Recent developments
Circular polymer flows
Reju’s Regeneration Hub in Lacq will depolymerize post-consumer textiles to rBHET for polyester. Partners launched a circular waste management ecosystem in Indonesia to turn mixed polyolefins into high-quality recyclate. For high-spec electronics, a global supply chain for renewable plastics using mass balance was created to deliver multiple resin types and audited GHG data.
Restructuring and output
Amid weak demand, Elkem agreed to the sale of the majority of its Silicones division to Bluestar via share redemption, reported lower Q4 earnings, and began investigating a fatal R&D pilot incident in Lyon. To manage inventories and power costs, Elkem reduced production at its Norwegian plants, shutting furnaces at Salten and Rana.
New polymer chemistries
Toray introduced a PFAS-free flexible PPS resin achieving UL94 V-0 and improved heat resistance for EV, battery, and semiconductor-adjacent uses. NEXTCHEM’s NX CONSER PolyFlex technology enables PTMEG production from conventional or bio-based THF, serving spandex and other elastomer markets, and complements collaboration with Shanghai Diyang on catalysts and fine chemicals.
Regional capacity shifts
Capacity and application development advanced in Asia. Evonik expands HTPB production globally, adding Marl capacity and engineering a new Asian site to improve supply reliability. DOMO started building an Asia Application Development Center at Haiyan to localize TECHNYL solutions. Sinopec Capital invested in Jushi’s Shanghai listing to scale glass fiber for wind and new energy uses and pursue carbon fiber collaboration.