Superbright chips – Twelve Innovative Start-ups Spearheading the Defossilization of the Plastics Industry Plastics Europe Germany, the leading association of plastics producers, has unveiled the twelve finalists of its “Towards Zero” start-up competition 28-04-2025 - Archive
Superbright chips
| Polyestertime | |||
| ITEM | 21/04/2025 | 28/04/2025 | +/- |
| Bottle grade PET chips domestic market | 5,630 yuan/ton | 5,800 yuan/ton | +170 |
| Bottle grade PET chips export market | 735 $/ton | 744 $/ton | +9 |
| LDPE CFR Est China | 1,065 $/ton | 1,065 $/ton | – |
| PET Semidull Fiber chips
PET Bright |
5,510 yuan/ton
5,520 yuan/ton |
5,650 yuan/ton
5,660 yuan/ton |
+140
+140 |
| Pure Terephthalic Acid PTA domestic market
Superbright chips |
4,345 yuan/ton | 4,590 yuan/ton |
+245 |
| Pure Terephthalic Acid PTA FOB China | 552 $/ton | 557 $/ton | +5 |
| Monoethyleneglycol MEG South China | 4,400 yuan/ton | 4,380 yuan/ton |
-20 |
| Monoethyleneglycol MEG CFR China | 500 $/ton | 480 $/to | -20 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB Taiwan market | 728 $/ton | 740 $/ton |
+12 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB Korea market | 718 $/ton | 730 $/ton | +12 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB EU market | 755 $/ton | 767 $/ton | +12 |
| Polyester filament POY 150D/48F domestic market | 6,300 yuan/ton | 6,400 yuan/ton |
+100 |
| Recycled Polyester filament POY domestic market | 6,150 yuan/ton | 6,150 yuan/ton | – |
| Polyester filament DTY 150D/48 F domestic market | 7,550 yuan/ton | 7,650 yuan/ton | +100 |
| Polyester filament FDY 68D24F | 7,250 yuan/ton | 7,250 yuan | – |
| Polyester filament FDY 150D/96F domestic market
Superbright chips |
6,550 yuan/ton | 6,550 yuan/ton | – |
| Polyester staple fiber 1.4D 38mm domestic market | 6,450 yuan/ton | 6,350 yuan/ton | -100 |
| Caprolactam CPL domestic market | 9,150 yuan/ton | 8,900 yuan/ton |
-250 |
| Caprolactam CPL CFR China | 1,340 $/ton | 1,310 $/ton | -30 |
| Nylon 6 chips overseas market | North America: $2.93/kg
Europe: $2.36/kg Northeast Asia: $1.74/kg Southeast Asia: $1.81/kg Middle East: $1.88/kg |
North America $2.80 Europe $2.40 Northeast Asia $1.65 Southeast Asia $1.79 Middle East $1.82
|
– |
| Nylon 6 chips conventional spinning domestic market | 10,050 yuan/ton | 9,750 yuan/ton | -300 |
| Nylon 6 chips high speed spinning domestic market | 10,800 yua/ton | 10,550 yuan/ton | -250 |
| Nylon 6.6 chips domestic market | 16,200 yuan/ton | 16,300 yuan/ton | +100 |
| Nylon6 Filament POY 86D/24F domestic market | 12,900 yuan/ton | 12,500 yuan/ton | -400 |
| Nylon6 Filament DTY 70D/24F domestic market | 15,500 yuan/ton | 14,900 yuan/ton | -600 |
| Nylon6 Filament FDY 70D/24F | 14,000 yuan/ton | 13,800 yuan/ton | -200 |
| -Spandex 20D domestic marke | 27,300 yuan/ton | 27,200 yuan/ton | -100 |
| Spandex 30D domestic market | 26,800 yuan/ton | 26,700 yuan/ton | -100 |
| Spandex 40D domestic market | 23,600 yuan/ton | 23,500 yuan/ton | -100 |
| Adipic Acid China domestic market | 7,300 yuan/ton | 7,150 yuan/ton | -150 |
| Benzene domestic market East China | 6,250 yuan/ton | 6,000 yuan/ton | -250 |
| Benzene CFR China | 760 $/ton | 739 $/ton | -21 |
| Ethylene South East market | 870 $/ton | 870 $/ton | – |
| Ethylene NWE market CIF | 818 $/ton | 806 $/ton | -12 |
| Acrylonitrile ACN domestic market | 8,600 yuan/ton | 8,300 yuan/ton | -300 |
| Acrylonitrile ACN Acrylonitrile Southeast Asia | 1,250 $/ton |
1,250 $/ton |
– |
| Acrylic staple fiber ASF CFR China | 14,700 yuan/ton | 14,700 yuan/ton | – |
| VSF viscose staple fiber | 13,300 yuan/ton | 13,150 yuan/ton | -150 |
| PP Powder domestic market | 7,030 yuan/ton | 7,020 yuan/ton | -10 |
| Naphtha overseas market | 550 $/ton | 548 $/ton | -2 |
| Phenol domestic market
Jinan Dezheng Chemical Co., LtdYanshan Petrochemical Shandong Province |
6,945 yuan/ton | 6,783 yuan/ton | -162 |
recycled PET = 4,000 yuan/ton — 4,100 yuan/ton +100
Superbright chips
CATL Pushes Battery‑Swap Forward With Ten New Choco‑SEB‑Ready EVs
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) used the Shanghai Auto Show to showcase ten fresh electric‑vehicle models—developed with FAW, Changan, BAIC, Chery and GAC—that all accept CATL’s Choco‑SEB swappable battery packs. The reveal marks a decisive stride toward a common, cross‑brand battery‑swap standard and underscores the flexibility of CATL’s modular system.
Why Battery Swap Matters
Battery swapping tackles two of the biggest friction points in EV adoption:
- Time: A depleted pack can be exchanged for a charged one in roughly the time it takes to fuel an ICE car.
- Cost flexibility: Drivers can buy the car but subscribe to the battery, slashing the sticker price and letting technology upgrades happen “invisibly” at the swap station. Superbright chips
By persuading multiple carmakers to join the club, CATL is betting that the economics of shared infrastructure will accelerate uptake—much the way standardized fuel nozzles enabled the global gasoline network.
Two Pack “Octanes”: 20# and 25#
Think of Choco‑SEB like gasoline grades. Instead of 95 or 100 octane, you choose pack size:
| Pack | Chemistry | Capacity | Designed Range | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20# | LFP | 42 kWh | up to 400 km | city cars, compacts |
| NMC | 52 kWh | up to 500 km | longer urban commutes | |
| 25# | LFP | 56 kWh | up to 500 km | midsize sedans, crossovers |
| NMC | 70 kWh | up to 600 km | highway‑heavy driving |
LFP = lithium iron phosphate (lower cost, longer life).
NMC = nickel‑manganese‑cobalt (higher energy density).
CATL’s engineering target is a 20 km real‑world range per battery “block” inside each modular case. Drivers can therefore size their subscription to their habits—one block for daily errands, more for road trips—without changing vehicles. Superbright chips
Subscription Pricing: Pay‑As‑You‑Drive
Instead of purchasing a battery outright, motorists can rent it on a rolling plan:
- 20# LFP
- ¥469 /month (~€56) for unlimited kilometres
- ¥369 /month (~€44) capped at 3 000 km
- 25# LFP
- ¥599 /month (~€72) unlimited
- ¥499 /month (~€60) 3 000 km cap
That flexibility flattens the upfront cost of an EV while shielding owners from long‑term degradation concerns—a model that mirrors the smartphone world’s “device + data plan.”
Scaling the Swap Network
CATL’s Evogo stations—compact, automated cubes reminiscent of Nio’s Power Swap depots—already operate in 16 Chinese cities. The roadmap:
- By 2025: 1 000 stations in 30 cities
- Rollout partners: GAC Group is the latest to commit not only to Choco‑SEB‑ready cars but also to co‑funding station construction and fleet‑level battery‑management services. Superbright chips
Every new OEM on board means more compatible vehicles feeding the same infrastructure, boosting utilisation rates—vital for profitability.
How Choco‑SEB Differs From Competitors
- Modularity: One vehicle can take multiple Choco blocks, so energy capacity scales with the trip.
- Chemistry choice: Drivers can mix and match LFP (durability, lower cost) or NMC (long range) without swapping cars.
- Open ecosystem: By courting five major automakers at once, CATL is positioning Choco‑SEB as an industry‑wide standard rather than a walled garden.
Implications for Global Markets
While the pilot remains China‑centric, lessons learned will shape export strategy:
- Europe: Dense urban corridors and strict charging‑station quotas could make quick‑swap a tempting alternative to curb‑side chargers. Superbright chips
- South‑East Asia & India: Two‑ and three‑wheeler fleets already embrace battery swapping; a passenger‑car solution could piggyback on that familiarity.
- North America: Long‑distance road culture demands ubiquitous DC fast‑charging, but fleet operators—taxis, ride‑hail, last‑mile delivery—could deploy depot‑based swaps to boost vehicle uptime.
What to Watch Next
- Standard‑setting: Will more Chinese OEMs sign on, forcing regulators to enshrine Choco‑SEB as a national spec?
- Cost curves: As station density rises, average wait times and per‑swap costs should fall—key data points investors will track.
- Second‑life applications: Retired blocks could head to stationary storage farms, improving total lifecycle economics. Superbright chips
- Software layer: Expect CATL to roll out an app that guides drivers to the nearest station, reserves a bay and handles subscription billing seamlessly.
Bottom Line
CATL’s unveiling of ten Choco‑SEB‑compatible EVs—backed by a consortium of major Chinese brands—signals that battery swapping is no longer a science fair demo but a rapidly maturing business model. By offering two pack sizes, multiple chemistries and Netflix‑style subscription pricing, the company is building a platform designed to scale far beyond China’s borders. If the roadmap holds—1 000 operational stations by 2025—swapping could become as familiar as topping up at a petrol pump, rewriting the rules of EV convenience worldwide. Superbright chips
Twelve Innovative Start-ups Spearheading the Defossilization of the Plastics Industry
Plastics Europe Germany, the leading association of plastics producers, has unveiled the twelve finalists of its “Towards Zero” start-up competition.
These pioneering companies will present their groundbreaking solutions at K 2025, the world’s premier plastics trade fair, held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Their innovations showcase promising pathways to reduce the plastics industry’s reliance on finite fossil resources like oil and gas. Superbright chips
The “Towards Zero” competition specifically sought out ideas that champion a circular economy for plastics, actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain, and promote the replacement of fossil-based feedstocks in production processes.
Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Germany, emphasizes the vital role of start-ups in driving the industry’s sustainable future. “Start-ups provide crucial impulses for the future of our industry,” she states. “The finalists clearly demonstrate how the plastics sector can operate with fewer fossil resources and highlight the diverse and innovative solutions required to truly transform our production processes.”
The twelve finalists will compete in two distinct categories, showcasing the breadth of innovation within the sector. Superbright chips
Newcomer Stage: Fresh Ideas from Emerging Start-ups
In the morning session, burgeoning start-ups will take the Newcomer Stage to present their early-stage yet impactful concepts:
- AES: This company is developing modular and scalable chemical recycling units. These units offer a localized solution for converting plastic waste back into reusable oil directly at the point of waste generation, significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation of waste.
- coiss: coiss specializes in smart, plug-and-play sensor technology. Their innovative sensors can be easily integrated into existing machinery, providing a digital retrofit that helps manufacturers minimize operational downtime and achieve substantial reductions in overall energy consumption. Superbright chips
- Moldsonics: Moldsonics offers advanced ultrasonic sensor technology designed to enhance the precision of plastic processing machinery. By improving accuracy, their sensors contribute to a significant decrease in waste generation, energy usage, and raw material consumption during plastic manufacturing.
- Osphim: Osphim is leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop specialized software for plastics converters. This intelligent software assists manufacturers in seamlessly integrating higher percentages of recycled materials into their processes. Furthermore, it helps optimize energy consumption, even in complex and demanding applications.
- Radicaldot: Radicaldot has developed an energy-efficient chemical recycling process. This technology efficiently breaks down plastic waste to produce basic chemicals. These recovered chemicals can then partially replace traditional fossil raw materials in the initial stages of new plastics production, fostering a more circular approach. Superbright chips
- s1seven: s1seven provides solutions for digital material passports. These digital records offer comprehensive transparency regarding the origin, material composition, and carbon footprint of plastics. This detailed information is crucial for enabling high-quality and effective recycling processes.
Big Fish Stage: Market-Ready Innovations from Established Start-ups
In the afternoon, the spotlight will shift to the ‘Big Fish’ – start-ups that have successfully moved beyond the initial stages and have already brought their innovative solutions to the market:
- Carbon Minds: Carbon Minds offers data-driven insights into the emissions associated with plastic production. By providing accurate and comprehensive emissions data, they empower companies to make informed decisions and effectively reduce their overall environmental footprint
- ECO2GROW: ECO2GROW facilitates access to affordable green electricity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Their platform enables SMEs to purchase renewable energy directly from producers at fixed rates, mirroring the purchasing power and cost benefits typically enjoyed by major industrial customers. Superbright chips
- MacroCycle: MacroCycle operates advanced, energy-efficient chemical recycling facilities. Their technology enables the infinite recycling of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) without any degradation in the material’s quality, offering a true closed-loop solution for this widely used plastic.
- Paques Biomaterials: Paques Biomaterials focuses on the production of biodegradable plastics derived from various organic waste streams. Their innovative approach directly replaces the need for fossil raw materials in plastics production, offering a sustainable alternative with end-of-life benefits.
- Polymerize: Polymerize utilizes an AI-powered platform to accelerate research and development within materials science. Their technology improves outcomes in plastic product design and performance by optimizing material selection and accelerating innovation cycles. Superbright chips
- sykell: sykell has developed ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software specifically designed to support circular business models. Their software enables the efficient return and reuse of packaging and materials, streamlining processes and promoting resource efficiency.
Thomas Franken, Director of the K Trade Fair and co-organizer of the pitch, highlights the comprehensive representation of the value chain among the finalists. “The finalists of the start-up competition represent every stage of the value chain, from plastics production and converting to machinery and recycling,” he explains. “And that’s exactly what we need. The defossilization of the plastics industry can only succeed if all parts of the value chain work together in a coordinated and collaborative manner.” Superbright chips
The competition will be expertly moderated by Martin Bellof, Lead Ventures & Partnering of the start-up platform chemstars. chemstars is an open innovation platform initiated by leading companies in the chemical industry and the Association of the Chemical Industry of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Their involvement underscores the industry’s commitment to fostering and supporting groundbreaking innovation in the pursuit of a more sustainable future for plastics.
