Recent developments
Polymer circularity advances
Industrial recycling efforts expanded. Sinopec established Sinopec Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. as a platform integrating waste‑plastic collection, processing, and carbon services, with interfaces to tire oil and bio-grease value chains. Covestro and Fraunhofer plan a pilot plant for smart pyrolysis of rigid polyurethane foam waste targeting 2 kt/y by 2028 to produce recycled aniline for MDI, addressing end‑of‑life insulation streams and EU recovery requirements.
Lower-carbon precursors
BASF broadened low‑PCF options. Its rPCF variants for BDO, THF, PolyTHF, and NMP from Ludwigshafen cut cradle‑to‑gate emissions by at least 10% without formulation changes. In North America, BASF started biomass balance polyether polyols certified to ISCC PLUS as drop‑in feedstocks for flexible foams, enabling Scope 3 reductions across sleep, automotive, and CASE polyurethane applications.
New polymer grades
Capacity and compliance progressed. Rompetrol began producing a Polypropylene Random Copolymer grade following PP unit modifications, targeting 11 kt/y for automotive and refrigerated food packaging with EU food-contact compliance. To meet EU 2024/3190, BASF launched six polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) grades free of BPA/BPS, compatible with existing PESU molds for high-temperature food-contact parts.
Corporate adjustments
Cost discipline and portfolio shifts continued. Elkem announced a new corporate structure and NOK 1.9 bn in cost measures after divesting Silicones, with 300 FTE reductions amid weak demand. Evonik confirmed 2025 results and provided a 2026 outlook of €1.7–2.0 bn adjusted EBITDA, signaling continued margin pressure in technology and custom solutions relevant to polymer value chains.