Industry Trends

November 2020

See what has been happening in Asia’s petrochemicals, agrochemicals, automotive, bio energy, and mining industries over the last weeks. What are experts and industry magazines talking about?

What has been happening?

First Hyperloop passengers, Extended battery life, Underwater navigation system powered by sound, and more. See what journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Latest Industry Articles

Virgin Hyperloop carries its first passengers
The Construction Index

Virgin Hyperloop chief technology officer & co-founder Josh Giegel and Sara Luchian, director of passenger experience, were the first to experience the new form of transportation. The test took place at Virgin Hyperloop’s 500m-long DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, USA, where the company has previously run over 400 unoccupied tests. The two-person test pod reached 107mph.
Extending battery life in smartphones, electric cars
ScienceDaily

A researcher is working to make portable devices and electric vehicles stay charged longer by extending the life of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries powering them. He is doing this by making the batteries more efficient, with some of his latest work focusing on keeping the anode from falling apart over time.
An underwater navigation system powered by sound
ScienceDaily

GPS isn’t waterproof. The navigation system depends on radio waves, which break down rapidly in liquids, including seawater. To track undersea objects like drones or whales, researchers rely on acoustic signaling. But devices that generate and send sound usually require batteries — bulky, short-lived batteries that need regular changing. Could we do without them?
Portugal looks to ban palm oil for biofuels by January 1, 2022
Biofuels Digest

In Portugal, the Portuguese government, in the context of discussion of the State Budget for 2021, decided that during 2021 steps should be taken to restrict the commercialization of fuels and the production of biofuels containing palm oil from January 1, 2022. The shift is in line with the European decision to ban the use of palm oil for biofuels which has led producers such as Malaysia and Indonesia to file complaints with the World Trade Organization against the policy.
Thailand approves tax incentives to lure EV production
Paul Tan’s Automotive News

Governments across ASEAN are battling it out for foreign investment, and even better if it’s in sectors that are viewed as future. Electric cars are certainly in that category. Indonesia, which has reserves of elements needed to make EV batteries, has made moves to promote EVs, and is even talking to Tesla regarding potential investment. Toyota has already stated its plan to making EVs in the republic, while Hyundai and LG Chem are mulling a battery plant in the region’s biggest country.
Petronas announces net zero target by 2050 with eye on non-traditional biofuels
Biofuels Digest In Malaysia, on the heels of BP’s move that shook the oil industry, Platts reports that Petronas has announced it too wants to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company CEO said it will focus on “nature-based” solutions, undoubtedly doubling down on its biofuel investments, production and continued R&D, including keeping an eye on “some non-traditional biofuels”.
China targets 20% share of new energy vehicle sales by 2025
MINING.com

The Chinese government has launched a new energy vehicle (NEV) industry development plan that will see NEV sales account for 20% of the country’s total vehicle sales by 2025. The plan, which covers the period from 2021 to 2035, will also see battery-electric vehicles dominating new vehicle sales by 2035. By that time, China’s goal is to have all of its public transport running on electric power.
Philippines Okays Drilling in South China Sea
Rigzone.com

The Philippines said oil exploration in the disputed South China Sea can proceed without China, in what could be a further sign of the Southeast Asian nation’s tougher stance against Beijing.
Indonesian firms to form EV battery production JV
Paul Tan’s Automotive News

A group of Indonesian state-owned companies are to form a joint venture for the production of electric vehicle batteries, according to a Reuters report. The new venture will be named Indonesia Battery Holding, and it will consist of state miners Mining Industry Indonesia (Mind ID) and Aneka Tambang (Antam), state ulility firm Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and state oil company Pertamina, said Mind ID chief executive Orias Petrus Moedak.
Indonesia to develop circular economy for EVs, boost battery industry
The Jakarta Post

Indonesia expects the local automotive industry to begin domestic EV production by 2021 or 2022 to reach the target of exporting 200,000 electric cars by 2025.
Philippines shuts door on new coal power proposals
Bangkokpost.com

The Philippines has stopped accepting new proposals for coal-based power projects to encourage investment in other energy sources like natural gas and renewables, the government’s energy chief said on Wednesday.
Korea-Myanmar Industrial Complex estimated to create 100,000 jobs
Myanmar Business Today

Development the Korea-Myanmar Industrial Zone will create around 100,000 jobs, U Han Zaw, Union Minister of the Ministry of Construction said during the first meeting of the Coordination Committee for Development of Korea-Myanmar Industrial Complex. “KMIC project will create around 100,000 jobs supporting the economic development of the Yangon Region,” he said.
Arkema issues green bond for biobased polyamide 11 plant
Biofuels Digest

In France, chemical producer Arkema has issued its first green bond to raise cash for a previously announced biobased polyamide 11 production site in Singapore. Trade named Rilsan, the polyamide 11 is made from castor oil. The €300 million ($353 million) will also be used to build capacity for Rilsan’s biobased amino monomer precursor. The production plants are set to come online in 2022.

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