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18 March 2026

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Industry Trends

Sustainable Feedstocks & Circularity

Circular feedstocks advanced as Neste commissioned the world's largest facility for upgrading liquefied waste plastic at Porvoo. Clariant, with Borealis and SINTEF, demonstrated a pilot-scale project for upgrading pyrolysis oil to cracker-grade feedstock in a single hydrotreating step. Materials circularity expanded beyond polymers via Asahi Kasei, Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel Trading’s recycling program to convert pure titanium scrap from chlor‑alkali cells into remelted high‑purity titanium. Downstream, Evos Rotterdam is expanding its Europoort terminal and adding a shore‑power‑equipped quay for (bio)methanol/(bio)ethanol—signaling tighter waste‑to‑feedstock integration and scaled circular flows ahead.

Decarbonization & Low-Carbon Technologies

Hydrogen infrastructure progressed as Hynetwork connected the first hydrogen plant to the Dutch hydrogen network, linking Holland Hydrogen 1 at Maasvlakte. On the supply side, OMV Petrom delivered the first electrolyser module for its 20 MW green hydrogen project at Petrobrazi to support future SAF/HVO. Technology deployment widened with Asahi Kasei’s installation of a 1 MW-class Aqualyzer‑C3 alkaline‑water electrolyzer at Finland’s first commercial hydrogen refueling station. Carbon‑intensity in aviation also moved forward as Technip Energies acquired a minority stake in Verso Energy’s DEZiR eSAF project in Rouen, coupling biogenic CO₂ capture with synthetic fuel—laying nodes for regional H₂/CO₂ networks.

Energy Transition Investments

Capital continues to flow, with RWE plans to invest €35 billion between 2026 and 2031 to add 25 GW, emphasizing flexibility and U.S. power. In Italy, Project Sophocles, a €507 million initiative, will deploy ~290 MWp solar plus 350 MW storage. Operational milestones included Ørsted’s and partners’ Revolution Wind starting deliveries to the New England grid. RWE’s Thor offshore wind farm has begun generating electricity off Denmark, with full commissioning by 2027—supporting price stability and electrification as grids expand.

Digital Transformation & AI Integration

Industrial digitalization accelerated as Siemens Smart Infrastructure expanded its data center ecosystem to align AI workloads with grid capacity and integrate grid‑scale storage. A parallel Siemens–Rittal effort partnered to develop standardized, efficient IEC power‑distribution solutions for high‑density AI builds. In life sciences, Roche unveiled an NVIDIA‑powered AI factory spanning R&D to manufacturing and diagnostics. Discovery platforms also leaned on AI as WuXi Biologics integrated AI‑driven protein‑engineering capabilities with CRDMO execution—foreshadowing faster process optimization and scale‑up across chemicals.

Innovation to Commercialization in Bio & Specialties

Scale‑up pipelines advanced as Avantium’s phased start‑up of the FDCA Flagship Plant in Delfzijl progressed, with full PEF production targeted in 2026. Automotive applications saw SABIC introduced automotive specialty materials for design, performance and circularity, spanning PCR high‑gloss compounds and thermally conductive polymers. In ag‑chem, Clariant is showcasing its agricultural solutions at the China International Agrochemical & Crop Protection Exhibition, enabling high‑load, bio‑compatible formulations. Route‑to‑market strengthened as Evonik expanded its distribution partnership with IMCD to include the United States—pointing to steady specialty growth as platforms clear funding and regulatory gates.

Geopolitics & Regional Competitiveness

Input volatility persisted as BASF announced price increases in Europe for its Home Care, Industrial & Institutional Cleaning and Industrial Formulators portfolio, while WACKER will implement significant price hikes for its polymer dispersions, resins, and dispersible polymer powders amid conflict‑driven cost spikes. Pipeline access and fees remain contentious, with MOL/Slovnaft having lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission's Directorate‑General for Competition over JANAF pricing. Simultaneously, the Port of Rotterdam Authority aims to boost hydrogen carrier imports, but investment in terminals is stalled by demand uncertainty, permits, and grid constraints. Expect uneven competitiveness to spur sourcing diversification, contract renegotiations, and pacing of import‑infrastructure FIDs.

In Brief

New Projects and Expansions

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Project Updates and Milestones

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Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships

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Innovation and Product Development

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Operational Changes and Investments

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Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives

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Financial Performance and Strategy

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Executive Appointments and Governance Changes

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Regulatory and Compliance Updates

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Workforce and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

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Crisis and Risk Management

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