Recent developments
Capital and strategy
China advanced materials financing continued as Jushi’s Shanghai listing drew strategic participation from Sinopec Capital, supporting glass fiber and composite capacity tied to clean energy and planned carbon‑fiber collaboration. Korea-based LOTTE Chemical plans 2026 expansion in high‑performance materials and eco‑friendly energy amid restructuring, including a Yulchon compounding plant and a U.S. cathode foil facility. In Europe, Axens advanced stakeholder engagement for its cathode active material production plant project (39–43 kt/y) with updates on utilities, layout, and environmental studies.
Battery value chain
Battery materials development emphasized interface engineering and manufacturing. Arkema and Senior agreed to co-develop adhesion, deposition/coating, low‑temperature assembly, and semi‑solid processing, leveraging Kynar PVDF/Incellion solutions and separator films. LOTTE’s U.S. cathode foil project underpins North American supply; Axens’ European CAM consultation signals regional precursor growth.
PFAS-free, high-heat polymers
Regulatory and thermal requirements drove polymer innovation. Toray introduced a PFAS‑free flexible PPS resin using NANOALLOY microstructure control, UL94 V‑0, targeting EV and data‑center components, with paid samples for battery and semiconductor equipment. To replace fluorinated films in IC substrate and prepreg processing, Toray unveiled a 160°C‑resistant TORAYFAN OPP film. In medical devices, SABIC’s fluoropolymer alternatives and PC copolymers address PFAS restrictions, while Toray developed a heat‑resistant piezoelectric polymer (>200°C) free of lead and fluorine.
Composites manufacturing advances
For aerospace structures, Toray’s thermal welding of thermoset and thermoplastic CFRP raised bonding speed about threefold versus adhesive joining, improved joint strength, and reduces fasteners, supporting smaller parts and complex geometries.
Gases and critical supplies
Industrial and specialty gases underpinned electronics and healthcare. Linde’s 2025 financial results highlighted supply of ultra‑high‑purity gases for semiconductors, space programs, and clean‑hydrogen/CCS technologies. To secure rare gases, QatarEnergy and Air Liquide’s long‑term helium agreement adds 300 MMcft/y amid Qatar’s capacity expansion tied to the North Field LNG projects, serving MRI, fiber optics, and chip manufacturing.
Renewables and durability
Materials integration extended to floating PV. Xfloat and BASF incorporated Tinuvin 2730 ED into HDPE floats to align FPV lifetimes with module warranties (>30 years) and meet strict drinking‑water compliance, supporting deployments from the U.S. to Southeast Asia.
Healthcare and bioprocessing
Processing efficiency in biologics advanced with Toray’s high‑efficiency separation membrane module, combining pretreatment and hollow‑fiber ultrafiltration to reduce clogging, buffer use, and footprint, with GMP‑aligned commercialization targeted for April 2026. SABIC’s medical‑grade thermoplastics highlighted chemical resistance, sterilization compatibility, and non‑PFAS options for housings, tubing, and surgical systems.