EU Continues to Pressure the US! Turkey's anti-dumping measures on Chinese plastics are about to expire; SABIC launches flame-retardant materials

International News Guide:

Raw Material News - EU to Establish Critical Chemical Alliance to Safeguard Supply Chain Security

Automotive News - China and the EU Agree to Establish a Working Group to Cooperate on Cross-Border Data Flow in the Automotive Sector

Electronic News - SABIC Launches First Flame-Retardant PBT Nano Injection Molding Material with Excellent Bonding Strength and Mechanical Properties

Packaging News - German associations push for mandatory compostable produce bags

Medical News - Sengkang General Hospital in Singapore Adopts 3D-Printed TPU Materials to Customize Orthotic Insoles for Diabetics

Macro News - US Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Graphite

Price information - RMB/USD Central Parity Rate Reports 7.1498, Down by 37 Pips

 details of international news:

1. Escalation of Retaliatory Measures! EU Continues to Pressure the US

According to two officials who were briefed on the talks, the EU is preparing a list of possible tariffs on US services and export control measures as part of potential retaliatory actions if trade negotiations with Washington fail. In response to US President Trump's tariffs, the European Commission is compiling this list of measures, which still needs to be submitted to EU member states. Trump has announced that he plans to impose a 30% tariff on the EU bloc starting from August 1. Although Brussels had previously warned that it could expand the transatlantic trade war to services if negotiations to avoid these tariffs fail, it has so far not submitted specific measures to European capitals. One of the officials emphasized that the list will not only target US tech companies. This list will be an additional measure beyond the retaliatory proposal already being discussed by EU countries targeting 72 billion euros of annual US imports, which includes tariffs on Boeing aircraft, automobiles, and bourbon whiskey.

2. EU to Establish Critical Chemical Alliance to Safeguard Supply Chain Security

The EU's executive body stated that the European Commission will work with member states and the chemical industry to support the production of chemicals identified as crucial to Europe's industrial supply chains. The European Commission said it will establish a Critical Chemical Alliance later this year, which will bring together the Commission, member states, and various stakeholders as part of a broader plan to revitalize Europe's chemical industry. In a statement, the Commission said the alliance will "identify key production sites in need of policy support and address trade issues such as supply chain dependencies and market distortions". This initiative draws on another alliance established earlier, which is responsible for identifying metals and minerals crucial to the energy transition. Subsequently, the EU set mining, processing, and recycling targets for 17 strategic materials.

3. Agilyx Acquires 44% Stake in Europe’s TopPlastic RecyclerGreenDot Global

4. Turkey: Anti-Dumping Measures on China-Related Polyethylene, Polypropylene Waterproof Tarpaulins and Polymer Plastic Products to Expire Soon

According to the China Trade Remedy Information Network, on July 16, 2025, Turkey's Ministry of Trade issued Announcement No. 2025/15, stating that anti-dumping measures on polyethylene and polypropylene waterproof tarpaulins and polymer plastic products [Turkish: Polietilen ve polipropilenden mamul şerit veya benzerlerinden dokunmuş mensucat (yalnız dokuma brandalar)] originating from China and Vietnam will expire on May 6, 2026. Stakeholders should submit applications and evidence materials for sunset review investigations no later than 3 months before the expiration date. The Turkish tariff codes for the products are 3921.90.60.00.11, 3921.90.60.00.13, and 3926.90.97.90.18. The announcement takes effect from the date of issuance.

5. SABIC Launches First Flame-Retardant PBT Nano Injection Molding Material with Excellent Bonding Strength and Mechanical Properties

SABIC announced the launch of a new product in its LNP™ THERMOTUF™ specialty composite series. The new LNP™ THERMOTUF™ WF0087N composite is the industry's first polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)-based nano-molding technology (NMT) material, combining excellent flame retardancy and superior mechanical properties. It meets the growing demand of the consumer electronics industry for lightweight and durable metal-plastic composite components, such as smartphone middle frames. In addition, the material's flame retardancy helps customers comply with the latest IEC 62368-1 safety standards for consumer electronic equipment. The LNP™ THERMOTUF™ WF0087N composite won the 2025 Edison Award.

6. Messe Düsseldorf unites its global plastics, rubber events under K-Alliance brand

“Global players in the plastics and rubber industry require appropriate platforms for direct market entry in growth regions,” said Thomas Franken, director of K. “Messe Düsseldorf has pooled its worldwide activities under the Global Gate brand, which will now become the K–Alliance.” Officials said the new name highlights not just market access but also strategic partnerships and alliances within the industry’s global trade fair network. “The previous name especially emphasized Messe Düsseldorf’s function as a door opener for entering promising sales markets,” Franken said. “The designation K-Alliance now places a clearer focus on the strong partnerships and alliances that our constantly growing, worldwide network of trade fairs related to plastics and rubber stands for.”

The K-Alliance currently encompasses 11 global trade fairs, the biggest of which is the K fair; K 2025 is scheduled for Oct. 8-15 in Düsseldorf, with more than 3,200 exhibitors expected to showcase technologies in manufacturing, processing and finishing.

7. German associations push for mandatory compostable produce bags

8. China and the EU Agree to Establish a Working Group to Cooperate on Cross-Border Data Flow in the Automotive Sector

On July 17 , the second meeting of the China-EU Cross-Border Data Flow Exchange Mechanism was held in Brussels. Wang Jingtao, Vice Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China, and Sabine Weyand, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Trade of the European Commission, co-chaired the meeting. The meeting reviewed the positive progress made since the establishment of the mechanism, believing that the mechanism has played an important role in promoting China-EU cross-border data flow. The two sides had in-depth, pragmatic, and constructive exchanges on issues related to China-EU cross-border data flow, and reached broad consensus on further leveraging the mechanism under the principle of two-way reciprocity and promoting rule alignment, in light of the demands of enterprises from both sides. The two sides agreed to establish a working group to cooperate on cross-border data flow in the automotive sector.

9.Sengkang General Hospital in Singapore Adopts 3D-Printed TPU Materials to Customize Orthotic Insoles for Diabetics

The podiatry team at Sengkang General Hospital in Singapore is pioneering an innovative approach to diabetic foot care. Currently, the team is producing 3D-printed custom orthotic insoles in-house. These insoles are 3D-printed using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Preliminary results show that compared with traditional insoles (23% reduction in peak pressure, 40% improvement in pressure distribution), the new insoles can reduce plantar peak pressure by up to 28.5% and improve pressure distribution by 52.7%.