S26 Series New Phones

Faced with the pressure of a general 10%-15% increase in the cost of global smartphone components, South Korean media reported recently that Samsung Electronics will maintain the prices of the Galaxy S26 series and new-generation foldable screen phones, balancing profits and market share through a two-pronged strategy of "guaranteeing shipments in exchange for market share". It is reported that Samsung has chosen to optimize the cost structure by adjusting the configuration mix. For example, the basic version of the S26 has a strengthened battery up to 4300mAh, the Plus version has upgraded 3x zoom HDR, the Ultra version has introduced anti-peeping privacy display technology, and the foldable screen Fold 8 focuses on weight reduction and battery expansion. This move is also influenced by the strategies of competing products. Samsung’s DX Division revealed that the Ultra model is expected to continue using Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, while the basic and Plus versions may mix Snapdragon and self-developed Exynos chips to control costs. Notably, Samsung will slightly increase the prices of mid-to-low-end Galaxy A series to balance revenue, such as the A57 5G priced at $499 and the A36 5G at $389. Industry analysts point out that Samsung’s strategy of keeping high-end prices stable to hold its base market and raising mid-range prices to make up for profits not only avoids the risk of consumer price sensitivity, but also eases supply chain pressure.

UBE Launches U-BE-INFINITY® Brand Polymer Products

UBE Corporation announced that its eco-friendly product brand U-BE-INFINITY® has added two new certified products, one under development and the other already commercialized. The two newly certified products are: bio-based composite nylon under development by UBE Corporation, and ISCC PLUS certified polybutadiene products mass-produced and sold by Thai Synthetic Rubbers Company Limited, a member of the UBE Group, using the ISCC mass balance approach. The U-BE-INFINITY® brand is awarded to products with outstanding environmental benefits under the UBE Group, covering both under-development and commercialized products. It aims to promote the widespread application of such products by increasing their added value and help solve global environmental problems.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market

Trump Threatens Cuba and Colombia

According to CCTV International News, US President Trump threatened Cuba and Colombia at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on the local time of January 3. When answering questions from reporters at the scene, he said that "Cuba will eventually become a topic of discussion for us" and also stated that Colombian President Petro should "be careful". Analysts point out that Trump is hinting that as tensions in Latin America intensify, the United States may expand its focus from Venezuela to more countries.

Brazil Recognizes Rodríguez as Venezuelan Leader

On the afternoon of local time January 3, the Brazilian government held a meeting to discuss the situation in Venezuela. Maria do Rosário, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, José Múcio, Minister of National Defense, Ricardo Lewandowski, Minister of Justice, and others attended the meeting. President Lula and Brazil’s Ambassador to Venezuela participated via video link.

Maduro Arrives at a Detention Center in New York

According to reports from the China Media Group, on the evening of local time January 3, Venezuelan President Maduro arrived at a detention center in Brooklyn, New York, and is expected to "appear in court" at a court in New York City next week.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Arrives in Beijing for His First State Visit to China Since Taking Office

According to CCTV News, on the afternoon of today (January 4), South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport by plane, kicking off a 4-day visit to China. During Lee Jae-myung’s visit to China, leaders of China and South Korea will hold meetings and talks in Beijing. This is the second meeting between the leaders of the two countries in two months since they met at the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea in November 2025, which will further consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive restoration of the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership.

Price Information

Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

January 2: CFR Northeast Asia stood at $745 per ton; CFR Southeast Asia stood at $725 per ton.

January 2: FOB Korea average price of propylene in Northeast Asia reached $710 per ton; CFR China average price reached $742 per ton.

LLDPE USD Market Prices

Film grade: $760 per ton (CFR Xiamen)

Injection molding grade: $890 per ton (CFR Yantian)

HDPE USD Market Prices

Film grade: $890 per ton (CFR Huangpu)

Injection molding grade: $770 per ton (CFR Huangpu)

Blow molding grade: $795 - $805 per ton (CFR Huangpu)

Pipe grade: $1000 per ton (CFR Huangpu)

LDPE USD Market Prices

Film grade: $940 per ton (CFR Huangpu)

Coating grade: $1050 - $1180 per ton (CFR Qingdao)

PP USD Market Prices

Injection molding grade: $765 per ton (CFR Dongguan)

Copolymer grade: $820 - $850 per ton (CFR Nansha)

Film grade: $970 per ton (CFR Huangpu)

Transparent grade: $1000 per ton (CFR Huangpu)

Pipe grade: $1100 per ton (CFR Shanghai)