Recent developments
Gas and Refining
U.S. LNG resiliency sharpened as the modular platform between TECNIMONT and Argent LNG in Louisiana advanced, while RWE Supply & Trading and Texas LNG Brownsville signed a 20‑year, 1 MTPA SPA with electric‑drive liquefaction and MRV from 2030. UK fuel resilience improved as Essar Energy Transition at the Stanlow refinery lifted throughput, installed a hydrogen‑ready furnace, and widened supply points after two refinery closures. Logistics integration deepened when Nanjing Engineering acquired the East China Pipeline Design Institute, adding long‑distance pipeline and storage design capabilities, including hydrogen.
Biomanufacturing Expansion
To localize advanced medicines, Genentech’s Holly Springs facility investment rose to about $2 billion, targeting next‑generation metabolic therapies with automated, digitalized biomanufacturing by 2029. Johnson & Johnson’s $55 billion U.S. investment program, tariff exemptions, and new North Carolina and Pennsylvania sites expand domestic capacity and target lower patient costs through TrumpRx.gov. For supply‑chain planning and process robustness, NVIDIA and Eli Lilly launched an AI co‑innovation lab connecting wet and dry labs, applying digital twins to optimize development and manufacturing.
European Resilience Measures
Nobian began direct supply of calcium chloride from Frankfurt, shortening routes and restoring in‑house customer service. The EU Critical Chemicals Alliance convened its first Assembly to define essential sites/molecules and tackle trade distortions and closures. Toray opened an Ultrasuede showroom in Portugal, leveraging existing sewing capacity for interiors, fashion, electronics, and automotive. Grupa Azoty and Thoroe Nielsen signed a multi‑year Scandinavian fertiliser deal for NPK/NP, improving planning stability. LANXESS achieving top sustainability ratings from CDP and EcoVadis supports supply‑chain due diligence.
Specialty Materials Capacity
Specialty polymer capacity expanded as Arkema’s Rilsan Clear unit in Singapore tripled global output, adding bio‑based, recyclable grades and supporting resilient Asian and global supply chains.
Grid Services Support
Power system support relevant to energy‑intensive chemicals advanced in Poland, where Synthos and Ekovoltis qualified a CCGT turbine to provide regulatory system services under new Balancing Conditions.