Industry trends
Sustainable Feedstocks & Circularity
Circular chemistry gained traction as Covestro and Fraunhofer UMSICHT advanced a pilot for smart pyrolysis of rigid polyurethane foam waste to recover high‑purity aniline for recycled MDI. Infrastructure build-out is accelerating in China with the launch of Sinopec Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. to scale waste‑plastic recovery and mass‑balance value chains. In North America, BASF began commercial production of ISCC PLUS‑certified biomass balance (BMB) polyether polyols, offering drop‑in, lower‑PCF PU inputs. Japan’s first circular window glass recycling project points to closed‑loop models beyond plastics; expect procurement to tap these routes to trim Scope 3 and meet end‑of‑life mandates.
Decarbonization & Low-Carbon Technologies
Point‑source CO2 capture moved forward as the Climate Østfold Award 2026 recognized Carbon Centric’s modular approach for smaller emitters. Refining decarbonization is set to benefit from a green hydrogen production plant at the Rijeka Refinery, complementing INA’s coker‑led efficiency gains. Low‑carbon logistics took a step with Europe’s first ADR-certified hydrogen truck for hazardous chemical transport. Upstream materials are also slimming footprints via BASF’s new product variants with a reduced product carbon footprint; expect diversified pathways—H2, CCUS, and low‑PCF intermediates—to be adopted where policy and infrastructure align.
Energy Transition Investments
System‑level build‑out continued: the Gasunie 2025 report detailed parallel investment in hydrogen, CO2 transport/storage, biomethane, and heat alongside gas and LNG capacity. In the U.S., RWE added 2 gigawatts to its U.S. energy capacity across solar, wind, and storage, signaling steady pipeline execution. Uniper is channeling capital into hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants while locking in ~110 TWh of long‑term gas to bolster supply security. Financing remains supportive, with Neste’s EUR 700 million green bond to expand its Rotterdam refinery underscoring sustained appetite for renewables and SAF optionality; expect continued balancing of security and decarbonization imperatives.
Digital Transformation & AI Integration
AI is moving from pilots to operational value: Iberdrola’s MeteoFlow platform was recognized for improving renewables forecasting and grid integration. In asset‑intensive sectors, Worley Consulting is embedding an AI-powered Enterprise Intelligence platform to organize knowledge, speed decisions, and reduce risk. At scale, Aramco reported billions in Technology Realized Value from AI, pointing to accelerating deployments across planning, asset integrity, and knowledge management as ROI becomes measurable.
Regulatory Reforms & Compliance Challenges
The Commission’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act would tilt public procurement toward low‑carbon outputs and streamline permitting for strategic manufacturing. Complementary EU measures, including a Clean Energy Investment Strategy and SMR actions, target lower energy costs and faster clean‑energy deployment. Downstream, BASF expanded compliant PPSU offerings to meet EU Regulation 2024/3190 restricting hazardous bisphenols in food‑contact materials, signaling product‑switch costs ahead. Meanwhile, MOL and Slovnaft’s complaint against JANAF for monopoly abuse highlights access and pricing risks in critical infrastructure; companies should anticipate tighter compliance and evolving market‑access conditions.
In brief
Project Updates and Milestones
- Covestro and Fraunhofer UMSICHT Launch Smart Pyrolysis Pilot for Foam Recycling
- Equinor Finds Oil and Gas in North Sea
- KT-Kinetics Technology Completes Rijeka Refinery Upgrade in Croatia
- RWE and Vestas Finalize Turbine Deal for Vanguard East Wind Farm
- RWE Sells Polish Offshore Wind Project to PGE
- INA Completes Rijeka Refinery Upgrade
- ORLEN Confirms Gas Discovery in North Sea's Sleipner Area
More Project Updates and Milestones news →
New Projects and Expansions
- Rompetrol Rafinare Launches New Polymer Grade
- BASF Launches Biomass Balance Polyether Polyols in North America
- BASF Expands Dispersion Production in Durban, Marks 60 Years in South Africa
- Sekisui House Launches Japan's First Circular Window Glass Recycling Project
- Sinopec Launches Recycling Technology Co.
- BASF Expands Ultrason® P Portfolio for EU Food-Contact Compliance
- IFF Expands in Latin America with New Enzyme Hub and Brazil Lab
More New Projects and Expansions news →
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships
- Plenitude and Methagora Partner for 15-Year Biomethane Supply in France
- Axens and Airbus Partner on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development
- Shell Sells Jiffy Lube and Premium Velocity Auto to Monomoy Capital Partners
- GSK and Alfasigma License Agreement for Linerixibat Rights
- Novo Nordisk Partners with Hims & Hers to Expand Access to Semaglutide in the US
- Silox Acquires BASF's Hydrosulfite Assets
- Silox Acquires BASF's Hydrosulfite Assets
More Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships news →
Innovation and Product Development
- Evonik Launches Chlorocel™ 909 Chloride Adsorbent
- Repsol to Invest €10 Billion by 2028, Focus on Spain and Portugal
- ARLANXEO's Orange, Texas Site Gains ISCC PLUS Certification for Therban® and Buna®
- BASF Launches Low-Carbon BDO, THF, PolyTHF, and NMP Variants
- Sinopec Leads Hydrogen Standardization in Energy Industry
- Genentech Updates on Phase III persevERA Study in ER-Positive Breast Cancer
- INEOS Receives 'Highly Commended' at Greater Manchester Innovators Award
More Innovation and Product Development news →
Operational Changes and Investments
- Heidelberg Materials Closes Paderborn Cement Plant
- EU Measures to Boost Energy Independence and Affordability
- MOL Group and JANAF Begin 10-Month Adria Pipeline Capacity Tests
- Infineum Opens New Blending Facility in India
- UPM Invests in Tyrvää Hydropower Modernization
- Dow Celebrates 25 Years of Contractor Collaboration in Terneuzen
- Statkraft Reports Strong Q4 Results and Record Production
More Operational Changes and Investments news →
Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives
- Munich Airport Secures Wind Power from RWE
- Carbon Centric Wins 2026 Climate Østfold Award
- Gasunie 2025 Report: Advancing Resilient and Sustainable Energy Systems
- Altris and Mecaware Join 2026 EIC Accelerator
- Neste Releases 2025 Green Finance Report
- Sinopec's Largest South China Solar Project Begins Power Generation
- Iberdrola's MeteoFlow Among Top 100 AI Projects for Sustainability
More Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives news →
Financial Performance and Strategy
- WACKER Projects Modest Growth for 2026
- ABO Energy Bondholders Approve Restructuring
- Kemira Oyj: Share Repurchase Correction, March 5, 2026
- SEQENS Sells Limoges Botanical and IVD Units to Solabia
- Topsoe's 2025 Financial Results Meet Expectations in Tough Market
- Aramco Reports Q4 and FY 2025 Financial Results
- Uniper Meets 2025 Financial Targets, Proposes €0.72 Dividend
More Financial Performance and Strategy news →
Executive Appointments and Governance Changes
- AkzoNobel Supervisory Board Nominations Announced
- Fluor Announces Leadership Change: Hackett to Succeed Constable as Chairman
- Fluor Appoints Bob Card to Board of Directors
- SPIE Governance Changes
- Stora Enso Announces Executive Team for New Forest Asset Company
- Neste Leadership and Organizational Changes
- Topsoe Appoints Elena Scaltritti as CEO
More Executive Appointments and Governance Changes news →
Regulatory and Compliance Updates
- Genentech's Gazyva Reduces Lupus Disease Activity in Phase III Trial
- TotalEnergies Releases Independent Review of Tilenga Project Land Acquisition in Uganda
- Johnson & Johnson's TECVAYLI and DARZALEX FASPRO Approved by FDA for Relapsed Multiple Myeloma
- MOL and Slovnaft File Complaint Against JANAF for Monopoly Abuse
More Regulatory and Compliance Updates news →
Workforce and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Chugai Recognized for Health Investment Excellence for Third Year
- Holcim Named Global Top Employer 2026
- RWE Adds 2 GW to U.S. Energy Capacity
- Celtic Renewables Secures £16.23M for Grangemouth Biorefinery Expansion
- Elkem Restructures and Cuts Costs to Boost Competitiveness
More Workforce and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) news →