Upstream diversification and lower‑emission gas supply advanced. PETRONAS and JERA signed a 20‑year LNG contract from 2028, while Delfin FLNG 1 gained equity and offtake backing to add U.S. floating capacity by 2030. Ksi Lisims LNG agreed LOI terms with Uniper. In Norway, ORLEN took 20% in the low‑emission Goliat field to grow secure, renewable‑powered output.
Producers expanded regional manufacturing to cut logistics exposure. Röhm’s Bay City MMA plant reached full‑scale LiMA operation. Westlake acquired the Wilhelmshaven PVC and VCM production site in Germany. WACKER opened a new silicone production site in Karlovy Vary. Toray will start TORELINA PPS resin production in India in 2027, and Sasol moved to expand Brunsbüttel advanced alumina capacity.
Circularity and raw‑materials security progressed. MAIRE’s NEXTCHEM acquired 70% of ETEK (owner of SISEMTEK) to add TBRC‑enabled precious‑metal recovery. Evonik launched Purocel adsorbents and modular units to upgrade pyrolysis oils for crackers. New Jersey confirmed PureFive resin as PCR for 2027 mandates. LKAB secured an environmental permit for expanded Malmberget operations, adding apatite for phosphorus and rare earths.
Cross‑border infrastructure advanced. Six firms aligned the Delta Rhine Corridor CO₂ pipeline network with Aramis for 2032–33 service. A coordinated hydrogen value chain in the North Sea Canal Area progressed on import, electrolysis and backbone links. H‑Power’s cracked‑ammonia hydrogen sale to Protium pilots regional distribution. The Commission’s Battery Booster Facility will provide interest‑free loans to scale EU cell manufacturing.
Operational resilience targeted data and structure. Siemens, Databricks and FFT integrated Industrial Edge with the Databricks Platform for closed‑loop analytics. Honeywell expanded its OT Cybersecurity Suite. bp will move to two business segments to simplify decisions; thyssenkrupp approved the spin‑off of tk accelis to develop Materials‑as‑a‑Service; and Braskem began a governance renewal with IG4 and Petrobras.
Companies adjusted to demand and cost shocks. INEOS Phenol delays Doel plant restart amid weak demand and high energy and carbon costs. UPM will curtail production at Kaukas and Pietarsaari. Kemira lowers 2026 operative EBITDA outlook on Iran‑war‑driven input inflation. To fortify inputs, Essar and IRH executed a USD 500 million crude and product facility, and Statkraft agreed 4.8 TWh supply to secure Lista aluminium plant.
