White House: NVIDIA and AMD Required to Turn Over 15% of Their China Revenues! SABIC Launches New Flame-Retardant Modified Material

International News Guide:

- Raw Materials News - SK Leaveo Secures Strategic Investment From IFC To Accelerate Expansion Of Eco-Friendly Ecosystem

- Recycling News - SK Chemicals Joins Hands with Seoul to Accelerate Waste Banner Recycling Initiative 

- Automotive News - SABIC Launches LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ Non-Halogenated Flame-Retardant Modified Material to Enhance Safety Performance of EV Control Units 

- Packaging News - Cortec Launches Certified Compostable 100% Biobased Bioplastic

- Macro News - White House: NVIDIA and AMD to Turn Over 15% of Their China Revenues; Scope May Expand to More Companies 

- Price Information - USD/CNY Central Parity Rate at 7.1350, Up 68 Pips 

International News Details: 

1. SABIC Launches LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ Non-Halogenated Flame-Retardant Modified Material to Enhance Safety Performance of EV Control Units 

Global chemical industry leader SABIC has recently launched LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ WFC061I modified material, which features excellent non-brominated/non-chlorinated flame retardancy (FR) and is designed to enhance the safety and functionality of key components such as Electric Vehicle Control Units (EVCUs). This new specialty material, which won the 2025 Edison Award, is particularly suitable for manufacturing housings for various applications. With its outstanding structural performance, it effectively protects internal sensitive electronic components from fire/smoke, impact, moisture, and other potential threats. 

2. SK Leaveo Secures Strategic Investment From IFC To Accelerate Expansion Of Eco-Friendly Ecosystem

SK leaveo, the biodegradable materials investment arm of SKC (CEO: Woncheol Park), has secured a strategic investment of USD 40 million (approximately KRW 55 billion) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, to finance the construction of its biodegradable plastics plant in Viet Nam. 

On 7th, SKC announced that SK leaveo and IFC signed a strategic investment agreement, marking the start of a partnership to expand its global eco-friendly ecosystem. 

This investment is based on global confidence in SK leaveo’s PBAT business capabilities and growth potential. The funds will be used to complete and operate the Viet Nam production facility, which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of this year. SK leaveo plans to produce 70,000 tons of reinforced PBAT annually, aiming for commercialization in the first half of 2026. 

3. Fiber-reinforced Composites Get Green Light for Visible Auto Parts

Sustainable materials supplier Materi’act has unveiled what it describes as a groundbreaking advance in sustainable bio-composites for injection technology in the automotive industry. Building on the success of NAFILean-R, a recyclable bio-composite made from recycled plastics reinforced with 20% hemp fibers, the company’s new NAFILean Vision material family not only meets stringent performance standards but also enhances aesthetic quality by making biomass visible. It sets a new benchmark for eco-friendly and visually appealing automotive parts, according to Materi’act, the sustainable materials subsidiary of French Tier II automotive systems supplier Forvia, formerly known as Faurecia SE.

Image source: Materi’act 

4. SK Chemicals Joins Hands with Seoul to Accelerate Waste Banner Recycling Initiative 

SK Chemicals announced that it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to jointly promote the circular recycling of waste banners. This is the second such agreement reached by the company this year, following a cooperation deal with South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety and five local governments last month. In August last year, SK Chemicals also signed a similar recycling agreement with Gunsan City, South Korea. 

According to the agreement, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will establish a centralized collection system for waste banners centered on the Seoul Resource Center (SR Center) and supply the collected banners to SK Chemicals. SK Chemicals will use its high-value mechanical recycling (compounding) technology and advanced circular recycling technology to convert these waste banners into reusable materials. 

Starting from the signing ceremony, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and SK Chemicals plan to launch the recycling and supply of waste banners in the second half of this year, while striving to establish a system and funding support system required for 100% banner recycling by next year. A pilot project will first be launched in Yongsan District, Seoul this year, and then gradually expanded to other districts. By 2026, the recycling scope will be extended to waste banners from local elections, establishing a comprehensive circular recycling system. 

5. Invista Increases Investment in CORDURA^® Brand and Nylon Textile Market: Strategic Focus and Localized Cultivation Drive Long-Term Growth 

Recently, Invista announced that it will continue to invest in the CORDURA^® brand and the nylon textile market, emphasizing its strategy to drive business growth through innovation, customer collaboration, and global supply chain advantages. Earlier this year, after completing a comprehensive strategic assessment, Invista decided to retain ownership of its nylon fiber business. 

This decision reflects Invista's confidence in the long-term value of the CORDURA^® brand, airbag fibers, and industrial fibers business, while highlighting Invista's unique industrial advantage — the ability to supply both regulatory-compliant filament and staple fiber products, ensuring customers receive long-term, stable, and reliable compliant materials. 

Meanwhile, Invista is accelerating the development of new business, marketing, and fiber fabric innovation plans for the CORDURA^® brand, committed to providing customers in the outdoor, workwear, military, and lifestyle fashion sectors with next-generation high-performance fabrics and creating added value. 

6. Cortec Launches Certified Compostable 100% Biobased Bioplastic

Saint Paul, MN — Cortec Corporation has introduced Eco Works 100, a new packaging film that combines full biobased content with industrial compostability. The film is certified as industrially compostable by TÜV Austria (certificate #TA8012509046) and contains 100% USDA-certified biobased content.

Overseas Macro Market:

South Korea's July ICT Exports Up 14.5% YoY, Hitting All-Time High for the Month 

Data released by South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT on the 13th showed that South Korea's information and communication technology (ICT) exports in July reached $22.19 billion, a year-on-year increase of 14.5%, setting a record high for the same month in history. In the same period, ICT imports increased by 9.8% year-on-year to $13.32 billion. As a result, the ICT trade balance achieved a surplus of $8.87 billion. 

Vietnam's Hybrid Vehicle Sales Surge 72% YoY in July 

Data released by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) showed that the total vehicle sales of its member units in July 2025 reached 31,739 units, a month-on-month decrease of 1%. Among them, hybrid vehicle sales exceeded 7,112 units in the month, a significant year-on-year increase of 72%, setting the highest growth rate among all vehicle types. 

Japan's Actual Investment Ratio in $550 Billion U.S.-Bound Investment Fund May Exceed 2% 

Japan's chief trade negotiator Ryozo Akazawa said in an interview on Wednesday that Japan's actual investment ratio in the $550 billion U.S.-bound investment fund may be higher than the initially mentioned 1-2%. In an interview with TV Asahi, he noted that if the U.S. fails to fulfill its commitments, it may not receive Japanese investment. He explained the details of the fund, which is a key pillar of the Japan-U.S. trade agreement reached at the end of July. Japan had stated that the vast majority of the $550 billion U.S. investment commitment would be in the form of loans and loan guarantees, with only 1-2% being actual investment. 

India's 10-Year Government Bond Yield Rises to 6.51%, Highest Since April 

India's 10-year sovereign bond yield broke through the key psychological level of 6.50%, driven by concerns over increased bond supply and cooling expectations of future interest rate cuts. India's 10-year government bond yield rose 2 basis points to 6.51% at one point, the highest since April 9. 

South Korea Plans to Impose Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Hot-Rolled Stainless Steel Plates 

According to the China Trade Remedy Information Network, on August 12, 2025, South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance issued Announcement No. 2025-171, proposing to impose anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled stainless steel plates (Stainless Steel Plate) originating in China for a period of five years. 

White House: NVIDIA and AMD to Turn Over 15% of Their China Revenues; Scope May Expand to More Companies 

According to CNBC, the White House confirmed on the 12th that two U.S. chipmakers, NVIDIA and AMD, have agreed to a special deal to turn over 15% of their chip sales revenues in China to the U.S. government in exchange for export licenses for related products. The White House stated that the agreement may be expanded to more companies in the future. 

At a press conference on August 12 local time, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said that such agreements currently only involve these two companies, "but may be expanded to other companies in the future." She also said that the U.S. Department of Commerce is still studying the relevant legal basis and specific operation methods, with details to be further explained by the Department of Commerce. 

Price Information:

USD/CNY Central Parity Rate 

The central parity rate of USD/CNY was quoted at 7.1350, up 68 pips; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1418, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1911, and the overnight closing price was 7.1829. 

Upstream Raw Materials USD Market Prices 

- Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $820/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $830/ton. 

- Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price $745/ton; CFR China average price $780/ton. 

- North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: propane $514-515/ton; butane $504-505/ton. 

- South China frozen cargo CIF price for early September: propane $560-570/ton; butane $530-540/ton. 

- Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF price: propane $514-515/ton; butane $504-505/ton. 

LLDPE USD Market Prices 

- Film: $860-910/ton (CFR Huangpu); 

- Injection molding: $940/ton (CFR Dongguan). 

HDPE USD Market Prices 

- Film: $900/ton (CFR Huangpu); 

- Blow molding: $855/ton (CFR Huangpu); 

- Injection molding: $890/ton (CFR Huangpu); 

- Pipe: $1,025/ton (CFR Huangpu). 

LDPE USD Market Prices 

- Film: $1,085-1,095/ton (CFR Huangpu); 

- Coating: $1,280/ton (CFR Huangpu). 

PP USD Market Prices 

- Homopolymer: $910-965/ton (CFR Huangpu); 

- Copolymer: $910-965/ton (CFR Nansha); 

- Film grade: $1,030/ton (CFR Nansha); 

- Transparent: $980-1,055/ton (CFR Huangpu); 

- Pipe: $1,130/ton (CFR Shanghai).