Industry trends
Sustainable Feedstocks & Circularity
Circular materials saw tangible activity: SABIC’s launch of LNP ELCRIN DC0051RC1 brings 75% PCR content into carbon fiber‑reinforced PC for electronics. Upstream of flat glass, AGC began a windshield‑to‑flat‑glass recycling demonstration to close a hard‑to‑recycle loop. Evonik reported a pilot hydrolysis process that depolymerizes polyurethane foam, aiming to return PU building blocks to new‑goods quality. On the waste‑to‑value front, Indaver’s Rivenhall Integrated Waste Management Facility started accepting residual waste and exporting power, with plans to integrate material recovery; wider adoption could incrementally lower Scope 1–3 footprints across value chains.
Decarbonization & Low-Carbon Technologies
Hycamite scaled operations in methane pyrolysis at its Kokkola decarbonization plant, targeting CO₂‑free hydrogen and carbon materials. Evonik opened an Anion Exchange Membrane application technology center in Shanghai to validate DURAION membranes for green hydrogen systems. TotalEnergies launched MethaneLive, a real‑time methane‑emissions monitoring centre combining sensors and agentic AI to detect and fix fugitive releases. In steel, POSCO completed a 2.5 million tonne/year Electric Arc Furnace at Gwangyang, a near‑term lever to cut Scope 1–2 intensity versus blast furnaces.
Digital Transformation & AI Integration
Siemens added XLad ladder logic and S7‑1200 G2 support to Simatic AX LCE to make software‑defined automation more accessible on the shop floor. Its Eigen Engineering Agent now ingests ECAD files and generates standards‑compliant projects, tightening design‑to‑code workflows. ArcelorMittal and AWS agreed to industrialise AI across steelmaking, targeting predictive maintenance, quality and digital twins while training the workforce. Beyond plants, Air Liquide’s Valencia home‑care contract embeds predictive AI algorithms and telemonitoring to triage adherence risks at scale; expect continued focus on productivity and resilience in low‑demand conditions.
Energy Transition Investments
Capital flowed to hydrogen, fuels and grids: Jordan Green Ammonia secured a 1,000‑ha lease in Aqaba for a 120,000 t/yr green ammonia project with dedicated solar and storage. Petrobras approved a US$1.2 billion FID for the RPBC bioQAV and renewable diesel plant, targeting up to 15,000 b/d from 2030. On SAF, Honeywell will supply Ecofining process technology and automation for Acelen Renewables’ Bahia facility. Grid readiness continued as SPIE’s consortium built out Poland’s first offshore wind node via the Choczewo 400 kV substation; these steps could help de‑risk project bankability and offtake alignment.
Innovation to Commercialization in Bio & Specialties
Dow announced ~$100 million to expand specialty silicones manufacturing and labs across the US, Europe and Asia. Arkema commissioned a 15% PVDF capacity increase in Kentucky to support batteries, data‑centre cabling and semiconductors. WACKER brought a new specialty silicones site in Karlovy Vary onstream as part of a European network reorganisation. In biobased materials, Kemira and IFF moved the Alpha Bio JV’s plant engineering to IFF’s Hanko site, re‑baselining start‑up to 2029.
Geopolitics & Regional Competitiveness
Europe’s cost headwinds and shifting demand reshaped footprints: INEOS Phenol delayed the Antwerp restart beyond 2027, citing weak recovery, high energy costs and auto‑sector import pressures. Evonik will eliminate 3,200 jobs and exit its global polyester business, pointing to structural disadvantages in Europe. Meanwhile, upstream portfolios diversified as ORLEN acquired a 20% stake in Goliat and four Norwegian licences and Repsol signed an MoU to assess the Horcón area in Venezuela. Such location‑specific choices may continue as producers balance energy costs, market access and regulatory regimes when allocating capital.
In brief
Project Updates and Milestones
- Evonik develops hydrolysis process to recycle polyurethane at Hanau
- Zhenhai Refining and Chemical: 400,000 t/yr acrylonitrile unit achieves one-year stable operation
- Evonik builds Lülsdorf–Wesseling methanol pipeline to secure methionine feedstock
- Arkema commissions 15% PVDF capacity increase in North America
- Merck: Tulisokibart meets primary and key secondary endpoints in Phase 3 ATLAS‑UC induction study
- CATL launches TENER Sodium — first field‑validated sodium‑ion BESS
- POSCO completes Korea’s largest electric arc furnace at Gwangyang
More Project Updates and Milestones news →
New Projects and Expansions
- MAIRE, Samruk‑Kazyna and ACIK to explore HEFA-based SAF in Kazakhstan
- Dow invests ~$100 million to expand specialty silicones manufacturing and innovation
- Resonac Graphite Spain gains EIB advisory for A Coruña synthetic graphite project
- LBC Tank Terminals expands Rotterdam terminal with Rainbow 5 Phase A, adding 41,000 m³
- Eni FID for Greater PAJ — Angola's first cross-block offshore development
- OMV Petrom commissions aromatics unit at Petrobrazi
- TechnipFMC awarded flexible-pipe contract for Azule Energy’s Greater PAJ
More New Projects and Expansions news →
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships
- Petrobras and Pemex sign MoU for E&P and industrial cooperation
- Evonik sells Hanau pharmaceutical-ingredient assets to ProChem
- Holcim acquires Xella
- ORLEN takes 20% stake in Goliat and four Norwegian licences
- SOCAR and ICD sign MoU to explore PPP financing
- PCC SE consolidates MCAA business into PCC Rokita SA
- Repsol signs MoU to assess Horcón area in Venezuela
More Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships news →
Innovation and Product Development
- SABIC launches LNP ELCRIN DC0051RC1 — 75% PCR carbon-fiber PC compound
- Johnson & Johnson: MEMBRANE shows MMA embolization with TRUFILL n‑BCA reduces cSDH recurrence
- ProLogium and Elysian sign MoU to evaluate next‑generation batteries for large electric aircraft
- Siemens adds XLad ladder logic and S7-1200 G2 support to Simatic AX LCE
- TotalEnergies MethaneLive real-time methane monitoring centre
- BASF Adapzo Active classified as FRAC Group Code 56
- GSK/Spero: Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil) approved in US for adults with cUTIs
More Innovation and Product Development news →
Operational Changes and Investments
- Baerlocher establishes Baerlocher Germany GmbH & Co. KG
- Evonik expands Tailor Made efficiency program; 3,200 jobs to go
- UPM to curtail production at Kaukas and Pietarsaari pulp mills
- Stora Enso increases Skutskär fluff pulp capacity and to close softwood line L3
- Chemetall (BASF Coatings) awarded Airbus SQIP Accredited Supplier for 11th consecutive year
- Equinor-led TWIN subsea tieback to boost Troll gas exports
- SPIE Energy Poland leads 400 kV Choczewo substation to connect offshore wind
More Operational Changes and Investments news →
Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives
- Stahl earns EcoVadis Platinum rating for fifth consecutive year
- Symrise earns CDP A for supplier engagement and Scope 3 transparency
- ArcelorMittal and AWS to industrialise AI and supply low‑carbon steel
- AGC launches windshield-to-flat-glass recycling demonstration
- Braskem launches Blooming Future LR1 chemical/product tanker
- Sasol broadens Northern Cape green hydrogen strategy
- Jordan Green Ammonia secures 1,000‑ha Aqaba lease for 120,000 t/yr green ammonia project
More Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives news →
Executive Appointments and Governance Changes
- Hycamite updates leadership as Kokkola plant scales
- Vopak nominates Helle Kristoffersen and Roeland Baan to Supervisory Board
More Executive Appointments and Governance Changes news →
Regulatory and Compliance Updates
- Merck: EU approves pembrolizumab plus enfortumab vedotin for cisplatin‑ineligible resectable MIBC
- Zenyaku/Chugai: Rituxan approved in Japan for adult-onset frequently relapsing or steroid‑dependent nephrotic syndrome
- Chugai wins MHLW approval for Avastin as first treatment for neurofibromatosis type 2
- Chugai files Japanese NDA for sparsentan in IgA nephropathy
- Teijin: MHLW approves XEOMIN for cervical dystonia and blepharospasm
- WuXi Biologics Suzhou biosafety lab wins fourth EMA GMP certificate enabling 19 EU products
- Roche: FDA accepts sBLA for subcutaneous Lunsumio VELO plus Polivy in relapsed/refractory LBCL
More Regulatory and Compliance Updates news →
Workforce and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Indaver opens Rivenhall IWMF, its largest Energy‑from‑Waste plant
- INEOS Styrolution to close Channahon, Illinois polystyrene plant
More Workforce and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) news →