Recent developments
Semiconductor supply upgrades
Electronics supply investments accelerated. Air Liquide will build, own and operate two industrial gas production units in Hiroshima under a long‑term agreement to supply ultra‑pure nitrogen, oxygen and argon. Upstream inputs grew as Nouryon increased production capacity for premium Levasil colloidal silica at its Guangzhou site. Arkema plans a Kynar PVDF plant expansion in Changshu for ultrapure‑water piping and semiconductor equipment, while LANXESS highlighted Lewatit UltraPure ion‑exchange resins for semiconductor UPW and impurity control.
Battery ecosystem build‑out
The European Battery Alliance Annual Event emphasized coordinated levers for industrial‑scale execution. Siemens and Vulcan Energy advanced the Lionheart integrated lithium and renewable energy project with Siemens as preferred automation and digitalization supplier. BASF and TSR Group will cooperate on recycling end‑of‑life lithium‑ion EV batteries in Europe. Eni invested US$70 million in Nouveau Monde Graphite to negotiate graphite and active anode supply, and Türkiye’s ASPİLSAN Enerji secured an LFP cell production line targeting 2027 commissioning.
High‑performance polymers
High‑performance polymers targeted mobility and med‑tech. Evonik opened a PEEK rectangular magnet‑wire lab in China for NEV motor insulation and launched VESTAKEEP Easy Slide 2 for high‑temperature, high‑pressure slide bearings. Its PA12 polymerization reactor in Shanghai entered trial production. BASF obtained EN 45545 fire‑safety classification for multiple Ultramid and Ultradur grades for railway E&E components, and SANPLATEC adopted Mitsubishi Chemical’s ZELAS thermoplastic styrenic elastomer for closed‑loop cell culture systems.
Additives and processing
Asian trade shows highlighted material advances. At Chinaplas, Arkema presented high‑performance materials for advanced manufacturing, including PVDF for semiconductor equipment and polyimide products. Clariant showcased PFAS‑free polymer processing aids, Exolit OP 1266 for 800V+ PBT e‑mobility, titanium‑based polyester catalysts, and bio‑based Licocare RBW Vita additives. Sinopec displayed over 150 new materials and agreed a strategic cooperation agreement with Amcor. For grid electrification, Borouge International expanded cable‑compound capacity across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Purification and specialty inputs
LANXESS detailed ion‑exchange solutions for phosphorus removal, PFAS abatement, fluoride control, and UPW resins at IFAT 2026. Evonik and Fuhua completed a Leshan specialty hydrogen peroxide plant entering trial production to supply purified grades for photovoltaics and semiconductors. Saltigo outlined custom‑manufacturing technologies—including fluorination and flow chemistry—for electronics and battery materials.
Corporate moves and performance
Lone Star agreed to acquire DOMO’s Engineered Materials, including the TECHNYL brand. Elkem completed the sale of most of its Silicones division to Bluestar and redeemed Bluestar’s shares, with Helge Aasen set to step down as CEO and be nominated chairman. Toray Composite Materials America and Syensqo signed a five‑year carbon‑fiber supply agreement for aerospace, and Dow reported lower sales and mixed segment performance in Q1 2026.