Russian GDP growth remains at 0.4% in Aug, economy expands 1.0% in 8M - Econ Ministry

Russian GDP grew an estimated 0.4% year-on-year in August, the Economic Development Ministry said in a report on the current economic situation, as per Interfax.

GDP rose 0.4% in July also. It rose 1.0% in June, 0.7% in May and 1.5% in April. GDP grew 1.1% in March, 0.5% in February and 2.7% in January.

The economy grew an estimated 1.0% year-on-year in January-August, the ministry said.

"The Russian Economic Development Ministry estimates GDP grew 0.4% year-on-year in August 2025, as in July. The seasonally adjusted growth rate was 0.0% month-on-month. GDP growth was 1.0% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2025," the ministry said.

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Operating conditions in the US manufacturing sector continued to improve in September, but less than in August owing to slower growth in new orders, according to Chemweek.

The seasonally adjusted PMI came to 52.0 in September, down from 53.0 in August. A PMI above 50 indicates improvement from the previous month, while a figure below 50 indicates decline.

“US manufacturing production rose for a fourth successive month in September, but the upturn lost momentum as companies reported a drop in order book growth alongside a buildup of unsold finished goods inventories,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

New orders increased for a ninth consecutive month, but only modestly and at a level below the survey average, said Market Intelligence. Exports were a key factor, falling for a third month in a row. Survey respondents cited tariffs, particularly for exports to Canada and Mexico.

“Despite a slowing in demand growth, many factories produced more goods, using up raw materials that had been stockpiled ahead of tariff implementation,” Williamson said. “This poses a downside risk to future production in the absence of a pickup in demand, though [it] also hints at some alleviation of price pressures -- there is already evidence of companies offering excess stock to customers at reduced rates.”

Williamson said tariff-related vendor delays increased in September. If they persist or intensify, he added, they could result in production constraints and higher prices.

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Syensqo SA has invented a proprietary chemical recycling technology that depolymerizes sulfone polymers to obtain purified raw material monomers, enabling the infinite circularity of sulfone polymers, the company said in a statement Oct. 1, as per Chemweek.

The new technology builds on Syensqo’s sustainable sulfone polymers portfolio and relies on proprietary chemical recycling processes to break down formulated polyarylethersulfone (PAES) content in postindustrial production scrap and postconsumer parts into monomer feedstock for reuse in new polymer products, the company said.

The purified monomers can be incorporated infinitely into the company’s polysulfone, polyphenylsulphone and polyethersulfone products, as well as into other thermoplastics or even epoxy resin formulations without loss of performance, Syensqo said.

“By enabling the recycling of sulfone polymers from both production scrap and end-of-life products, we help reduce carbon footprint and increase recycled content in a wide range of applications, from hemodialysis and water filtration to aerospace,” said Floryan De Campo, vice president/life solutions at Syensqo specialty polymers.

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On Tuesday, SM prices dropped in Asia, as per Polymerupdate.

An industry source in Asia informed a Polymerupdate team member, "SM prices were evaluated lower due to declining upstream benzene prices combined with pessimistic market sentiments in the Asian markets.

On Tuesday, FOB Korea SM prices were assessed at the USD 830-840/mt levels, a fall of USD (-10/mt) from Monday.

CFR China SM prices were assessed at the USD 840-850/mt levels, down USD (-10/mt) from Monday's assessed levels.

Meanwhile, upstream benzene prices on Tuesday were assessed at the USD 695-705/mt FOB Korea levels, a drop of USD (-5/mt).

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The US government will acquire a 5% stake in Lithium Americas Corp. and a separate 5% stake in the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Oct. 1, as per Chemweek.

This development comes after the Energy Department's Loan Programs Office restructured a $2.26 billion loan agreement with the company, after a review raised concerns about Lithium Americas' ability to repay due to low lithium prices. The agreement was initially approved by the Biden administration in 2024.

The revised deal ensures that Thacker Pass, the only source of lithium carbonate in the US, will proceed. It includes more than $100 million in new equity, and will help fund the construction of lithium carbonate manufacturing facilities.

"Despite having some of the largest deposits, the [US] produces less than 1% of the global supply of lithium," said US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. "Today's announcement helps reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries for critical minerals by strengthening domestic supply chains and ensures better stewardship of American taxpayer dollars."

Thacker Pass is expected to produce about 40,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year once fully operational. Lithium Americas currently holds a 62% stake in the project, while General Motors Co. holds 38%.

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