ACST News

Rate Cuts Spark Optimism for U.S. Polyurethane Demand

The Federal Reserve’s potential rate cut could reshape U.S. polyurethane demand across construction, real estate, insulation materials, and upholstered furniture. While lower borrowing costs may stimulate housing activity and energy-efficient...

Aster Declares Force Majeure at Bukom Island Ethylene Cracker

Aster Chemicals has declared force majeure at its ethylene cracker on Bukom Island, Singapore, after an extended turnaround disrupted operations. The outage has cut feedstock supply to downstream units, including...

Mexico to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Imports in 2026 Budget

Mexico is preparing to raise tariffs on a broad range of Chinese imports as part of its 2026 budget proposal. The policy, backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to protect...

China PMDI Trade Update: Regional Export Shifts and Rising Middle East Imports

In July 2025, China’s polymeric MDI exports declined 18% year-on-year to 64,100 tonnes, while imports surged 70.1%, driven by shipments from Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Exports to India, Vietnam,...

Tariffs, Polyols, and the New Math: How U.S. Orders Reshape PU/PPG Sourcing for U.S. Buyers

The 2025 U.S. tariffs on polyols and polyurethane reshaped sourcing strategies for buyers and suppliers worldwide. This analysis explains duty calculations, landed costs, and trade-share shifts across China, Southeast Asia,...

Finnfoam Strengthens German Presence with Acquisition and Polyurethane Recycling Expansion

Finnfoam has acquired Bosig Baukunststoffe’s polyurethane recycling business in Elsterwerda, Germany, in a deal worth over €10 million. The plant will triple its PUR/PIR recycling capacity to 15,000 tonnes, supporting...

Covestro Expands Specialty Isocyanate Portfolio with Strategic Acquisition in the US and Thailand

Covestro is strengthening its specialty isocyanate business by acquiring two former Vencorex production sites for HDI derivatives in Freeport, USA, and Rayong, Thailand. The move expands Covestro’s global footprint in...

TRIM Premium Launches in North America: Bäumer’s Next-Generation Foam Cutting Machine

Bäumer introduced its next-generation TRIM premium vertical foam cutting machine, featuring the new Bäumer HMI, at Foam Expo North America 2025 in Novi, Michigan. Designed for high-speed, fully automatic trimming,...

WudyDex Chemical Becomes Title Sponsor of PTIF 2026, Driving Green Transformation in the Polyurethane Industry

WudyDex Chemical has been announced as the Title Sponsor for the Polyurethane Technology International Forum (PTIF) 2026, set for June 22–27 in Shanghai. The partnership aims to advance green, low-carbon...

World’s First Phosgene-Free, Biogenic Carbon Isocyanate Unveiled by Algenesis Labs

Revolutionizing Sustainable Polyurethanes with 100% Plant-Based Innovation SAN DIEGO, August 4, 2025 – Algenesis Labs, a frontrunner in sustainable materials science, has officially launched its Bio-Iso™ pilot plant, marking a...

Beat the Heat: Smart Heat Safety Strategies for Construction Workers

Construction workers face serious risks from rising temperatures, including heat stress, reduced productivity, and long-term health damage. This blog outlines eight essential strategies for preventing heat-related illnesses on job sites...

How Organic Silicon Supply Chain Disruptions Are Reshaping the Polyether Polyol Industry

A recent explosion at a major chemical plant in Shandong has sent shockwaves through the organic silicon supply chain, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in the global polyether polyol market. With mounting...