Recent developments
China feedstock expansion
BASF advanced large-scale supply in China with the steam cracker at its new Verbund site in Zhanjiang, powered by renewable electricity and supplying ethylene and propylene for downstream units, including ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, and polyethylene. Mechanical completion of BASF's Zhanjiang Verbund project was reported by Fluor, covering utilities, logistics, and site-wide infrastructure.
Market and reputation
Dow reported a 9% year-over-year decline in net sales for Q4 2025, with decreases across segments, lower operating rates, and price declines, including reduced EMEAI merchant olefins sales after a cracker idling. In corporate reputation, PPG remained No. 2 in chemicals on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies List.
Sustainability and design
The CQ-Configurator from Covestro is a digital tool using third-party verified LCA data to quantify CO2 impact and mass-balanced content in polyurethane foam formulations for flexible and rigid applications, including insulation panels.
Policy and regional moves
The EU Critical Chemicals Alliance held its first General Assembly to address plant closures, trade practices, investment needs, and criteria for essential molecules and production sites. In Africa, Dangote and XCMG entered a strategic cooperation agreement spanning mining, petrochemicals, building materials, and infrastructure, with plans for new electric equipment and environmentally friendly project benchmarks.