Chemical Industry News | Global Markets Daily Updates & Trends-Skyseven Chemical

Idemitsu Kosan has initiated the design of its second chemical recycling facility.

Recently, Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan announced the commencement of basic engineering for a second chemical recycling facility, marking the entry of the company’s capacity expansion in the field of waste plastic chemical recycling into a new phase. Its first facility, located in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, was completed in December 2025 and is scheduled to begin commercial operations in April 2026, with an annual capacity to process 20,000 tons of waste plastics and produce approximately 14,000 tons of recycled oil.

2026-07-14 18:25:23

July 13 domestic soda ash inventory changes

On July 13, domestic soda ash stocks were 1.7501 million tons, up 0.18 from last Thursday, of which light soda ash stocks were 1.0231 million tons and heavy soda ash stocks were 727000 tons.

2026-07-14 18:13:26

China PET Bottle Chip Prices Rose Then Fell Last Week; Market Saw Narrow-Range Fluctuations and Correction

Last week (July 6–10), the market for PET bottle chips exhibited a pattern of rising followed by a pullback, characterized by narrow-range fluctuations and a corrective trend. The average weekly spot price for water-grade chips in East China was 7,031 RMB/tonne, a slight week-on-week increase of 0.40%. Early in the week, cost support—driven by crude oil, PX, and concentrated maintenance at PTA plants—combined with earlier low prices stimulating some essential downstream restocking, pushed spot prices up from lows of 6,850–6,900 RMB/tonne. Mid-week, manufacturers raised offers by 50–100 RMB/tonne, and the mainstream transaction price range climbed to 7,080–7,250 RMB/tonne. However, with overall market supply remaining ample and downstream beverage manufacturers having largely completed their peak-season stockpiling, willingness to accept higher prices was weak, causing trading activity to gradually cool. Bottle chip futures initially fluctuated upward but fell sharply on Friday, closing the week down 3.89%; this dragged down spot market sentiment, causing the mainstream transaction price range to retreat to 7,000–7,150 RMB/tonne by Friday. Positive cost-side factors failed to reverse the weak supply-demand dynamic, limiting the extent of the rebound, and the market returned to a trend of weak fluctuation by the end of the week.

2026-07-14 18:00:54

Selective recovery underway in chemicals sector despite weak agrochemical pricing: Report

The brokerage said the recovery is likely to remain limited to a few segments rather than across the sector. "Refrigerant spreads were broadly stable, driven by firmer HCFC-22 margins," the report said, highlighting that fluorochemicals continue to be among the better-performing segments. However, it added that "fluoropolymers (PTFE/FEP/PVDF) remained soft", indicating that demand across downstream applications has yet to strengthen meaningfully.

2026-07-14 17:49:22

Kuwait cuts across-the-board August crude oil selling prices; Asian crude swings from premium to discount of $5 per barrel.

According to official price documents, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has comprehensively lowered the official selling prices for all grades of crude oil shipped to Asia, Europe, and the US in August. By offering significant discounts, they are competing for global crude oil purchase orders, with the magnitude of the price cuts significantly exceeding market expectations.

2026-07-14 17:37:14

Capmont:? Taking Dyneon from 3M-Resumption of fluoropolymer production in planning

The holding company Capmont has taken over Dyneon GmbH from 3M Deutschland GmbH as part of a carve-out-i.e. the strategic spin-off of a division from an existing company. The transaction takes place via the private equity strategy “Special Opportunities”, which is geared towards corporate spin-offs, restructuring and special situations with development potential.

2026-07-14 17:25:26

The European Union has introduced policies to mitigate the impact of rising fertilizer prices.

On July 8, the European Parliament adopted a package of supporting policies aimed at alleviating the operational pressures faced by domestic farmers due to the soaring prices of fertilizers. Member states may increase the advance payment rate for direct agricultural subsidies from 70% to 75%, allowing disbursement upon submission of applications without waiting until the currently prescribed date of October 16; moreover, each country will be granted greater authority to adjust its budget for direct agricultural subsidies in the following year. The bill was ultimately adopted with 576 votes in favor, 62 against, and 15 abstentions. The bill still requires formal approval by the Council of the European Union and publication in the Official Journal; it will enter into force on the day following its publication.

2026-07-14 17:12:57

Topsoe has secured a U.S. contract for blue ammonia fertilizer technology.

Recently, Denmark’s Haldor Topsoe announced that it has signed an agreement with U.S.-based J Westling & Co to provide technological solutions for the latter’s green-ammonia fertilizer project in Gothenburg, Nebraska. This project aims to produce low-carbon ammonia, providing Midwestern U.S. farmers with a locally sourced fertilizer feedstock and reducing reliance on imported supplies.

2026-07-14 17:00:54

The global nitrogen fertilizer market is experiencing mixed performance.

As July begins, the global nitrogen fertilizer market is showing divergent trends. Among these, urea prices have risen against the trend, driven by demand in Europe and North America, with Egypt’s FOB price reaching as high as US$448 per tonne; meanwhile, ammonium sulfate prices have continued to trade weakly and fluctuate. Differences in the supply landscape, demand structure, and policy environment are steering the two major nitrogen fertilizer varieties onto distinctly divergent price trajectories.

2026-07-14 16:48:57

GEMA refutes allegations of vehicle damage from ethanol-blended fuel

Dismissing claims that ethanol-blended fuel damages vehicle engines or drastically reduces mileage, Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) President C K Jain has thrown down a gauntlet to critics, challenging them to prove their allegations.

2026-07-14 16:36:43