16 Chinese Firms Added to U.S. Blacklist! Global First Plant-Derived Nylon 6 Pushes Forward, Jaguar Land Rover Restarts Operations

International News Roundup:

Raw Material News: Geno Establishes Partnership with Sojitz Corporation to Accelerate Commercialization of the World’s First Plant-Based Nylon 6

Automotive News: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Officially Resumes Production, with Direct Revenue Loss Exceeding £1.5 Billion

Additive News: Syensqo Expands Market-First Fluorosurfactant-Free Perfluoroelastomer Product Portfolio

Exhibition News: K 2025: European Plastics Industry Mired in Crisis – Report by Plastics Europe

Macroeconomic News: Fed Minutes Reveal Caution on Inflation: A Few Members Could Have Backed No Rate Cut in September

Price News: October 9 (First Trading Day After Holiday): RMB/USD Central Parity Rate Reported at 7.1102, Down 47 Pips

Details of International News:

1. U.S. Adds 16 Chinese Entities to Entity List! Including China-Based Subsidiaries of U.S. Companies

On October 8 (local time), the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an announcement, adding 26 entities and 3 addresses to the Entity List. Among them are 16 Chinese enterprises and 3 addresses in Hong Kong, China. BIS claimed that the focus of this adjustment is to crack down on the middleman network that procures U.S.-origin electronic components for Iran and its proxy organizations, with a significant portion being distribution, technology, and logistics enterprises active in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, China.

Notably, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong subsidiaries of Arrow Electronics, Inc. – a major U.S. electronic component distributor – were also added to the Entity List. They are Arrow China Electronics Trading Co., Ltd. and Arrow Electronics (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., marking the U.S. inclusion of Arrow Electronics’ Asia-Pacific distribution network under export controls.

2. Syensqo Expands Market-First Fluorosurfactant-Free Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) Product Portfolio

Syensqo, a global leader in advanced materials and specialty chemicals, launched a new high-temperature grade fluorosurfactant-free (NFS) perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) product portfolio. This series of innovative products is carefully designed to deliver excellent sealing performance in the harshest environments while supporting the semiconductor industry’s transition to a more sustainable future.

Built on a legacy of scientific exploration, Syensqo’s latest fluorosurfactant-free FFKM (FFKM NFS) high-temperature grades offer continuous operating temperatures above 320°C, far exceeding the performance of traditional FFKM. This new grade uses a newly developed high-temperature resistant curing agent, providing unparalleled purity and reliability in high-temperature environments without the need for additional fillers.

3. K 2025: European Plastics Industry Mired in Crisis – Report by Plastics Europe

According to the latest annual data from Plastics Europe, Europe’s global market share in plastics production has plummeted from 22% in 2006 to just 12% in 2024. At a press conference during K 2025 (Düsseldorf, Germany) on October 8, Plastics Europe stated that industry sales had also fallen by 13% over the past three years, shrinking from €457 billion in 2022 to €398 billion in 2024.

The association noted that these figures confirm the rapid and continuous decline in the competitiveness of Europe’s plastics manufacturing industry, which is now on the brink of collapse.

4. Covation Biomaterials Unveils Milestone Progress of CovationBio® bioPTMEG at K 2025

On October 8, at K 2025 (Düsseldorf, Germany) – the world’s leading rubber and plastics exhibition – Covation Biomaterials LLC ("CovationBio®"), a biomaterials company, showcased the project milestones and latest progress of its newly developed CovationBio® bioPTMEG, based on advanced innovation in bio-based materials.

As a bio-based alternative to fossil-based PTMEG, CovationBio® bioPTMEG aims to help customers reduce reliance on non-renewable materials. It also demonstrates excellent durability and elasticity in high-performance applications such as spandex, polyurethane, and thermoplastic elastomers.

5. Historic Merger! PLASTICS and SPE Officially Announce Merger

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) announced the formation of a unified organization that will unite stakeholders across the entire plastics supply chain – including technical professionals and business leaders – covering the full process from molecular R&D to market applications.

The boards of both PLASTICS and SPE have voted to approve recommendations from a task force established specifically to explore a potential merger. With the core theme of "Better Together," the task force submitted a conclusion report to both boards, detailing the multiple benefits the merger of these two long-established organizations will bring to the entire plastics industry and their members.

6. Geno Establishes Partnership with Sojitz Corporation to Accelerate Commercialization of the World’s First Plant-Based Nylon 6

Genomatica ("Geno"), a leader in industrial biomanufacturing technology, announced a new partnership with Sojitz Corporation to significantly accelerate the commercialization of plant-based Nylon 6 based on Geno’s proprietary technology. Sojitz Corporation will accelerate the product launch cycle through strategic financial investment and contribute its expertise in commercial operations.

7. Bio-Based BDO Manufacturer Qore Appoints New Interim CEO

Qore, a bio-based BDO manufacturer, has appointed a new interim CEO. Mark Concannon will succeed Jon Veldhouse to lead this joint venture founded by Cargill and Helm.

Mark Concannon has years of experience in bio-based materials, specialty chemicals, and polyurethane, and has held executive positions at Cargill and DSM. He stated: "I am honored to take on this role and build on the solid foundation laid by Jon Veldhouse and the team. Together, we will drive customer success and scale the application of high-performance bio-based materials."

8. New Physical ID Cards Launched in Costa Rica, Using Polycarbonate Material

On October 6, Costa Rica officially launched the new design of its physical ID cards. The new design aims to enhance security, improve usability, and protect personal data, with a validity period of 10 years.

Reportedly, the new design of Costa Rica’s physical ID card adheres to international standards, such as the size of 85.60mm × 53.98mm (complying with ISO 7810 ID-1). The front side features Braille marking "TSE" (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones), representing the Supreme Electoral Court.

The newly designed ID card uses more durable polycarbonate material and color laser engraving technology. The barcode on the card has been replaced by a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ), which allows automatic identity verification systems to read the card information.

9. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Officially Resumes Production, with Direct Revenue Loss Exceeding £1.5 Billion

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced the official resumption of production. Its core computer systems suffered a cyberattack on September 1, forcing the long-established automotive factory to shut down completely for more than a month, resulting in direct revenue losses exceeding £1.5 billion.

Production resumption will start with JLR’s Wolverhampton Engine Plant and Birmingham Battery Plant in the UK, followed by the resumption of operations at the Castle Bromwich, Halewood, and Solihull Stamping Plants.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market:

1. Will Chinese Leaders Meet with Trump During APEC? Foreign Ministry Responds

On October 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun hosted a regular press conference. A BBC reporter asked whether China would send representatives to attend the APEC Informal Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea and whether Chinese leaders would meet with U.S. President Trump during APEC.

Guo Jiakun stated that China attaches great importance to APEC cooperation and is willing to work with all parties to promote positive outcomes of this year’s meeting and contribute to economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. "Regarding the specific questions you mentioned, I have no information to provide at present."

2. Foreign Ministry: China and India to Resume Direct Flights by Late October This Year

On October 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun hosted a regular press conference. A CCTV reporter asked: The Indian Foreign Ministry said that direct flights between India and China will resume; what is China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun stated that China and India will resume direct flights by late October this year. This is the latest manifestation of the two sides earnestly implementing the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi during their meeting in Tianjin on August 31, and a positive measure to facilitate friendly exchanges between the more than 2.8 billion people of the two countries.

China is willing to work with India to view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, be good neighbors and friends who live in amity, and partners who achieve mutual success. This will enable "the dragon and the elephant to dance together," bring more benefits to the people of both countries, and make due contributions to safeguarding peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

3. Fed Minutes Reveal Caution on Inflation: A Few Members Could Have Backed No Rate Cut in September

Federal Reserve Minutes: Most officials said further easing may be appropriate this year. Most officials emphasized the upside risks to the inflation outlook. Fed staff noted that upside risks to inflation may be more persistent.

Two officials said that excluding the impact of tariffs, inflation may be closer to the target. A few participants could have supported no rate cut in September.

Downside risks to employment are elevated and have increased. The labor market may change slightly or become moderately softer.

A few participants discussed several issues related to the Fed’s balance sheet. It is important to monitor the gap with the size of sufficient reserves.

Price Information:

1. RMB/USD Central Parity Rate

October 9 (First Trading Day After Holiday): The central parity rate of RMB against the U.S. dollar was reported at 7.1102, down 47 pips.

2. Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

North Asia frozen cargo CIF: Propane 483-485 USD/ton; Butane 509-511 USD/ton.

South China frozen cargo CIF for late October: Propane 527-537 USD/ton; Butane 517-527 USD/ton.

Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF: Propane 483-485 USD/ton; Butane 509-511 USD/ton.

3. LLDPE USD Market Prices

Film: 850-875 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection Molding: 1010 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan);

4. HDPE USD Market Prices

Film: 905-950 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Blow Molding: 865-910 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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

Pipes: 1010 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

5. LDPE USD Market Prices

Film: 1050-1100 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Coating: 1280 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

6. PP USD Market Prices

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

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

Film Grade: 1010-1030 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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

Pipe Grade: 1100 USD/ton (CFR Shanghai);