Trump Threatens to Impose Tariffs on Mexico! Syensqo Aids Vertical Aerospace in Mass-Producing Electric Aircraft

International News Guide

Raw Material News - $7.66M Project Launched! Renaissance and Biome Partner to Focus on Renewable Bioplastics

Packaging News - $1.51B Investment! ProAmpac’s Strategic Acquisition of TCP to Boost Global Sustainable Packaging Layout

Aviation News - Powerful Alliance! Syensqo Helps Vertical Aerospace Accelerate Mass Production of VX4 Electric Aircraft

Medical News - Covestro Partners with Allmed to Explore Polycarbonate Recycling from Artificial Kidney Filters

Electronics News - IBM to Acquire Confluent for $11B

Automotive News - Ford and Renault Form Strategic Partnership to Develop EVs for European Market

Macroeconomic News - Germany to Approve Record €52B Military Procurement Order

Price Information - CNY/USD Central Parity Rate at 7.0773, Down 9 Pips

Details of International News

1. $7.66M Project Launched! Renaissance and Biome Partner to Focus on Renewable Bioplastics

2. GreenDot Acquires Italian Recycled HDPE/PP Compound Manufacturer Forplast

GreenDot has recently acquired an 80% stake in Italy-based Forplast, with the specific transaction amount undisclosed. Forplast is a specialist in compounding recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). According to Agilyx, GreenDot’s major shareholder, the all-cash deal includes an advance payment made in 2023 and a final payment upon closing. Agilyx announced the news on December 8, noting that GreenDot expects Forplast to achieve positive EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) by 2026 and exceed €50 million in annual revenue by 2030.

3. Powerful Alliance! Syensqo Helps Vertical Aerospace Accelerate Mass Production of VX4 Electric Aircraft

Vertical Aerospace announced a long-term supplier cooperation agreement with Syensqo, aiming to integrate advanced materials for the VX4 electric aircraft. The model is scheduled to complete airworthiness certification in 2028 and then enter commercial operation. This partnership represents the deepened implementation of joint R&D achievements between the two companies over years.

As a leader in the electric aviation sector, Vertical Aerospace’s collaboration with Syensqo—a manufacturer of advanced composite materials and adhesives—seeks to enhance the VX4’s lightweight strength, structural efficiency, and durability. According to the parties, the aforementioned materials have already been used in Vertical Aerospace’s prototype projects and will fully cover the aircraft’s entire structure in the future to meet the rigorous demands of high-frequency eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) operations .

4. $1.51B Investment! ProAmpac’s Strategic Acquisition of TCP to Boost Global Sustainable Packaging Layout

5. Italy to Introduce Textile EPR in 2026

According to Blue Whale News, Italy will roll out a textile EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) system in 2026 to comply with EU regulatory requirements while addressing low textile recycling rates and high compliance costs. The direct driver for reform is Italy’s textile recycling rate of only about 12%, far below industry needs, highlighting the urgent need to rebuild supply chain management and waste disposal systems.

The government is also advancing "ultra-fast fashion" regulation referencing the French model and pre-planning implementation requirements with industry alliances to ensure rapid enforcement upon the regulation’s launch. To support the policy, companies including Kering, Prada, and Ermenegildo Zegna, together with the Italian Fashion and Accessories Federation, are promoting a unified supply chain environmental data system—including open-source regulatory tools, standardized questionnaires, and a proposed technical committee—to enhance data comparability and transparency in decarbonization efforts.

6. Covestro Partners with Allmed to Explore Polycarbonate Recycling from Artificial Kidney Filters

Covestro, a global leader in high-performance polymer materials, and Allmed, an international specialist in blood purification, announced a partnership to research the recycling of waste artificial kidney filters. The study will explore the potential of recovering polycarbonate from medical devices for reuse in new products containing recycled materials.

This collaboration aims to verify technical feasibility and economic viability while addressing the complex regulatory environment in medical waste management, developing a circular economy model for medical devices. Allmed and Covestro are working with other UK partners—including Allmed’s distribution partner Kimal, a leading regional hospital trust, and a specialized recycling company—to prepare for the first recycling trial.

7. IBM to Acquire Confluent for $11B

IBM and data infrastructure firm Confluent announced they have signed a definitive agreement under which IBM will acquire all outstanding common shares of Confluent for $31 per share, valuing the transaction at approximately $11 billion (including debt, the enterprise value reaches $11 billion). IBM will pay for the deal in cash, with completion expected by mid-2026. If the transaction fails or is terminated, IBM will pay Confluent a termination fee of $453.6 million .

Confluent provides a leading open-source enterprise data streaming platform capable of real-time connecting, processing, and managing reusable, reliable data and events—foundational to AI deployment.

8. Ford and Renault Form Strategic Partnership to Develop EVs for European Market

Automotive giants Ford and Renault announced a strategic partnership on Tuesday to jointly develop affordable small electric vehicles (EVs) for the European market and co-produce commercial vans, aiming to cut costs amid intensifying competition.

As part of the collaboration, the two companies plan to launch two small EV models, with the first to be produced at Renault’s plant in northern France and expected to hit European showrooms in 2028. According to Jim Farley, both models will be smaller than any Ford vehicle sold in the U.S. and fill gaps in Ford’s product lineup. The automakers will also jointly develop Renault and Ford-branded vans for the European market.

Overseas Macroeconomic Market

【Report: Germany to Approve Record €52B Military Procurement Order】

Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the order covers a wide range of supplies and services, including €22 billion for basic military equipment and uniforms, €4.2 billion for "Puma" infantry fighting vehicles, €3 billion for "Arrow-3" air defense interceptor missiles and launchers, and €1.6 billion for reconnaissance satellites.

【Quanzhou, Fujian: Further Relax Market Access Restrictions for Taiwanese Enterprises, Deepen IC Cooperation】

The CPC Quanzhou Municipal Committee released proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. It mentions optimizing the Taiwan-related business environment, further relaxing market access restrictions for Taiwanese-funded enterprises, strengthening alignment of market rules and economic and trade mechanisms, and promoting cross-strait standard convergence. Key projects for Quanzhou-Taiwan integrated development will be implemented on an ongoing basis.

Cooperation with Taiwan will be deepened in areas such as integrated circuits (ICs), fine chemicals, biomedicine, equipment manufacturing, and modern agriculture. High-quality development of Taiwan-related parks will be advanced, including the Quanzhou Taiwanese Investment Zone and the Cross-Strait IC Industry Cooperation Pilot Zone.

【Bank of Korea Governor: South Korea’s Potential Growth Rate Drops Below 2%】

Lee Chang-yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea, stated that South Korea’s potential economic growth rate has seemingly fallen from around 5% in the early 2000s to below 2% recently. If current trends continue, the potential growth rate is likely to drop to the 0% range by the 2040s.

【Trump Threatens Mexico: 5% Tariff Hike Unless Water Supplies Are "Released Immediately"】

U.S. President Trump again accused Mexico of violating the 1944 Water Treaty in a social media post on December 8, threatening to impose an additional 5% tariff on Mexican goods unless Mexico immediately provides more water to assist U.S. farmers .

Under the 1944 treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, Mexico is required to supply approximately 2.158 billion cubic meters of water to the U.S. via the Rio Grande every five years, while the U.S. must supply about 1.85 billion cubic meters of water to Mexico via the Colorado River annually. Trump claimed Mexico has failed to comply over the past five years and now owes the U.S. more than 980 million cubic meters of water, demanding Mexico release approximately 247 million cubic meters by December 31. Plagued by drought, Mexico has faced difficulties in fulfilling its obligations in recent years and emphasized the need to prioritize water supplies for its residents. Trump previously threatened tariff hikes over the issue in early 2025, with the two sides announcing progress in resolving the water supply dispute in late April.

【Kremlin Spokesman: U.S. Has Not Informed Russia of Ukraine Talks Outcome】

On December 8, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that contacts between Russia and the U.S. continue, but Washington has not yet informed Moscow of any specific outcomes of its talks with Ukraine. A U.S.-Ukraine delegation concluded three days of talks in Miami, Florida, U.S., on December 6, focusing on territorial and security guarantees.

Price Information:

The central parity rate of the RMB against the USD is reported at 7.0773, down 9 points; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.0764, the official closing price of the previous trading day was 7.0713, and the overnight session closing was 7.0730.

Upstream raw material USD market price

CFR Northeast Asia 745 USD/ton, CFR Southeast Asia 725 USD/ton.

The average FOB price of propylene in Northeast Asia is $715 per ton, while the average CFR price in China is $750 per ton.

The CFR price for Northeast Asia is $562-564 per ton for propane and $617-619 per ton for butane.

In December, the CFR price for frozen cargo in South China is $583-593 per ton for propane and $573-583 per ton for butane.

The CIF price in Taiwan for propane is 562-564 USD/ton; for butane, it is 617-619 USD/ton.

LLDPE USD market price

Film: $790-810/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection molding: USD 980/ton (CFR Huangpu).

[HDPE USD Market Price]

Film: $880-895/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Injection molding: 780 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Hollow: 820-825 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipes: $1000/ton (CFR Huangpu);

[LDPE USD Market Price]

Film: $990-1015/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Coating: 1050-1180 USD/ton (CFR Qingdao).

[PP US Dollar Market Price]

Injection molding: $785/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymer: $830-855/ton (CFR Nansha);

Film material: $970-985/ton (CFR Huangpu).

Transparent: $1,065/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Pipes: $1100/ton (CFR Shanghai).