The production of aqueous polyurethane dispersions remains inherently costly due to the need for complex equipment, advanced technical expertise and sophisticated formulation processes. Their relatively low solid content can restrict performance in certain demanding applications, while further improvements are still required to enhance low-temperature durability and broaden adaptability.

Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals and Mitsubishi Chemical have agreed on a major strategic collaboration to promote decarbonisation and optimise production capacity across their ethylene manufacturing operations in western Japan, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Brenntag, a global leader in chemical and ingredient distribution, has expanded its distribution agreement with Givaudan—a global leader in fragrance and beauty

China’s Ministry of Finance, together with the State Taxation Administration, has released Announcement No. 2 (2026), introducing revisions to the export value-added tax (VAT) rebate regime covering certain photovoltaic (PV) and battery-related products.

Covestro has commenced production at its new thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) manufacturing site in Zhuhai, a coastal city in South China.

Regional Trend Comparison: Polyurethane Dispersions (PUDs) in EMEA and APAC Regions

Shandong Yinuowei New Materials Co., Ltd. has recently applied for a patent entitled “Rigid Polyurethane Foam Materials for High-Temperature Resistant Pipelines and Their Preparation Methods”, published under the number CN121319307A with an application date of December 2025, according to information released by the State Intellectual Property Office.

Guangdong Ever Ray Environmental Material Co., Ltd., a leading China-based polyurethane acrylate oligomer manufacturer, has announced the successful launch of its latest ultra-fast curing UV-resin solutions, designed to meet the growing demand for rapid, sustainable and high-precision manufacturing across electronics, automotive and packaging industries.

BRB International has announced the launch of its new BRB Sipostab Silicone Stabiliser range, marking a significant advancement in solutions for the polyurethane foam industry.

Kumho Mitsui Chemicals, a key producer within the Mitsui Chemicals group, is strengthening its position in the MDI market by further expanding its production capacity.

BASF, Sanfang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and Liji Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. have entered into a strategic collaboration to accelerate sustainable material solutions for the footwear industry, with the shared objective of supporting net-zero emissions by 2050.

MANE China has officially commenced construction of Phase II of its Pinghu production facility on 31 October 2025, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s long-term investment strategy in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

The Indian government has extended the anti-dumping duty on imports of Flexible Slabstock Polyol originating from or exported by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates up to and including June 17, 2026, according to Customs (Anti-Dumping) Notification No. 01/2026 issued on January 2, 2026, following a sunset review by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).

BASF’s announcement of a USD 200 per metric tonne increase for Lupranate® TDI across ASEAN and South Asia reflects the broader upward pressure on TDI pricing in the region, driven primarily by escalating transportation and energy costs.

BASF has officially opens its high-performance dispersant production line at the Jiangbei New Material Technology Park in Nanjing, China. The new investment enables local manufacture of advanced dispersants using Controlled Free Radical Polymerisation (CFRP) technology, enhancing global capacity alongside BASF’s site in Heerenveen, the Netherlands. This expansion strengthens supply reliability and flexibility for customers across key markets. Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Member of t

Eurofragance expands its footprint in Asia with a new creative centre in Jakarta

Longhua New Materials has completed construction and successfully commenced production at its 330,000-ton-per-year polyether polyol expansion project, representing an investment of 150 million yuan and lifting the company’s total polyether capacity to 1.29 million tons annually, reinforcing its scale advantage in China’s domestic market. The new capacity focuses on high-activity soft foam polyether polyols and CASE-grade polyether polyols, widely used in automotive interiors,

BASF has announced a US$200/tonne price increase for MDI products in South Asia, coinciding with a steady upward trend in China’s domestic pure MDI market. Prices have risen in a clear stepwise pattern, driven by tight supply and reduced imports. In Shanghai, pure MDI has climbed from 18,400 yuan/tonne at the start of the month to around 19,500 yuan/tonne, supported by higher factory guidance prices. Shanghai’s November listing price rose by 500 yuan/tonne to 24,000 yuan/tonn