News and industry insights on Production and innovation in polymer materials, including plastics and elastomers for various applications.
Brand–converter collaborations advanced circular packaging and automotive polymers. Mondelez will use LyondellBasell’s CirculenRevive polymers for Marabou wrappers via mass balance. In mobility, a Class‑A bumper with 30% recycled polypropylene was tested as OEMs prepare for EU ELV targets. Chemical recycling R&D progressed as Volcat depolymerization technology gained a new U.S. base, and Trinseo’s FY2025 sustainability report highlighted PMMA depolymerization and ABS dissolution pilots.
Carbon utilization moved toward commercialization. Avantium spins out Volta into Carbeau with €35.2m to target glycolic acid and PLGA, plus a pilot in Delfzijl. In Oman, Al Baleed Petrochemical joins Carbeau to evaluate Salalah for the first commercial-scale deployment using renewable power and local CO₂ sources.
Specialty polymers expanded regionally. Covestro completed the acquisition of former Vencorex HDI‑derivative sites in Rayong and Freeport, strengthening supply for polyurethane coatings and adhesives. In electronics, Asahi Kasei added a slitting facility for SUNFORT dry film photoresist in Tainan, boosting capacity and local responsiveness for advanced semiconductor packaging.
Operational efficiency and trade policy affected polymer value chains. Rompetrol’s refinery implemented an Advanced Process Control digital process control system, raising throughput and lowering energy intensity, with implications for petrochemical feedstock reliability. The EU opened an antidumping investigation into imports of polyether polyols from China, signaling potential duty risks for polyurethane intermediates.
Top 5 companies involved as owner and/or investor in current and planned Polymers projects:
Borealis , INEOS , dsm-firmenich , BASF , LYB , Plastic Energy , Arkema , TotalEnergies , Covestro , and Braskem .
