Market Flash

BP has made a significant oil discovery in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, drilling a well in Block 584 of the Green Canyon region.

China has officially launched its first interregional hydrogen-powered freight corridor, as 10 hydrogen fuel cell trucks loaded with chemical products, electronics, and auto parts departed from Chongqing on April 14.

China’s producer prices fell 2.5% year-on-year in March 2025, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on April 10.

As inflation intensifies in Brazil, 58% of citizens have cut back on food purchases, according to a recent nationwide survey by Datafolha.

AlgaEnergy, a leader in microalgae-based agricultural innovation, has announced the launch of four newly CE-certified biostimulants, now available across multiple European markets.

Arkema, a leader in specialty materials, is converting its entire range of acrylic thickeners produced in Europe to ensure consistent high performance.

• Arkema
• acrylic Thickners

Sika achieved record sales of CHF 2,678.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 (previous year: CHF 2,648.0 million). Against the backdrop of an overall market decline, Sika once again managed to achieve organic growth, with an increase of 0.9%...

• Sika

India and China have conducted one round of discussions on restarting direct passenger air services, but no specific dates have been finalized yet, India announced on Monday.

On April 11, Sanmei Corporation announced its 2025 Q1 earnings forecast, projecting a net profit of 3.69 to 4.28 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 139.41% to 177.71%.

In 2024, Chinese biopharma companies reached a five-year high in licensing agreements, totaling $41.5 billion, a 66% increase compared to 2020.

Indian pharmaceutical giants Glenmark, Sun Pharma, and Zydus are recalling over 40 products in the US due to manufacturing issues, as per the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

The pharmaceutical industry in County Cork, Ireland, which supports 20,000 jobs and drives nearly €100 billion ($114 billion) in exports, is facing uncertainty as Trump’s tariff policies loom over global trade.

L'Oréal UK's performance in fiscal year 2024 hit a record high, with sales exceeding the 1.5 billion pounds mark for the first time, reaching 1.55 billion pounds, an increase of 8.4% from 1.43 billion pounds in 2023

• L'Oréal
• UK

On April 9, Anhui Putan New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. officially put into operation its breakthrough CO2-based polycarbonate polyol continuous production unit in the Huainan Modern Coal Chemical Park.

• CO2-based polycarbonate polyol
• Anhui Putan

China delivered a surprise jolt to global markets in March with exports climbing 12.4% year-on-year, a result that shattered forecasts and hinted at a possible turnaround in the world’s second-largest economy.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on a state visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15, Vietnamese President and Communist Party Chief To Lam has emphasized the urgency of strengthening ties with China in defense, security, and infrastructure.

Röhm announced on April 9 that it will implement a global price adjustment for PMMA molding compounds starting April 14, in response to mounting tariff pressures and shifting geopolitical conditions.

In Brazil, coffee and olive oil have become so costly that supermarkets are now treating them like luxury items.

Despite rising tensions from the U.S.–China trade conflict, the global oilseed market staged a sharp rebound in the week ending April 11, with Chicago soybean futures climbing back above $10 per bushel.

China’s seafood processing industry is facing a dramatic standstill as escalating tariffs between China and the US wipe out nearly all existing export orders.