Bayer’s Q1 message leans on operational discipline as currency pressure clouds reported growth – Global Corporate News Digest, 13 May 2026

Earnings, Margins & Segment Performance

AGC’s first-quarter profit surge hides a major restructuring-cost line

KH Neochem’s semiconductor materials unit quietly offsets weakness in air conditioners and basic chemicals

KH Neochem’s air-conditioner exposure takes a hit as refrigerant regulation triggers inventory drag

KH Neochem’s basic chemicals unit is squeezed by maintenance costs and weak housing demand

Daikin’s full-year report shows record scale, but margin pressure still shadows the growth story

Daikin’s annual report shows record scale but exposes a margin-efficiency challenge

AGC’s segment turnaround shows glass recovery while life science remains in loss

Bayer’s Q1 message leans on operational discipline as currency pressure clouds reported growth

Bayer reports a solid start but currency drag takes 886 million euros off sales

Petrochemical Restructuring & Portfolio Reset

Japan’s petrochemical giants move closer to a western Japan ethylene reshuffle

Asahi Kasei repeats western Japan ethylene integration message with decarbonization at the center

Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals and Mitsubishi Chemical put a 45-45-10 structure on Japan’s ethylene reset

Asahi Kasei plans Mizushima supply realignment by FY2030 without immediate derivative-product disruption

Mitsubishi Chemical exits PBS business as Thailand joint venture heads toward liquidation

Innovation, Energy Transition & Packaging Moves

Daikin’s Fusion 30 plan puts data centers, heat pumps and profitability gaps under the spotlight

Hitachi and X LABS target AI data centers with gigawatt-scale energy parks

SABIC launches laser-weldable NORYL resins to shrink and strengthen solar microinverters

SABIC’s laser-weldable NORYL resins target the weak link inside solar microinverter manufacturing

SABIC pushes solar PV makers toward lighter, smaller and faster-built microinverter parts

BASF turns cleanroom yellow light into an energy-saving semiconductor tool

Amcor’s 38 mm carry handle turns beverage packaging convenience into a shelf-level selling point

Amcor turns a 38 mm carry handle into a consumer-convenience packaging hook

Borouge International and Amylum build a noodle bowl that survives boiling water and stays recyclable

Supply Chain, Pricing & Geopolitical Pressure

KH Neochem warns Middle East tension is testing Japan’s petrochemical supply chain

Evonik raises Rexim amino and keto acid prices as energy, raw material and freight costs bite

Oleon tightens responsible sourcing expectations across its global supplier base