Chemicals News Today

Maharashtra partners with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages for the 'Maha-rPET Campaign' to boost PET bottle collection and recycling across nine major cities. This initiative aims to reduce urban plastic pollution and strengthen the state's circular economy.

Hyderabad's life sciences sector gains momentum with the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma SHAKTI programme from Union Budget 2026-27. This initiative, aligned with Telangana's policy, boosts domestic biologics and biosimilars production, leveraging the city's 2,000+ enterprises.

Producers are revising prices in response to evolving cost structures. Toagosei Co., Ltd. has announced a price increase for industrial ammonium sulfate, reflecting input cost dynamics and tightening supply economics. Market Insight: Price pass-through strategies are expected to continue across upstream and intermediate segments as companies seek to protect margins amid feedstock fluctuations.

EU anti-dumping measures reshape ABS sourcing. Brenntag & Westlake expanded epoxy resin distribution in India. Actylis partnered with Aarti Industries for specialty chemicals in North America, reflecting how trade actions and alliances shape markets.

Domestic producers reported improved revenue traction supported by volume gains and seasonal demand factors. Grasim Industries registered steady performance in its chemical division, backed by chlor-alkali momentum. Paradeep Phosphates saw strong fertilizer offtake growth amid healthy agricultural demand. DCM Shriram also reported revenue expansion, though higher raw material costs weighed on margins. Market Insight: Volume growth in India’s industrial and agri-input sectors remains supportive; however, input cost pressures continue to cap margin expansion.

Recent quarterly updates reflect mixed financial performance across global producers amid feedstock volatility and uneven demand recovery. Navin Fluorine International reported strong profitability growth supported by robust segment execution. In contrast, Kao Corporation and AGC Inc. faced margin pressure due to raw material fluctuations and softer PVC-linked pricing. Resonac also indicated earnings impact from impairments and slower recovery in petrochemical markets. Market Insight: Profitability across the chemical sector remains highly feedstock-sensitive, with downstream pricing power and segment diversification determining performance stability.

India's chemical sector sees significant expansion with BASF enhancing dispersions in Mangalore, Ipca commissioning a new API facility, and Toyo Ink opening an R&D center in Bengaluru, strengthening manufacturing and innovation.

Grasim Industries' chemical division reported revenue growth in fiscal Q3. Caustic soda sales volumes increased by 3% year-over-year, indicating strong performance for the period ending December 31.

Albemarle is idling its Kemerton hydroxide plant due to high conversion costs. The CEO stated that Western prices need to reflect these higher costs to develop the lithium supply chain.

UK ammonia imports hit a record 350,000 metric tons in 2025, a 26% rise, driven by the closure of three domestic plants since 2021.