August 2026 Chemical Industry Highlights & Exhibition News

1. National Carbon Market to Expand to Petrochemical & Chemical Industries

Source: Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Xinhua (2026-08-14)

On August 13, Vice Minister Li Gao announced at a State Council Information Office press conference that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the national carbon emissions trading market will expand from its current four sectors (power, steel, cement, aluminum smelting) to include petrochemical and chemical industries, achieving effective control over approximately 80% of national CO2 emissions. This will profoundly impact production cost structures and carbon management strategies across the chemical industry.

2. China First Chemical Industry Vertical AI Safety Model FORUS Released

Source: Science and Technology Daily (2026-08-03)

China National Chemical Corporation (Sinochem) released FORUS, China first vertical-domain safety large language model for the chemical industry. The model deeply integrates safety production data and management experience across the entire chemical industry chain, transforming regulations, technical standards, and accident cases into reasoning-based intelligent capabilities for automatic hazard identification and safety risk early warning.

3. Synthetic Ammonia Prices Hit 5-Year Low, Exports at Record High

Source: China Chemical Industry News, CEI (2026-08-14)

Driven by capacity expansion, weak domestic demand, and geopolitical conflicts, synthetic ammonia prices fell to a 5-year low. As of July 31, the domestic average price was RMB 2,055/ton, near the cost line. H1 average spot price was RMB 2,247/ton, down 6.53% year-on-year. Exports reached a historic high in the first half.

4. Green Ammonia Project Phase I Successfully Completed

Source: Xinhua Daily Media (2026-08-10)

The Phase I of the Guohua Investment Green Port Hydrogen City 100,000-ton/year green ammonia synthesis project, EPC-contracted by China Chengda, successfully completed intermediate handover. This milestone marks the completion of installation work and entry into the commissioning and trial operation phase.

5. Novel Microbial Photosynthesis System for Efficient Chemical Production

Source: Xinhua News Agency (2026-08-16)

Researchers at the University of Turku, Finland, have developed a novel photosynthesis system that immobilizes photosynthetic microorganisms on nanocellulose films, enabling more efficient chemical production than previous microbial photosynthesis systems. This research offers new approaches for green chemical production.

6. Three Ministries Launch Energy & Carbon Efficiency Leader Selection

Source: Xinhua (2026-08-04)

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, National Development and Reform Commission, and State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued a notice to launch the 2026 Energy and Carbon Efficiency Leader enterprise selection. This initiative adds carbon efficiency assessment alongside the existing energy efficiency leader program.

Exhibition Information

23rd China International Chemical Industry Fair (ICIF China 2026)

Founded in 1992, ICIF China has developed over 34 years and successfully held 22 editions, becoming a leading global platform for the petroleum and chemical industry. This edition focuses on chemical new materials, green chemistry, and intelligent manufacturing.

Compiled: August 17, 2026 | Kstore Biochemical Co., LTD