Global News Digest – 16 Apr 2026

Geopolitics & Supply Chain Disruption
» Iran freezes petrochemical exports to shield domestic supply
» Force majeure spreads across petrochemicals as naphtha stress deepens
» Ukraine hits deep inside Russia's petrochemical belt
» Hanwha Total invokes force majeure on PX as feedstock strain bites
» India raises C3 and C4 allocation to protect critical sectors
Market & Financial Performance
» PPG pushes through steep price hikes as supply turmoil intensifies
» Yokohama Rubber books major gain from Israel plant sale
» Reliance targets a bigger slice of China's polymer market
Sustainability & Environment
» EPA may redraw chemical recycling rules — and spark a major fight
» Plastic recycling's promise is cracking under real-world pressure
» Asia's plastic squeeze is speeding up the shift to alternatives
» Henkel sharpens its 2030 sustainability push with faster net-zero goals
» TSR and BASF team up to scale EV battery recycling in Europe
» Syensqo unlocks new use for translucent polypropylene in autos
Capacity Expansion & Business Deals
» PPG buys Ozark Materials to deepen its North America traffic play
» Bhagiradha commits ?850 crore to build Kadechur mega chemical hub
» DCM Shriram and Teknor Apex form PolyTek to grow advanced polymer solutions
» Solvay opens €10,000 fund to turn local ideas into action
» First Quality Chemicals bets on specialty leadership in Mexico
Corporate Restructuring & Subsidiary Actions
» Infiniteria moves to end Enviro reorganisation and signals damages fight
» Cosmo First secures global safety stamp across major plants
» Avi Polymers enters agritech with AI-driven farm platform
Regulatory & Policy Actions
» AMC's plastic bag purchase triggers backlash amid ban crackdown
» Ahmedabad seals 12 units in fresh banned plastic enforcement drive
Industry Events & Initiatives
» AUTOMA Chem 2026 aims to reset chemicals through digital collaboration