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South Korean chemical industry news
30 April 2026
Umicore Q1 momentum points to ~€1bn adjusted EBITDA in 2026
Strong Q1: Catalysis and Recycling strong; Specialty led by cobalt; CAM volumes modest, take‑or‑pay compensation; anode JV in place; capex up; leverage <2x
28 April 2026
Air Liquide Q1 2026: growth and record investments
Q1 sales €6.8B (+3.4% ex-currency/energy). Gas & Services +2%; Healthcare +4%. Efficiencies €142M; operating cash flow +7%. Investments €1.5B, backlog €5.5B; DIG Airgas closed; +100bps margin target 2026.
23 April 2026
QatarEnergy ships first LNG export from Golden Pass LNG, Texas
First US LNG export cargo loaded on a 174,000 m³ carrier; marks move toward full commercial exports. Project >$10bn, 18 Mtpa capacity; first train produced 30 Mar 2026.
23 April 2026
WuXi Biologics secures South Korea MFDS GMP certification for commercial bispecific antibody production
Three facilities won South Korea MFDS GMP approval, enabling end-to-end commercial manufacture of a bispecific antibody for biliary tract cancer; inspection found no major deficiencies.
22 April 2026
Air Liquide invests $350M+ in Louisiana to supply gases for Hyundai‑POSCO low‑carbon steel plant
Adding an ASU at a methanol site and extending pipeline along the Mississippi to boost methanol output, enable scalable, reliable gas supply for industrial decarbonization, with service from 2028.
16 April 2026
Lilly ACHIEVE‑4 confirms Foundayo cardiovascular safety and cardiometabolic benefits
ACHIEVE-4: Foundayo non-inferior vs insulin glargine for MACE-4 (HR 0.84); improved A1C (-1.6 vs -1.0) and weight (-8.8% vs +1.7%) at 52 wks; 57% lower all-cause death; GI AEs; FDA filing planned.
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15 April 2026
Borouge International expands cable materials capacity in Asia, Europe and the Middle East
New and expanding facilities in Cheonan (semicon), Stenungsund (XLPE) and Ruwais (XLPE) increase cable-compound capacity to support power-grid build-out and electrification.
7 April 2026
ASPİLSAN Enerji signs $5.2M LFP cell line deal with Top Material and $600K electrode export pact
Turnkey installation and tech transfer to build domestic battery cell production; commissioning in 2027. New cells for defense and critical systems, raising localization and exports.
2 April 2026
FDA approves Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron), oral GLP‑1 for anytime dosing
Oral GLP‑1 produced ~12% mean weight loss (~27 lb) at 72 weeks in Phase 3. Available via direct home delivery with low‑cost copays; carries thyroid tumor and GI side‑effect warnings.
2 April 2026
TotalEnergies and Masdar form $2.2bn JV for onshore renewables in Asia
Merger of onshore solar, wind and storage in nine Asian countries, combining 3 GW operational and 6 GW advanced-development (to 2030). HQ in ADGM; ~200 staff; closing subject to approvals.
2 April 2026
thyssenkrupp Uhde wins contract for low‑emission coke oven battery at POSCO Pohang
Pad‑up replaces 1980s Battery #3A with EnviBAT pressure‑control coke oven, adds MonoClaus and emission‑free tar separation; includes engineering, equipment, site supervision and commissioning
1 April 2026
EIB lends €500m to Eni for Sannazzaro biorefinery conversion
15-year loan backs Sannazzaro refinery conversion to Ecofining HVO diesel and SAF from used oils, fats and agri-food waste, ~550,000 t/yr, aiding transport decarbonisation
29 March 2026
LOTTE Chemical to merge with HD Hyundai Chemical after Daesan spin-off, pivots to specialty materials
Targets >60% specialty by 2030; building a 500k t/yr compounding plant; creating hydrogen value chain—four fuel-cell plants (80MW) and 450‑bar H2 hub; expanding high-end copper foil and TMAH output.
27 March 2026
Eastman raises ester prices effective April 1, 2026
isobutyl acetate +$0.15/lb (NA, LatAm), +$0.28/lb (APAC); n-butyl (excl Eastapure) +$0.15/lb (NA, LatAm); n-propyl +$0.15/lb (NA, LatAm). Cited higher raw-material and energy costs.
23 March 2026
BASF converts Ludwigshafen acid chlorides and chloroformates to 100% renewable electricity credits
Average product carbon footprint cut ~19% in 2025; plant modernization raised capacity ~30%; customers get lower‑PCF supplies without recertification, aiding Scope 3 reductions.
19 March 2026
QatarEnergy: Missile strikes cut LNG export capacity 17%, $20bn annual loss
Missile strikes at Ras Laffan damaged LNG Trains 4 & 6; repairs may take 3–5 years with force majeure on contracts. Pearl GTL offline ≥1 year; condensate, LPG, naphtha and helium production affected.
16 March 2026
Arkema Boosts Kynar® PVDF Capacity in China
Arkema expands Changshu site by 20% to meet rising demand in Asia-Pacific for Kynar® PVDF, targeting EV batteries, coatings, and more, with a 2028 start-up.
12 March 2026
ORLEN Expands LNG Fleet with Two New Carriers
Two advanced LNG carriers boost energy security, operational flexibility, and global trade capabilities, supporting Poland's energy transition and regional gas supply.
25 February 2026
UBE Invests in South Korea's CheomdanLab
CheomdanLab develops silicon nitride tech for recycling silicon waste, aiding sustainable supply chains. UBE supports their mass production and commercialization efforts.
24 February 2026
Technip Energies Secures Contract for Mozambique Coral Norte LNG Project
Coral Norte, Mozambique's second FLNG, progresses with proven design, enhancing efficiency and LNG capacity, following Coral Sul's success.
20 February 2026
Air Liquide Confirms 2025 Growth and Sets New Margin Goals
Record 2025 performance with increased sales, profits, and investments. New margin target for 2027 set. Dividend raised by 12.1%.
18 February 2026
Toray's Ehime and Nagoya Plants Achieve ISCC PLUS Certification for Engineering Plastics
Two plants gain ISCC PLUS certification, enabling use of biomass and recycled materials in PBT and LCP resins, supporting carbon footprint reduction.
10 February 2026
Petrobras P-79 Platform Reaches Búzios Field
The FPSO P-79 arrived at the Búzios field to expedite production. It has a capacity of 180,000 barrels of oil and 7.2 million m³ of gas daily, part of the Búzios 8 Production Development project.
6 February 2026
Sony Establishes First Global Supply Chain for Renewable Plastics in High-Performance Products
Fourteen companies collaborate to create a supply chain for renewable plastics, enhancing Sony's product sustainability and tracking GHG emissions to reduce carbon footprint.
4 February 2026
LOTTE Chemical Plans 2026 Expansion in High-Performance Materials and Eco-Friendly Energy
Recorded KRW 18,483B revenue, KRW 943.6B loss in 2025. Focus on reducing commodity petrochemicals, expanding high-value materials, and boosting eco-friendly energy capacity.
30 January 2026
LOTTE Chemical Opens 6th ESG Center in Busan to Boost Resource Circulation
The new center in Busan enhances waste plastic recycling, supports carbon neutrality, and creates senior jobs, advancing LOTTE's Project LOOP.
23 January 2026
LOTTE Chemical Honored for Rural ESG Initiatives
Recognized for environmental efforts and social contributions in rural areas, including emission reduction and support for underprivileged groups.
22 January 2026
Eastman and Kolmar Partner on Biodegradable Solutions
The collaboration aims to advance biodegradable personal care solutions using Eastman's Esmeri technology, enhancing product performance and meeting sustainability goals.
16 January 2026
Eni Launches Coral North FLNG Hull
Coral North FLNG hull launched in South Korea, doubling Mozambique's LNG output by 2028, enhancing efficiency, and boosting local economy and job creation.
13 January 2026
Air Liquide Completes DIG Airgas Acquisition, Strengthens Position in South Korea
The acquisition doubles workforce, boosts sales, and enhances growth in South Korea's industrial gas market, with synergies and increased EBITDA expected by 2030.
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