Record rubber prices hit Rs.253/kg as war and heat squeeze global supply – Global News Digest, 8 May 2026

Geopolitics and Supply Chain Crisis

Middle East war pushes Korea to the brink of a naphtha supply crisis

Korea's biggest cracker gets a $300M lifeline as naphtha runs dry

Iran war shadows Lotte Chemical as revenue surges but losses persist

Record rubber prices hit Rs.253/kg as war and heat squeeze global supply

BASF bets on stockpiles and long value chains to outlast supply shock

Corporate Earnings and Financial Results

Lotte Chemical Titan rides new plant wave despite deepening net losses

Chemical giants report Q1 profits built on supply cuts, not demand recovery

Solvay trims sales but holds margins as cost cuts do the heavy lifting

SK Chemical's operating profit explodes 464% on copolyester and pharma strength

Soda ash maker GHCL squeezed by global glut, rupee fall, and trade chaos

MRF crosses Rs 30,000 crore milestone as tyre demand hits full throttle

Mergers and Strategic Deals

LyondellBasell pushes masterbatch into Germany and Austria via Interpolimeri deal

FMC exits India crop protection with Rs 2,375 crore sale to Crystal Crop

Avi Polymers pivots to tech with Rs 500 crore stake in JVTR Consultants

Technology and Innovation

Nextchem lands first-of-its-kind US contract to turn urea into clean diesel fluid

UPM, Michelman and BOBST crack bio-based barrier packaging for EU compliance

Researchers engineer a tuneable PHA plastic that recycles back to 93% yield

Sustainability and Recycling

Maharashtra backs Rs 500 crore bet to build India's largest plastic recycling ecosystem

Woolworths brings soft-plastic recycling back to 700 stores after years away

Crisp Malt's award-winning bag scheme diverts 5,000 kg from landfill

Regulation and Compliance

$15.4 billion coatings market pivots fast as regulators rewrite packaging rules

Events and Industry Conferences

Paper and Tissue Show shifts to Abu Dhabi in September after regional disruption