7 January 2026
Welcome to the first chemXplore Weekly of 2026. After a holiday season break, we're back with an expanded edition covering the key developments from the past three weeks. This issue spotlights accelerating progress in sustainable feedstocks and circularity – from commercial bio-based chemicals to advanced upcycling – alongside critical decarbonization milestones like the world's first dynamic green ammonia plant and emerging cross-border hydrogen infrastructure. We also examine innovation in bio-based materials, regulatory pressures on PFAS, and the geopolitical strains reshaping regional competitiveness. Dive in for the insights shaping your 2026 strategies.
Industry Trends
Sustainable Feedstocks & Circularity
UPM's Leuna biorefinery has begun commercial output of wood-based chemicals, signaling scale-up of renewable glycols and lignin-derived fillers for packaging and textiles. At end-of-life, plastics are being looped back as MyReplast's Bedizzole upcycling plant lifts high-purity r-polymer capacity to over 40,000 t/y. Cable waste is entering circular feedstock streams as Prysmian and Versalis move to chemically recycle XLPE into pyrolysis oil for new polymers. In parallel, expanding its biomethanol production positions Perpetual Next to meet rising low-carbon methanol demand. Expect procurement to pivot toward verified recycled and bio-based inputs, with quality specs and offtake contracts becoming central to supply security.
Decarbonization Pathways
The world’s first dynamic green ammonia plant in Denmark demonstrates direct renewables-to-ammonia operations without hydrogen storage, cutting costs and emissions at small scale. Cross-border infrastructure advanced as Gasunie and Thyssengas agreed the first Netherlands–Germany hydrogen transport points, while the H₂CAST project readied cavern storage components for 2026 commissioning. On CO₂ abatement, Eni CCUS Holding added long-term financial backing, consolidating UK, Dutch and Italian storage options. As pilots connect to networks and financing frameworks mature, expect more bankable hydrogen and CCUS projects to progress in Northwest Europe.
Innovation to Commercialization in Bio-Based & Specialty Chemicals
Packaging materials are evolving as Mitsubishi Chemical’s PFAS-free oil-resistant paper coating technology targets adoption by FY2026 with high-temperature performance. In autos, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation’s bio-based engineering plastic, DURABIO entered mass use in Honda’s new EV interiors, reducing VOCs and coatings steps. Semiconductor packaging advanced with Toray’s negative photo definable polyimide sheet heading to mass production in April 2026 for lower-cost, low-stress microfabrication. Scale-up support is also flowing to circular polymers via Technip Energies’ Reju demonstration hub financed by the EIB to regenerate textiles and PET. Expect tighter regulatory drivers (e.g., PFAS limits) and OEM adoption to accelerate qualification cycles for new materials through 2026.
Geopolitics & Regional Competitiveness
EU trade policy tightened with the expanded Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism covering more steel- and aluminium-intensive products, adding reporting and anti-circumvention measures. Concurrently, INEOS' Jim Ratcliffe warned that high energy costs and low-priced Chinese imports are eroding Europe’s chemical base. Stress is visible on the ground as DOMO Chemicals’ German subsidiaries entered insolvency amid weak demand and import pressure. In Asia, Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsui Chemicals will consolidate ethylene capacity in Chiba to counter oversupply and declining domestic demand. Expect more portfolio restructuring, capacity rationalization, and policy responses shaping where assets and investments land in 2026–2027.
In Brief
New Projects and Expansions
- Technip Energies Secures Contracts for BPCL's Bina and Mumbai Refineries
- Eni Launches Eni Industrial Evolution for Industrial Transformation
- TechnipFMC Secures iEPCI™ Contract for bp's Tiber Project
- MAIRE Secures €700 Million in E&C Solutions Contracts
- ORLEN Boosts Production with Różańsko Gas Field Launch
- Grupa Azoty Secures Potash Agreement
- Gasunie and Thyssengas Sign First Netherlands-Germany Hydrogen Transport Agreement
Project Updates and Milestones
- Sunrise Wind Challenges Lease Suspension in Court
- Johnson & Johnson Seeks EMA Approval for TECVAYLI and DARZALEX Combo in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma
- Johnson & Johnson Reports Positive Phase 2 Results for Nipocalimab in SLE Study
- Takeda and Protagonist Submit NDA for Rusfertide in Polycythemia Vera Treatment
- Brightmark RNG Holdings Delivers First Gas at 10 Midwest Projects
- Grupa Azoty Polyolefins Seeks EUR 2.98 Billion in Arbitration Against Hyundai Engineering
- OCI Global's Beaumont Facility Begins Ammonia Production
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships
- Uniper Begins Helium Business Sale
- Siemens and NVIDIA Partner on Industrial AI System
- Stahl Completes Carve-Out, Focuses on Speciality Coatings
- UPM and Versowood Finalize Partnership
- Technip Energies Acquires Ecovyst's Advanced Materials & Catalysts Business
- Johnson & Johnson Acquires Halda Therapeutics for Cancer Treatment Platform
- bp sells 65% of Castrol to Stonepeak for $10 billion
Innovation and Product Development
- Equinor Saves USD 130 Million with AI in 2025
- Novo Nordisk Wins Semaglutide Patent Case in China
- Repsol Achieves 1,500 Stations Offering 100% Renewable Nexa Diesel in Spain and Portugal
- Johnson & Johnson Ends Phase 2b DUPLEX-AD Study
- Mitsui Chemicals, Idemitsu, Sumitomo Chemical Integrate PP and LLDPE Businesses
- Toray Unveils Energy-Efficient Bioreactor Technology
- Mitsubishi Chemical Develops PFAS-Free Oil-Resistant Paper Coating Technology
Operational Changes and Investments
- Technip Energies Secures Equipment Orders from Commonwealth LNG
- Snøhvit Future Project Update by Equinor
- Asahi Kasei Pharma Relocates R&D Hub to Shonan iPark
- Lhyfe Projects 2025 Revenue Doubling
- Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsui Chemicals to Consolidate Chiba Ethylene Complexes
- ORLEN Acquires Full Ownership of Butadiene Unit from Synthos
- AkzoNobel Invests €50M in US Aerospace Coatings Expansion
Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives
- Topsoe and Partners Launch Dynamic Green Ammonia Plant in Denmark
- Prysmian and Versalis Innovate Plastic Cable Recycling
- UPM's Leuna Biorefinery Begins Commercial Production of Bio-based Chemicals
- Merck and U.S. Government Partner to Expand Medicine Access and Reduce Costs
- WuXi Biologics Earns CDP "A" Ratings for Climate and Water
- ADNOC Secures $2 Billion Green Financing from K-SURE, Totaling $5 Billion in 18 Months
- NEXTCHEM (MAIRE) Secures Urea Technology Contract in China
Financial Performance and Strategy
- DOMO Chemicals Germany Files for Insolvency, Restructuring Under Review
- Genmab Ends Acasunlimab Development
- Arkema to Divest Plastic Additives to Praana
- Perpetual Next Completes €35M Bond Redemption Early
- Fluor Sells Zhuhai Fabrication Yard to COOEC
- Clariant Sells Venezuelan Business
- Uniper Cancels €1bn KfW Facility, Secures New Funding
Executive Appointments and Governance Changes
- Philipp Andree Appointed Political Affairs Manager at EEW
- Huntsman Names Amy Smedley as EVP and General Counsel
- Covestro Appoints Dr. Rainer Seele as New Supervisory Board Chairman
- AkzoNobel Extends CFO Tenure Ahead of Axalta Merger
- Covestro CFO Christian Baier to Depart in 2026
- Valerie Mars Joins PureCycle Board
- BP Leadership Change Announced
Regulatory and Compliance Updates
- Elkem Reports Fatality After Explosion at Saint-Fons Workshop
- Worley Rosenberg Wins EPC Contract for ConocoPhillips Project
- FDA Approves Novo Nordisk's Oral Wegovy for Adult Weight Loss
- Roche's Lunsumio VELO Approved by FDA for Subcutaneous Use in Follicular Lymphoma
- EC Approves Johnson & Johnson's TREMFYA® for Treating Plaque Psoriasis in Children
- Novo Nordisk: FDA Approves Wegovy® Oral Pill for Weight Management
- Lilly's Orforglipron Maintains Weight Loss in Phase 3 Trial
Workforce and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Terumo Asia Pacific Earns Second Consecutive Great Place to Work Certification
- Eni and ILO Enhance Safety and Health in Republic of Congo
Crisis and Risk Management
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