Hormuz blockade puts global supply chains under pressure

Germany mainly affected indirectly

20-Mar-2026 - The current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz - one of the most important shipping routes for the global oil trade - is becoming an increasing risk for the global economy. A new study by the Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria (ASCII), the Complexity Science Hub (CSH) and TU Delft shows ...

Researchers analyse future European energy demand for battery cell production

Electric mobility and stationary energy storage: Strengthening local battery supply chains will require a substantial amount of energy in Europe

18-Sep-2025 - Europe accounts for around 25 percent of global electric vehicle sales. Despite the high demand, only around 6.8 percent of the energy required for cell production is currently supplied in Europe. Most of the energy is imported in the form of materials and battery cells. A team led by Prof Simon ...

Which research and innovation approaches can help the EU achieve a sustainable supply of critical raw materials

Three sets of measures for greater independence on the raw materials market

23-Jul-2024 - Raw materials are crucial resources when it comes to prosperity and quality of life in the European Union. However, various raw materials are categorized as critical due to the uncertain supply situation. Through research and innovation, the European Union can improve its supply of critical raw ...

The energy and mobility transition: Sending demand for critical raw materials soaring

Demand for important minerals such as lithium, nickel and copper will be as much as 15 times higher in 2040 than in 2020

19-Apr-2024 - The world's industrial base and the global economy are undergoing a fundamental transition away from fossil fuels towards a carbon-neutral future. The shift to clean energy and electric drivetrains in the automotive and transportation sectors is sending the global demand for certain raw materials ...

ACME Group and Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies to jointly explore hydrogen value chains from Oman to Europe

10-Apr-2024 - ACME Group and German pioneer in Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC), Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a feasibility study to explore the joint development of large-scale hydrogen supply chains from ACME’s projects in Oman to ...

Chemical industry to partner with Siemens for pilot to decarbonize its supply chain

Together for Sustainability – an initiative of 47 chemical companies

17-May-2023 - Together for Sustainability (TfS) and Siemens are announcing a partnership on decarbonization to advance the overall sustainability of the chemical industry. TfS is a global initiative to promote sustainability in the chemical industry’s supply chain, consisting of 47 international companies, ...

First UK study of synthetic chemicals found in food

16-Sep-2022 - The first comprehensive assessment of common synthetic chemicals found in UK foods has been completed by researchers at the University of Birmingham. In the study, nearly 400 food samples were tested for evidence of organophosphate esters (OPEs) – chemicals used as flame retardants in furnishings ...

Initial funding to kick off waste-to-chemistry project in Rotterdam

19-Feb-2018 - A consortium of companies comprising Air Liquide, AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, Enerkem and the Port of Rotterdam hassigned a project development agreement covering initial investments in an advanced waste-to-chemistry facility in Rotterdam. The facility will be the first of its kind in Europe ...

Ethical sourcing of materials for modern technology

13-Nov-2017 - Researchers from the Camborne School of Mines have identified methods to predict the environmental and social cost of resourcing new deposits of rare earth minerals used in the production of mobile phones, wind turbines and electric vehicles. The team are pioneering techniques to develop the ...

BASF and Norilsk Nickel enter exclusive negotiations

Cooperation on raw material supply for battery materials production

28-Jun-2017 - BASF and PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and entered exclusive negotiations to cooperate on the supply of raw materials for future battery materials production for lithium-ion batteries in Europe. BASF intends to invest up to €400 million in a ...