Market Flash

On February 18, 2025, the European Commission unveiled a draft document outlining a strategy to seek more cost-competitive liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports.

On February 18, 2025, Toray Industries announced a significant breakthrough in the chemical recycling of Nylon 66, utilizing a supercritical hydrolysis technique that can depolymerize nylon resin into monomer raw materials in just minutes.

To further develop this technology for the automotive and other industries, Engel has announced a strategic partnership with Cannon Group, a specialist in mixing and metering technology for resin transfer molding.

• Engel
• CannonSpA

Klil is expanding its business, building an advanced and innovative coating plant, investing about 30 million shekels and launching Klil products in 46 different shades.

• Klil
• coating

Bolt Projects Holdings, Inc. announces a strategic partnership with Goddess Maintenance Co. (“GMCo”), an innovative beauty brand that is becoming a major player in the biotech-driven beauty revolution.

• Bolt Projects Holdings
• Goddess Maintenance

In a significant move, President Donald Trump has declared that a 25% tariff will be imposed on automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor chips, effective April 2, 2025.

Recently, Toray Industries announced the development of spherical biodegradable nylon fine particles.

On February 18, industry insiders reported that LG Chem has suspended operations at its PBAT plant in Daejeon and begun reallocating staff.

On February 19, it was announced that CSSC SunRui Marine Coatings Co., Ltd., a prominent player in the ship coatings industry, has undergone a significant leadership change.

Recently, U.S. chemical giants BASF and Dow Chemical filed a petition for anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on MDI imports from China, estimating a dumping margin between 305.81% and 507.13%.

Recent findings published in the JAMA Ophthalmology have raised alarms after nine U.S. patients experienced eye complications following the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on February 18 that he plans to impose tariffs of "about 25%" on autos and similar tariffs on semiconductor and drug imports. This is his latest move to upend international trade.

• tariff
• Autos
• Drugs
• Semiconductor
• chips

Huda Beauty has announced its intention to sell its stake in fragrance brand Kayali in an effort to separate the brand from its parent company.

• Huda Beauty
• General Atlantic
• fragrance

On February 18, SK Chemicals announced plans to establish a Recycle Innovation Center (RIC) at its Ulsan plant in South Korea.

Lotte Chemical Corp., a struggling South Korean chemical company, announced on Wednesday that it has divested its affiliate in Pakistan as part of a broader business reorganization strategy.

Citi Research has issued a warning that potential reciprocal tariffs from the United States could significantly affect Indian specialty chemical companies, particularly impacting their EBITDA.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently finalized amendments to its Risk Management Program (RMP), aiming to enhance safety at chemical facilities and reduce accidents.

Mondelez International, the maker of Oreo and other popular snacks, is bracing for significant price increases due to new cost pressures from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative led by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. CEO Dirk van

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has mandated that pharmaceutical companies revise the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of certain medicines following the recent customs duty exemptions announced in the Union Budget 2025.

AquaChemie Global Chemicals has inaugurated its state-of-the-art chemical manufacturing, storage and blending facility in KEZAD, marking a major step in boosting local industrial capabilities and supporting the UAE’s ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative.

• AquaChemie