Market Flash

Kraton Corporation, a global leader in specialty polymers and high-value, pine-based sustainable products, today announced a strategic plan to streamline its polymer operations at its Berre, France facility.

• Kraton

In late October, U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators convened in Kuala Lumpur, reaching what both sides cautiously described as a “framework agreement” on tariffs, export controls, and enforcement cooperation.

After the National Day holiday, China’s EVA market continued to weaken, defying expectations of post-holiday restocking.

As the calendar turns to October, China’s PVC market enters the final stretch of 2025 under a chill of weak fundamentals and fading expectations.

Recently, from Dow, INEOS, Trinseo, and Arlanxeo to Toray, 3M, and Polyplastics, a wave of plant shutdowns and strategic divestments has rippled across the sector.

On October 17, LB Group, the world’s largest titanium dioxide supplier, announced its acquisition of the titanium dioxide assets of the bankrupt UK-based Venator Materials company — marking a major step forward in the group’s international expansion.

• LB Group
• Venator

Stahl announced the reopening of its state-of-the-art coatings plant in Ranipet. The reopening underscores Stahl's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer collaboration through locally produced, high-performance specialty coatings.

• Stahl

European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2025/1879 in the Official Journal of the European Union, formally approving rapeseed oil as a low-risk active substance under the EU’s Plant Protection Products Regulation framework.

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a scientific opinion through its Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) concerning the safety of a fungal protein derived from Fusarium species strain flavolapis

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released its latest scientific opinion evaluating the safety of the food enzyme β-amylase (4-α-D-glucan maltohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.2) produced from barley (Hordeum vulgare) by Senson Ltd.

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced that its Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) had published a scientific opinion regarding the extension of use of pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila as a novel food (NF) under Regulatio

Brazil’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 32 methanol poisoning cases across the country linked to the consumption of alcoholic beverages containing methanol.

In a fresh regulatory controversy, Indian authorities have accused Balaji Amines, a major chemical manufacturer, of producing pharmaceutical-grade propylene glycol (PG) without holding a valid drug manufacturing licence.

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced plans to separate its orthopedics unit into a standalone company, while simultaneously raising its 2025 full-year sales guidance.

Aspen Pharmacare announced that it has obtained regulatory approval in South Africa to market Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for chronic weight management, expanding the indication beyond its prior authorization for Type 2 diabetes.

A wave of leading producers almost simultaneously issued price adjustment notices, announcing sharp hikes in titanium dioxide prices — a rare collective move that has sent ripples across the global pigment market.

Saudi Aramco recently announced that it has acquired an additional 22.5% stake in Petro Rabigh (Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company) from Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical for $702 million.

• Saudi Aramco
• Petro Rabigh
• Sumitomo Chemical

When China’s Ministry of Commerce announced sanctions against Hanwha Ocean and its five U.S. subsidiaries on October 14, 2025, it did more than just retaliate against Washington’s Section 301 investigation into China’s dominance in shipping, logistics, an

In a recent social media post, he declared plans to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports starting next month, alongside new export controls on critical software.