【Overseas Highlights】May Nylon & MDI Price Hikes! Celanese and TOSOH Jointly Issue Price Increase Letters; Dow Reports RMB 3 Billion Net Loss

News Summary:

Raw material news-Dow, net loss30Hundreds of millions, cash flow surges10

Automotive News-StellantisFour European factories have been selected for negotiations on cooperation and trade with China in the electronics sector.-Anchor the demand for advanced processes!JSR Strengthen the R&D layout of semiconductor materials in Taiwan, China

Medical Highlights-LyondellBasell expands Purell Medical-Grade Polymers in North America

Macroeconomic News-The International Energy Agency says the Iran conflict will prolong the gas market shortage for another two years.

Price Information-The central parity rate of the Chinese yuan against the US dollar is quoted at6.8674, lower24

The following is the detailed international news:

1.Upstream raw material supply risks persist in Japan.MDI enterprises are forced to raise prices

4 23On the same day, Tosoh Corporation of Japan announced that due to the deteriorating situation in the Middle East causing instability in oil supply from producing countries, as well as the continued depreciation of the yen,MDIThe raw material prices of the product have surged sharply. This cost increase has exceeded the tolerable range, and therefore, Toso has no choice but to…MDIPrices have been adjusted, starting from2026 5 1Starting from the dateMDIProduct series price, increase of80 /More than 1 kg (equivalent to)500 /tons). If raw material and energy costs continue to fluctuate significantly, the company may adjust prices again.

2.South Korea imposes temporary anti-dumping duty on butyl acrylate imported from China.

4 22On the day, the Ministry of Economy and Finance of South Korea issued the2026-76Notice No. 1, deciding to impose anti-dumping duties on butyl acrylate originating from China.Butyl Acrylate) Imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties, the following exporters/Manufacturer and affiliated enterprises tax rate9.53% 19.17%Taixing Shengke Chemical Co., Ltd.Taixing Sunke Chemicals Co., Ltd. 11.88%, Shanghai Huayi New Materials Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Huayi New Material Co., Ltd. 9.53%Pinghu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.Pinghu Petro Chemical Co., Ltd.) and other manufacturers/Exporter is19.17%Measures since2026 4 22Effective from the date, valid for four months, until2026 8 21Day. The Korean tax number of the involved product is2916.12.3000The announcement will take effect from the date of publication.

3.Launch!Smurfit Westrock Commissioning of the Reifenhäuser 7-layer barrier blow film production line

Packaging Manufacturer Smurfit Westrock A brand new barrier film blown film production line has officially started operation at the Ibi plant in Alicante, Spain. The production line was first publicly put into operation during the factory's open day. The entire production line is equipped with core technology from Reifenhäuser's blown film division, allowing for high-capacity and efficient production while strictly controlling production tolerances.

4.LyondellBasell expandsPurell Medical-Grade Polymers in North America

LyondellBasell, a global major polymer producer and leader in polyolefin technologyLyondellBasell), completedPurellExpand the product portfolio and further deepen collaboration with healthcare clients.PurellThis series of materials is specifically developed for the medical and healthcare sector and is widely used in products such as syringes, ampoules, infusion bottles, diagnostic equipment housings, laboratory ware, inhalers, and medical packaging.

5.Anchor the demand for advanced processes!JSR Strengthen the R&D layout of semiconductor materials in Taiwan, China

JSR The Company announced that its subsidiary, Taiwan JSR Electronic Materials Co., Ltd., has officially established the “Advanced Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) Process Solutions Research Center” in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County. The research center is equipped with chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) equipment from Applied Materials, Inc. of the United States.CMPProfessional equipment, designed for advanced process nodes, helps to improve production efficiency, optimize wafer performance, and enhance process control capabilities.

6.Dow, net loss30billion, cash flow surges10

4 23Day, Dow Announcement2026First-quarter results show cash flow as the strongest "stabilizer." Net sales97.94$ billion (approximately RMB)669.42(billion RMB), down year-on-year6%; net loss4.45hundred million US dollars (approximately RMB)30.40(billion RMB);Op. EBIT 1.54billion USD, down year-on-year7600million USD, primarily due to the decline in prices; cash generated from continuing operating activities11Billions of dollars, a sharp increase compared to the same period last year.10Billion dollars, mainly due to receivingNOVA ChemicalsLegal litigation compensation.

7.5Nylon prices rise! Celanese issues third round of price increase notice

Recently, Celanese Corporation announced that due to various factors such as recent market developments and global supply chain disruptions, the company will increase the prices of a series of engineering plastics products.PA6,66Product price increase in Asia region0.30~0.60 /kilogram,PETProduct price increase in the Asian region0.20~0.50 /kilogramTPVProduct price increase in Asia region1.50 /kilograms. This price increase will take effect on2026 5 1Effective as of the date specified, or as otherwise stipulated in the contract. Additionally, price increases for certain grades may exceed those stated below.

8.StellantisSelecting four factories in Europe to discuss cooperation with China.

According to informed sources, in order to defuse Europe Surplus issue, translate the above content into English, output the translation directly, without any explanation.StellantisFour European factories have been identified for potential sale or capacity-sharing arrangements, with the Rennes factory in France among them. According to informed sources,StellantisNegotiations have already commenced with potential partners and acquirers. According to Bloomberg, some Chinese automakers have also expressed interest in these European plants.Stellantisor establish cooperation separately with multiple Chinese enterprises.

Overseas macro market:

The International Energy Agency says the conflict in Iran will prolong the natural gas market shortage for another two years.】

International Energy Agency(IEA)2026 2030An annual cumulative shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) of approximately...1200billion cubic meters. The International Energy Agency stated, "Demand-side response will be key to balancing the global gas market."

South Korea reduces its reliance on Middle East oil Instead, imports from America and Africa

South Korean presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said on Friday that South Korea has reduced its reliance on Middle East oil by importing more crude oil from the Americas and Africa.69%Reduce to56%。5Month, it is expected that2,399Million barrels from Saudi Arabia and1,600Ten thousand barrels of crude oil from the UAE were imported via a route that does not pass through the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea has already prepared for this.5The month has been finalized.7,462Ten thousand barrels of crude oil, equivalent to the monthly import volume of last year.87%The inventory of naphtha and basic raw materials is only enough to last for one month, but it is expected that the situation will improve in about a month, as4Starting from the end of the month, the reserved ones210

Analysts expect the European Central Bank6Monthly interest rate increase2027Year of policy direction change

Analysts say the European Central Bank is expected to respond to the impact of the Iran war.64 30Daily Maintenance2%The deposit interest rate remains unchanged, and with new forecasts more clearly showing the impact of this conflict on the economy, a rate hike will be considered at the next meeting.25basis points. Prediction6Among those who expect a monthly interest rate hike, half also anticipate2027At least one interest rate cut is expected by the end of the year. The median forecast indicates that, by2027 9The monthly deposit interest rate will return to2%。

Goldman Sachs says Persian Gulf oil production is lower than pre-war levels on a daily basis.57%】

Goldman Sachs estimates that the daily oil production of Persian Gulf countries this month is lower than the pre-war level.1,450Ten thousand barrels, it would take months to recover to the past. IncludingDaan Struyventhe analysts within4 23In the report, it was stated that the daily production in the region has decreased compared to before the outbreak of the conflict in Iran.57%

Japan will start5 1Starting from today, the second batch of oil reserves will be released.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Due to the Iran crisis, it will5 1Release starts from this date.580Tens of millions of barrels of national petroleum reserves will be released.580Millions of liters of petroleum, worth about5,400100 million yen. It will be delivered to includingEneosand refineries including Idemitsu Kosan.

[U.S. official says Iran has deployed more mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week]

According to the US side23A U.S. official said that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy has laid more mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz this week.

Price Information:

The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar is reported as6.8674, decrease24Point; Previous trading day's midpoint rate6.8650Previous trading day's official closing price6.8336, closing prices for the day and night sessions6.8326。

[Upstream raw material USD market prices]

CFRNortheast Asia1370 /Ton stableCFRSoutheast Asia1410 /Stable tonnage.

FOBAverage price to Korea1320 /Stable tonnageCFRChina Average Price1340 /Ton stability.

Northern Asia CIF price, Propane811-815 /tons; butane911-915Dollar per ton.

China South Frozen Cargo5Landed Price at Moonlight, Propane985-995 /ton; butane1035-1045 /

Taiwan region CIF price, propane811-815 /911-915US dollars per ton.

【LLDPEUS Dollar Market Price

1350 / CFRHuangpu;

【HDPEUS dollar market price

Thin film1420 / CFRHuangpu;

Hollow1300 / CFRDongguan)

Injection molding: Translate the above content into English, output the translation result directly, without any explanation.1420 / CFRYantian;

【LDPEUS dollar market price

Film:1500 / CFR

【PPUSD Market Price

Homopolymerization:1440 / CFRHuangpu)

Copolymerization: Translate the above content into English, output the translation directly, without any explanation.1680 / CFRHuangpu;

1630 / CFRHuangpu;

Transparency1550 / CFRHuangpu)