chemXplore Weekly 14 January 2026: Year in Review | Outlook 2026

Industry trends

Bio-based and circular inputs advanced on multiple fronts. Etlas, a 50:50 joint venture by Corteva and bp, targets 1 Mt/y of oilseed feedstocks by the mid-2030s from cover/fallow cropping, underpinning SAF and renewable diesel supply from 2027. On the recycling side, Zeopore Technologies and BioBTX doubled BTX yields from waste plastics/biomass by pairing ICCP with mesoporous zeolite catalysts. Downstream pull is visible as Arkema's new Rilsan Clear transparent polyamide unit in Singapore triples capacity for bio-based, recyclable specialty polymers, while Toray's all-carbon CO2 and methane separation membrane cut biogas moisture removal costs by 70%. Expect stronger traceability frameworks and offtake models as circular materials scale with performance parity.

Hydrogen infrastructure moved forward with the hydrogen pipeline in the Port of Rotterdam nearing completion, alongside Uniper and Shell electrolyser projects shaped by RED‑3 targets. Complementing this, Uniper and AM Green’s long-term offtake agreement for renewable ammonia (500,000 t/y from 2028) reinforces hydrogen-carrier routes for industry and shipping. At site level, the steam cracker at BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund site became the first to run its main compressors on 100% renewable electricity. Financing is aligning as Heidelberg Materials’ third Green Bond under its Green Finance Framework funds plant upgrades and carbon capture; scaling will hinge on permitting clarity and long-term contracts.

Bridging lab and market, UBE and Tohoku University launched the Co-creation Research Institute for Future Driven Technologies to co-develop specialty materials in energy, electronics, and life sciences while training talent. In batteries, Argylium, a joint venture by Axens, Syensqo, and IFPEN, set a staged roadmap to industrialize sulfide solid electrolytes via pilot units and financing rounds. On applications, Mitsubishi Chemical’s bioengineering plastic, DURABIO, in Dongfeng Nissan’s Teana AI speaker signals OEM uptake of plant-derived, high-clarity materials. Portfolio moves continue as BASF Agricultural Solutions’ agreement to acquire AgBiTech adds NPV-based biological insect control; expect more consortia and M&A pairing novel chemistries with scale-up and regulatory know-how.

Capital is tracking market size and policy signals: Fluor reached mechanical completion of BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund project in South China, serving the world’s largest, fastest-growing chemical market. In the North Sea, Equinor has been granted 35 new production licenses to sustain European supply and leverage existing infrastructure. Iberia’s footprint is reshaping as Galp and Moeve move to merge their downstream activities, pooling refining/retail assets and green hydrogen projects. Meanwhile, ORLEN Upstream Norway secured stakes in six new exploration and production licenses near its assets for lower-cost developments; competitive outcomes will hinge on local content, energy security aims, and permitting speed.