iPhone 17 Unveiled! Mainland Tires Adopt Lanxess' New Additive; Volkswagen Advances AI Layout

International News Guide:

Raw Material News: ECI Group Provides Power Technology for Vioneo's Green LDPE Plant

Automotive News: Volkswagen to Invest €1 Billion in AI, Focusing on Three Key Areas

Electronics News: Apple Unveils "Thinnest-Ever" iPhone!

Equipment News: Sepro's Next-Gen Robot Control System Revolutionizes Injection Molding Operations

Additives News: Rubber Additive for Tires

Macroeconomic News: JPMorgan, Barclays & Other Banks Reportedly Face Hundreds of Millions in Losses Over Loans

Price Information: RMB/USD Central Parity Rate Reported at 7.1062, Down 54 Pips


Details of International News:

ECI Group Provides Power Technology for Vioneo's Green LDPE Plant

Vioneo has awarded a major contract to ECI Group, a global leader in polymer technology licensing and engineering services. The project will deliver the world's first low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant operating entirely on fossil-free feedstock.

The facility, to be built in Antwerp, Belgium, represents a key step in the transition to sustainable plastics. It will use ECI Group's proprietary autoclave technology to produce 110,000 tonnes of LDPE per year from certified green methanol. The joint venture is supported by A.P. Moller, with ECI Group's product partner Repsol providing necessary market knowledge and product expertise.

Volkswagen to Invest €1 Billion in AI, Focusing on Three Key Areas

German automaker Volkswagen announced on Tuesday (local time) that it will invest up to €1 billion (approximately $1.2 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030 and fully integrate the technology across all business segments, aiming to unlock cost savings of billions of euros. The news was released on the first day of the IAA Munich Motor Show. As Europe's largest auto show, European carmakers are actively launching electric models and technological upgrades this year to cope with fierce competition from foreign automakers.

Sepro's Next-Gen Robot Control System Revolutionizes Injection Molding Operations

Sepro Group is set to revolutionize the paradigm of injection molding automation with its next-generation Visual 4 control system. Featuring a modern interface, the system is more powerful, intuitive, and connected than its predecessor. The new platform will make its debut at K 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 8 to 15, 2025, and will be rolled out across Sepro's full range of robot products in 2026.

Rubber Additive for Tires

Continental is the first tire manufacturer to use the new Vulkanox HS Scopeblue rubber additive from Lanxess. This is the more sustainable, ISCC Plus-certified version of the proven additive Vulkanox HS (TMQ). The product reliably protects rubber compounds during vulcanization from influences such as oxygen and heat, as stated in a press release.

Global Impact Coalition (GIC) Launches Spin-Off Project "Sustainable Olefins Initiative"

The Global Impact Coalition (GIC) announced the launch of a dedicated spin-off structure to advance its "Sustainable Olefins Initiative". Starting with a feasibility study, the project marks Europe's first step in developing new process routes for methanol-based electronic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) and low-carbon chemicals. A group of GIC member companies has collaborated to assess the technical and economic potential of methanol-to-olefins (MTO) technology as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based production processes. The team will evaluate the feasibility of converting sustainable methanol into olefins, a key feedstock for fuels and high-end materials. The newly established spin-off structure aims to facilitate deeper collaboration, explore investment opportunities, and lay the groundwork for potential project development.

Apple Holds Launch Event, Unveiling "Thinnest-Ever" iPhone!

At 1:00 AM Beijing time on September 10, Apple held its fall 新品 launch event themed "Awe Dropping". The highlight of the event was the iPhone 17 series, with the iPhone 17 Air drawing widespread attention due to its unique slim design and new positioning. Touted as the "thinnest iPhone ever", the iPhone 17 Air measures just 5.6mm thick (thinner than Samsung's S25 Edge at 5.8mm) and weighs approximately 165g. It features a titanium frame, is powered by Apple's latest A19 Pro chip, and adopts eSIM technology globally for the first time, with a starting price of $999.

Dell China Lays Off Employees in Shanghai and Xiamen, Offering N+3 Compensation

Recently, U.S. computer manufacturer Dell Technologies launched a layoff plan targeting some of its employees in China, marking the latest case of U.S. companies withdrawing from the world's second-largest economy. According to two informed sources who received notifications, Dell will hold one-on-one talks with affected employees this week, with their last working day set for October 10. They added that employees can apply for transfers to any vacant positions within the company before departure. The layoffs mainly involve Dell's EMC Storage Division and Client Solutions Group (CSG) in Shanghai and Xiamen, a coastal city in southeastern Fujian Province, the sources said. One of them revealed that this is the third round of layoffs in recent months, with previous departure dates on August 15 and September 12.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market:

BOJ Hawkish Signals Emerge; Hedge Funds Increase Bullish Yen Option Positions

Amid political instability in Japan, Bank of Japan (BOJ) officials have not ruled out another interest rate hike this year, prompting hedge funds to increase bullish yen option bets on Tuesday. According to data from CME Group's central limit order book for options on Tuesday, the most active USD/JPY option was the October-dated put option with a strike price of 142.35. Trading activity at this strike price accounted for 22% of all USD/JPY put option volume on the order book that day. If the currency pair falls below the strike price before the put option expires, the value of the option contract will rise. USD/JPY closed at 147.31 on Tuesday.

Deutsche Bank Raises S&P 500 Year-End Target to 7,000

Deutsche Bank raised its year-end target for the S&P 500 index from 6,550 to 7,000, citing positive corporate earnings growth, manageable current tariff impacts, and supportive investor positioning. "We expect equity valuations to remain elevated," strategists including Binky Chadha wrote in a report, noting that valuations will be supported by: higher dividend payout ratios, expectations of stronger earnings growth trends, more resilient earnings performance, and reduced frequency of major pullbacks.

Canalys: Mainland China's Wearable Wristband Market Hits Record High in H1, with Shipments Reaching 33.9 Million Units

Canalys data shows that in the first half of 2025, shipments of wearable wristband devices in Mainland China reached 33.9 million units, a year-on-year increase of 36%, continuing the strong growth momentum following the 33% increase in the second half of 2024. This growth marks a record high for first-half shipments in Mainland China's wearable wristband market. Basic wristbands emerged as the fastest-growing segment with an 80% growth rate, becoming the main driver of the strong performance in the Mainland China market. Huawei led the market with 12 million shipments, accounting for 36% of the market share; Xiaomi followed closely with 11 million shipments, holding a 32% market share. Both manufacturers achieved the milestone of shipping over 10 million units in the first half for the first time.

ExxonMobil Expects EU to Sign Long-Term Natural Gas Deal with U.S.

According to the Financial Times, ExxonMobil expects the European Union to sign a long-term natural gas agreement with the United States.

U.S. Judge Rules Trump Cannot Remove Fed Governor Cook for Now; Cook Expected to Attend Next FOMC Meeting

A U.S. judge temporarily blocked Donald Trump from removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington granted Cook's request to continue working for the time being. The ruling means Cook is likely to attend the Fed's highly anticipated policy meeting from September 16 to 17, where she will vote on whether to cut interest rates.

Immigration Raids Halt South Korean-Owned Battery Projects Across U.S.

A battery plant jointly built by LG Energy Solution in Georgia, U.S., was recently hit by an immigration raid, leading to the suspension of battery plant construction projects across multiple U.S. locations and casting a shadow over the prospects of billions of dollars in investments by South Korean conglomerates in the U.S. A South Korean lawmaker from the ruling party called on Wednesday for a suspension of all investments in the U.S. until the safety of South Korean workers is guaranteed. The lawmaker emphasized that cuffing workers in this way is far beyond acceptable norms.

JPMorgan, Barclays & Other Banks Reportedly Face Hundreds of Millions in Losses Over Loans

Informed sources revealed that banks including JPMorgan Chase, Fifth Third Bancorp, and Barclays could face losses of up to hundreds of millions of dollars related to loans tied to subprime auto lender Tricolor Holdings. Fifth Third stated that it faces up to $200 million in impairment losses after discovering alleged fraudulent activities by a commercial borrower, adding that it is cooperating with law enforcement. Some sources said lenders are investigating whether collateral for wholesale loans has been rehypothecated.

Both Japanese and South Korean Stock Markets Hit Record Closing Highs

Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.9%, surpassing its August peak to hit a new closing high of 43,837.67. The TOPIX index closed up 0.6% at 3,140.97. South Korea's KOSPI closed up 1.7% at a record closing high of 3,314.53.


Price Information:  


RMB/USD Central Parity Rate

The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1062, down 54 pips; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1008, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1248, and the night session closing price was 7.1250.
Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 840 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia 840 USD/ton.

Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average 760 USD/ton; CFR China average 790 USD/ton.

North Asia frozen cargo CIF: Propane 542-543 USD/ton; Butane 552-553 USD/ton. Up 4 USD/ton.

South China frozen cargo CIF for early October: Propane 591-601 USD/ton; Butane 571-581 USD/ton. Up 2 USD/ton.

Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF: Propane 542-543 USD/ton; Butane 552-553 USD/ton. Up 4 USD/ton.

LLDPE USD Market Prices

Film: 860-915 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection Molding: 1050 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan);

HDPE USD Market Prices  

Film: 910-980 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Blow Molding: 855 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection Molding: 870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipes: 1025 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

LDPE USD Market Prices  

Film: 1100-1115 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Coating: 1280 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu).

PP USD Market Prices 

Homopolymer: 915-965 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymer: 890-900 USD/ton (CFR Nansha);

Film Grade: 1020 USD/ton (CFR Nansha);

Transparent Grade: 955-1050 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipe Grade: 1130 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).