[Overseas News] LYB Achieves Net Profit of 115 Million, Stora Enso Builds Largest Packaging Line in Europe, Porsche Plans Factory Shutdown

International News Highlights:

Big Tech NewsLYB released its Q2 2025 financial report, with revenue of $7.66 billion.

Medical NewsThe world's first lawsuit on invisible orthodontics was filed in China first.

Automotive NewsPorsche will largely shut down its battery subsidiary.

Packaging News1 billion euros invested in Finland! Stora Enso to build Europe's largest packaging line, reshaping the industry landscape.

Macroeconomic NewsIndia decides to continue purchasing Russian oil.；

Price Information-The central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar was set at 7.1287, up 97 points.。

Here are the details of international news:

LYB released its financial report for the second quarter of 2025 with revenue of $7.66 billion.

LYB (LyondellBasell) released its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, reporting a net income of $115 million, equivalent to diluted earnings per share of $0.34. This quarter, the company recognized after-tax items amounting to $87 million, which impacted the second quarter earnings per share by $0.28. These items involved asset impairments, transaction costs, a cash improvement plan, and discontinued operations. The EBITDA for the second quarter of 2025 was $606 million, or $715 million excluding the recognized items.

The comparison data with the previous quarter and the same period in 2024 is as follows:

2. The world's first lawsuit on invisible orthodontics was filed against China.

Recently, Align Technology, a global leader in clear aligners, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Shanghai Angelalign Technology Co., Ltd. The case involves multiple jurisdictions in the United States, Europe, and China.

Some analysts believe that this lawsuit will not only promote a comprehensive upgrade in intellectual property competition within the invisible orthodontics industry but also reflect the profound transformation in China’s medical device sector from technology catching-up to independent innovation. Data shows that in 2023, Invisalign maintained its global leading position with a 64% market share. Meanwhile, Angelalign has held the top domestic market share for four consecutive years since 2021, reaching 41.9% in 2023, surpassing Invisalign’s 31.8%. So, what kind of outcome will this dispute between the global number one and China’s number one bring?

3.Porsche will shut down its battery subsidiary on a large scale.

Amid weak demand for electric vehicles, German sports car manufacturer Porsche plans to significantly shut down its battery subsidiary Cellforce.

According to reports, nearly 200 out of a total of approximately 280 positions are about to be cut. It is reported that the relevant departments have submitted layoff notifications to the employment agency in charge of Reutlingen. Porsche launched the Cellforce project to the public four years ago; less than three years ago, it began construction of a research and development base at the Mahden Industrial Park near Kirchheim unter Teck, which includes a pilot production for small batches (up to 1,000 vehicles per year) of battery cells.

4.1 billion euros invested in Finland! Stora Enso builds Europe's largest packaging line, reshaping the industry landscape

On August 21, Zhuansu Vision reported that the city of Oulu, Finland, has launched the largest and most advanced consumer packaging board production line in Europe. The new production line was jointly inaugurated by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Stora Enso Board Chairman Kari Jordan, Stora Enso President and CEO Hans Sohlström, and Oulu plant union chairman Olli-Pekka Kekkonen.

Stora Enso's Oulu plant aims to meet the growing global demand for renewable packaging and support the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, this production facility enhances Finland's competitiveness and increases exports with its high value-added products.

5. California New Regulation on Recycled Plastic Packaging: Manufacturer Registration Underway

In August 2025, there are new developments in California's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging, with producer registration now open. Companies selling packaged goods in California can complete EPR registration through the Circular Action Alliance (CAA).

CAA is the organization responsible for implementing the extended producer responsibility system for paper and packaging in California. It has now opened the updated registration portal for all producers subject to California's Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (Senate Bill 54, or SB 54). CAA encourages the relevant producers to complete their registration by September 5.

CAA states that manufacturers who sell, distribute, or transport single-use packaging in California are likely subject to this law, even if they have previously registered with CAA; they must register again this time. In addition to registration, CAA also plans to initiate a manufacturer supply reporting period, with a reporting deadline of November 15.

6. Layoff of 127 employees! Packaging giant Pactiv shuts down California thermoforming plant.

According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) submitted to California, Pactiv LLC will close its thermoforming plant in Bakersfield, California, resulting in 127 people losing their jobs. The notice, submitted late last week, indicates that the closure is scheduled to take place on October 14, 2025.

According to the WARN Act, employers must provide a 60-day advance notice before implementing mass layoffs, plant closures, or relocations. The notice must be delivered to affected employees as well as state and local government representatives.

Pactiv is a leading manufacturer of fresh food and beverage packaging in North America. According to its official website, the company employs more than 14,000 people at over 50 manufacturing plants and 42 distribution centers.

Coroso Group to Exhibit at the 2025 Nuremberg Packaging Exhibition in Germany, Showcasing Sustainable Flexible Packaging Innovations

International flexible packaging manufacturer Korozo Group will participate in the 2025 Nuremberg Packaging Exhibition in Germany to showcase sustainable flexible packaging solutions that meet today's and future needs.

Overseas Macro Market:

India decides to continue purchasing Russian oil.

According to the Russian newspaper Izvestia's website report on August 21, India has made a final decision regarding the Russian energy issue. India's Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, stated that despite pressure from the United States, New Delhi will continue to purchase Russian oil. On August 21, the foreign ministers of Russia and India will discuss strengthening their strategic partnership in Moscow. Kumar said that India will not consider imposing an embargo on Russian oil.

[Institution: U.S. smartphone sales grew 9% year-on-year in Q2]

According to Counterpoint's "US Channel Share Tracker Report," the US smartphone market grew by 9% year-on-year in Q2 2025, mainly driven by the strong performance of the three major carriers. Thanks to summer promotional activities, smartphone sales at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon stores increased by 16%, 20%, and 12% year-on-year, respectively. The upgrade rate of each carrier also improved, with executives generally attributing this to aggressive promotional campaigns. Driven by these strong promotions, sales of high-end devices grew by 11% year-on-year.

The Japanese stock market sees the largest inflow of foreign capital in nearly four months.

During the week of August 16, Japanese stocks attracted the largest inflow of foreign capital in nearly four months, which fueled a record-setting rally in the market. This was driven by expectations that the United States would cut interest rates, as well as strong domestic economic growth data that boosted market sentiment. Data released by Japan’s Ministry of Finance on Thursday showed that foreign investors bought approximately 1.16 trillion yen (about $7.87 billion) worth of Japanese stocks last week, marking the largest single-week purchase since April 5.

The yield on Japan's 10-year government bonds has risen to the highest level since 2008.

Amid rising expectations of a rate hike by the Bank of Japan and ongoing concerns about fiscal issues, the yield on Japan's 10-year government bonds has climbed to its highest level since 2008. The 10-year government bond yield rose to 1.61%.

Price Information:

Renminbi to US Dollar Central Parity Rate

The RMB/USD central parity rate was quoted at 7.1287, up 97 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1384, the previous trading day's official closing price was 7.1793, and the previous night's closing price was 7.1770.

[Upstream Raw Material USD Market Price]

Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $830/ton, up $5/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $820/ton.

Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price is $750/ton, up by $5/ton; CFR China average price is $780/ton, up by $5/ton.

CFR price for frozen goods in North Asia: Propane $528-529/ton; Butane $528-529/ton.

The CIF price of frozen goods in South China in September is $559-569 per ton for propane and $539-549 per ton for butane.

Frozen cargo CIF price in Taiwan region: Propane USD 528-529 per ton; Butane USD 528-529 per ton.

[LLDPE USD Market Price]

Thin film: 870-910 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu), up 5 USD/ton;

Injection molding: USD 950/ton (CFR Dongguan);

[HDPE USD Market Price]

Film: USD 905-970/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Hollow: USD 855/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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

Pipe material: 1025 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

[LDPE USD Market Price]

Film: USD 1100-1110/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Coating: 1280 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu).

[PP USD Market Price]

Homopolymer: 895-965 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymer: 900-965 USD/ton (CFR Nansha), down 10 USD/ton;

Membrane material: 1030 USD/ton (CFR Nansha);

Transparent: USD 970-1055/ton (CFR Huangpu), down by USD 5/ton.

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