【Overseas Highlights】United States Launches New 301 Tariff Investigation; Tesla Experiences Escalating Departures; Lg Sets Benchmark For Injection Molding Process

International News Highlights:

Ingredients News – Mondelez International Launches Cadbury Easter Egg Products with Packaging Containing 65% Recycled Plastic

Auto News – Tesla’s Departure Wave Escalates: Software Director and CFO Announce Resignations!

Packaging News – RIGK Partners with GCR to Launch European Industrial Packaging Recycling Pilot

Electronic News - LG Electronics Factory Sets a Benchmark in Injection Molding Process

Macroeconomic News—The U.S. Announces a New Section 301 Tariff Investigation Targeting China and 15 Other Trading Partners

Price Information: The central parity rate of the Chinese yuan against the US dollar was set at 6.8959, down by 42 pips.

The following is the detailed international news:

1. Mondelēz International launched Cadbury Easter eggs with packaging containing 65% recycled plastic.

Plastics Insight has learned that global snacking giant Mondelēz International recently announced a new milestone in its sustainable packaging journey—aiming to make Easter sweetness more eco-friendly. During the 2026 Easter season, Cadbury Mini Eggs will be packaged for the first time in bags made with 65% certified recycled plastic across three sizes (31.9g, 74g, and 256g), with this percentage verified through mass balance allocation.

Additionally, both small and large Cadbury Easter chocolate slabs will use packaging made with 80% certified recycled plastic, also allocated via mass balance; meanwhile, the ribbon handles on Cadbury’s Special Treats Easter eggs will be replaced with recyclable cardboard.

This series of measures continues Mondelez's efforts to improve sustainable packaging during Easter. Last year, the company introduced a "Cadbury Easter Favorite Collection Bag" with a paper outer packaging, and earlier, it eliminated 6.4 million plastic transparent windows across its entire Easter egg range.

2. RIGK Partners with GCR to Launch European Industrial Packaging Recycling Pilot

Germany's packaging and plastic recycling service provider RIGK has recently partnered with GCR, a Spanish company specializing in modified and recycled materials, to launch a pilot project across Europe, aiming to upgrade industrial packaging recycling solutions.

RIGK and GCR test new process to convert complex industrial packaging into high-quality recycled materials (Image source: RIGK)

3. LG Electronic Factory Establishes Injection Molding Process Benchmark

The LG Electronics home appliance manufacturing base in Clarksville, Tennessee, is redefining the standards of excellence in injection molding. This site has been certified by the World Economic Forum.Lighthouse Factory, integrating advanced automation, refined management, and sustainable practices, produces 1.5 million home appliances annually, with efficiency ranking at the top of the industry.

“I visit various injection molding factories every day,” said Paul Caprio, President of LS Eastman Injection Machinery Company’s U.S. and Canada Division. “But none of them is as clean as this one. This demonstrates that through close collaboration between LS Eastman and our customers, and through systematic innovation, we can jointly achieve extraordinary results.”

4. Tesla's exodus intensifies: Software Director and CFO announce resignations!

Just as Musk was excited about the launch of the Cybercab, his core management team once again faced new cracks. Recently, Thomas Demetriakos, the director of Tesla's software department, and Sridhar Palaris, the vice president of finance, both announced their resignations. The former was a technical pioneer who built the vehicle's OTA remote upgrade and the underlying system for Robotaxi, while the latter was a "living fossil" who had served for 17 years and participated in the E-round financing and IPO.

This is not an isolated personnel change. Since the end of 2025, a series of key positions—including the Cybertruck project lead, Model Y project lead, and Cybercab project manager—have all undergone leadership changes.

When a company undergoing a perilous transformation from an automaker to an AI company loses such a dense cohort of senior executives within just a few months, what we observe is no longer merely the cumulative effect of individual career choices, but rather a profound organizational earthquake concerning corporate culture, strategic priorities, and the talent ecosystem.

5. ORNL scientists convert scrap aluminum from end-of-life vehicles into high-performance metal for manufacturing new cars.

According to foreign media, researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) of the U.S. Department of Energy are working to change this situation. The team has developed a new aluminum alloy called RidgeAlloy, which can convert low-value recycled aluminum into a reliable material for structural components in American-made vehicles.

Source: ORNL

Aluminum is included on the U.S. Department of Energy's list of critical materials because it plays a vital role in many energy technologies, including systems for power generation, transmission, energy storage, and energy efficiency.

RidgeAlloy is manufactured by remelting aluminum recovered from end-of-life products and casting it into a new alloy designed to meet the strength, ductility, and crash-safety requirements of vehicle structural components. Researchers at ORNL have developed a targeted alloy design approach to accelerate the development of new materials.

“The team went from concept on paper to successfully manufacturing full-scale components of the new alloy in just 15 months,” said Allen Haynes, Director of the ORNL Light Metals Core Project. “This pace of innovation in developing complex-structured alloys is unprecedented.”

Just now! The U.S. announced the initiation of new 301 tariff investigations against China and 15 other trading partners.

Eastern Time, March 11, 2026The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a formal notice initiating a Section 301 investigation targeting structural overcapacity and production issues in the manufacturing sector across 16 economies, aiming to reimpose tariff pressure.。

U.S. Trade Representative’s Office Official Website Announcement

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced an investigation into the acts, policies, and practices of economies related to structural overcapacity and production in the manufacturing sector under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigation will determine whether these acts, policies, and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.

List of Investigated Economies (Total 16): China, European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.

U.S. Trade Representative Greer stated that this "Section 301" unfair trade practices investigationPossible new tariffs on China, the EU, India, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico may be imposed before summer (around May)。

Overseas macro markets:

The Iranian military stated that it attacked multiple Israeli military and security institutions.

According to reports, on the 12th local time, the Iranian military issued Statement No. 24, announcing that Iranian forces had launched drone strikes that day against Israel's Palmachim and Ovda air bases as well as the headquarters of Israel's Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).

Iran accuses German foreign minister of favoring Israel, "taking the side of the aggressor"

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Baghaei posted on X on the 11th, accusing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of bias in favor of Israel and “standing with the aggressor.” Baerbock visited Israel on the 9th, becoming the first foreign minister from a European country to do so since the U.S.-Israeli joint military strike against Iran on February 28. In Jerusalem, she held talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and subsequently posted on X: “The Israeli people live under persistent threats. At this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with them.”

[CNN: The U.S. military is considering the feasibility of deploying the Navy to escort oil tankers, but the risks are extremely high!]

According to a report by CNN, the U.S. government is seriously considering the feasibility of deploying its navy to escort oil tankers. White House spokesperson Levitt stated that the U.S. Navy is currently not escorting any oil tankers or other vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but added, "That is certainly an option," and would be used "at the appropriate time if necessary." However, CNN also disclosed that such an operation could instead inflict heavy losses on the U.S. Navy.

California says it is prepared to deal with the threat of Iranian drones.

On March 11, local time, California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on social media stating that the state is monitoring all potential threats, including those related to the Middle East conflict. Newsom said no imminent danger has been identified at present, but California stands ready to respond to any emergency.

Another cargo ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office said on the 12th that a cargo ship was hit by an unknown projectile and caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office issued a statement saying the incident occurred 35 nautical miles north of Al Ain, UAE. It is reported that all crew members are safe, and the specific circumstances are under investigation.

Australia to temporarily relax sulfur content limits in fuel

Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen released a statement saying Australia will temporarily revise its fuel quality standards, allowing higher sulfur content for the next 60 days. This move will redirect about 100 million liters of newly produced gasoline each month, originally intended for export, to be blended into the domestic fuel supply.

Price information:

The Chinese yuan's central parity rate against the US dollar was quoted at 6.8959, down 42 points; the previous day's central parity rate was 6.8917, the official closing price of the previous day was 6.8700, and the overnight trading session ended at 6.8749.

[Upstream Raw Material USD Market Price]

On March 11, CFR Northeast Asia remained at $970/ton, and CFR Southeast Asia remained at $940/ton.

Northeast Asian propylene FOB Korea average price dropped to $1070/ton, down $30/ton, and CFR China average price dropped to $1070/ton, down $65/ton.

North Asia CFR price for refrigerated cargo: propane at USD 781–787 per metric ton; butane at USD 781–787 per metric ton.

For the South China cryogenic cargo April early arrival price, propane is at 911-921 USD/ton; butane is at 906-916 USD/ton.

CIF price for refrigerated cargo in the Taiwan region: propane at USD 781–787 per metric ton; butane at USD 781–787 per metric ton.

LLDPE USD Market Price

Film: $1,300/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Injection molding: USD 1,450 per ton (CFR Dongguan);

[HDPE USD market price]

Film: No quotation available;

Hollow: No quotation available;

Injection molding: No quote;

Pipe: No quotation;

LDPE USD Market Price

Film: USD 1,450 per metric ton (CFR Dongguan)

Coating: No quotation.

[PP USD Market Price]

Homopolymer: 1230 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Copolymer: 1250 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Film material: No quotation available.

Transparent: USD 1,435 per metric ton (CFR Huangpu)

Pipe: USD 1,480 per metric ton (CFR Shanghai).