Global Chemicals, Materials & Energy News（(Aug 11–17, 2025)

1. Lanxess Lowers Full-Year Profit Forecast

Company/Country: Lanxess (Germany)
Background: As a leading European specialty chemical company, Lanxess produces plastic additives, rubber chemicals, and intermediates. Europe’s slowing economic growth, high energy prices, and ongoing supply chain disruptions have pressured production costs and demand.
Event: The company has revised its 2025 EBITDA forecast from €600–650 million down to €528–580 million.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Short-term share price pressure is expected; monitor cost management and business restructuring for long-term potential.
- Industry Professionals: Raw material costs may rise; fluctuations in customer orders may require supply chain adjustments.

2. Breakthrough in PFAS Degradation Technology

Institution/Country: University of Adelaide (Australia)
Background: PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are highly stable, persist in water, soil, and organisms, and pose environmental and health risks worldwide.
Event: Researchers developed a cadmium indium sulfide photocatalyst that efficiently degrades PFOS under visible light into harmless fluoride and other reusable by-products, achieving a 99% degradation rate.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Opportunities in environmental tech, wastewater treatment, and materials recycling.
- Industry Professionals: Potential to adopt this technology for process upgrades, improve environmental compliance, and reduce remediation costs.

3. Ineos UK Chemical Plant Faces Energy Cost Pressure

Company/Country: Ineos (UK)
Background: The Grangemouth Olefins & Polymers plant supplies intermediates to hundreds of UK plastics companies. Rising UK energy costs, especially natural gas, have significantly increased operating expenses.
Event: Ineos warns the plant could close within two years if energy costs and operational conditions do not improve.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Monitor the impact of energy price volatility on profitability and potential asset impairment.
- Downstream Companies: Assess alternative supply sources to mitigate production disruption risks.

1. Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Stalemate

Background: International negotiations in Geneva aimed to limit single-use plastics and harmful chemicals, but oil-exporting countries and chemical industry representatives oppose mandatory production caps and lifecycle regulations.
Event: No consensus reached; draft revisions favor voluntary commitments, improving recycling, and reducing single-use plastics.
Potential Impacts:
- Policy Makers: Consider implementing national or regional regulations.
- Companies: Optimize packaging and recycling strategies to ensure compliance and future readiness.

2. US Expands Steel and Aluminum Tariff Scope

Background: To protect domestic industries amid rising global supply chain costs, the US has decided to expand tariff coverage.
Event: 407 new product codes added with a 50% tariff, effective August 18, affecting steel, aluminum, and derivatives.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Expect upward cost pressure for related steel/aluminum and downstream material companies; consider alternative sourcing strategies.
- Industry Professionals: Adjust procurement plans, secure pricing, or explore alternative supply chains.

1. US $1 Billion Plan for Critical Minerals and Materials

Background: The US seeks to reduce reliance on imported minerals and critical materials, supporting domestic supply chain security.
Event: Nearly $1 billion funding plan, covering battery manufacturing/recycling, rare earth supply chain, mineral by-product extraction, and semiconductor material refining.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Companies in batteries, rare earths, and semiconductor materials may benefit from policy incentives.
- Industry Professionals: Opportunities for technological upgrades and capacity expansion with government support.

2. Lithium Producers’ Stock Surge

Background: Lithium is a key material for energy storage and EV batteries; supply disruptions directly impact the global battery industry.
Event: A major Chinese lithium mine halted production due to permitting issues; Albemarle shares rose over 10%, SQM shares up 8%+. Previous Chinese mine suspension in July added market concern.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Short-term trading opportunities, monitor supply chain and permit risks.
- Battery Manufacturers: Secure raw material supply to buffer against price fluctuations.

3. Oil Market and Price Dynamics

Background: OPEC+, global demand forecasts, and geopolitical events affect oil prices.
Events:
- OPEC raises 2026 global oil demand forecast, lowers non-OPEC+ production growth expectation.
- IEA adjusts 2025 global oil supply growth to 2.5 million bpd, demand forecast down to 0.68 million bpd.
- US-China tariff delay boosts market confidence; Brent rises to $66.90/bbl; later US-Russia meeting reduces supply risk, Brent drops to $65.59/bbl.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Short-term volatility may offer trading opportunities; monitor supply tightening and geopolitical risks.
- Industry Professionals: Assess energy costs, adjust procurement and inventory strategies.

4. Nuclear and Coal Power Updates

Background: Energy structure adjustments and extreme events impact national electricity generation.
Events:
- South Korea H1 2025 nuclear power +8.7%, coal -16%, saving ~$15.4 billion in energy costs.
- France’s Gravelines nuclear plant: 4 reactors shut down after jellyfish clogged cooling water pumps.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Nuclear sector benefits from growth but monitor operational risks.
- Industry Professionals: Optimize energy mix and implement contingency planning.

5. China’s Continued Crude Oil Stockpiling

Background: China increases refinery operations while building strategic crude reserves.
Event: July 2025 refinery throughput: 14.85 million bpd; net supply 15.38 million bpd, daily surplus ~530,000 bpd.
Potential Impacts:
- Investors: Rising inventories may limit short-term oil price gains.
- Industry Professionals: Adjust crude procurement and inventory strategies to reduce capital tie-up.

Sector	Key Events	Investor & Industry Actions
Chemicals	Lanxess profit revision; PFAS degradation breakthrough; UK Ineos plant energy risk	Monitor share volatility, evaluate supply chain risks, consider environmental tech investments
Materials & Policy	Plastic treaty stalemate; US steel/aluminum tariff expansion	Optimize packaging, recycling, and procurement strategies
Energy & Critical Materials	US $1B critical materials support; lithium mine halt; OPEC/IEA oil updates; price fluctuations; nuclear & coal changes; China crude stockpiling	Assess energy costs, procurement adjustments, policy-driven investment opportunities

Recent Posts