Recent developments
Gas diversification
To bolster regional gas resilience, ORLEN and Naftogaz signed US LNG supply deals for Ukraine, including deliveries in the first quarter of 2026. Equinor and Pražská plynárenská sealed a 10‑year contract for Czech supplies from the Norwegian shelf. Lake Charles Liquefied Natural Gas Project participation and a Louisiana liquefaction project were explored by Aramco, underscoring hedging of LNG sourcing and offtake across the Atlantic.
Petrochemical restructuring
Fife Ethylene Plant will close, removing 830 kt/y and complicating ethane offtake and pipeline economics in the UK. In France, INEOS announced a €250 million investment to modernize its cracker at Lavera with state support. INEOS Styrolution will permanently shut polystyrene production in Wingles, consolidating in Antwerp. In Indonesia, LOTTE Chemical completed a petrochemical complex in Cilegon to raise domestic self‑sufficiency.
Integration and logistics
Kazakhstan launched the Tengiz Gas Separation Complex to recover ethane for the Silleno polyethylene expansion. At the PetroEngineering Roundtable in Atyrau, TCO detailed modular execution and wide local participation on the Third Generation Plant. China selected Sinopec’s smart, green, and economical modern petrochemical supply chain logistics system as a special pilot to cut costs and enhance reliability.
Critical materials security
The Netherlands extended salt mining activities in Heiligerlee to 2035, sustaining chlorine and caustic supply to Delfzijl and Rotterdam parks. Long-term copper concentrate supply contract terms were agreed by Aurubis and Viscaria from an electrified Swedish mine. Solvay secured rare earths via a strategic agreement with Permag and Less Common Metals and a supply deal with Noveon Magnetics. The EU introduced safeguard measures on ferroalloy imports, reshaping TRQs and pricing dynamics.
Circularity and waste
Veolia agreed to acquire Clean Earth, doubling its US hazardous waste operations and broadening secure disposal capacity. Joint venture with Jiaren Chemical Recycling adds up to 100,000 t/y of textile‑recycled PET spinning capacity and localized sourcing hubs. OCS Blue Verification at Trinseo’s Midland and Louisville sites reinforces pellet loss controls across logistics.
Specialty capacity and policy
BASF expanded Alkyl Polyglucosides production capacity in Bangpakong; DuPont began a MOLYKOTE specialty lubricants manufacturing plant in Zhangjiagang; ARLANXEO will expand production capacity at its Triunfo plant by 25%; and Evonik partnered with InVitria on animal‑free rHSA.
Five battery cell projects secured €643 million under the Innovation Fund 2024 Battery call. Germany’s EnWG draft raised biomethane integration and investment security concerns. Brenntag launched a strategic review to streamline governance and develop a more competitive global distribution supply chain.