Algeria has inaugurated a 300-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant in El Oued Province, marking a major step in its renewable energy expansion. The El-Foulia solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, spread across 600 hectares in northeastern Algeria, is the country’s largest solar park to date and forms part of its 3.2-gigawatt (GW) national renewable energy programme. The project will feed solar-generated electricity into the national grid, helping meet rising power demand while reducing natural gas consumption for electricity generation. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore "ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap" 300 MWp facility strengthens Algeria’s solar capacity The inauguration took place on October 26, 2026, in the presence of...
Singapore is exploring solar photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles that could allow heritage buildings to generate clean electricity without compromising their traditional appearance, as the Energy Market Authority (EMA) steps up efforts to advance solar technologies through partnerships with public and private sector organisations. EMA will collaborate with Swiss technology innovation centre CSEM and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to pilot the use of solar PV roof tiles on heritage State buildings. Designed to resemble traditional clay roof tiles, the technology could enable more roof space to generate clean electricity while preserving the overall appearance of historic properties. Traditional clay-tile roofs are an integral part of the character of Singapore’s heritage precincts....
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The August 1 deadline looms just around the corner, and countries across the globe are preparing last-minute either to crack a deal with the US ahead of the reciprocal tariff implementation or to combat the ripple effect of the tariff across supply chains. In the meantime, when the world’s two largest economies, the United States and the European Union, managed to avert a full-throated trade tussle, they did so with what protagonists would call a compromise, and critics dub an asymmetric capitulation. In a high-stakes meeting at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a framework deal with a 15 per cent US tariff on about 70 per cent of EU exports, including cars, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors,...
The Indian aluminium sector continues to strengthen its domestic momentum with a strategic collaboration. Vdeal System Limited, a specialist in electric panels, industrial automation, process instrumentation and industrial IoT solutions, has secured a significant order from National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), India’s leading integrated bauxite, alumina, aluminium and powder producer, for the supply of a TTA panel. The partnership will see the electrical equipment manufacturer supplying auxiliary Type Tested Assembly (TTA) panels to NALCO’s plant power system under a domestic contract valued at approximately INR 1.63 crore (USD 196,386). The order is scheduled for completion by January 21, 2026. This collaboration not only supports the operational efficiency of NALCO but also...
Multinational chemicals giant Kemira has unveiled a major investment for the expansion of its production facility in Tarragona, Spain, with the addition of a new aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH) production line. The investment, with an outlay of USD 23 million, is aimed at responding to the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region for high-performance water treatment chemicals. The new cutting-edge plant will significantly boost Kemira's production capacity for ACH, a very cost-effective coagulant applied to many different water treatment applications. The new line is targeted to start production in early 2028, using technology already tested in the US and Poland. Demand is being fueled by stricter environmental rules, climate change and urbanisation. Sustaining the increasing appetite...
Livium, which previously was known as Lithium Australia, sets its sights on transforming recycled EV batteries into a new source of rare earth materials for future tech supply chains. The firm has initiated discussions with international rare earth element (REE) developers and Australian technology providers to explore extraction solutions, laying the groundwork for potential collaborations and licensing agreements aimed at strengthening REE recycling capabilities. Livium views REE extraction as a strategic extension of its recycling services for enterprise clients, unlocking a significant commercial opportunity. The company highlighted that recycling is expected to contribute to the USD 9.6 billion global addressable REE market by 2026. The company's subsidiary, Envirostream, already...
The Assam government has withdrawn from its proposed solar project, leading to the suspension of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract previously awarded to Waaree Renewable. In a regulatory filing, Waaree Group’s EPC division informed the stock exchange of this development. The project was halted due to funding constraints, making it unviable for the state to proceed. Waaree Renewable Technologies Limited (WRTL) clarified that the Government of Assam had withdrawn the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan intended for the project. As a result, the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) deemed it unfeasible to continue and formally terminated all associated work assigned to the stakeholders. Waaree RTL had secured the contract as part of a consortium of three...
In a major push to power Rajasthan’s clean energy transition, Solex Energy Limited has launched two new high-performance solar modules built specifically for India’s weather conditions. Image for representational purpose The announcement was made at a high-profile event attended by Chairman and Managing Director Chetan Shah, Whole-time Director Piyush Chandak, and Director Vipul Shah. The company’s first offering, the Tapi R, marks India’s inaugural module built with rectangular N-Type TOPCon cells. With a power output between 595–625watts and an impressive 23.14 per cent efficiency, the module uses 132 half-cut rectangular cells to enhance energy generation, boost low-light response, and maintain performance even in high temperatures. The panel also comes with a 12-year product warranty...
With an agreement that expects to reconfigure India’s rare earth supply chain, India’s BatX Energies and Germany’s Rocklink GmbH recently signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design the first fully integrated rare earth magnet recycling and refining ecosystem in India. Announced on July 18, 2025, the cooperative agreement highlights the more comprehensive objectives of enhancing Indo-European cooperation in critical minerals as part of the EU–India Trade and Technology Council (TTC). Image source: Fortune The project aims to tackle an urgent chokepoint in manufacturing clean tech around the world: rare earth elements (REE). The REEs include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. All of these are key materials in electric vehicle motors, generators for...
The United States’ dumping allegation against India has now extended beyond aluminium to include solar panels. Indonesia and Laos are also carrying similar accusations, as a group of US solar panel manufacturers have claimed that an influx of cheap products from these countries is harming the domestic market of solar items. Image source: Britannica On Thursday, July 17, the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade filed a formal petition, citing the surge in imports from Indonesia, Laos, and India intensified following the imposition of steep tariffs of up to 3,500 per cent on solar panels imported from Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The allegation is clear that the countries hit by US tariffs are rerouting their solar exports through these new channels to sidestep...
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) has announced strategic measures to help local manufacturers navigate the growing trade tensions with the US. In response to newly imposed US tariffs, the BoI has ceased promotional incentives for solar panel production, citing the industry's vulnerability to trade shifts and lack of technological advancement. Image for representational purpose According to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BoI, the decision is part of an effort to focus support on higher-tech sectors. Instead of promoting full photovoltaic (PV) panel assembly, the BoI is now encouraging investment in components such as aluminium frames, tempered glass, and silicon solar cells. These component manufacturers continue to benefit from corporate tax breaks and import duty...
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump asserted that the US is “making major progress” in gaining access to the Indian market, attributing the breakthrough to his administration’s increasing use of tariffs to pressure countries into lowering trade barriers. The remarks come amid tensions between Washington and New Delhi, as the US imposes a fresh round of steep tariffs on Indian metal exports and broadens its use of “reciprocal duties” to target what it sees as unfair foreign trade practices. Speaking shortly after announcing a new zero-tariff trade pact with Indonesia, President Trump pointed to the deal as a model for how tariff pressure can yield results. Under the new agreement, American companies will enjoy zero-tariff access to Indonesian markets, while Indonesian exports to the US will...
On this World Youth Skills Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer, has considered each word quite literally. The firm celebrated the day with heightened growth, incorporating grassroots innovation with value-driven employability programs across all its business units by empowering over 15,000 youth across the country. Image source: vedantaaluminium.com Spanning rural and industrial areas in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, the firm's initiatives supported the youth to be equipped with job-ready skills in high-demand trades and fostered inclusive, sustainable livelihoods. The firm's efforts in upskilling were aligned by keeping in mind the needs of the locals as well as meeting global industry trends. The initiative provided these youths with hands-on training...
India has crossed an ambitious milestone by achieving 50 per cent of its entire installed energy capacity from renewable sources — five years ahead of its 2030 target for renewable energy under the Paris Agreement. This announcement and massive leap forward, confirmed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, highlight India's increasing energy independence and increasing technological expertise in renewables. Image source: Hydropolis Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi commented on a social media platform: "India’s total installed energy capacity stands at 484.8 GW, of which 242.8 GW comes from non-fossil clean energy sources." Solar’s dominant rise and aluminium solar panels Solar energy has taken centre stage in India's green transition, contributing almost...
In a landmark bilateral summit, India and Brazil signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) spanning renewable energy, counter-terrorism, agricultural research, and digital cooperation. The agreements, finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Brazil, the first by an Indian PM in 57 years, include a dedicated pact to accelerate clean energy collaboration, with significant implications for both countries’ emissions-intensive aluminum industries. Renewable energy in the spotlight The MoU on renewable energy looks to tap into Brazil's world-class clean electricity grid, already the cleanest among G20 countries at more than 90 percent renewable, and India's enormous solar and wind deployment initiatives. The partnership will see joint research, technology transfer,...
Green Critical Minerals is drawing increasing attention from international customers and industry partners as it progresses its innovative VHD graphite technology toward commercial-scale production. Image for representational purposes The company recently announced significant results from finite element modelling commissioned to international specialist Professor Qing Li, focused on the thermal performance of the VHD graphite heat sink. Graphite heat sink is closely related to aluminium because both materials serve vital roles in thermal management, especially for electronics and microchip cooling. Aluminium has long been the industry standard due to its high thermal conductivity, lightweight nature, affordability, and ease of manufacturing. It efficiently absorbs and transfers heat from...
Indian based full-stack spacetech company Dhruva Space has announced a strategic partnership with Pixxel, a satellite imaging startup, to supply space-grade solar panels for Pixxel’s next-generation high-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation. Image for representational purposes As part of the agreement, Dhruva Space will work with Pixxel to integrate its advanced Solis+ solar panels into the upcoming fleet, enabling robust, high-efficiency power systems in orbit. The collaboration aims to power satellites designed for daily global revisit and high spectral fidelity, building on the success of Pixxel’s Firefly satellites, launched earlier in 2025, which delivered the world’s first 5- meter commercial hyperspectral imagery. Pixxel Founder and Chief Technology Officer Kshitij...
China’s move to restart rare earth exports to the US has eased pressure on American industries after nearly two months of restrictions. While some European firms have also secured limited export licenses to avoid production disruptions, India despite being a major importer of Chinese rare earths has not been granted similar relief. Image Source: ip-quarterly/Thorsten Kirchhoff China’s export ban, imposed on April 4, 2025, as a response to US tariffs, disrupted global access to critical rare earth materials such as scandium. Though used in small amounts, scandium is vital for producing high-performance aluminium-scandium alloys, which play a key role in electric vehicles, electronics, and defence industries. China’s Ministry of Commerce said, “China will approve the export application of...
Top thermal coal importers China and India are significantly reducing their purchases from Indonesia, the world’s largest coal exporter, in favour of higher-energy coal from alternative sources. This strategic shift comes as a global decline in prices has made more energy-dense coal grades economically attractive. Image Credit: britannica.com Industry officials say that while high-calorific value (CV) coal is more expensive, it produces more energy per dollar spent. “Higher CV coal is more expensive, but produces more energy for every dollar spent at current prices. One million tons of higher CV coal can replace 1.2-1.3 million tonnes or even 1.5 million tonnes from Indonesia,” said Vasudev Pamnani, director at India-based coal trader I-Energy Natural Resources. In China, Indonesian...
China Airlines, Taiwan’s oldest carrier, founded in 1959, has postponed plans to retire several older aircraft due to ongoing delays in receiving its Boeing 787-9 jets. The setback may trigger compensation clauses outlined in the purchase contract, according to newly appointed Chairman George Kao. Image credit: en.wikipedia.org The airline is undergoing a significant fleet modernisation effort. In a major deal last year, it split a nearly USD 12 billion long-haul aircraft order between US-based Boeing and European manufacturer Airbus. As part of its strategy, China Airlines placed orders for 24 Boeing 787s, comprising 18 787-9s and six 787-10s, intended for regional and select long-haul operations. However, Kao confirmed that the timeline for phasing out ageing Airbus A330S and Boeing...
