【Gobal News】Alpek and Kuraray Suspend Production; HanoiPlas 2025 Opens; Mercedes-Benz and BMW Scramble to Secure Rare Earth Supply Amid China’s Export Restrictions​

Headline News:

Raw Material News - Alpek to Shut Down PET Plant with Annual Capacity of 170K Tons Virgin & 35K Tons Recycled PET

Auto News -Mercedes-Benz, BMW Scramble to Secure Rare Earth Supply Amid China's Export Restrictions​​

Packaging News -PepsiCo CSO's In-depth Analysis: Challenges and Opportunities Behind Revised Packaging Targets​​

Macro news - Mexico President Slams U.S. Steel/Aluminum Tariff Hikes as "Unfair and Baseless", Vows Countermeasures​

Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 780/ton;CFRSoutheastAsia850/ton

The following are the details of international news:

1. HanoiPlas 2025 showcases advanced plastics, rubber, recycling solutions

HanoiPlas 2025, the 13th edition of the Hanoi International Plastics and Rubber Industry Exhibition, is taking place from June 4-7, attracting over 200 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions.Covering 9,000 square metres of exhibition space, HanoiPlas 2025 is showcasing a wide spectrum of the latest in machinery, advanced materials, sustainable recycling solutions, and more. The exhibition has gathered leading industry players who are unveiling their latest technologies and equipment, offering visitors insights into the future trends and innovations driving the plastics and rubber sectors.

2 EREMA Reports 13% Revenue Decline to €330 Million Amid Global Challenges​

Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, the plastics recycling industry faces multifaceted challenges. Nevertheless, Austria-based ​​EREMA Group​​ maintains its leadership position through profound technological expertise and continuous innovation. The company is intensifying efforts in key sectors like recycled PET, driving the industry toward high-quality and sustainable development.

3. Mercedes-Benz, BMW Scramble to Secure Rare Earth Supply Amid China's Export Restrictions​

U.S. and European automakers have expressed concern about China 's export controls on rare earth metals, saying the move could have a knock-on effect on global auto production, according to foreign media reports. Mercedes-Benz Group and BMW Group are in urgent consultation with suppliers to ensure a stable supply of parts containing rare earth materials. Among them, Mercedes-Benz is exploring the possibility of stockpiling specific parts. According to Ford Motor, due to the extension of China 's approval process for rare earth exports, the export time of some parts has increased, and the transportation cost has also increased. Ford Chief Financial Officer Sherry House pointed out at the UBS Automotive Conference held in New York, the United States on June 4 : ' This has put pressure on the highly organized system. She pointed out that export controls mean that automakers must look for alternative parts or new supply channels. Last month, Ford 's factory in Chicago had to shut down for a week due to a shortage of rare earths, and the factory mainly produces Explorer models. A spokesman for BMW Group said that although its car factory is currently operating normally, some supply chain networks have been affected by China 's rare earth metal export restrictions. However, the spokesman did not give further details.

4. Qosina Adds Sealed Air's PE-based Film to Bioprocessing Product Portfolio

Supplier of single-use components for medical devices Qosina has entered into a strategic partnership with packaging specialist Sealed Air. As a result of this collaboration, Qosina has added  Nexcel Bio1250 , a robust, co-extruded bioprocessing bag film to its portfolio of bioprocessing products.

5 ALBIS establishes subsidiary in Tel Aviv, Israel

ALBIS continues its international growth with the establishment of a subsidiary in Tel Aviv, Israel. This strategic move marks another step in its expansion beyond Europe and APAC.

6. South Korea 's Seho Tech launched a new generation of NeXgener polyurethane foaming agent

South Korea 's Seho Tech recently launched NeXgener polyurethane, which is a new generation of polyurethane foam foaming agent that meets modern environmental protection standards and has no impact on performance, marking a change in the global insulation industry. NeXgener is a 100 % chemical-based foaming agent specially developed for polyurethane applications. It produces strong internal heat through cross-linking reaction, and can better control foam expansion by adjusting water content. Its high hydroxyl value ( OH-V ~ 400 ) allows the use of MDI to increase, thereby improving foam performance.

7. Alpek will shut down a plant with an annual output of 170,000 tons of PET and 35,000 tons of recycled PET

Alpek, a petrochemical and polyester product giant, recently announced that it will stop operating its Fayetteville plant in North Carolina, the United States. The company has issued an official application for workers ' adjustment and retention notices, and the shutdown will affect the work of 90 employees. The plant is operated by Alpek Polyester USA and acquired by Alpek in 2021, with an annual capacity of 170,000 tons of PET resin and 35,000 tons of recycled PET flakes.

9. Kuraray shut down polyester resin and polyester filament production plant

Kuraray Co., Ltd.announced recently that it decided to stop its manufacturing subsidiary Kuraray Saijo Co., Ltd. ( located in Xitiao City, Ehime County ; production of polyester resin and polyester filament. Kuraray said that in 1969, the company began to produce polyester resin for filaments, while manufacturing and selling polyester filaments CLAVELLA TM. In 1987, the company began manufacturing and selling polyester resin KURAPET TM for molded products. However, in recent years, due to market changes and equipment aging caused by maintenance and update costs rise, Kuraray polyester related business is facing difficulties. The company has been considering whether to continue to carry out the business ; however, it is concluded that it is difficult to ensure stable production and achieve sustainable profitability in the future.

Overseas macro market information:

【The United States has comprehensively restricted the entry of citizens from 12 countries. Trump : related to the Colorado attack】

The White House issued a notice on the 4th, announcing a comprehensive restriction on the entry of citizens from 12 countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran, and Yemen into the United States, and partially restricting the entry of citizens from 7 countries such as Burundi. According to the AFP report, US President Donald Trump said on the same day that the relevant restrictions were related to attacks on pro-Israel groups in Colorado.

【 The auction results for Japan's 30-year government bonds have been released, with the bid-to-cover ratio hitting a new low since 2023.】

Japan auctioned 30-year government bonds, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.92, lower than the 12-month average level of 3.39, and it is the lowest bid-to-cover ratio since 2023. After the auction results were released, Japanese government bond futures saw a decline in gains, with the yield on 30-year bonds dropping by 6 basis points to 2.885%.

【The Iraqi Ministry of Oil stated that the reason for the reduction in oil exports is the forced production cut to comply with OPEC quotas.】 

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil stated that the reason for the decrease in Iraq's oil exports is the inability to receive and export oil produced in the Kurdistan region, along with being forced to cut production to comply with OPEC quotas.

【Mexican President: The U.S. raising steel and aluminum tariffs is "unfair," and we will take countermeasures.】

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on the 4th that the United States' recent move to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products is "unfair", "lacks legal basis", and is "unsustainable." The Mexican government will assess the situation and then formulate countermeasures to protect the development of its steel and aluminum industries.

Price information:

【USD/CNY central parity rate】

The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar was set at 7.1865, up by 21 basis points. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1886, the official closing price was 7.1890, and the overnight closing price was 7.1760.

【Upstream raw material prices in US dollars】

Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $780/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $850/ton.

Acrylic Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price is $745/ton; CFR China average price is $775/ton.

The North Asian frozen cargo landed price: propane $544.5-$546.5 per ton; butane $511.5-$513.5 per ton.

The CIF price for South China frozen goods in July is as follows: propane $607-617 per ton; butane $542-552 per ton.

The CIF price of frozen goods in Taiwan area, propane 544.5-546.5 US dollars/ton; butane 511.5-513.5 US dollars/ton.

【LLDPE USD market price】

Film: $875/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection molding: $970/ton (CFR Dongguan);

【HDPE USD market price】

Film: $900-$920 per ton (CFR Huangpu).

Hollow: 865-870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

【 LDPE USD market price】

Film: 1025-1035 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

【PP PP USD Market Price】

Homopolymer: 890-935 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymer: 955-1060 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Material: $1025-1090/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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

Pipe materials: 1,160 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai).