Venator to Sell Three UK Factories! CMG Launches World’s Largest Granulator; BASF Achieves New Breakthrough in Polyamide

International News Guide:

Raw Material News: Venator Seeks to Sell Three UK Companies; Asian Factories to Suspend Production on September 13

Automotive News: BYD Plans to Achieve Full Local Production of Electric Vehicles in Europe by 2028

Packaging News: Applicable to Artificial Casings! BASF Launches World’s First Highly Water-Permeable Thermoplastic Polyamide

Medical News: Researchers Develop Self-Healing and Antimicrobial Plant-Based Polymers

Electronics News: Aimplas Expands RecyClass Certification to Cover Plastic Evaluation in Automotive and Electrical & Electronic Sectors

Macroeconomic News: Media: Canada Is Considering Removing Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles

Price Information: RMB/USD Central Parity Rate Reported at 7.1019, Up 15 Pips

Details of International News:

CMG to Launch World’s Largest Plastic Granulator at K 2025

At K 2025, CMG Granulators will unveil the world’s largest and most powerful granulator for plastic recycling. The Italy-based recycling machinery supplier stated that this EV 92-220 granulator sets a new industry benchmark for bulk post-consumer plastic processing. Belonging to the new EV Evolution series, the equipment combines unprecedented processing capacity with advanced energy efficiency, targeting large-scale recycling plants that aim to improve production efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

Venator Seeks to Sell Three UK Companies; Asian Factories to Suspend Production on September 13

According to BBC reports, Venator is selling three companies it operates in the UK, a move that will involve 520 employees in the northeastern part of the country. The companies to be sold are Venator Materials plc, Venator Materials International UK Limited, and Venator Investments UK Limited. Mark Firmin, joint administrator of the three companies, said Venator’s UK entities are currently severely affected by intensified competition and rising costs. Meanwhile, Venator Asia Sdn. Bhd. announced that due to the current business environment, its Asian factories will suspend production starting from September 13.

Technip Energies Acquires Advanced Materials & Catalysts Business from Ecovyst

Plastmatch learned on September 12 that Technip Energies has reached a definitive agreement with Ecovyst to acquire its Advanced Materials & Catalysts business for $556 million, representing a multiple of approximately 9.8 times EBITDA. Under the terms of the agreement, Technip Energies will acquire the entire Advanced Materials & Catalysts business, including:

Advanced Silica Business: Focused on the production and supply of specialty silica-based advanced materials and catalysts for the plastics, chemical, and industrial sectors;

Zeolyst International: A 50:50 joint venture with Shell Catalysts & Technologies, and a leading supplier of customized zeolite-based advanced materials and catalysts. Its products are widely used in hydrocracking, sustainable fuels, plastic recycling, and other custom catalyst applications.

Researchers Develop Self-Healing and Antimicrobial Plant-Based Polymers

From medicine to electronics and optics, the new materials developed by scientists at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) can be applied in various fields where cleanliness, precision, and durability are crucial. They stand out not only for their functionality but also for their sustainability: made from renewable raw materials, they require no solvents in the production process. This new invention — the polymer developed by KTU researchers — belongs to the class of vitrimers, a relatively new type of polymer discovered approximately 30 years ago and officially named only 15 years ago. This makes it a rapidly evolving research field, attracting increasing attention from scientists worldwide.

Aimplas Expands RecyClass Certification to Cover Plastic Evaluation in Automotive and Electrical & Electronic Sectors

Aimplas, the Valencia-based plastic technology center in Spain, has expanded its RecyClass certification scope to include its laboratories dedicated to evaluating the recyclability of plastics in the automotive and electrical & electronic industries. This new recognition builds on the certification already obtained in the packaging sector, enabling the center to conduct technical verification work in accordance with RecyClass protocols. These verifications confirm whether the innovations developed by companies are compatible with appropriate plastic recycling streams, ensuring they represent sustainable solutions and supporting strategic industries in transitioning to more circular production models.

Using Climate-Neutral MDI! Covestro and Recticel Provide Sustainable Polyurethane Insulation Panels for "Circular House"

On the occasion of World Green Building Week 2025, Covestro and Recticel announced their contribution to the "Circular House" project at Brightlands Circular Space. This landmark building project in the Netherlands demonstrates how low-carbon materials can help reduce the environmental footprint of modern buildings. Covestro’s innovative sustainable raw material Desmodur® CQ MS is applied throughout the "Circular House" via polyurethane insulation panels produced by Recticel, proving that high-performance polyurethane solutions can drive sustainable building development. Covering 7,500 square meters, the "Circular House" will serve as a living laboratory for demonstrating, co-creating, and piloting zero-waste plastic technologies. It integrates various aspects of sustainable design and uses innovative materials to reduce operational carbon emissions and embodied carbon.

BYD’s Yangwang Brand Plans to Enter UK Market in 2027

On September 11, Li Ke, Vice President of BYD Company Limited, revealed that Yangwang, BYD’s high-end brand, plans to enter the UK market in 2027. Prior to this, BYD has planned to launch its Denza brand in the UK next year, bringing three new models targeting the high-end market, with competitors including established European luxury brands such as Porsche and Audi. Li Ke emphasized that the UK, as a country with leading high-end car sales, is crucial to the development of the Denza and Yangwang brands. In addition, the company plans to achieve local production of electric vehicles in Europe within the next three years to be closer to European market demand and improve supply chain efficiency.

Applicable to Artificial Casings! BASF Launches World’s First Highly Water-Permeable Thermoplastic Polyamide

BASF has introduced Ultramid® H33 L to the market, the world’s first thermoplastic polyamide with high water permeability. The unique combination of strength and water permeability makes Ultramid® H an innovative material in the field of artificial casings, suitable for sausage production involving smoking and subsequent drying processes. To date, such casings have typically been made from materials such as collagen or cellulose. With its strength advantage, this new polyamide enables the production of artificial casings with significantly thinner walls, making it an attractive alternative. The hydrophilic nature of Ultramid® H allows the smoke aroma required during the smoking process to penetrate the artificial casings made of pure polyamide and infiltrate the sausage product inside. High water permeability enables direct drying inside the casings in subsequent processes.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market:

Media: Albania Appoints AI as Government Minister in Charge of Public Procurement

According to media reports such as Reuters, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new cabinet list on the local time of the 11th, which includes the appointment of an AI named "Diera" as Minister of Public Procurement. Albania has become the first country in the world to appoint a non-physical AI as a government minister.

Media: Canada Is Considering Removing Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles

Canada Television (CTV), citing Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, reported that Canadian authorities are considering exempting or reducing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. MacDonald stated that Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued relevant orders. The Canadian government announced on August 26 that it plans to impose an additional 100% tariff on all electric vehicles made in China starting from October 1 this year. This 100% additional tariff will be levied on top of the current 6.1% tariff that Canada imposes on electric vehicles imported from China.

Net Issuance of Eurozone Government Bonds to Slow in October

Barclays interest rate strategists said in a report that total supply of Eurozone government bonds will slow after September due to a decline in joint bond issuance. Total government bond issuance in October is expected to fall to approximately €106 billion from around €130 billion in September. Meanwhile, redemption volume will rise sharply next month, increasing from €52 billion this month to approximately €121 billion, reducing net issuance from €78 billion to negative €15 billion.

Price Information:

RMB/USD Central Parity Rate

The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar was reported at 7.1019, up 15 pips; the central parity rate of the previous trading day was 7.1034, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.1235, and the night session closing price was 7.1184.

Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices

Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia 840 USD/ton; CFR Southeast Asia 840 USD/ton.

Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB South Korea average 765 USD/ton, up 5 USD/ton; CFR China average 800 USD/ton.

North Asia frozen cargo CIF: Propane 546-548 USD/ton; Butane 556-558 USD/ton, up 2 USD/ton.

South China frozen cargo CIF for early October: Propane 594-604 USD/ton; Butane 574-584 USD/ton.

Taiwan region frozen cargo CIF: Propane 546-548 USD/ton; Butane 556-558 USD/ton, up 2 USD/ton.

LLDPE USD Market Prices

Film: 860-915 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection Molding: 1050 USD/ton (CFR Dongguan);

HDPE USD Market Prices

Film: 910-980 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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

Injection Molding: 870 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipes: 1025 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

LDPE USD Market Prices

Film: 1100-1115 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Coating: 1280 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu).

PP USD Market Prices

Homopolymer: 915-965 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymer: 890-900 USD/ton (CFR Nansha);

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

Transparent Grade: 955-1050 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

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