Taiwan’s plastics and rubber industry is confidently positioning itself on the global market. At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, the world’s largest trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, 118 Taiwanese companies — representing the sixth largest exhibiting region — showcased their strengths in sustainable technologies and intelligent manufacturing.

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held by Dupont for its new Molykote specialty lubricants manufacturing plant in China. The new plant is expected to deliver next-generation lubricant solutions with speed and precision.

Total Energies has commenced production at France’s first advanced plastic recycling plant. Located at the company’s Grandpuits site in Paris, the facility boasts of an annual capacity of 15,000 tons.

With a massive investment of 2 billion dollars, Astrazeneca has plans to expand its manufacturing footprint in Maryland, USA. This includes a significant expansion of its flagship biologics manufacturing facility in Frederick and construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in Gaithersburg for the development and clinical supply of innovative molecules to be used in clinical trials.

On March 10, 2026, International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol issued a statement on the meeting of G7 Energy Ministers at its IEA headquarters in Paris. The meeting was held to discuss the deteriorating oil market following challenges to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Under a framework agreement signed between Uniper and Thyssenkrupp Uhde, Uniper has secured license packages for the use of Thyssenkrupp Uhde’s ammonia cracking technology. The agreement covers up to six large-scale plants with a total capacity of 7,200 metric tons of ammonia per day.

Rockwell Automation has plans to develop a new greenfield manufacturing site in Southeastern Wisconsin, USA. The facility has the potential to be Rockwell’s largest manufacturing campus globally, with a significant footprint and the flexibility to scale operations.

AI is no longer a buzzword; it’s reshaping how industries work. From Gen AI and Computer Vision to Edge AI and Agentic AI, chemical and oil & gas leaders are already exploring these technologies to streamline workflows, cut downtime, and strengthen safety. As companies face rising pressure to modernize and meet sustainability goals, next gen AI is emerging as the game changer for operational excellence and safety.

Solvay aims to strengthen its rare earth supply chain in the USA by entering into a new strategic agreement with Permag and Less Common Metals. Permag will offer a stable supply of Samarium, Solvay will bring access to its mixed rare earth concentrates as well as its separation technologies to produce pure Samarium oxides and LCM will offer its metallization process expertise.

With an aim to strengthen their cooperation in the development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Axens has entered into a MOU with Airbus. Under this MOU, both the parties will jointly explore how to support wider SAF deployment by aligning advocacy efforts, engaging with key stakeholders, and identifying potential opportunities where coordinated action could accelerate project development worldwide.