Global Chemicals & Materials News (September 22–28, 2025)

1. JX Advanced Metals Expands Recycling Capacity

Date: September 24, 2025

Event: JX Advanced Metals announced an investment of JPY 70 billion to expand its preprocessing capacity by ~50% by FY2027. The move aims to offset declining profitability from conventional copper concentrate smelting and boost extraction of valuable metals from low-grade electronic waste and recycled feedstock.

Impact Pathway:

• Financials: Anticipated long-term reduction in dependence on volatile copper concentrate margins; capital allocated to higher-margin recycling and urban mining businesses.

• Operations: Enhanced preprocessing infrastructure allows broader feedstock intake, including complex e-waste streams.

• Beneficiary / Pressured Sectors:

  • Beneficiaries: Recycling technology providers, downstream users of recovered copper/gold/silver.

  • Pressured: Traditional copper miners facing substitution by secondary supply.

• Watchpoints: Execution risk in scaling recycling tech; policy incentives for recycling in Japan and Asia.

  
  

2. PFAS Litigation & Compliance Pressure in Personal Care

Date: September 23, 2025

Event: Regulatory scrutiny and lawsuits surrounding PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in cosmetics and personal care products are intensifying. Companies face rising compliance burdens in supply chain due diligence.

Impact Pathway:

• Financials: Legal exposure and compliance costs rising for multinational beauty/personal care firms.

• Operations: Companies must substitute PFAS in formulations and requalify raw materials.

• Beneficiary / Pressured Sectors:

  • Beneficiaries: Suppliers of PFAS-free alternatives (silicones, biopolymers, green surfactants).

  • Pressured: Cosmetics manufacturers relying on PFAS functionality (water resistance, film-forming).

• Watchpoints: US/EU regulatory timelines; litigation outcomes; impact on Asian exports.

3. Resynergi Exits California

Date: September 25, 2025

Event: Chemical recycling startup Resynergi announced the closure of its Bay Area facility, citing local regulations, land-use restrictions, and community pushback. Its microwave-based process converts waste plastics into oil or fuel.

Impact Pathway:

• Financials: Withdrawal from California likely limits fundraising and commercialization pace.

• Operations: Potential relocation to regions with more favorable regulatory frameworks.

• Beneficiary / Pressured Sectors:

  • Beneficiaries: Alternative chemical recyclers with smoother permitting.

  • Pressured: California’s position as a hub for plastics circular economy innovation.

• Watchpoints: Whether Resynergi pursues partnerships abroad (Asia, Gulf States); scalability of microwave pyrolysis.

4. Materials Sector Market Pressure

Date: September 25, 2025

Event: Global materials sector declined by ~1.21% in equity markets amid concerns over economic slowdown and weakening industrial demand.

Impact Pathway:

• Financials: Short-term valuation pressure on metals, mining, and diversified chemical producers.

• Operations: Potential capex slowdown as companies reassess demand outlook.

• Beneficiary / Pressured Sectors:

  • Beneficiaries: Defensive industries (packaging, specialty chemicals with consumer exposure).

  • Pressured: Bulk chemicals, construction materials tied to industrial cycles.

• Watchpoints: Central bank monetary policy; China/US industrial activity indicators.

5. Aerogels in Energy Storage & EV Applications

Date: September 26, 2025

Event: Aerogels, traditionally used in insulation, are gaining R&D momentum in advanced energy storage, including EV batteries and electrochemical devices.

Impact Pathway:

• Financials: Potential growth markets for aerogel producers, supported by EV and battery investments.

• Operations: Need for adaptation of aerogel properties (conductivity, porosity) for electrochemistry.

• Beneficiary / Pressured Sectors:

  • Beneficiaries: Aerogel manufacturers, EV battery R&D centers.

  • Pressured: Conventional battery material suppliers if aerogels displace established separators/insulators.

• Watchpoints: Commercial-scale pilot projects; cost competitiveness vs. conventional materials.

6. Global Chemical Supply Chain Restructuring

Date: September 27, 2025

Event: A Forbes industry commentary highlighted how geopolitics, tariffs, and environmental compliance are accelerating the shift toward regionalized chemical production and supply chain diversification.

Impact Pathway:

• Financials: Potential cost increases due to duplication of regional facilities; reduced efficiency from global trade fragmentation.

• Operations: Movement toward “nearshoring” and regional hubs (North America, Europe, ASEAN).

• Beneficiary / Pressured Sectors:

  • Beneficiaries: Local producers in high-demand regions; logistics providers with flexible models.

  • Pressured: Export-driven producers in China and Middle East facing tariff/ESG barriers.

• Watchpoints: Evolution of US/EU trade policy; Asian regional integration strategies.