Chipmakers’ expansions drove large on-site gas investments. Linde will invest $1 billion in Phoenix on-site gases complex to supply two new fabs, while Linde LienHwa in Taiwan plans about $800 million for ASUs and hydrogen units. Air Liquide will invest over $150 million in Idaho and invest over $160 million in Arizona with on-site hydrogen and carbon capture. Its H1 pipeline included €1 billion in Electronics across Asia and the U.S.
Storage materials diversified beyond lithium. CATL and Solarpro agreed on 2 GWh of sodium‑ion energy storage systems for Eastern Europe, and Alfen and CATL will deploy 5 GWh of sodium‑ion storage across Europe. For batteries, Toray introduced a resin‑film substrate for anode current collectors enabling ultrathin metal layers and 50–60% lighter current collectors, targeting mobile devices, drones and eVTOLs with potential extension to EV and stationary systems.
Securing critical inputs accelerated. Sweden upheld Boliden’s Laver mining concession to expand European copper supply. An EIB study on EU exploration called for a tenfold rise in exploration spending to meet CRMA targets. Worley will support a multi‑metallic processing hub in Missouri for cobalt and black mass. POSCO INTERNATIONAL signs MOU with Meteoric Resources for Brazilian rare earths, while POSCO AIR SOLUTION gained AS9100D certification for aerospace‑grade xenon and krypton.
Circular and specialty polymers advanced. Covestro joined the fully recyclable automotive lighting initiative KOLLEKT, pairing design‑for‑circularity with AI‑enabled dismantling and digital twins. Teijin unveiled a thermosetting CFRP with heat‑activated self‑heal and chemical recyclability. Regionally, SABIC signed an MoU with CEER to explore materials for Saudi EVs and a Project Development Agreement with Rongsheng Petrochemical to broaden advanced materials in China.
Digital methods gained ground. Mitsui Chemicals joined the AI Materials Foundry led by CuspAI to apply generative AI to next‑gen materials. POSCO DX set out an AI Native Company plan spanning Physical and Agentic AI for industrial operations. Eastman and UT Knoxville extend research partnership through 2032 across polymers, catalysis and advanced manufacturing.
Results indicated selective strength in tech‑linked materials. Umicore’s Specialty Materials grew on semiconductor‑related demand. Arkema cited project ramp‑ups including a PVDF expansion in Calvert City. Huntsman advanced a merger of equals with Olin. SABIC reported lower earnings amid raw‑material volatility but continued portfolio‑optimization moves and China project development.
