Daicel Delays Construction of New German COC Plant! EU’s SUPD Rules: Chemical Recycling Approved, rPET Imports Temporarily Restricted

International News Highlights:

Major Enterprise News - Daicel Delays New German COC Plant Construction as European Demand Outlook Cools

Recycling News - Norfund Invests $4 Million to Boost Vietnam's Plastic Recycling Capacity

Packaging News - EU’s SUPD New Rules: Chemical Recycling Approved, rPET Imports Temporarily Restricted

Aerospace News - Boosting Advanced Aerospace Manufacturing: US Senate Allocates $70 Million for AAMMC

International News Details:

1. Daicel Delays New German COC Plant Construction as European Demand Outlook Cools

As learned from Plastmatch on February 11, Daicel Corporation of Japan has adjusted the business plan of its consolidated subsidiary TOPAS Advanced Polymers GmbH, delaying the commissioning of its new cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) plant in Germany. The plant, originally scheduled to start operations in April 2026, will now be commissioned in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2027.

The company stated that the delay is due to slower-than-expected market demand growth affected by the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, coupled with a substantial surge in construction and labor costs.

2. Norfund Invests $4 Million to Boost Vietnam's Plastic Recycling Capacity

Recently, the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) announced a $4 million investment in Vietnam’s Circular Plastics Company (CPC) to support its expansion of industrial-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling operations in Vietnam.

The investment aims to create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, mitigate plastic pollution, and supply high-quality recycled materials to both domestic and international markets. CPC is an enterprise specializing in PET recycling, mainly producing recycled PET flakes and food-grade recycled PET pellets for the Vietnamese domestic market and export to Europe. With manufacturers striving to cut carbon emissions and increase the proportion of recycled materials in their products, the market demand for recycled PET is growing rapidly.

3. EU’s SUPD New Rules: Chemical Recycling Approved, rPET Imports Temporarily Restricted

Last Friday, the Waste Technical Adaptation Committee under the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) approved a draft implementing act, which clarifies the accounting rules for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) to be counted towards the minimum recycled content target for plastic beverage bottles in the EU. Currently, the EU requires a minimum recycled content of 25% for plastic beverage bottles, which will be raised to 30% by 2030.

The document introduces two major revisions: First, it allows the use of certified mass balance approach and fuel use exemption method for accounting, incorporating chemically recycled PET into the calculation of recycled content targets. Second, until November 2027, recycled PET produced outside the EU shall not be counted towards the minimum recycled content target for PET beverage bottles.

These two measures are expected to build a protective barrier for PET bottle manufacturers in the EU, especially recycled plastic enterprises, shielding them from the impact of low-cost imported products from Asia. Meanwhile, they will encourage enterprises to invest in relevant production facilities and ensure the medium- and long-term supply capacity of recycled PET in the EU.

4. Boosting Advanced Aerospace Manufacturing: US Senate Allocates $70 Million for AAMMC

The US Senate has passed a new bill, allocating a total of $70 million in funding to the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) headquartered in Spokane, Washington. As the first test platform of its kind in the United States, the center integrates advanced manufacturing and training facilities, aiming to accelerate the testing and production process of large composite aerospace components.

5. Ampacet Debuts at Plastindia 2026, Launches a Range of Application-Oriented New Masterbatch Products

From February 5 to 10, 2026, Ampacet showcased its advanced materials and technological innovations for the plastic industry at Plastindia 2026, India's top plastic exhibition held in New Delhi, India.

Ampacet has tailored a portfolio of masterbatch and additive solutions suitable for various plastic application fields, including pharmaceutical packaging, agricultural films and accessories, consumer goods, and industrial products. These solutions are compatible with multiple molding processes such as blow molding, injection molding, and film extrusion.

Overseas Macro Market:

Israel Completes a Series of Complex Tests on David's Sling

On February 11, the Israeli Ministry of Defense stated that as part of enhancing its ability to respond to future threats, Israel has successfully completed a series of complex tests on the David's Sling medium-range air defense system. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the system can intercept rockets, missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Israeli Ministry of Defense said the tests were based on operational experience gained from recent conflicts, covering various challenging scenarios and meeting current and potential future threats. The successful tests mark new technological and operational breakthroughs in the system upgrade.

Iranian President Says Iran Does Not Seek Nuclear Weapons

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons. The remarks were made amid indirect negotiations held in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Earlier on the 10th, Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the United States and planned to meet with Donald Trump on the 11th. The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel said on the 10th that among the issues Netanyahu will discuss with Trump during this visit, "the most important one is the negotiations with Iran".

US Media: US Considers Seizing Iranian Oil Tankers to Increase Pressure

According to US media reports on the 10th, US government officials are considering seizing oil tankers transporting Iranian oil to put pressure on Iran, but the US side is also worried that this move may trigger retaliatory actions from Iran. The Wall Street Journal quoted US officials as saying that officials of the Trump administration have discussed whether to seize oil tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil. The report noted that more than 20 ships carrying Iranian oil have been sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury this year, making them potential seizure targets.

Report: Trump Plans to Revoke a Climate Endangerment Finding from the Obama Administration

The Trump administration plans to revoke a scientific conclusion on the "endangerment finding" related to climate change made during the Obama era this week, which has long served as the legal basis for the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases. This move marks the most far-reaching rollback of US climate policy to date.

The reversal targets the "endangerment finding" signed in 2009, which concluded that six greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare.

South Korean Finance Minister Says Government to Launch Preliminary Administrative Review System for US Investment Candidates

South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun Cheol stated that the South Korean government will launch a preliminary administrative review mechanism to conduct initial assessments of proposed investment projects in the United States. Meanwhile, the National Assembly is preparing to pass the proposed Korea-US Strategic Investment Act by establishing a special committee.

Venezuela's Largest Refinery Temporarily Shuts Down Due to Power Outage

On the afternoon of the 9th local time, a complete power outage occurred at Venezuela's Amuay Refinery, resulting in the temporary shutdown of multiple refining units. As Venezuela's largest refinery, the power outage was caused by a failure in the internal power plant of the refinery. So far, the Venezuelan government and Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) have not released a statement on the incident.

Johnson's Obstruction Fails; US House of Representatives Expected to Promote Votes on Trump's Tariff Policies Later This Week

On Tuesday, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson attempted to extend a ban on "forcing members of Congress to vote on Trump's tariffs" until the end of July this year through a procedural rule. However, the vote ultimately failed by 214 to 217. Three Republican members cast key opposing votes, namely Thomas Massie, who often disagrees with Trump, Kevin Kiley, a moderate from California, and Don Bacon, a retiring member from Nebraska. With moderates in the Republican Party defecting, the House of Representatives is expected to launch official votes on multiple tariff policies of Trump as early as later this week.

Price Information:

Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

Ethylene: CFR Northeast Asia 695 USD/ton (down 5 USD/ton), CFR Southeast Asia 680 USD/ton (stable)

Propylene (Northeast Asia): FOB Korea average 790 USD/ton (stable), CFR China average 835 USD/ton (stable)

North Asia refrigerated cargo CIF: Propane 568-570 USD/ton; Butane 588-590 USD/ton

South China refrigerated cargo CIF (early March arrival): Propane 599-609 USD/ton; Butane 594-604 USD/ton

Taiwan refrigerated cargo CIF: Propane 568-570 USD/ton; Butane 588-590 USD/ton

LLDPE USD Market Prices

Film grade: 830 USD/ton (CFR Xiamen); Injection molding grade: 910 USD/ton (CFR Xiamen)

HDPE USD Market Prices

Film grade: 910 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Injection molding grade: 800 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Blow molding grade: 850 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe grade: 1000 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu)

LDPE USD Market Prices

Film grade: 1035 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Coating grade: 1240 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu)

PP USD Market Prices

Injection molding grade: 830 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan); Copolymer grade: 890 USD/ton (CFR Nansha); Film grade: 980 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Transparent grade: 1075 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu); Pipe grade: 1130 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai)