XINGDA, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of steel tyre cords, has unveiled its second annual sustainability report for 2022, showcasing its latest strides in its sustainability endeavours. Notably, a significant portion of its shipped volume in 2022, at 32.89 percent, consisted of super-high or ultra-high tensile strength steel cord—a crucial component for electric vehicle (EV) tyres—reflecting XINGDA’s commitment to a greener product lineup, said the company.

Remarkable progress has also been made in reducing carbon emissions per ton of steel cord produced. In comparison to 2021, there was an impressive 18.31 percent reduction in carbon emissions, marking substantial headway in fulfilling their carbon reduction pledge. This commitment has garnered certification from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Addressing the evolving demand for recycled feedstock from tyre manufacturers, XINGDA embarked on trials to create steel cord and bead wire from wire rods produced through the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) process, incorporating up to 40 percent scrap steel. With plans to enhance the ratio of scrap steel, the company is set to commence deliveries of products made from EAF-based wire rods to clients in 2023.

Environmental and social impact assessments have been extended to all key suppliers, a pivotal move by XINGDA to foster a sustainable supply chain. The company achieved a significant feat by providing sustainable procurement training to all procurement personnel.

In community and human capital development, XINGDA’s workforce received an average of 21 hours of training per person in 2022. By 2025, the company aspires to elevate this figure to an average of 40 hours of vocational training annually for each employee.

XINGDA’s commitment to sustainability has been acknowledged through a “B” rating on the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire. Additionally, XINGDA stood out as the exclusive recipient within its industry peers in the CSA Yearbook 2023 China Edition, a compilation by S&P that recognizes exceptional Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) performance among publicly traded companies in China.

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, a global price increase for all polymer products with effect from 1 April 2026. The price hike will range from USD 440 per MT to USD 700 per MT, or as individual contract terms permit, with the exact price change varying according to the polymer type and production location.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of functional additives for the manufacture of tyres and speciality rubbers. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by 15 to 50 percent.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of speciality carbon black. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 25 percent.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, the company is also implementing a variable surcharge on top of the base price increase. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German chemical group WACKER has announced a price hike across its global polymers portfolio, responding directly to significant upheavals in international commodity markets triggered by the recent military conflict in the Middle East. This geopolitical instability has created pronounced distortions throughout the supply chain, leading to a sharp escalation in the costs of essential inputs. The company is experiencing substantially higher prices for crude oil and natural gas as well as for various other raw materials and logistics services.

To address this challenging economic landscape and offset the considerable burden of increased raw material and transportation expenses, the chemical group is implementing price adjustments effective 1 April 2026. The updated pricing will apply to several key product categories, specifically including polymer dispersions, a variety of resins and dispersible polymer powders. This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue delivering its products reliably amidst the volatile market conditions.

The final scale of these price increases is not a fixed, across-the-board figure but will be determined by specific variables. It will largely depend on the original source of the product, with goods manufactured at the company’s European and Asian production sites being most affected. Furthermore, the terms outlined in existing customer contracts will also play a crucial role in defining the exact extent of the adjustment, ensuring a tailored approach to the implementation of this necessary price correction.

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