Market Flash

Zhuhai Medpha Bioscience has officially completed registration of its medical-grade PHA microsphere material under China’s CMDE master file system (Filing No. M2025155-000), marking a breakthrough for domestic bio-based medical materials.

On May 29, industry sources revealed that Wanhua Chemical will raise the price of both polymeric and pure MDI by $100/ton in Southeast Asia starting June 1.

Saudi Aramco said in a statement released on May 29 that it has cut its official selling prices for propane and butane for June 2025.

• Saudi Aramco
• propane
• butane

A seismic shift in the global economic landscape is underway. On May 27, the inaugural China–ASEAN–GCC Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, marking a historic milestone as these three blocs officially convened together for the first time.

In a decisive move, the European Union has adopted Decision (EU) 2025/868, approving the addition of six high-risk chemicals to Annex A of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

On May 29, 2025, global energy and industrial services leader TAQA announced that Khalid Nouh will step down as CEO effective May 31, closing a six-year chapter of strategic transformation and international expansion.

On May 27, 2025, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) marked a significant step in its Asia-Pacific expansion with the official launch of two major facilities in Lampung, Indonesia—a glycerin refining plant and a new edible oil packaging line.

On May 27, 2025, Avient introduced its latest innovation: Colorant Chromatics™ PVDF Processing Additive, a breakthrough designed to enhance the melt processing of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resins.

In a significant policy shift, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.

The company’s adjusted profit before exceptional items and tax declined to ₹1.67 billion ($19.6 million), impacted by intense competition and pricing pressures in its key North American and European markets.

On May 14, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a positive opinion on the food enzyme leucyl aminopeptidase, produced by the non-GMO strain AE-MB of Aspergillus and intended for use in seven different food manufacturing applications.

On May 19, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released its latest opinion on the safety of the food enzyme 4-α-glucanotransferase, which is produced using a genetically modified strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MAS).

On May 19, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its latest safety assessment concerning a food enzyme—4-α-glucanotransferase—produced by a genetically modified strain of Bacillus subtilis.

On May 22, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released Document No. 2025.9477, announcing the third revision of the EU’s pesticide residue processing factor database.

On May 26, 2025, the China National Coatings Industry Association unveiled its Q1 economic performance report, revealing that the coatings sector produced 7.576 million tons, a slight year-on-year increase of 0.14%.

On May 26, 2025, Honeywell confirmed the completion of a $1.325 billion all-cash sale of its personal protective equipment (PPE) business to Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP).

On May 26, global specialty materials leader Solvay announced the major completion of an expansion project at its Changshu manufacturing facility. The upgrade significantly boosts the plant’s compounding capacity, which is now fully operational.

FMC Corporation recently announced that the renewal application for its active ingredient Lenacil has been approved in the European Union, allowing it to remain available to growers for the next 15 years.

May 26, 2025, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2025/949, delaying the approval of decanoic acid for use in biocidal products of product type 4.

May 26, 2025, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2025/951, delaying the approval of polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine for use in biocidal products of product types 1 and 3. This