Market Flash

In a landmark decision that bridges synthetic biology and infant health, Australia has become the latest global regulator to embrace next-generation human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).

In a move that blends sustainability, innovation, and food science, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has given the green light to a novel food additive born from what was once considered coffee industry waste.

In a resounding declaration of economic resilience and strategic ambition, Egypt’s chemical and fertilizer sector has shattered records, achieving $9.43 billion in exports during 2025—a 7.4% year-on-year surge that cements its role as a cornerstone of the

In a bold strategic pivot that could redefine its future, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is betting big on oncology—with a $1 billion milestone-laden deal for a cutting-edge Chinese cancer drug poised to hit its licensed markets by FY28.

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has officially declared 6′-sialyllactose (6’-SL) sodium salt—a cutting-edge human milk oligosaccharide (HMO)—safe for consumption under proposed use conditions.

Global high-performance elastomers leader ARLANXEO has officially inaugurated its new Therban HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) plant in Changzhou, China.

• Arlanxeo
• HNBR

In 2025, global epoxy resin imports reached 395,000 tons, with an import value of approximately $829 million, a decrease of about 20% compared to $1.038 billion in the same period last year.

• Epoxy Resin
• 2025

According to monitoring data from the Lianyungang Municipal Government website, in the first month of 2026, 11 out of 16 tracked chemical products rose in price, 4 declined, and 1 remained flat—meaning an impressive 68.8% of products posted gains.

DKSH’s High-Performance Materials division, a leading distributor of specialty chemicals and raw materials, has strengthened its partnership with Assessa through an exclusive distribution agreement covering mainland China.

• DKSH
• Assessa
• China

Global high-performance materials giant Invista announced it would shut its precision processing facilities in Martinsville, Virginia, USA, and Gloucester, UK, transferring the relevant operations to its Kingston, Canada plant.

• Invista

France’s globally acclaimed beauty and cosmetics sector is facing a rare setback in 2025.

• France
• beauty
• cosmetics

On January 21, 2026, a seemingly routine announcement slipped into the news cycle: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), India’s state-owned energy giant, signed a 10-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with Abu Dhabi Liquefied Nat

On January 17, 2026, at a signing ceremony held in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, the European Union and Mercosur formally signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

• FTA
• European union
• Mercosur

On January 13, Swiss construction chemicals giant Sika released its 2025 financial performance report. Measured in local currencies, the company achieved 0.6% growth in 2025.

What Chemours has done in Kuan Yin, Taiwan, looks at first glance like a very routine financial headline: the company signed definitive agreements to sell the remaining land at its former titanium dioxide manufacturing location to a buyer group including

A new production facility with an investment of USD 20 million has significantly increased global transparent polyamide capacity, reflecting a strategic move by the French chemical group to deepen its presence in Asia.

• Arkema

Global beauty and personal care contract manufacturer KDC/One has confirmed plans to close its historic Swallowfield cosmetics plant in Wellington, Somerset, and relocate production to its facility in Irvine, Scotland.

• KDC/One
• beauty
• personal care

Finnish mining and aggregates solutions provider Metso is investing in the construction of a brand-new rubber products factory in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, to meet growing market demand and further strengthen its local service capabilities.

• Metso

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to establish a new maximum residue limit for perchlorate in drinking water, proposing a national standard of 0.02 milligrams per liter.

Singapore’s food safety authorities have moved swiftly to halt the sale of five batches of Nestlé infant formula after the products were found to potentially contain toxins associated with Bacillus cereus.