Company Dynamic

Syngenta’s CEO change comes as global crop protection companies face pressure to combine chemistry, seeds and execution more effectively.

• Syngenta

Bayer’s tariff push shows glyphosate is now a trade-policy fight as much as a crop protection product.

• Glyphosate
• Bayer

The crop protection patent cliff is pushing the industry from molecule-based profits toward integrated field solutions.

• Crop
• Patent
• FMC
• Syngenta
• BASF

South Korea’s June export boom was led by AI and semiconductors, while petrochemicals still showed structural weakness through falling export volumes.

• South Korea
• Petrochemical
• exports
• ICIS

Covestro’s decision to expand MDI capacity in China and potentially the UAE shows that Europe’s chemical outflow has moved from a policy concern to a real capital-allocation trend.

• Covestro
• EU
• MDI
• UAE
• polymer

INEOS’s warning shows that Europe’s chemical downturn is shifting from a cost debate into an industrial-security debate, with Chinese supply growth becoming a central trigger for tougher EU trade policy.

• INEOS
• EU
• Dumping
• China
• Anti-dumping
• Antwerp

Rike Chemical has suspended trading to acquire Genyuan New Materials, a lithium battery electrolyte additive leader with CATL as its second-largest shareholder. The deal marks a strategic pivot into new energy. Meanwhile, Sinochem International is spending 2.11 billion yuan to acquire epoxy resin leader Nantong Xingchen, pushing its total capacity to 510,000 tons per year—the largest in China. The state-owned giant aims to resolve related-party competition and fill supply chain gaps. Sinochem’s

• SinochemInternational
• NantongXingchen
• RikeChemical
• ShandongGenyuanNewMaterials

A fire broke out on a naphtha pipeline near Haldia Petrochemicals Limited (HPL) in West Bengal on June 30, taking over ten hours to control. The blaze injured more than 20 people, damaged homes, and disrupted rail services. HPL suspects illegal tapping caused the fire. The incident forced the cracker and downstream units to reduce operating rates, tightening regional polyolefin supply. Asian spot naphtha prices firmed as buying interest increased. While the impact on Chinese imports is expected

• HaldiaPetrochemicalsLimited
• naphthapipeline

Lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) are two core basic lithium salts used in lithium battery cathode materials. They have fundamental differences in physicochemical properties, process compatibility, and application scenarios. These differences determine the lithium battery technology route, performance level, and cost structure, with each having its own advantages depending on the specific application scenario in China.

• Lithium carbonate
• Lithium hydroxide
• Lithium battery industry chain
• Differences in application scenario adaptation

Univar Solutions has expanded its distribution agreement with American Distilling to bring natural specialty ingredients, including Witch Hazel extract, to markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Witch Hazel is a botanical extract valued for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, commonly used in personal care and pharmaceutical products. The partnership allows Univar Solutions to offer local inventory, faster delivery, and formulation support through its In

• UnivarSolutions
• AmericanDistilling
• naturalspecialtyingredient

On June 30, 2026, Covestro announced plans to build a 660,000-ton MDI facility at its Shanghai site, targeting operations around 2030. A similar project is under feasibility study in the UAE. Both aim for net-zero emissions. CEO Markus Steilemann cited robust demand and supply reliability needs. Global MDI faces a supply gap of 650,000 to 1.07 million tons from 2026 to 2027, driven by demand outpacing capacity. Covestro’s new plant will boost its global capacity from 1.77 million to 2.43 million

• Covestro
• MDI
• China

The US chemical industry is experiencing a wave of permanent shutdowns, with aging, non-integrated facilities bearing the brunt. INEOS Styrolution will close its 400 kt polystyrene plant in Illinois by Q4 2026, citing persistent oversupply and margin pressure. AmSty has idled its Torrance, California PS unit. Polystyrene is the first segment to break due to long-term demand decline, global operating rates below 70%, and razor-thin margins. The pressure is spreading to other chains, with INVISTA

• USChemical
• PS
• polystyrene

This week, the 180CST fuel oil market in East China declined, with an average price of 6087.50 CNY/ton, a decrease of 1.42% from last week. The international crude oil market declined, and Singapore's fuel oil inventory increased to 20.302 million barrels. The demand for marine fuel in China is weak, and it is expected that the market will mainly remain weak in the near future.

• fuel oil 180CST
• market trend is downward
• international crude oil
• China's bunker market

In June 2026, the price of ethylene glycol in China fell, with the average price dropping from 4770 CNY/ton to 4438.33 CNY/ton, a decrease of 6.95%. Port inventory decreased by 57,000 tons to 549,000 tons. Affected by the easing of international tensions and the off-season for demand, but with increased maintenance on the supply side and low inventory levels, these factors may contribute to stabilizing the market in the future.

• Ethylene glycol prices have fallen
• inventories have decreased
• costs have shifted downward
• expectations for stabilization after the decline.

From May to June, BASF underwent a major restructuring, shutting down its EPS plant in South Korea, selling its coatings business for €7.7 billion, exiting a 30-year joint venture with PetroChina, and launching the CoreShift transformation. These moves reflect a strategic pivot toward efficiency and core operations. By closing low-margin Asian facilities and divesting non-core assets like coatings and silicates, BASF is concentrating capacity at its Zhanjiang Verbund site in China. The company a

• BASF

On June 22, Wanhua Chemical announced a scheduled maintenance shutdown at its Fujian Industrial Park, starting June 23. The 800,000 t/y MDI plant and auxiliary facilities will undergo a routine annual overhaul lasting approximately 20 days. The company stated the maintenance will not significantly impact production or operations. This temporary reduction in domestic MDI supply is expected to support spot market prices. On June 23, Wanhua-brand polymeric MDI in Shandong was quoted at RMB 15,800/t

• WanhuaChemical
• MDI

Olin’s $2.43bn Huntsman deal shows chemical firms are using M&A to cut costs and survive weak markets.

Evonik’s cuts and polyester exit show Europe’s chemical sector is still shedding weak assets to protect margins.

INEOS’ U.S. PS plant closure shows mature plastics are under margin pressure even in North America.

The UK VAT dispute could weaken early access to innovative medicines for vulnerable patients.