Global Chemicals & Materials News (December 1–December 7, 2025)

ExxonMobil — Permanent Shutdown of Jurong Steam Cracker

Date: December 4, 2025

Event: ExxonMobil confirmed it will permanently shut down one of its older ethylene steam crackers on Jurong Island, Singapore, beginning in March 2026 and completing the full closure by June 2026.The decision reflects global ethylene/polyolefin overcapacity, sustained margin pressure, and structurally lower utilization of naphtha-based crackers in Asia.

Impact Pathway:Accelerates restructuring of Asia’s petrochemical industry; removes older-generation ethylene capacity from Southeast Asia; modestly tightens supply for ethylene derivatives (PE, EO, glycols) through 2026–2027.

Financials:Shutdown expected to reduce losses from low-margin olefin operations; capital likely reallocated to higher-value chemical and energy-transition assets.

Operations:Phased shutdown from March to June 2026; decommissioning of cracking furnaces and related utilities; workforce realignment across ExxonMobil’s Singapore chemical complex.

Beneficiaries:Cost-advantaged Middle East and US Gulf Coast producers; Asian producers operating newer and more efficient crackers.

Pressured: ASEAN downstream converters dependent on diversified feedstock supply; older naphtha-based crackers in Asia facing similar retirement pressure.

Watchpoints: Execution of capacity withdrawal; impact on regional ethylene–PE spreads; ExxonMobil’s redeployment toward performance chemicals.

France & EU — Widespread TFA/PFAS Contamination in Drinking Water and Foods

Date: December 4, 2025

Event: French national analyses reported by Le Monde show 92% of drinking-water samples contained TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) — the most common PFAS breakdown product — with several samples reaching record levels.Simultaneously, EU-market cereals, pasta, bread, and grain-based foods were also found to contain widespread PFAS/TFA residues.

Impact Pathway:Raises pressure for accelerated PFAS phase-out; increases scrutiny of food packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, and polymer degradation pathways.

Financials:Municipal water-treatment budgets likely to rise (activated carbon, ion-exchange, membrane upgrades); higher packaging costs for food producers switching to PFAS-free barriers.

Operations:Possible new EU-wide drinking-water PFAS standards; packaging converters may begin urgent transitions toward non-fluorinated barrier materials (e.g., EVOH, bio-based coatings).

Beneficiaries:Water-treatment chemical suppliers; membrane and activated-carbon manufacturers; innovators in PFAS-free functional coatings.

Pressured:Producers of fluorinated packaging additives; agricultural sectors linked to PFAS-emitting chemicals; water utilities facing compliance upgrades.

Watchpoints: Upcoming EU limits for PFAS in drinking water; potential consumer backlash; acceleration of water-plant upgrades across the EU.