chemXplore Weekly 11 February 2026 - Europe's Energy Squeeze Hits DOMO

11 February 2026

In the previous edition, we reported that engineering plastics producer DOMO is facing severe economic difficulties, which have forced its German plants and one Spanish plant to significantly reduce (or temporarily halt) production amid ongoing insolvency proceedings for its German subsidiaries. At the same time, DOMO is opening an Asia Application Development Center in Haiyan, China. Investments in Asia have also been made by other players, such as ARLANXEO and Evonik. High energy prices in Europe continue to make commodity production significantly more expensive.

However, we are seeing substantial progress in global greening efforts, driven by numerous investments. Examples include TotalEnergies' solar project in Texas, RWE's solar initiatives in the UK, the Masdar–RWE battery storage partnership in Germany (targeting up to 2 GW of BESS capacity), and the Naos-1 hybrid solar and battery project in South Africa (a landmark 435 MWp solar + 660 MWh BESS development for industrial offtakers). These examples highlight how substantial investments are driving meaningful progress in global greening efforts—investments that are now critically important for future resilience and competitiveness.

Industry Trends

Sustainable Feedstocks & Circularity

Materials circularity advanced this week: Sony and partners have established the world’s first global supply chain for renewable plastics for high‑performance products. Lummus and Sumitomo launched PMMA Chemical Recycling (PMMA‑CR) technology to depolymerize waste into virgin‑grade MMA with ~50% lower life‑cycle GHGs. In Southeast Asia, Borealis and local partners are building a circular waste management ecosystem in Indonesia to turn mixed polyolefin waste into high‑quality recyclate. Upstream bio‑feedstocks also scaled via Arkema’s Pragati sustainable castor program, expanding certified supply; expect procurement to tilt toward verified recycled/bio content as these chains mature.

Decarbonization & Low-Carbon Technologies

CCS moved forward as Worley began detailed engineering for the QatarEnergy LNG Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Project targeting 4.3 Mt/y permanent storage. Green hydrogen deployment tightened under EU rules, with Lhyfe agreeing multi‑year deliveries of RFNBO-certified hydrogen to Hyliko’s Paris-region stations, unlocking TIRUERT credits. Carriers gained attention too, as Duiker’s AMMONEX pilot plant in Rotterdam will convert imported ammonia to CO2‑free hydrogen. On‑site electrification delivered immediate cuts, with SPIE’s electrification project at ALK's Vandeuil plant; watch permitting, certification, and unit‑cost curves as these levers scale.

Energy Transition Investments

Corporate PPAs expanded as TotalEnergies signed long‑term agreements to supply 1 GW of solar capacity to Google’s data centers in Texas. In the UK, RWE secured Contracts for Difference (CfD) for 290 MW across five solar PV and three onshore wind projects. Europe’s flexibility stack broadened as RWE and ADNOC signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement to explore LNG deliveries, complemented by a Masdar–RWE plan for up to 1 GW of BESS in Germany. Private offtake models are maturing in South Africa via SOLA Group’s Naos-1 Hybrid Solar and Battery Project; expect dispatchable renewables and flexible gas to anchor near‑term capacity growth.

Digital Transformation & AI Integration

Data foundations gained rigor as Sinopec’s General High-Quality Dataset for the Petrochemical Industry became the first industry dataset to meet China’s MIIT standards. Governance kept pace, with Ercros achieving ISO 42001:2023 certification to formalize responsible, auditable AI deployment. At the operator level, ADNOC showcased its Panorama Digital Command Center and AI Lab, underscoring end‑to‑end analytics; near term, expect measurable productivity gains and stronger compliance evidence chains.

Innovation to Commercialization in Bio & Specialties

Pathways from lab to market accelerated as Avantium and Will & Co partnered to promote the use of FDCA in Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers. Capacity and proximity improved with Evonik enhancing its global production of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadienes (HTPB) and engineering a new Asian facility. High‑performance elastomers advanced with ARLANXEO’s new Therban® HNBR plant in Changzhou, aimed at mobility and energy applications. Application know‑how deepened as DOMO began building an Asia Application Development Center at its Haiyan site; expect faster scale‑up in engineered polymers as regional demand improves.

Geopolitics & Regional Competitiveness

Upstream positioning continued as ORLEN acquired a stake in the unconventional Afrodite gas discovery to test HP/HT stimulation and unlock tie‑back synergies. Exploration appetite rose with TotalEnergies entering Namibia’s PEL104 Exploration license alongside Petrobras and Namcor. Conversely, European power price pressure forced Elkem to temporarily reduce production at its Rana and Salten plants in Norway. Securing molecules to Europe remained a priority, as ADNOC lined up offtake agreements for 1.6 million tonnes per annum of LNG with German buyers; expect further portfolio reshaping as cost and policy gaps persist.

Industry Trends

Sustainable Feedstocks & Circularity

Decarbonization & Low-Carbon Technologies

Energy Transition Investments

Digital Transformation & AI Integration

Innovation to Commercialization in Bio & Specialties

Geopolitics & Regional Competitiveness

In Brief

New Projects and Expansions

Project Updates and Milestones

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships

Innovation and Product Development

Operational Changes and Investments

Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives

Financial Performance and Strategy

Executive Appointments and Governance Changes

Regulatory and Compliance Updates