Recent developments
European polyamides strain
Weak regional demand, high energy costs, and growing Chinese polyamide imports culminated in insolvency proceedings for DOMO Chemicals’ German units. Operations and deliveries are planned to continue, with wages secured for three months via insolvency benefits, while the administrator evaluates restructuring options including investor participation or creditor settlements.
Japan polyolefin consolidation
The integration of Sumitomo Chemical’s PP and LLDPE businesses with Prime Polymer aims to optimize production and address oversupply and import competition amid declining domestic demand. Post-integration ownership will be Mitsui 52%, Idemitsu 28%, Sumitomo 20%, with targeted annual cost savings exceeding ¥8 billion and a focus on lower-impact products.
Additives portfolio shifts
Portfolio reshaping continued as Arkema agreed to divest plastic additives to Praana. Scope includes global MBS copolymers and European/Asian AIMPA, transferring the Vlissingen (Netherlands) plant with 50 employees, while retaining U.S. AIMPA and the Mobile site. Closing is expected in Q1 2026, subject to employee consultation procedures.
Cable recycling pilots
Prysmian and Versalis’ cable recycling partnership will collect cable scrap and convert it via Versalis’s Hoop technology at Mantua into pyrolysis oil for polymer production. A pilot in Italy is planned for H2 2026, with an expectation to repurpose about 60% of XLPE scrap into material usable in new cable manufacturing.