New Breakthrough in Recycled Plastics! Engel Acquires Trexel; Germany Plans to Launch €300 Million EV Incentive Measures

International News Guide

Raw Material News - New Breakthrough in Recycled Plastics: Plastic Energy Launches Tacfiller, a Carbon Black Alternative

Additive News - Clariant Unveils Titanium-Based Catalyst Solution to Enable More Sustainable Polyester Production

Equipment News - Engel Group Acquires Long-Term Partner Trexel

Automotive News - Germany Plans to Launch €3 Billion Electric Vehicle Incentive Measures

Macroeconomic News - Federal Reserve: Will Not Release Industrial Production Report on October 17

Price Information - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia USD 785/ton

Details of International News

1. New Breakthrough in Recycled Plastics: Plastic Energy Launches Tacfiller, a Carbon Black Alternative

Plastic Energy, based in London, claims to be the first plastic chemical recycling company to commercialize "char" (a by-product of the TAC process), naming the product Tacfiller. The company said this product provides a low-carbon, circular alternative to carbon black.

Plastic Energy stated that Tacfiller offers a scalable and sustainable solution, adding that it is the first product of its kind to obtain REACH registration (a regulation applicable to most chemical substances manufactured or imported in the UK). As a direct alternative to carbon black, the company said it can help the rubber industry significantly reduce emissions and meet recycled material content targets.

2. Clariant Unveils Titanium-Based Catalyst Solution to Enable More Sustainable Polyester Production

Recently, Clariant showcased its new AddWorks titanium-based catalyst solution for polyester polymerization at K 2025, the world's top plastics and rubber industry exhibition.

The technology is scheduled to be launched in 2026. Compared to traditional antimony-based catalysts, it has higher sustainability and performance. It not only addresses environmental issues and supply chain challenges but also simplifies the PET recycling process, supporting the development of a circular economy in the polyester industry.

Due to the large global market size of PET, the technology will initially focus on the PET field. Meanwhile, Clariant's titanium-based catalyst solution, as a high-efficiency transesterification/polycondensation catalyst, can be applied to the full range of polyester products, including PETG, PCT, PBT, PTT, PBAT, TPEE, and even emerging polyester materials such as PEF.

This titanium-based catalyst technology represents a major breakthrough in polyester production: on the one hand, it achieves better performance; on the other hand, it is safer for humans and the environment by reducing environmental migration and toxicity, and minimizing the risk of bioaccumulation.

3. Engel Group Acquires Long-Term Partner Trexel

Engel, an injection molding machine manufacturer, is expanding its technology portfolio in the field of foaming and acquired its long-term partner Trexel Inc. in early October 2025.

Stefan Engleder, CEO of the Engel Group, noted that Trexel is globally renowned for the development and commercialization of MuCell technology—a process for microcellular foaming in injection molding.

This acquisition provides the company with the stability, long-term perspective, and opportunities needed to further advance its technology.

4. Germany Plans to Launch €3 Billion Electric Vehicle Incentive Measures

According to Bloomberg, the ruling coalition led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reached an agreement to launch a new purchase incentive program for zero-emission vehicles, totaling €3 billion (approximately $3.5 billion), by 2029. This move is part of a broader initiative by the Merz government to support the country's struggling automakers.

Image Source: Volkswagen

Merz announced this measure, which mainly targets low- and middle-income households, after meeting with Social Democratic Party (SPD) allies in Berlin, Germany.

Merz will meet with automotive industry executives and labor representatives later on October 9 (local time) to discuss the future development of the automotive industry. As a key industry in Europe's largest economy, Germany's automotive sector is currently facing multiple challenges: on one hand, competitive pressure from China continues to rise; on the other hand, uncertainties in U.S. tariff policies keep bringing variables.

5. Envalior Launches Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant PBT at K 2025

According to Plastmatch, Envalior launched Pocan® BFN4232ZHR S1 at K 2025—a halogen-free flame-retardant PBT that combines the advantages of PBT and polyamide 6/66.

Envalior offers a variety of halogen-free flame-retardant compounds from different material categories. With its high CTI value of 600, UL 94 V-0 classification, and high-quality mechanical properties, these compounds are ideal for high-voltage connectors.

For example, they include ForTii® polyphthalamide compounds (with dimensional stability, high mechanical and thermal elasticity) and various Akulon® polyamide 66 products. The latter includes grades that minimize corrosion of silicone seals in connectors, helping to achieve permanent high sealing performance.

6. BASF's "Winning Ways" Strategy: One-Year Review with Clear Restructuring Paths for Four Business Segments

On the first anniversary of launching its "Winning Ways" strategy, BASF held a capital market update meeting in Antwerp, Belgium, systematically disclosing the development paths of its four independent businesses and efficiency enhancement plans for core businesses.

The company confirmed that it will maintain its 2028 financial targets unchanged and revealed that the much-watched strategic review results of the coatings business will be officially announced in this quarter.

Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Executive Board of BASF SE, said in his keynote speech: "The past 12 months have proven that we are focusing on the right issues. The strategy implementation is progressing well, and we are fully confident in achieving our 2028 goals." He emphasized that through precise business portfolio management, capital allocation, and the cultivation of a performance culture, BASF is laying a solid foundation for sustained profitable growth.

7. Mitsubishi Chemical Collaborates with Two Universities to Research the Application of Antithrombotic Elastomer ZELAS™ AMP in Medical Devices

The project focuses on researching the application of Mitsubishi Chemical's antithrombotic thermoplastic elastomer Zelas™ AMP in medical devices.

Through this research project, the parties plan to launch Zelas™ AMP to the market in 2027 and expand its global influence.

Traditionally, medical devices such as cardiac catheters and extracorporeal circulation circuits require coating the base resin with anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting and blockage related to thrombosis. However, only a few advanced medical devices can afford the coating cost, so there is a growing demand for materials with low-cost antithrombotic properties.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market

【French President Macron: Reappoints Élisabeth Borne as Prime Minister】

On the evening of October 10 local time, French President Emmanuel Macron reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister. Lecornu was previously appointed Prime Minister by Macron on September 9, formed a cabinet on October 5, and resigned to Macron on October 6.

【U.S. Federal Employees Union: Requests Judge to Immediately Halt Government Layoffs】

A union representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees has asked a judge to immediately halt the large-scale layoffs announced by the White House on Friday during the government shutdown. The emergency application filed with a federal judge in San Francisco stemmed from a social media post by White House Budget Director Russell Vought, who said the layoff process "has begun". These unions have requested U.S. District Judge Susan Illston to prohibit the Office of Management and Budget from instructing various agencies to implement layoffs and prevent officials from issuing layoff notices before the judge holds a previously scheduled hearing on October 16.

【Federal Reserve: Will Not Release Industrial Production Report on October 17】

The U.S. government shutdown has made it impossible to fully collect data from other government departments, resulting in the delay of the report.

Price Information

【Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices】

Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia USD 785/ton; CFR Southeast Asia USD 780/ton.

Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average USD 750/ton; CFR China average USD 780/ton.

North Asia refrigerated cargo CIF price: Propane USD 480-483/ton; Butane USD 506-509/ton.

South China refrigerated cargo CIF price for late October: Propane USD 556-566/ton; Butane USD 546-556/ton.

Taiwan region refrigerated cargo CIF price: Propane USD 480-483/ton; Butane USD 506-509/ton.

【LLDPE USD Market Prices】

Film: USD 850-900/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection Molding: USD 975-1010/ton (CFR Huangpu).

【HDPE USD Market Prices】

Film: USD 910-940/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Blow Molding (Hollow): USD 855/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection Molding: USD 830-850/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipes: USD 1010/ton (CFR Huangpu).

【LDPE USD Market Prices】

Film: USD 1050-1110/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Coating: USD 1280/ton (CFR Huangpu).

【PP USD Market Prices】

Homopolymer: USD 855-915/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymer: USD 865-880/ton (CFR Nansha);

Film Grade: USD 1020/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Transparent Grade: USD 985-1050/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipes: USD 1100/ton (CFR Shanghai).