Mitsubishi Chemical to adopt a "product traceability platform" to build a reliable chemical recycling supply chain

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) has decided to adopt the "Product Traceability Platform" from Circularise Japan K.K., as part of its efforts for the social implementation of sustainable materials and
to build a reliable supply chain for the chemical recycling business that is scheduled for commercialization in fiscal year 2025, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

MCC is now actively promoting the social implementation of sustainable materials. In the future, further
diversification of raw materials and the expansion of chemical recycling facilities are expected and compliance with international standards such as the International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS Certification) will be required. Therefore, MCC believes that it is important to communicate the origins and environmental value of the raw materials used in its products to society and its customers in a reliable manner.

With this background, MCC has decided to adopt the "Product Traceability Platform" from Circularise. With this system, MCC will be able to centralize and simplify mass balance credit management operations. The "Product Traceability Platform" will not only accurately manage information on the origins and quantities of the raw materials internally, but also enable MCC to provide customers with clear and reliable information necessary to accurately evaluate the environmental value of its products.

In July 2025, MCC obtained ISCC PLUS certification for the chemical recycling facilities installed at its Ibaraki Plant (Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture). The chemical recycling facility is planned to start commercial operation and provide mass balance products within fiscal year 2025, and MCC will strengthen the traceability of the raw materials and products through the introduction of this system by then.

*Mass balance refers to the allocation of percentages of specific used raw materials (e.g., recycled raw materials) to any product when manufacturing with multiple raw materials (e.g., raw materials derived from petroleum and recycled raw materials derived from waste plastic).

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Work to remedy a technical fault at the ethylene unit in the Litvinov chemical complex has been successfully completed, and the process of bringing it back into operation will commence in the coming hours, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The commissioning of the ethylene unit will subsequently enable the resumption of production at other production units in the petrochemical part of the plant.

At the same time, temporarily reduced production in the refinery part of the plant will be gradually increased back to full capacity. We expect the petrochemical and refinery segments at our Litvinov complex to be fully operational again within the next week.

The resumption of operations at individual production units will be accompanied by the controlled combustion of industrial gases in safety burners. We apologize for any audiovisual effects associated with these safety processes and thank the public for their understanding.

The refinery in Kralupy nad Vltavou was not affected by the technical failure of the ethylene unit and remained in operation throughout.

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SM prices edge lower in Asia on Monday, as per Polymerupdate.

An industry source in Asia informed a Polymerupdate team member, "SM prices experienced a decline in the Asian markets owing to persistently poor market sentiments and decreased purchase interest from downstream sectors."

On Monday, FOB Korea SM prices were assessed at the USD 865-875/mt levels, down USD (-5/mt) from Friday's assessed levels.

CFR China SM prices on Monday were assessed at the USD 875-885/mt levels, a fall of USD (-5/mt) from Friday.

Meanwhile, upstream benzene prices on Monday were assessed flat at the USD 710-720/mt FOB Korea levels.

In plant news, Aster Chemicals and Energy is likely to keep its No.2 Styrene monomer (SM) unit offline for an unspecified period. The unit was taken offline in early May 2025 for maintenance, with operations initially planned to resume in mid-June 2025. However, this information could not be confirmed by an authorized source. Located in Pulau Seraya, Singapore, the No.2 SM unit has a production capacity of 620,000 mt/year.

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Teijin Ltd. is poised to meet the increasing demand for high-strength recycled polyester filaments used in various industrial applications, including rubber product reinforcement and seatbelts, as per Chemweek.

To address this growing need, its affiliate, Teijin Polyester (Thailand) Ltd. (Bangkok), has announced plans to expand its production capacity at Khlong Luang, Thailand. The new production capacity will reach 620 metric tons per year.

This move comes in response to a significant uptick in demand for recycled polyester filaments, driven by heightened resource recycling initiatives and the introduction of the proposed EU End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) regulations in 2023, it said. These regulations aim to enhance recycling efforts and reduce waste, building on the framework established by the previous ELV Directive and the 3R Type Approval Directive, which focus on the reuse, recycling and recovery of automobiles.

As industries seek to improve the safety and functionality of their products, there is a rising requirement for polyester filaments that offer enhanced features such as high tenacity and flame retardancy.

Teijin Frontier, a division of Teijin, is currently producing yarn to cater to these market needs. However, the company has faced challenges in increasing production due to limitations in front-end processing equipment, which simultaneously handles the production of recycled polyester filaments for industrial fibers and functional polyester filaments for other industrial materials.

The high-strength recycled polyester filaments and functional polyester filaments produced at the Khlong Luang facility are set to be marketed in Japan and internationally, serving as raw yarns and finished products for the Teijin Frontier Group. Looking ahead, this facility will also play a key role in the production of newly developed functional recycled polyester filaments tailored for industrial fibers.

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Last week, ethylene prices climbed in Southeast Asia while quoting stable in other Asian regions, as per Polymerupdate.

An industry source in Asia, requesting to remain unidentified, informed a Polymerupdate team member, "The recent increase in ethylene prices in Asia can be mainly linked to rising worries regarding short-term cargo availability, resulting in a climate of supply uncertainty. Market participants expect a further restriction of ethylene supply in certain Asian areas during October. This expectation stems from various scheduled plant turnarounds and current production halts in the region. These operational setbacks are restricting the amount of ethylene on the market, causing purchasers to obtain shipments sooner and at increased prices to guarantee a steady supply. Consequently, the short-term perceived shortage is creating upward price pressure, allowing sellers to maintain gains because of limited supply."

On Friday, CFR South East Asia ethylene prices were assessed at the USD 835-845/mt levels, a week on week gain of USD (+10/mt).

Meanwhile, FOB Korea ethylene prices were assessed flat at the USD 795-805/mt levels while FOB Japan ethylene prices were assessed steady at the USD 790-800/mt levels.

CFR North East Asia ethylene prices were assessed at the USD 835-845/mt levels, rolled over from the previous week.

The source added, ?Market players expect that various ethylene facilities in South Korea will have planned maintenance in the fourth quarter, which is likely to result in a decrease in total production capacity. This maintenance work is expected to lead to a scarcity of US dollar-denominated shipments in Northeast Asia, thereby creating upward pressure on US dollar prices because of reduced supply. The limited supply of these shipments constricts the local market, causing sellers to uphold or even raise their prices to demonstrate the shortage. On the demand side, the recent reopening of the US-Asia arbitrage window has attracted minimal interest from buyers, resulting in just a few inquiries for US shipments."

Nevertheless, the actual procurement of US ethylene continues to be limited by persistent tariffs and logistical issues, including transportation delays and regulatory obstacles, which restrict the quantity of US-sourced shipments reaching the Asian market. As a result, the majority of downstream purchasers are still focusing on intra-Asian supply options, looking for regional shipments to satisfy their requirements. The inclination toward regional supplies, along with restricted US cargo availability and logistical challenges, maintains the rising price trend in the Asian ethylene market, underscoring a situation where constrained supply and cautious demand interact to bolster high prices.

In plant news, Chandra Asri Petrochemical has postponed the maintenance turnaround at its cracker to January 2026. The shutdown was originally planned for November 2025 and expected to last around 50 days. However, further details of the current turnaround duration remain unconfirmed, as no official statement has been obtained from an authorized company representative. Located in Cilegon, Indonesia, the cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 900,000 mt/year and propylene production capacity of 490,000 mt/year.

In other plant news, Keiyo Ethylene is likely to undertake a planned maintenance turnaround at its cracker in the second half of January 2026. However, the duration of the overhaul remains uncertain, as confirmation from an authorized source has not been obtained. Located in Chiba, Japan, the cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 768,000 mt/year and propylene production capacity of 450,000 mt/year.

In another plant news, PetroChina Jilin Petrochemical has commenced operations at its new cracker in September 2025, following the completion of all necessary formalities. An official statement from the concerned authority is not yet available. Located in Jilin, China, the cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 1.2 million mt/year and propylene production capacity of 587,000 mt/year.
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