March 19th, according to Reuters citing sources, the Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia has resumed oil loading operations. Previously, the Yanbu port suspended crude oil loading after the Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that it intercepted a ballistic missile over Yanbu city. After Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, Yanbu port became one of the two remaining main export channels for Gulf Arab countries' oil. The Saudi Ministry of Defense earlier stated that a drone crashed at the SAMREF refinery, and the damage is currently being assessed.

Wanhua Chemical announced on March 18 that, according to the characteristics of chemical production processes, to ensure the safe and efficient operation of production facilities, according to the annual maintenance plan, the 750,000-ton-per-year PDH unit in the Yantai Industrial Park will start a shutdown for maintenance on March 22, 2026, and the maintenance is expected to last about 30 days. According to the overall balance of the park, the downstream PO/AE integrated facilities will adjust their production capacity. The company will strive to ensure the stable supply to downstream customers. This shutdown for maintenance is a routine inspection according to the annual plan, and it will not have a significant impact on the company's production and operation.

Wanhua Chemical announced on March 18 that, according to the characteristics of chemical production processes, to ensure the safe and efficient operation of production facilities, the 750,000 tons per year PDH unit at the Yantai Industrial Park will be shut down for maintenance starting on March 22, 2026, with an estimated maintenance period of about 30 days.

  Since March 2026, the PP pipe material market has experienced a fluctuating upward trend. On March 17, the price of hot water pipe materials in East China reached 9,650 yuan/ton, an increase of 29.97% from the beginning of the month. Affected by geopolitical conflicts, crude oil and propylene prices have continued to rise, providing strong cost support. Meanwhile, the supply of pipe materials has been tight, with petrochemical companies mainly selling directly, and imported resources decreasing, leading to a tight supply situation in the distribution sector, which also provides strong support. Although product prices have lagged in following the upward trend, factories have limited acceptance of high raw material prices. However, as the low-price inventory from earlier is being consumed, the release of immediate demand may provide temporary support to the market. It is expected that PP pipe materials will remain in a strong fluctuating trend before the end of the month.

The chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association stated that the situation in the Middle East is gradually affecting the automotive industry's logistics and material procurement.

March 19 (Xinhua) — Several Japanese petrochemical companies have recently announced production cuts, citing concerns that the Middle East conflict could tighten the supply of naphtha—a key raw material for plastic production—potentially dampening industrial output and exerting pressure on the profitability of multiple sectors, including food and technology. Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, recently announced a production cut, becoming the latest company to adjust its capacity amid expectations of declining naphtha supply. The company will reduce ethylene production—derived from naphtha—at its facilities in Chiba and Tokuyama. Earlier, Mitsubishi Chemical, Mitsui Chemicals, and Cosmo Energy Holdings had already initiated production cuts. Within just two weeks of the outbreak of the Iran war, six of Japan’s twelve ethylene plants have begun scaling back capacity.

Recently, Daqing Petrochemical Company held the groundbreaking ceremony for a 100,000-ton-per-year polyacrylamide project. In line with the needs of the third oil recovery development, to further enhance the supply capacity of oilfield chemicals, the company began planning and implementing the 100,000-ton-per-year polyacrylamide project during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. The project includes the construction of an 80,000-ton-per-year acrylamide facility and a 100,000-ton-per-year polyacrylamide facility, as well as upgrading the existing 15,000-ton-per-year ammonium sulfate facility to 35,000 tons per year. It is reported that the 100,000-ton-per-year polyacrylamide project will be basically completed by the end of this year.

Wanhua Chemical’s R&D expenditure for the first half of 2025 amounted to RMB 2.291 billion, representing a 10.1% year-on-year increase. During the period, the company was granted 106 patents, including a new invention patent for “polyethylene glycol monoricinoleate,” enhancing the performance of coating additives. Its total patent count reached 6,702, reflecting sustained high-intensity R&D investment to support its strategic layout in high-end materials.

GEM and Academician Xueliang Sun’s Team Reach Consensus to Deepen Collaboration on All-Solid-State Lithium Battery Cathode Materials

Recently, the groundbreaking ceremony for the supporting facilities and system engineering of the 150,000 tons/year tubular EVA plant project of Shaanxi Yanchang Zhongmei Yulin Energy & Chemical Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Yulin Energy & Chemical") was successfully held. This groundbreaking marks the official entry of the EVA plant's supporting project into the comprehensive construction phase, laying a solid foundation for the smooth progress and on-schedule completion and commissioning of the entire project.

Recently, Gong Yuan, with its excellent product quality, perfect delivery system, and professional technical solutions, successfully won the bid for the "Midea Group Exclusive Floor Heating Pipe for 2026" project with the highest overall score, marking the beginning of a new chapter in comprehensive strategic cooperation between both parties.

Recently, the Grand Ceremony for the Comprehensive Construction Launch of the Dalu Coal-to-Olefins Upgrading Demonstration Project was solemnly held, marking the project’s official entry into a new phase of full-scale construction. The project’s construction scale includes: a 2.26-million-ton-per-year coal-to-methanol plant (comprising coal gasification, purification, methanol synthesis, and sulfur recovery units); a 900,000-ton-per-year polyolefins plant; a 2.26-million-ton-per-year methanol-to-olefins (MTO) unit (including olefins cracking conversion, OCC); and polyolefins units comprising a 250,000-ton-per-year polypropylene unit (loop reactor), a 200,000-ton-per-year polypropylene unit (gas-phase), a 350,000-ton-per-year polyethylene unit, and a 100,000-ton-per-year EVA/LDPE unit. Additionally, the project encompasses supporting utility facilities, including an air separation unit and an IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle) thermal power station, as well as other associated public utility and auxiliary production facilities.

The UAE's state-owned oil giant, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has been forced to implement widespread production shutdowns, causing the country's daily crude oil output to drop by more than half.

In the pipeline industry, high standards and professionalism have become an industry trend, especially in major engineering projects where the requirements for material safety, durability, and environmental adaptability are constantly increasing. As a large domestic building materials and home decor industry group, Lubu has continuously promoted its product system toward high-end and professional development through its extensive industrial experience and continuous technological innovation. In 2025, Lubu made significant progress in the shipbuilding and marine engineering fields, obtaining the Factory Approval Certificate issued by the China Classification Society (CCS). This certification covers Lubu's shipboard piping products made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PPR), laying the foundation for its expansion into related businesses.

Recently, the Yan’an 10-million-ton-per-year integrated refining and chemical upgrading project of Yanchang Petroleum, with a total investment of RMB 80.29 billion, has been formally submitted for approval, with construction scheduled to commence within 2026. This project has been designated as Shaanxi Province’s “No. 1 Project” in the energy and chemical sector for the 14th Five-Year Plan period and is also one of the largest energy and chemical projects ever undertaken in Northern Shaanxi in recent years.

In its latest monthly report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) stated that the global oil market is facing the most severe supply disruption in history due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted, and oil storage facilities are nearing capacity, forcing Gulf countries to cut oil production by at least 10 million barrels per day; over 3 million barrels per day of refining capacity have already been shut down.

Recently, Lianhong New Materials responded to investor inquiries on the interactive platform, stating that its 100,000-ton-per-year POE project was completed and handed over for commissioning in February 2026 and has entered the trial production preparation phase. Recently, affected by external conditions and industry supply-demand dynamics, prices of products such as EVA and POE have been adjusted upward in line with market conditions; for specific information, please refer to relevant news websites.

A-share titanium dioxide stocks rebounded with volatility, with Jinpu Titanium Industry surging straight to the daily trading limit, followed by gains in Luban Chemical, Ananda, Huiyun Titanium Industry, Titan Chemical, Daolong Shares, and Tianyuan Group.

MOFCOM Announcement: Starting from March 14, 2026, anti-dumping duties will be imposed on imports of halogenated butyl rubber originating from Japan and Canada.

Dreame held the “Dreame Starry Sky Initiative” Product Matrix and Ecosystem Strategy Launch Event at the AWE 2026 China Home Appliance & Consumer Electronics Expo, which opened on March 12, announcing a new “Starry Sky Crystal Core Battery.”