Market Flash

Chinese researchers have shattered existing lithium-ion battery limits, developing a pouch cell with energy density exceeding 600Wh/kg and a module at 480Wh/kg—2 to 3 times higher than current mainstream cells.

Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem) has completed its low-viscosity polyalphaolefin (PAO) expansion in Beringen, Belgium, raising annual output to 120,000 tons and making it the largest facility of its kind in Europe.

Huayou Cobalt posted record-breaking first-half results for 2025, with revenue jumping 23.78% year-on-year to 37.2 billion yuan and net profit attributable to shareholders soaring 62.26% to 2.71 billion yuan.

Analysts expect that upcoming oral obesity drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk will launch in the US at prices similar to injectable blockbusters Wegovy and Zepbound—around $1,000 per month.

Sumitomo Chemical has constructed and begun operating a pilot facility at its Sodegaura site within the Chiba Works to test a proprietary process that produces propylene directly from ethanol.

• Sumitomo Chemical

DIC Corporation announced that it will establish a new facility for the production of coatings suitable for direct food contact materials within the facility of its wholly-owned subsidiary, PT. DIC Graphics, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

• DIC corporation
• Indonesia

In week 33 of 2025, the EU’s RASFF issued 8 notifications regarding Chinese food and related products, highlighting a surge in safety concerns.

Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $6.2 billion in the first seven months of this year, up 20% year-on-year, with China and Hong Kong now the leading destination at over $1.2 billion.

On July 29, Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Yuri Gorlov met with Sun Meijun, head of China’s General Administration of Customs, in Beijing to sign an updated protocol on inspection and veterinary requirements for Belarusian poultry exports to Chi

Last week’s strong rainfall has revived rice cultivation prospects in Nepal’s key grain belts, Madesh and Koshi, after weeks of pre-monsoon drought threatened this year’s crop.

In the first seven months of this year, Cambodia’s main agricultural exports totaled $2.42 billion, up 7.5% from $2.26 billion a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

On August 15, Lianhong NewTech announced its 2025 interim results, reporting revenue of 2.911 billion yuan—a 12.13% year-on-year decline—while net profit attributable to shareholders soared 14.15% to 161 million yuan.

Jieyang KMT Gas has announced a major comprehensive tail gas recycling project in Guangdong’s Danao Petrochemical Industrial Zone, with a total investment of 1.59 billion yuan and an environmental budget of 40 million yuan.

On August 15, CN New Energy and BTR (Shanshan Technology) sealed a strategic partnership at CN’s global headquarters, with an anode materials procurement agreement exceeding 10 billion yuan in total value.

Adnoc L&S, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has announced a bold $3 billion increase in capital expenditure, aimed at boosting capacity through 2029—exclusive of its previously disclosed projects.

Shanghai Huayi Group has announced plans to publicly transfer its 25% stake in Edoco China Limited on the Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange, with a listing price of 320.13 million yuan.

A new study led by Dr. Mohammad Naraghi of Texas A&M University, in collaboration with Dr. Andreas Polycarpou from the University of Tulsa, has revealed the remarkable capabilities of an advanced carbon fiber plastic known as aromatic thermosetting copoly

Starting August 7, Ecuador’s white shrimp exports to the United States are subject to a 15% tariff, significantly lower than India’s 50% or Vietnam’s 20%, but still a heavy blow for the industry.

Cambodia’s fresh durian can now be air-shipped directly to China, a development hailed by local growers as a major breakthrough for quality and market reach.

On July 28, the Dubai government announced a groundbreaking partnership with BioD Technology FZCO, a subsidiary of Dubai Aluminium Holding, to accelerate the city’s transition to a circular economy and environmental sustainability.