Market Flash

Tatarstan dramatically increased its share of agricultural exports to China, reaching 13.5% in the first half of 2025—up from just 7% in the same period last year, according to Russian media.

Private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Phlur, a mass fragrance brand known for its emotionally driven scent storytelling and strong Gen Z appeal.

• TSG Consumer Partners
• Phlur

SIBUR has developed a new polypropylene, SIBEX PPI030CF, for the production of retort packaging for food and animal feed.

• SIBUR
• SIBEX PPI030CF

In its mission to provide sustainable chemical solutions to water-intensive industries worldwide, Kemira has announced a strategic investment to expand its production capacity in Tarragona, Spain.

• Kemira
• ACH production line

Elkem ASA, one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced silicone-based materials, announces the launch of innovative cosmetic formulations with low-cyclic silicone ingredients.

• Elkem
• low-cyclic silicone ingredients

HARKE GROUP, headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, has acquired the Swedish Vendico Group, which consists of Vendico Chemical AB, Inventicon AB and Omni International AB.

• HARKE
• Vendico

Akelite has successfully acquired Sestec, a Polish company that produces sustainable protein-based adhesives for wood and composite products. This strategic move significantly strengthens Bakelite's sustainable adhesives portfolio.

• Akelite
• Sestec
• adhesives

Eigenmann & Veronelli (EV), an Italian group focused on the international market, specializes in the distribution of specialty chemicals and food ingredients.

• Eigenmann & Veronelli
• Evolved by Nature

Air Liquide has successfully started up its new plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

• Air Liquide

AGC announced that it has reached an agreement with Sumitomo Bakelite to transfer its polycarbonate business.

• AGC
• Sumitomo Bakelite

On July 14, Wanhua Chemical announced a key milestone for its planned 30,000-ton/year MIBK plant in Yantai—its environmental impact report has entered the final public disclosure phase.

On July 17, China National Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. confirmed the board’s decision to appoint Deng Zhaojing as its new General Manager.

On July 18, China National Chemical Engineering (CNCEC) announced a record-breaking contract value for the first half of 2025, reaching 206.092 billion yuan—a slight increase from last year’s 203.569 billion yuan.

Chantecaille, the world’s leading luxury botanical skincare and cosmetics brand, announces its long-awaited entry into the Indian market in partnership with Luxasia, Asia’s leading distributor of luxury beauty products.

• Chantecaille
• Luxasia

Toray Industries, Inc. announced that it has supplied reverse osmosis (RO) membranes to the Shuaibah 3 IWP desalination plant in Saudi Arabia through its Dammam-based subsidiary Toray Membrane Middle East.

• Toray
• RO

On July 11, 2025, South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance announced new antidumping duties on petroleum resin imported from Mainland China and Taiwan, effective for five years.

Sturgeon-based caviar is quietly making its way onto Indian dining tables, thanks to innovative packaging and swift delivery by companies like Paris-based Kaviari and Bangalore’s Caviar India and Catch of Norway.

US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 19% tariff on all Indonesian goods exported to the United States, while American exports to Indonesia will remain duty-free.

Canadian seafood—including key species like salmon, crab, and lobster—will remain duty-free despite US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a 35% tariff on Canadian goods.

US President Donald Trump has announced a dramatic increase in tariffs on Brazilian imports, jumping from 10% to 50% starting August 1.