Market Flash

Coinciding with this milestone, the company also made a strong impression at the 2025 Pakistan Polyurethane and Coatings Expo, where it unveiled a range of cutting-edge innovations and system-level solutions in polyurethane and coatings.

In a significant escalation of U.S.-China financial tensions, two Republican lawmakers have urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to delist 25 Chinese companies, including major firms such as Alibaba Group, Baidu, JD.com, and Weibo.

Hong Kong’s freight forwarding sector is experiencing significant disruptions, with a reported 41% of container shipments to North America’s west coast canceled for the week starting May 12, according to the South China Morning Post.

South Korea's Dongsung Chemical has officially opened its polyurethane (PU) production plant in Karawang, Indonesia, marking a key step in the company's global materials expansion.

• Dongsung Chemical

INX International Ink Company has announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Servicom New Zealand Limited. INX has also signed a definitive agreement to acquire Galaxy Inks & Coatings Australia Limited.

• INX International Ink Company

On April 29, 2025, Sherwin-Williams announced its Q1 2025 financial results, reporting $5.31 billion in net sales (approx. ¥38.2 billion), a decline of 1.1% year-over-year, primarily due to a 1% negative currency impact.

In March 2025, Pangang Group reached full monthly capacity on its 60,000-ton chloride-process titanium dioxide production line, achieving a 100% product qualification rate and surpassing its Q1 production target by 6.62%.

LyondellBasell and Covestro announced the closure of their 315,000-ton propylene oxide facility in the Netherlands, triggering a €200/ton price surge in a week, breaking the €7,750/ton record.

The French Chemical Federation reports that after a 0.3% decline in chemical production in 2024, the industry is projected to shrink further in 2025.

On April 26, a massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, left 14 dead and over 750 injured, according to Iranian media.

On April 27, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that China’s large-scale industrial enterprises achieved a total profit of 1.509 trillion yuan in Q1 2025, marking a 0.8% year-on-year increase and reversing the profit decline seen since Q3 2024.

Borouge announced a series of strategic asset expansion projects to accelerate its growth and generate EBITDA of $165-200 million per year.

• Borouge

Roquette Beauté recently launched the innovative plant-based sensory powder Beauté by Roquette ST 305, which uses patented enzymatic technology to reconstruct the porous structure of corn starch, providing the beauty industry with a natural solution that

• Roquette Beauté

Milliken & Company, a global diversified manufacturer, announces the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Singapore.

• Milliken & Company

Cyclic Materials, an advanced recycling company creating a circular supply chain for rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical materials, has announced that it has invested more than $20 million to build its first commercial facility in Mesa, Arizona.

• Cyclic Materials
• Magnum Recycling Facility

On April 14, 2025, the European Commission officially adopted amendments to the POPs Regulation proposed in December 2023, aiming to significantly tighten restrictions on PFOS.

With major capacity expansion projects at two production sites set to go live in 2025, the company is positioning itself to tap new business areas and offer the market even higher-quality products and services.

On April 23, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced a major move by releasing the National Plan (2025–2030) for fulfilling its obligations under the Montreal Protocol.

On April 21, 2025, Santan, the food brand under Capital A, took a bold step by replacing all in-flight disposable plastics with biodegradable PLA alternatives. All cups, lids, and utensils will now be crafted from PLA (polylactic acid), a sustainable mate

On April 21, the US Department of Commerce finalized its decision to impose steep tariffs on solar cells and modules from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, pushing a year-long trade battle into a decisive phase.