Almost everything around us — plastic bottles, clothing fibers, house paint — starts out as crude oil. The big question of this era is: can we "feed microbes to ferment the same raw materials" instead of drilling for them? The answer is yes — but this road is littered with the wreckage of companies that died because they couldn't beat the price of oil. And that's the heart of the whole story.
Cosmo Oil Begins Utilizing Naphtha Co-produced in SAF Manufacturing
Cosmo Oil announced on the 17th that it will begin utilizing naphtha co-produced in the SAF manufacturing process together with Maruzen Petrochemical, Ube-Maruzen Polyethylene, and SAFFAIRE SKY ENERGY. At the SAF production facility within Cosmo Oil's Sakai Refinery, naphtha obtained during the production of SAF from waste cooking oil will be utilized as a raw material for chemicals. SAFFAIRE SKY ENERGY will produce the naphtha, Cosmo Oil will supply it, Maruzen Petrochemical will produce basic chemicals, and Ube-Maruzen Polyethylene will produce polyethylene for development into plastic products. The four companies plan to expand supply volumes and develop applications going forward, aiming to contribute to decarbonization in the chemical, textile, and packaging sectors.
OECD Says Thailand's Ethanol Tax Rules Lag Behind Bioplastics Industry
The OECD's Climate Club Financial Toolkit 2026 Update, published in June 2026, states that the competitiveness of Bio-Ethylene in Thailand is undermined by an excise tax on domestically produced ethanol of 6 baht per litre and import duties on imported ethanol. The OECD proposes reviewing the relevant rules so that ethanol used to produce bioplastics can qualify for a zero tax rate, and points to licensing restrictions and regulations on the production and sale of alcohol that need to be adjusted to accommodate the use of ethanol as a feedstock in the bioplastics industry. The report also notes that Braskem and SCG Chemicals plan to develop a Bio-Ethylene production project in Thailand with a capacity of about 200,000 tonnes per year, targeting the start of production in 2027, compared with Braskem's Bio-Ethylene capacity in Brazil of about 260,000 tonnes per year. Meanwhile, the OECD's modelling shows that the production cost of Bio-Ethylene is more than three times that of conventional Ethylene, and that PLA costs about 2.6 times as much as the reference plastic in the model. The European Union began applying its Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, or PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40, on 12 August 2026 to drive the transition of the packaging industry.
GGC Partners with CP AXTRA to Study Used Cooking Oil for Renewable Energy
Global Green Chemicals Public Company Limited (GGC) and CP AXTRA Public Company Limited (CP AXTRA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to study the feasibility of collecting used cooking oil from CP AXTRA branches, as well as its group companies and network, to improve its quality and create new value in line with the circular economy concept. It is expected that approximately 50,000 liters of used cooking oil can be collected per year, to be used as feedstock for producing sustainable aviation fuel, bioplastics, and biochemicals. Dr. Krisada Prasertsukho, Managing Director of GGC, said that this collaboration is an important opportunity to study alternative feedstocks and add value from used resources. Meanwhile, Mrs. Siriporn Dechasingh, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of CP AXTRA, said that this collaboration reflects the practical application of circular economy principles, and if the study is successful, there is potential to expand into the production of sustainable aviation fuel, which would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector.
Cathay Biotech first-half net profit 372 million yuan, up 20.75% year on year
Cathay Biotech disclosed its 2026 semi-annual report. In the first half, it achieved operating revenue of 1.9 billion yuan, up 13.73% year on year, and net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company of 372 million yuan, up 20.75% year on year. The profit growth was mainly driven by continued volume expansion of long-chain dibasic acids and revenue contribution from new product sales. During the reporting period, bio-based sebacic acid and bio-based piperidine continued to be introduced to the market, bio-based azelaic acid entered the customer sampling stage, and long-chain polyamide modified products achieved large-scale sales. The company also led an investment in and increased its stake in the AI protein design company MoleculeMind, and currently holds about 17.43% of its shares, making it the largest external shareholder. At the same time, its self-built high-throughput research and development platform has entered the commissioning stage.
Bisphenol replacements market to reach $8.6 billion by 2035
The global bisphenol replacements market is projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2025 to $8.6 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%, according to a new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com. The bisphenol analogues segment accounted for a 44% share in 2025, representing $1.7 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6% through 2035. The packaging segment represented a 21.5% share in 2025, driven by manufacturers adopting BPA-free materials to comply with food-contact regulations. North America accounted for a 24% share in 2025, with the United States as the primary contributor. Major companies in the market include BASF SE, Covestro AG, SABIC, Hexion Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Solvay S.A., Olin Corporation, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., LG Chem, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, UPM Biochemicals, NICCA Chemical Co., Ltd., Nagase ChemteX Corporation, Jiangsu Aolunda High-Tech Industry Co., Ltd., and Specific Polymers SAS.
AMSilk bioengineered silk protein yarns featured in Balenciaga 55th Couture Collection
AMSilk announced that its bioengineered silk protein yarns have been featured in Balenciaga’s 55th Couture Collection. An evening cocoon gown constructed using an AMSilk-blend fabric appeared as part of Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli's debut Couture Collection for Balenciaga. The collaboration highlights the luxury fashion industry’s increasing focus on scalable, sustainable alternatives to conventional fabrics. AMSilk’s advanced biomaterials are inspired by spider silk, produced via precision fermentation, and are fully biodegradable and microplastic-free.
EPR Law Forces Brand Owners to Pay for Packaging Waste Management Down to the Customer
Extended Producer Responsibility laws, or EPR, are sending shockwaves through the consumer goods, food, and export sectors by requiring producers to bear the cost of managing packaging waste that customers discard. In Europe, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is already in full force, while in Thailand, the Packaging Management Act is nearing enactment. Businesses using non-recyclable multi-layer foil or plastic pouches will face higher fees, and modern trade retailers may refuse to stock their products. Adapting through technology, such as using AI generative design to reduce plastic thickness by 10 to 15 percent, can significantly cut waste weight and save on both EPR fees and transport costs. One example is an export snack factory that switched to mono-PE plastic pouches with the help of AI. Although the per-unit cost rose slightly, the total lifecycle cost calculation showed substantial savings on EPR taxes in Europe, resulting in higher net profit per order and increased orders from partners because it helped them pass ESG reporting with ease.
China Resources Double-Crane to Acquire 23.5% Stake in Lier Chemical for 5.656 Billion Yuan in Cash
China Resources Double-Crane has disclosed a major asset purchase plan, proposing to acquire a combined 23.5 percent stake in Lier Chemical for cash, with a total transaction price of 5.656 billion yuan. The company plans to purchase a 20 percent stake in Lier Chemical from Sichuan Jiuyuan Investment Holding Group and a 3.5 percent stake from Sichuan Huacai Technology, at a proposed transfer price of 30.07 yuan per share. Upon completion of the deal, Lier Chemical's controlling shareholder will change from Jiuyuan Group to China Resources Double-Crane, and the actual controller will become China Resources. China Resources Double-Crane stated that the acquisition will help rapidly achieve the industrialization of synthetic biology technology products, build a second growth curve in synthetic biology, and establish a leading benchmark enterprise in the field.
Angel Yeast Subsidiary Plans to Invest 370 Million Yuan in New Synthetic Biology Pilot Verification Base
Angel Yeast's wholly-owned subsidiary, Angel Enzyme Preparation Yichang Company, plans to invest 370 million yuan to build a new synthetic biology pilot verification base project. The project has been approved by the board of directors and still needs to be submitted to the shareholders' meeting for review and relevant authorities for approval. The project will construct an extraction workshop and a fermentation workshop on reserved land of the enzyme preparation company, with a construction period of 16 months, expected to start in March 2027, and funds will be self-raised by the company. According to calculations, the project is expected to have an investment return rate of 9.79 percent, offering good investment returns and risk resistance. Angel Yeast stated that the project aligns with the company's medium- and long-term development strategy for synthetic biology, will build an integrated pilot platform, accelerate the industrialization of new industrial enzyme preparations, novel microbial proteins, and other products, and enhance the company's core competitiveness in the field of biomanufacturing.
Penghua Chemical ETF rises over 2%, agrochemical and lithium battery materials sectors strengthen
The Penghua Chemical ETF rose more than 2%, with agrochemical and lithium battery materials sectors showing strong performance. On the news front, recent geopolitical conflicts have disrupted fertilizer transportation, putting global fertilizer supply at risk of interruption, while high temperatures have boosted fertilizer demand. Lithium carbonate prices continue to climb, and most lithium battery companies reported favorable first-half results. As of July 22, the majority of listed companies in the lithium battery industry chain that have disclosed first-half earnings forecasts expect year-on-year growth or a turnaround from losses. Huaan Securities noted that against the backdrop of high oil prices, intensifying cost pressures on mid- and downstream chemical sectors will accelerate the elimination of outdated capacity. The synthetic biology and bio-manufacturing industry chain, driven by dual-carbon policies, energy security, and supply chain restructuring, may see a revaluation of asset values. As of 1:43 PM on July 23, 2026, the CSI Subdivided Chemical Industry Thematic Index surged 2.16%, with constituent stocks such as Dongfang Tower up 7.06%, Enjie Stock up 6.29%, and Salt Lake Stock and Hengyi Petrochemical also rising. The Penghua Chemical ETF gained 2.07%, aiming for a third consecutive day of gains, with the latest price at 0.79 yuan. This ETF closely tracks the CSI Subdivided Chemical Industry Thematic Index, which selects securities of listed companies with relatively large scale and good liquidity from the subdivided chemical industry as samples. As of June 30, 2026, the top ten weighted stocks accounted for 43.96% of the total.
GGC Highlights Nakhon Sawan Bio Hub to Drive BCG Economy
Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa and his delegation visited the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex project of Global Green Chemicals Public Company Limited, or GGC, to hear progress updates and tour the plants of NatureWorks and GKBI. The Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex is operated by GGC KTIS Bio Industrial Company Limited, or GKBI, a joint venture between GGC and Kaset Thai International Sugar Corporation Public Company Limited, or KTIS, linking agricultural raw materials with the bioethanol, renewable energy, and bioplastics industries in a fully integrated manner. The project is divided into two phases, both of which are already in commercial operation. Phase 1 comprises a sugar mill, an ethanol plant, and a biomass power plant, which began commercial operations in the first quarter of 2024. Phase 2 involves the development of utilities to support the PLA bioplastics plant of NatureWorks and new partners, with commercial services starting in the fourth quarter of 2025. Dr. Krisada Prasertsukho, Managing Director of GGC, said the project reflects the potential to drive the biofuels business and extend into biochemicals and bioplastics, while supporting the BCG economy and the transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy.
Bezos Earth Fund awards $34 million to reinvent textile materials
The Bezos Earth Fund, where Lauren Sánchez Bezos serves as vice chair, announced $34 million in grants to develop breakthrough materials for the fashion and textile industry. The funding is split across four research tracks: Columbia University and the Fashion Institute of Technology will share $11.5 million to grow textile fiber from bacteria fed on agricultural waste, UC Berkeley receives $10 million for a biodegradable fiber inspired by spider silk, Clemson University gets $11 million to gene-edit cotton with built-in color and performance, and the Cotton Foundation receives $1.5 million to restore a non-GMO cotton seedbank. The announcement came days before the 2026 Met Gala, where Bezos and Sánchez Bezos served as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs, sparking protests over worker exploitation at Amazon and accusations of image laundering. Critics also questioned the sincerity of the move given Amazon's position as the world's largest clothing retailer and its rising absolute carbon emissions, while the fund aims to drive performance up and premiums down for next-generation materials.
On Launches CleanCloud Midsole Made from Captured Carbon Emissions
On Holding AG is introducing a midsole made of captured carbon emissions, rolling out the CleanCloud technology in its Cloud X 5 sneaker. The midsole uses Infinium's eNaphtha, created from captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen, as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based naphtha, which Borouge International then converts into ethylene-vinyl acetate pellets. A life cycle assessment indicates an 80 percent carbon emissions savings compared to conventional manufacturing, and On is ramping up production to 1 million pairs, attributing the rapid scale-up to direct relationships with chemical companies that enabled a drop-in solution in existing reactors.
Aduro and ECOCE complete feedstock mapping, begin HCT testing of Mexican flexible plastic waste
Aduro Clean Technologies and ECOCE have completed the first phase of their collaboration on feedstock mapping and are now moving into hydrochemolytic technology testing of selected flexible plastic packaging waste streams from Mexico. The partnership, announced in December 2025, involves a multi-stage evaluation of flexible plastic packaging collected through Mexican recovery systems. Phase 1 used ECOCE's ongoing national feedstock mapping program to identify and assess several streams of post-consumer flexible plastic packaging based on estimated availability, collection routes, physical form, contamination profiles, and preparation requirements. Mexico generates approximately 1.5 million tonnes of flexible plastic packaging annually, and the mapped materials include flexible polypropylene, flexible polyethylene, and multilayer flexible packaging such as snack wrappers, shopping bags, bread bags, seed and grain packaging, pet food packaging, cold cuts and dairy packaging, and resealable pouches. With Phase 1 complete, Aduro will conduct laboratory-scale HCT trials to evaluate processability, product characteristics, yield, residues, contaminant behavior, and mass balance, while ECOCE's Director of Flexible Plastic Packaging Adrián Velasco will visit Aduro's facilities to align testing protocols and sample requirements. Successful lab results would support a transition to Phase 3 testing in the Next Generation Process pilot plant to assess scalability and enable customer validation.
AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe expand partnership for industrial-scale silk protein production
AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe have entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement to enable dedicated, large-scale production of silk proteins. Under the deal, AFE will establish a dedicated production line at its Nesle, France biomanufacturing site, based on 160 m³ fermentation reactor capacity and customized downstream processing. The setup involves a multi-million joint investment in equipment and facility upgrades, and at full performance is expected to reach commercial production volumes of industrial-grade silk protein. The agreement also provides a framework for future expansion of precision fermentation capacity, supporting AMSilk’s ability to meet growing demand across textiles, automotive, and consumer care applications.
Bota Biosciences and BASF Launch Bio-Identical Collagen III Ingredient
Bota Biosciences and BASF have jointly launched SkinNexus™ Collag3n, a 100% human-identical recombinant Collagen III fragment for the personal care market. The ingredient was developed using Bota's Physical AI-driven biofoundry and BASF's cosmetic actives technology, screening over 2,000 collagen fragments. In 3D dermis models, it boosted Collagen I by 48%, Collagen III by 82%, and Collagen V by 71%, and clinical trials on women aged 53 to 70 showed improvements in sagging and wrinkles after four weeks, outperforming a collagen benchmark used at ten times the concentration. The product debuted at in-cosmetics Global in April 2026 and is commercialized by BASF.
Alterra, Technip Energies, and Neste launch Nerea, a standardized modular solution for plastic chemical recycling
Alterra, Technip Energies, and Neste have commercially launched Nerea, a standardized modular industrial offering designed to accelerate chemical recycling of plastic waste. Nerea combines Alterra's thermochemical liquefaction technology, Neste's circular feedstock expertise, and Technip Energies' engineering and modularization capabilities into a product model that replaces bespoke engineering, aiming to provide greater cost and schedule predictability for waste operators, project developers, and petrochemical players. The solution targets hard-to-recycle plastics, converting them into high-quality feedstock, and builds on a collaboration agreement signed by the three companies in November 2024. Alterra's technology has over five years of continuous commercial operation processing real-world plastic waste streams. Global plastics production reached approximately 431 million tons in 2024, with circularity rates lagging consumption growth, while regulatory developments in Europe and elsewhere are driving stronger demand for recycled feedstocks.