The Middle East conflict has ignited more than just oil prices.

Currently, the impact of the tense geopolitical situation in the Middle East is gradually spreading from the energy sector to the chemical and high-end manufacturing industries. In Seoul, South Korea, in recent weeks, "Have you been able to buy garbage bags?" has become a somewhat helpless greeting among neighbors in many communities. Due to the influence of the Middle East situation, the essential garbage bags in the daily life of the Korean people have become in short supply in some supermarkets, even selling out. The price of plastic bags in South Korea has risen, and the reason behind this is the sharp decline in the import volume of naphtha, leading to a sharp increase in the price of ethylene used in producing plastic bags. Under the cost pressure brought by this raw material "supply shortage" crisis, many chemical companies around the world have announced price increase plans in March. American chemical giant Dow Chemical has doubled the price increase for polyethylene announced earlier. Germany's WACKER Chemie has raised the prices of its silicone products, involving about 2800 products. In addition, the recent conflict in the Middle East has also brought focus to a colorless and odorless inert gas - helium. Qatar supplies nearly one-third of the world's helium demand. Due to attacks on liquefied natural gas facilities and damage to helium production lines, repairs could take several years, causing the spot price of helium to increase by over 50% in the near future.