Recent developments
Executive leadership changes
Dow appointed Karen S. Carter as CEO, with Jim Fitterling becoming Executive Chair. In the UAE, Borouge International names Patrick Jany CFO, bringing listed-company experience as the firm executes growth and finance programs.
Grid and resin capacity
To serve power-grid expansion, Borouge International expands cable materials capacity in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, adding semicon and XLPE compounding. Resin investments include a low‑emission 324 ktpa PET plant for KÖKSAN in Turkey. Evonik’s PA12 polymerization reactor in Shanghai entered trial production, increasing long‑chain polyamide availability.
Feedstocks and operations
Technip Energies will convert the site’s existing steam cracker from naphtha to ethane feedstock for Long Son Petrochemicals, targeting ethylene selectivity, energy efficiency, and cost. At Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Honeywell’s digital services aim to raise fuel output and reliability; the complex also produces polypropylene.
Circularity and recycling
WPU (Vitol) plans an 80,000 t/yr chemical plastics recycling plant in Rotterdam, integrated with existing refining and storage. In infrastructure, Paques Biomaterials will supply Caleyda PHA for circular bitumen, enabling biobased binder content and CO2 sequestration. Evonik’s additives portfolio supports mechanical recycling quality improvements.
R&D and applications
ARLANXEO opened the Innovation Center Asia in Changzhou for polymer testing, compounding, and battery‑related development. Nouryon launched Expancel 081 microspheres to increase paperboard bulk and reduce fiber use. In aerospace and defense, Toray and Syensqo signed a five‑year carbon‑fiber supply agreement to strengthen material availability.