China's agar-agar market started January softer, reflecting post-holiday inventory relief and softer export inquiries. Early-month buyers pared spot purchases after year-end replenishment, while mid-month regulatory inspections paused output at several small coastal workshops. Adequate harvests and steady tariffs helped ease near-term costs, and finished goods cover at major warehouses lengthened as biotech restocking lagged. In response, suppliers adjusted FOB levels in Xiamen to defend share into February. Demand stayed uneven across end users, with export markets remaining soft for confectionery and dairy, while domestic food processors held steadier. Overseas demand weakened as export buyers in the United States and Japan trimmed spot purchases, and food-grade LC openings fell to mid-single digits. Domestic purchases by nutraceutical gummy manufacturers and plant-based yoghurt producers stayed largely consistent, accounting for a meaningful portion of demand. Processor utilization remained near the high end of typical ranges, while routine inspections constrained only a small portion of supply. Near-term outlook suggests gradual gains into spring, softer summer.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
