M&A in Chemicals: Olin and Huntsman announced an all-stock merger to form OlinHuntsman, a $12.5B North American chemicals player with chlorine “optionality” and polyurethane downstream strength; the deal is expected to close in H1 2027 and targets $400M+ in synergies. Energy & Supply Chains: The Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen after a US-Iran framework deal, but shipping recovery may take weeks or months—raising near-term uncertainty for oil-linked petrochemical inputs used across pharma manufacturing. PFAS & Water Safety: Sanger police warned residents about door-to-door scams offering home water testing for “chemicals,” while broader PFAS scrutiny continues as regulators and advocates push for stronger monitoring and cleanup. Health & Consumer Chemicals: A JAMA-linked study again spotlights sunscreen ingredients absorbed into the bloodstream after a single application, renewing debate over systemic exposure. Agro/Materials Circularity: Bangladesh’s leather sector is urged to turn tannery solid waste into higher-value products like collagen peptides, gelatine, and biodiesel feedstocks. Industrial Tech: Purdue unveiled a next-gen cancer drug discovery platform that integrates synthesis, bio-testing, and mass spectrometry in one automated workflow. Offshore Monitoring: Petrofibre Arabia showcased Saudi-made fibre optic pipeline leak and intrusion detection systems for oil & gas and petrochemical assets.