近年来，再生塑料市场正由传统的低价替代向环保减碳等方面推动的高品质回收与再利用转变。阿格斯就大家比较关心的几个问题在由拾柴环境主办的第二届硬塑回收峰会前对国龙环保董事长郭家万和拾柴的创始人王韧进行了访谈：
- 中国再生塑料出口前景
- 再生塑料的食品接触应用
- 欧盟一次性塑料指令中的“镜像条款”等
您认为出口市场对您的产品有多少需求（以及针对哪些产品 - rPET、rHDPE、 rPP? 包装等级？ ) ...主要出口市场是什么？
国龙郭家万：再生塑料市场应用主要是国际品牌客户的需求，大品牌企业对环保再生产品的使用，是主动履行社会责任，通过企业的行动推动废旧塑料的回收利用。在中国市场上 国际品牌企业在这两年来一直在测试，小批量试用再生塑料，在东南亚港澳市场上开始投送再生塑料包装产品，也有很多国际品牌企业生产基地在中国，他们的出口产品基本开始使用再生塑料，在日化领域是以rHDPE、rPP为主，在食品包装上是以rPET为主而且都是需要达到食品级要求，并需要取得FDA、EFSA认证！
大多数参与者都在关注回收的食品接触材料，但中国目前不允许在食品接触应用中使用回收材料。在这种情况下，中国回收商应如何发展业务?热解是否是中国回收商的合适途径?
拾柴环境王韧：目前，中国PET回收企业的高价值产品应用主要方向是纺织纤维，工业丝和其他非食品级应用，食品级rPET产品也可以满足一些个人护理产品的特殊需求，其他食品级rPET供应还包括出口中国香港和海外市场。
热裂解在中国还在探索阶段，今年国内宣布了几个商业化项目的建设，但其运行仍有待时日，仍需市场验证。今年8月27-28日我们在上海会有一个国际硬质聚烯烃回收峰会，其中就有化学回收和热解的相关议题，大家有兴趣的可以关注参与。
欧盟正在考虑在《一次性塑料指令》中加入“镜像条款”。这意味着，欧盟外的回收商向欧盟出口材料并希望这些材料计入欧盟再生含量目标时,将被要求达到与欧洲回收商相同的原料、工艺和环境标准。你预计这一政策会如何发展?你认为这会对你的业务产生什么影响?
国龙郭家万：对于国龙再生塑料来说是没有难度的，因为国龙再生的工艺技术，生产设备，环境标准都是与欧洲相同的，也是使用消费后PCR原料，这几年来，我们经过了二十多家国际品牌公司对产品的检测，验厂，生产环境等各项要求测试，安全达到他们的要求，镜像条款对于国龙再生来说是可以做到的。但对于中国很多再生企业恐怕一定的限制。如果欧盟推动这个政策，也许会通过验厂验证“一企一策”的认证许可。
作为国内回收行业的领先企业，国龙未来的发展目标是什么，近期是否有计划投资化学法回收领域?
国龙郭家万：国龙再生经过十年的发展，现在已经建立了相当大的产能，为一系列不同的用途生产回收材料(见表)。我们成功实施了涵盖食品级和工业级产品的全产业链商业模式。
| Recycling type | Capacity (t/yr) |
| Food-grade rPET | 60,000 |
| Food-grade rHDPE | 20,000 |
| Food-grade rPP | 20,000 |
| Pipe grade recyclates | 80,000 |
| Industrial grade rHDPE | 20,000 |
您是否预计在不久的将来中国食品包装市场将开始发展再生材料市场(即法规变化)?您预计中国还会出现哪些法规变化来支持回收行业?
拾柴环境王韧：中国正在研究包装应用再生材料的安全性，这不仅仅包括再生塑料，还包括再生金属，比如易拉罐是否可以使用再生铝。本地市场也在等待相关的文件出台。
目前，国家已经出台以旧换新政策，反向发票开票政策等等，都对回收行业扩大起到促进作用，相信在垃圾分类领域，可能将是后期政府政策出台的方向。当然，建立完整的回收体系需要更多实施战略，以及更多时间来摸索发展路径和进行建设。
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Sabic to sell European business to Aequita: Update
Sabic to sell European business to Aequita: Update
Adds detail on Sabic write down in para 2 London, 8 January (Argus) — Saudi state-controlled Sabic will sell its European petrochemicals and polymers assets to Germany-based private equity company Aequita for $500mn, it said today. The transaction will be fully funded by loans from Sabic that are repayable "based on future cashflows, resulting from synergies between the divested Sabic business and other European olefins and polyolefins assets". The companies anticipate the deal closing in the fourth quarter. Sabic said that it would record a SAR10.8bn ($2.88bn) non-cash write down as a result of the divestment The acquisition includes Sabic's production facilities in Teesside, UK, Geleen, the Netherlands, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and Genk, Belgium. This includes an operating cracker in Geleen, Sabic having closed another cracker there, and a cracker in Teesside. Sabic said the sale allows it to "exit structurally competitive disadvantaged assets" and help it to "refocus financial resources and management attention towards growth areas where [it] has clear competitive advantages". Sabic said it would export products to Europe and the Americas from the Middle East, although the sale agreement includes all related commercial functions. Aequita is in the process of building a scaled olefins and polyolefins business. It is already acquiring olefin and polyolefin assets from LyondellBasell . It could have options to extend, with various assets up for sale including BP's integrated refinery and cracker complex in Gelsenkirchen, which is a key supplier to Sabic's polymer production at the same site. Sabic also said today that it will sell its engineering thermoplastics division in the Americas and Europe to Mutares, another German private equity company. Sabic European chemical and polyolefin assets Country Location Product Capacity ('000t) UK Teeside LDPE 415 Germany Gelsenkirchen PP 320 Germany Gelsenkirchen HDPE 220 Germany Gelsenkirchen LLDPE 300 Netherlands Geleen Ethylene 690 Netherlands Geleen Propylene 405 Netherlands Geleen HDPE 150 Netherlands Geleen LDPE 375 Netherlands Geleen PP 550 Netherlands Geleen Butadiene 120 Netherlands Geleen Benzene 170 Netherlands Geleen MTBE 160 Belgium Genk PP compounding 180 Source: Sabic Aequita olefins and polyolefin assets, post-Sabic and LYB completions Country Location Product Nameplate capacity ('000t) Netherlands Geleen Ethylene 675 Germany Munchsmunster Ethylene 345 France Berre Ethylene 456 Total ethylene 1,476 Germany Gelsenkirchen HDPE 270 Netherlands Geleen HDPE 150 Netherlands Geleen HDPE 150 Germany Munchsmunster HDPE 320 United Kingdom Wilton LDPE 400 Netherlands Geleen LDPE 470 France Berre LDPE 320 Germany Gelsenkirchen LLD-HDPE 300 Total PE 2,380 Geleen Netherlands Propylene 485 Munchsmunster Germany Propylene 250 Berre France Propylene 250 Total propylene 985 Germany Gelsenkirchen Polypropylene 325 Netherlands Geleen Polypropylene 350 Netherlands Geleen Polypropylene 250 Spain Tarragona Polypropylene 270 Spain Tarragona Polypropylene 120 United Kingdom Carrington Polypropylene 230 France Berre Polypropylene 340 Total PP 1,885 Source: Argus Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Viewpoint: Asia energy storage to accelerate in 2026
Viewpoint: Asia energy storage to accelerate in 2026
Singapore, 7 January (Argus) — Stronger government signals and new industry initiatives to support energy storage systems (ESS) in Asia-Pacific are set to accelerate deployments, creating ripple effects across the battery and lithium market in 2026 as participants eye a new growth engine. ESS deployment remains uneven across Asia-Pacific. China accounts for 88pc of the region's 85GW capacity in 2024, according to industry group Energy Institute. The remainder is concentrated mainly in Australia and South Korea. These countries aim to scale up ESS buildout further. China is targeting 180GW of capacity by 2027, while South Korea plans to reach 2.22GW capacity by 2029. Australia has committed A$500mn ($337.75mn) to expanding local battery manufacturing. Other Asian nations are also picking up pace. Vietnam is targeting up to 16.3GW of ESS by 2030, while Malaysia launched its first 400MW auction this year. Governments are increasingly supporting integrated renewables and battery projects. India and the Philippines awarded such projects this year; Australia is auctioning dispatchable clean power contracts , and Malaysia intends to do this year, according to lawmakers. "In Asia-Pacific, while spot markets exist in some jurisdictions, most markets still lack mature price signals and ancillary service frameworks needed for merchant energy storage investment," nonprofit EnergyTag's Asia Pacific head Shailesh Telang told Argus . ESS deployment is still primarily backed by tenders, subsidies, regulated tariffs, or state-supported procurement, Telang noted. "Over time, market forces can take over, but today policy remains the primary driver," he said. Industry initiatives could further support growth. Regional advocacy group Fessia launched in September and will initially focus on smoothing policy for ESS deployment and bankability in Vietnam and the Philippines. Corporate standard-setter Greenhouse Gas Protocol is also consulting on switching from annual to hourly matching of clean power purchases . The requirement could spur demand for nighttime clean energy — and, in turn, batteries. But the clause is hotly debated and could feature leeway for smaller industries and emerging economies. Meanwhile, the South Korean government's first ESS central contract market auction in 2025 drew intense interest, selecting eight operators out of 51 proposals for 563MW of ESS capacity — largely concentrated on the mainland. A second auction round followed later. South Korea's ESS momentum, driven by its 2029 capacity target, aligns with domestic battery makers' pivot from electric vehicles. Top battery maker LG Energy Solution's (LGES) plans to produce lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) ESS batteries domestically, citing the domestic energy ecosystem, starting with 1GWh. South Korean battery makers' ESS focus will likely intensify as the US EV market slows. Leading firms such as Samsung SDI, LGES, and SK On have all redirected resources to tap the ESS market, particularly in the US, given the data centre and renewable energy build-out. Their once EV-dedicated lines are increasingly repurposed to produce ESS as EV market uncertainty lingers. LFP reality sets in Chinese-dominated LFP chemistry continues to see surging adoption in South Korea , which has firmly stepped into the space and closed multiple LFP ESS supply deals in 2025. But China's dominant position in LFP still appears immovable, thanks partly to the scale of its domestic ESS and EV markets. The Chinese government is on track to more than double its new energy storage capacity to 180GW by the end of 2027 from 2024, it said in an action plan . Strong growth persists among Chinese domestic energy storage firms such as Eve Energy, Cornex, Envision, Great Power Energy and Technology, and Hithium, commented a Chinese battery recycler — though the sector remains overshadowed by industry giant CATL. Anticipation of robust ESS growth in China for 2026 — where Argus heard estimates between 30-100pc across multiple analysts and market participants — reflects varying degrees of optimism. Yet, one consensus stands out among market participants: ESS growth is confirmed and is dominating lithium market discussions near the end of 2025, supporting lithium prices and injecting fresh hope for market expansion. By Joseph Ho and Liang Lei Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Viewpoint: Waste feedstock demand grows with RED III
Viewpoint: Waste feedstock demand grows with RED III
The Hague, 5 January (Argus) — European waste feedstock demand is set to rise in 2026, supported by higher targets under the EU's new Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and the Netherlands' shift to greenhouse gas (GHG)-based mandates. The Netherlands is moving to a GHG savings target without multipliers, while Germany is phasing out double-counting of certain fuels made from feedstocks listed in Annex IX Part A (9A) of RED III. As a result, GHG savings of biofuels and their feedstocks will become the key compliance driver in both countries next year. Caps on Annex IX Part B (9B) feedstocks — such as used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow categories 1 and 2 — are pushing obligated parties towards 9A feedstocks, broadening and fragmenting the sourcing pool. UCO supply and pricing outlook Demand looks well supported heading into 2026, driven by rising mandates and EU-wide frameworks outside RED III, such as ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime, now entering their second year. Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producers are expected to dominate UCO procurement this year, with strong margins and firmer obligations pulling more feedstock into hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathways. Most market participants expect UCO prices to remain broadly stable into the first quarter of 2026, with negotiations pointing to similar levels as late 2025. Some upside risk could emerge if China brings online a planned 500,000 t/yr of SAF capacity in 2026, boosting domestic UCO demand and pushing seaborne prices higher. At the same time, additional Chinese SAF supply — not subject to EU anti-dumping duties unlike HVO and biodiesel — could pressure European prices lower, tightening the SAF/UCO spread and squeezing margins. UCO's high GHG savings continue to underpin demand even as double-counting disappears from Dutch compliance, though it remains in Mediterranean countries in 2026. European UCO methyl ester (Ucome) producers will be squeezed if UCO costs rise, but Germany's removal of double-counting for most 9A feedstocks could support some domestic Ucome demand. Advanced feedstocks gain traction Higher RED III 9A sub-targets are accelerating advanced biofuel uptake and reshaping a fragmented feedstock landscape. Buying interest for 9A-listed food waste oil (FWO) rose in the fourth quarter of 2025, alongside steady demand for soapstock acid oils (SSAO). Forestry-based crude tall oil (CTO) is gaining traction on strong Nordic supply and new co-processing investments, including Neste's European Commission-funded project in Finland . Technical corn oil (TCO), a high GHG-savings ethanol by-product, continues to expand beyond Germany, where it is classified as advanced and eligible for quota generation. But treatment remains uneven across the EU — TCO is not listed as advanced in the Netherlands, with the Dutch Emissions Authority yet to clarify its status. Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) is also drawing attention as a marine blendstock and co-processing feed. Regulatory uncertainty persists over cover and intermediate crops — such as camelina and carinata — as their use depends on how member states classify them under RED III during national transpositions. Tighter Pome oil outlook Palm oil mill effluent (Pome) oil faces regulatory pressure across Europe, including in Ireland, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands, as authorities deepen investigations into traceability and origin verification. Ireland excluded Pome-based advanced biofuels from receiving additional renewable fuel certificates from 1 July last year, while Portugal removed ISP energy-tax exemption for Pome oil and empty palm fruit bunches, though both retained double-counting status. Germany's cabinet-approved RED III draft allows crediting of Pome-based biofuels placed on the market before 2027, reversing expectations of a full exclusion in 2026. The additional year could stimulate compliance-driven buying, levelling the playing field across feedstocks. This regulatory change may lead to firmer demand in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) hub, a key entry point for feedstock flows into Germany. Supply uncertainty remains. Indonesian policies to divert material into the domestic biodiesel pool have already firmed prices, with further constraints expected as the country moves toward a B50 biodiesel blend programme in the second half of 2026 and advances plans to scale waste-based SAF output to 1mn kl/yr by 2030. With limited new collection capacity and sustained European demand, Pome oil is expected to stay structurally tight in 2026, supporting a higher price floor. By Anna Prokhorova Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Viewpoint: Brazil methanol market adapts to spot price
Viewpoint: Brazil methanol market adapts to spot price
Sao Paulo, 2 January (Argus) — New import flows of methanol from Russia and Oman in 2025 have increased the competitiveness of the product offered in Brazil's spot market. Methanol cargoes from these origins began arriving at Brazilian ports in May, contributing to an oversupply in the market. Imports from the two origins totaled 72,574t in November, data from Brazilian trade ministry Mdic show. The volume represents 7pc of the total 1mn t imported during the month, which increased methanol spot market activity and pressured competitors to lower their prices. But negotiations for larger discounts on methanol supply contracts will likely limit more significant gains for the spot market this year. The widening price gap between prompt-delivery and forward contracts has led biodiesel plants to negotiate bigger methanol discounts. Biodiesel plants use methanol as a reagent to transform vegetable oils or animal fats into the fuel, a process known as transesterification, and the segment accounts for about half of the methanol purchases in Brazil. The standard negotiation pattern for plants involved average discounts of 44pc for prices set by major suppliers, but in late 2025, biodiesel producers began demanding discounts close to 50pc or more, a trend likely to continue into 2026. Some biodiesel plants intend to increase their share of spot purchases and seek to take advantage of recent price opportunities, but contract volumes still represent most of the market. The price differential between the two purchasing methods increased by 75pc to $181.55/metric tonne (t) in December from $103.72/t in June, Argus data show. Methanol producers, which trade mainly based on contracts, say that spot market levels are unsustainable for maintaining medium to long-term operations. The excess of product availability is also supported by stronger fraud-prevention measures, delays in implementing new biodiesel blending mandates and a sharper-than-expected slowdown in biodiesel sales. Biodiesel plants did not keep up with the increase in methanol imports. The delay in raising the mandatory blend of biodiesel into diesel to 15pc from 14pc affected producers, as the increase was initially expected in March but only implemented in August. Methanol demand from plants grew by 2.5pc in January-October from the same period in 2024, data from the hydrocarbons regulator ANP show. Shipments to Brazilian ports rose by 6.1pc, data from vessel-tracking platform Kpler show. The Hidden Carbon operation also affected the supply-demand balance by removing a volume of methanol intended for illegal use. The operation, launched at the end of August, uncovered a billion-dollar money-laundering and fuel-adulteration scheme involving the illegal import of methanol through the port of Paranagua, in Parana state. Supply and demand Market participants expect another delay in increasing the biodiesel blending mandate in 2026. Negotiations to renew gas supply contracts — the main feedstock for methanol production — are delayed in Trinidad and Tobago, offering less price clarity going forward, methanol producers said. Escalating US-Venezuela tensions, amid the deployment of US military forces in the Caribbean, and a possible lifting of European and US sanctions against Russia also remain on the radar, as this flow was made possible as the European market closed to Russian suppliers because of the Ukraine conflict. Distributors of Russian product argue that the route to Brazil is now consolidated. Shipments from Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela accounted for about half of the methanol landed in Brazil in 2025. Companies based in the same current import origins, which have not yet entered the Brazilian market, are considering joining this segment. But the highly competitive and falling methanol price may hinder progress in the coming months. From a demand perspective, expectations point to greater biodiesel sector consumption. Brazilian energy research bureau Epe projects nearly 6pc growth in biodiesel production to 180,000 b/d in 2026. The estimate assumes the maintenance of the current 15pc biodiesel blend mandate in diesel. Despite the likely delay in increasing the blend, biodiesel producers are maintaining investment plans in new plants, aiming at growing demand in the coming years. By Fernando Ladeira Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.