Europe’s Chemical Exodus: How BASF’s €10B China Bet Signals a Global Industry Reset
March 17, 2025 – Europe’s chemical industry is undergoing a dramatic contraction, with the European Chemical Industry Council reporting the shutdown of approximately 11 million tons of annual production capacity between 2023 and 2024. Olefins capacity has been reduced by 26%, resulting in a loss of 2.86 million tons of ethylene and propylene output. According…
China’s UHMWPE Industry: Advancements, Capacity Expansions, and Future Prospects in 2024
October 11, 2024 – The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has recently unveiled the 2024 annual project application guidelines for the National Key Research and Development Program, encompassing 16 pivotal special projects, among which “Advanced Functional and Smart Materials” stands out prominently. This particular special project focuses intently on crucial materials for solid-state batteries,…
DIC’s New Plant Pioneers Closed-Loop Recycling of Patterned Foam Trays
January 18, 2025 – DIC Group and FPCO Collaborate on Japan’s First Closed-Loop Recycling System for Colored and Patterned Foam Food Trays The DIC Group of Japan has announced the successful completion of its Yokkaichi plant in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture. This plant specializes in the dissolution and separation of polystyrene materials recovered from colored…
Innovations in Elastic Nonwoven Fabrics: Durability and Versatility
January 24, 2025 – Versatile Elastic Nonwoven Fabrics: A Blend of Performance and Sustainability Elastic nonwoven fabrics have emerged as a multifaceted material, distinguished by their unique composition comprising a fusion of polypropylene (PP), polyester, and elastomers. Among these, polypropylene dominates, accounting for over 70%, contributing to the material’s robustness and resilience. Its abrasion and…
From Waste to Bottle: The Journey of the World’s First Bio-PET
November 27, 2024 – A groundbreaking collaboration led by PET resin manufacturer Indorama Ventures, along with six industry giants, has recently introduced the world’s first bio-based PET bottle. Pioneering the application of this innovative product, Japanese beverage giant Suntory Group has incorporated it into selected production lines. The initial batch of bio-PET bottles, totaling 45…
Global Light Calcium Carbonate Market Expected to Reach $4.15 Billion by 2029
August 16, 2024 – Light calcium carbonate, also known as precipitated calcium carbonate, is a crucial chemical raw material produced through chemical processing methods. Compared to mechanically produced heavy calcium carbonate, it boasts a larger sedimentation volume, hence its name. With the chemical formula CaCO3, this substance has seen its application fields continuously expand with…
Tariff Turmoil: BASF Sounds the Alarm on US – Led Global Chemical Industry Crisis
May 6, 2025 – The recent tariff hikes by the United States have drawn intense attention from the international chemical industry. On May 2, BASF Group, the German chemical giant, issued a stern warning regarding this matter, stating categorically that the unilateral actions of the US are inflicting severe damage on the global industrial chain….
Haier Smart Home’s Revolutionary Recycling Factory: A Glimpse into the Future of Sustainability
In the exhibition hall of Haier Smart Home’s first home appliance recycling interconnected factory in Laixi, Qingdao, a unique sculpture catches the eye. Inspired by the Mobius strip, it symbolizes the infinite recycling process of “recycling-dismantling-regenerating-reusing,” which is perfectly embodied by the factory, making it a veritable “carbon-negative” facility that forms a key link in…
BASF’s Styrodur® Brand Changes Hands: BACHL Takes Over in 2025 Deal
January 18, 2025 – Chemical Giant BASF Announces Major Business Realignment: Styrodur® Insulation Material Sold to BACHL At the beginning of the new year 2025, BASF, a leading chemical company, has announced a significant business adjustment by transferring its Styrodur® insulation material business to Karl Bachl Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG (hereinafter referred to as…
A large barite deposit has been discovered in Duyun, Guizhou, with reserves reaching 23 million tons
Recently, the reserves evaluation agency in Guizhou Province conducted a review of a significant geological exploration project and it passed successfully. This project was undertaken by the Sichuan No.3 Geological Brigade Jinzuan Mineral Exploration Engineering Co., Ltd., with the exploration site located in Duyun, Guizhou. The exploration achieved remarkable results, successfully identifying a barite deposit…