[Overseas News] UK’s Largest Chemical Plant Faces Closure Risk! Bayer’s Latest $9.3 Billion Deal! ZF Achieves First IPA Mass Production

International News Briefing:

Raw Material NewsInspired by seashells, researchers have significantly improved the performance of recycled plastic packaging while greatly reducing its cost.

Automobile NewsZF Zhangjiagang's first IPA stabilizer link rod mass production

Electronic News-SKZ and ZBT collaborate to develop an evaluation method for fuel cell polymer materials

Packaging News-German multi-layer packaging recycling companySaperatec declared bankruptcy, formerly producing tens of thousands of tons of recycled materials annually.

Medical News-$1.3 Billion Deal: Bayer and Kumquat Reach Global Exclusive Licensing Agreement

Macroeconomic News-Trump plans to propose to Putin the joint development of rare earth resources during the US-Russia summit.

Price Information-Ethylene Asia:CFR Northeast Asia: USD 825/ton; CFR Southeast Asia: USD 830/ton

The following are details of international news: 

1、Net zero emissions are causing UK energy costs to spiral out of control! The country’s largest chemical plant is at risk of closure.

The largest chemical plant in the UK is in survival mode due to soaring energy costs and is at risk of closure. Located in Grangemouth, ScotlandThe Olefins & Polymers (O&P) plant at Grangemouth supplies products to hundreds of plastic companies in the UK. Its owner, Ineos, has warned that the plant is under threat due to soaring energy bills and high taxes imposed on manufacturers in the UK. The plant manager stated that the facility has been hit by the double blow of rising energy prices and increased carbon taxes, has been operating at a loss for years, and its future remains uncertain.

2、German multi-layer plastic packaging recycling companiesSaperatec goes bankrupt, once produced tens of thousands of tons of recycled materials annually.

On August 14, it was reported that German multi-layer soft plastic packaging recycler Saperatec has filed for bankruptcy.。The Company onThe first recycling plant in Saxony-Anhalt, Dessau, will begin operations in May 2024. The facility has been under construction since 2022 and has an annual capacity of 17,000 tons. The project is funded by the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the European Union.

3、Inspired by seashells, researchers have greatly improved the performance of recycled plastic packaging while significantly reducing costs.

On August 14, it was reported that researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) have successfully developed a new shell-inspired material, a breakthrough that could revolutionize the field.Recycled plasticapplication model, endowing it with greater robustness, more stable performance, and significantly reduced production costs. The research team selected recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE was used as the experimental material; it is a transparent stretch film commonly used for wrapping palletized goods. The researchers cut this stretch film into thin sheets to serve as "bricks," which were then layered with a softer adhesive polymer "mortar" to mimic the structure of nacre. When this biomimetic material was tested using a custom-built mechanical device, the results showed that it not only maintained the performance level of the original plastic but also reduced the variability of a key performance indicator—the maximum elongation—by more than 68%.

Bayer and Kumquat Reach Global Exclusive License Agreement in a $1.3 Billion Deal

Bayer Company Announced that it is collaborating with the American biotechnology company Kumquat Biosciences.Kumquat Biosciences collaborates to enhance the development of its drugs for pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. The two parties have signed an exclusive global license and collaboration agreement to further develop and commercialize the biopharmaceutical company's KRAS-G12D inhibitor. According to the agreement, Kumquat Biosciences will be responsible for initiating and conducting the Phase 1a clinical trial, while Bayer will be responsible for further development and commercialization.

5、Finnish insulation material manufacturerFinnfoam invests 10 million euros to acquire a German polyurethane recycler.

Finnish insulation material manufacturerFinnfoam Group recently announced that its subsidiary Warmotech has acquired the German competitor Bosig Baukunststoffe for over 10 million euros. Finnfoam Group plans to increase the plant's recycling capacity from 5,000 tons per year to 15,000 tons per year and add recycling capabilities for PET and polystyrene.

6、SKZ and ZBT jointly develop evaluation methods for fuel cell polymer materials to support precise selection.

SKZ and ZBT, together with industry partners, have developed assessment methods for polymer-based materials used in fuel cell systems. This initiative aims to support the selection of suitable plastics for specific application conditions and to systematically analyze material compatibility, emissions, and long-term performance.

7、ZF Zhangjiagang's FirstMass production of IPA stabilizer linkage rod

ZF Friedrichshafen Zhangjiagang chassis components factory only usesIn just 14 months, the first mass production of injection-molded assembly (IPA) stabilizer connecting rods was achieved. According to reports, the IPA production line is designed with an annual capacity of approximately 1.6 million pieces, with more projects expected to begin mass production in 2026. Official sources state that this breakthrough not only enriches ZF’s product portfolio, but also, with its lightweight innovative design and advanced manufacturing processes, provides a brand-new solution for the upgrade of new energy vehicle chassis components, demonstrating ZF’s technological innovation strength in facing competition in the new energy market.

Image Source: ZF

Overseas Macroeconomic Market Information:

[U.S. Treasury Secretary Pressures Federal Reserve to Cut Rates and Reveals Information on Fed Chair Selection] U.S. Treasury Secretary Bensent strongly urged the Federal Reserve to immediately start a new round of interest rate cuts, asserting that rates should be lower than current levels.150 to 175 basis points, with a possible 50 basis point rate cut expected in September. He also pointed out that there are 10 to 11 candidates being considered for the position of Federal Reserve Chair.

[Trump plans to propose joint development of rare earth resources to Putin during the US-Russia summit] Sources revealed that Trump plans to propose to Putin the joint development of Alaska's rare earth resources during the US-Russia summit, and to lift the ban on exports of aircraft components to Russia. The UK government believes this incentive measure..."Acceptable to Europe." If the meeting does not go well, U.S. Treasury Secretary Besant said that additional sanctions or secondary tariffs may be imposed.

Some members of the Bank of Japan's Policy Board proposed abandoning its use.Some members of the Bank of Japan's board proposed abandoning the use of the "core inflation" indicator, shifting focus to overall inflation rate and inflation expectations. Observers believe this change could pave the way for an interest rate hike in October.

[Bank of Canada Maintains Monetary Policy] The Bank of Canada meeting minutes indicate that, given trade uncertainties and economic resilience, the decision was made to maintain the current monetary policy unchanged. Some officials believe that the current rate cuts are sufficient to address the moderate impact of tariffs on consumer prices.

Price Information:

The central parity rate of RMB against USD

The central parity rate of RMB to USD is reported as7.1337, raised by 13 basis points. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1350, the onshore RMB closing price at 16:30 was 7.1755, and the night session closed at 7.1775.

[Upstream Raw Material USD Market Price]

Ethylene Asia:CFR Northeast Asia $825/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $830/ton.

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

North Asia frozen cargo CIF price, propane513-520 USD/ton; butane 503-510 USD/ton.

South China Frozen GoodsCIF price in September: Propane $560-570/ton; Butane $530-540/ton.

Frozen cargo CIF price in Taiwan region, propaneUSD 513-520/ton; butane USD 503-510/ton.

【LLDPE USD Market Price

Thin film:860-910 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection molding940 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan);

【HDPE USD market price

Film:USD 900/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Hollow:USD 855/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection Molding:890 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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

【LDPE USD Market Price

Thin film:USD 1085-1095/ton (CFR Huangpu)

Coating:1280 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu).

【PP US Dollar Market Price

Homopolymer:900-965 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymerization:USD 910-965/ton (CFR Nansha);

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

Transparency:980-1055 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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

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