Market Flash

Huayou Cobalt has released its performance forecast, revealing that net profit attributable to shareholders is expected to reach 2.6–2.8 billion yuan for H1 2025, a year-on-year surge of 55.62% to 67.59%.

China’s benzene market reached a new milestone on July 8, as benzene futures and options were officially launched on the Dalian Commodity Exchange.

On July 7, Qingdao DGT Energy Saving Equipment Co., Ltd. announced progress on its share suspension and its plan to acquire controlling interest in Whale Cloud Technology, alongside a fundraising round.

ADNOC has achieved a critical offshore milestone for its Hail and Ghasha gas development, the world’s largest sour gas project of its kind.

India’s SML (formerly Sulphur Mills) has officially entered the biologicals market with two innovative products—StellarOn and Rootiva—poised to transform sustainable agriculture across the country.

Brazil’s Allterra has just unveiled three innovative biological solutions for soil enhancement, aiming to capture a share of the rapidly expanding agricultural bioproducts sector—forecasted to hit 17 billion BRL by 2030.

Hubergroup Print Solutions recently inaugurated a mixing station in Saint-Sigolène, France. The mixing station is dedicated to solvent-based Gecko inks and includes on-site storage, mixing, technical support and a laboratory.

• hubergroup

Kemira and Bluepha have entered into a three-year strategic collaboration to promote the large-scale application of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) in fully bio-based barrier coatings.

• Kemira
• Bluepha

On July 1, Portland-based Cozy Harbor Seafood, a prominent lobster processor, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amidst mounting debts exceeding $5 million.

On July 4, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced the results of its re-evaluation of neotame (E 961), a widely used artificial sweetener.

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has announced a strategic partnership with PetroVietnam, marking a significant expansion of its operations in Southeast Asia.

Australian natural gas giant Santos has signed a two-year LNG supply agreement with Qatar Energy Trading (QET), amidst a potential $18.7 billion acquisition led by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

Canada's first-ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) export shipment to Asia has departed from the Pacific Coast, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy trade.

China has announced a zero tariff policy for imports from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, allowing a wide range of African goods, including cosmetics and personal care products, to enter the Chinese market duty-free.

• China
• African Countries
• tariff

On July 4, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) announced its approval for the registration of propylene futures and options on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange.

Toray Industries has announced a groundbreaking innovation on July 4, unveiling the STF-2000 photosensitive polyimide, a material designed with advanced high-sensitivity negative formulations and proprietary photoresist design technology.

American private equity firm Blackstone is in talks to buy Juno Hair, South Korea's largest high-end hair salon chain, in a deal reportedly worth 800 billion won ($590 million).

• Blackstone
• Juno Hair

Eli Lilly’s blockbuster drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has witnessed a remarkable surge in usage and sales in India, with June 2025 figures showing a twofold increase in volume to 87,968 units, compared to 42,281 units in May.

On July 7, 2025, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2025/1321, officially approving the market placement of foods and feed containing or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788.