Macroeconomics

1. [Manufacturing Sector Resists Overcompetition] The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology held its 18th manufacturing enterprise symposium.  Representatives from 12 companies in key industries such as steel, non-ferrous metals, new materials, automobiles, machinery, shipbuilding, light industry, pharmaceuticals, and electronics participated. The meeting emphasized actively participating in industry rule-making and self-regulatory mechanisms, and consciously resisting "overcompetition."

2. [US CPI] Data released by the US Department of Labor showed that the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% month-on-month in December 2025. Data for the previous two months was not released due to the federal government shutdown; the year-on-year CPI increase was 2.7%.

3. [Electricity Consumption] The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that US electricity consumption will increase by 1% in 2027, representing the first consecutive increase in electricity demand since 2007 and the strongest four-year growth period since 2000. The EIA added: "The main driver of this surge is the increasing demand from large data centers."

Plastics and Rubber

1. [PE] On January 13th, the operating status of Yangzi Petrochemical's PE plant was as follows: the 200,000-ton full-density unit is preparing for startup; the 120,000-ton HDPE A line is producing 5515TH; the 80,000-ton HDPE B line is producing 5201T; and the 70,000-ton HDPE C line is producing 5000S. Yangzi Petrochemical (East China Branch) LLDPE 7042 is quoted at 6,700 RMB/ton, an increase of 250 RMB/ton; HDPE 5000S is quoted at 6,900 RMB/ton, an increase of 50 RMB/ton.

2. [BR] On January 13th, the butadiene rubber market in Northwest China rose, with traders slightly increasing their offers by 50-100 RMB/ton. Currently, the mainstream price for butadiene rubber from Sichuan, Dushanzi, and Lande is 12,000-12,500 RMB/ton.

3. [SBR] On January 13th, the styrene butadiene rubber market in Northwest China rose. Downstream buyers are inquiring and stocking up, and market transactions are fair. Traders increased their offers by 100 RMB/ton, with Jihua 1502 mainstream price at 12,200 RMB/ton.

4. [Natural Rubber] On January 13th, the natural rubber raw material market in Thailand rose: smoked sheet is quoted at 61.40 Thai baht/kg, an increase of 0.10 Thai baht/kg; latex is quoted at 57.50 Thai baht/kg, an increase of 0.50 Thai baht/kg; cup lump is quoted at 53.50 Thai baht/kg, stable.

5. [Natural Rubber] According to the Malaysian Department of Statistics on January 13th, natural rubber exports in November 2025 decreased by 14.7% year-on-year to 37,150 tons, and decreased by 29.8% month-on-month. Of this, 50.8% was exported to China, followed by Germany (15.1%), the UAE (12.5%), the United States (5.7%), and Turkey (2.2%).

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