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Basic Materials
August 13, 2026
Nickel expansion puts Indonesia’s biodiversity goals under pressure, study finds
Researchers say protecting the most important biodiversity and carbon areas could substantially reduce environmental risks, but doing so could also constrain nickel supply.
August 11, 2026One shock too many: Why Southeast Asia’s El Niño response must be different
ASEAN countries need to brace themselves for a “super” El Niño weather phenomenon, experts warn.
August 06, 2026Southeast Asia steel faces rising CBAM costs as Malaysia’s bill could hit $237 million
Steelmakers across Southeast Asia are facing rising costs as the EU CBAM entered its charging phase this year. The Malaysia Steel Institute (MSI) estimates that CBAM-related compliance costs for the steel sector could reach 970.7 million ringgit.
August 04, 2026Indonesia shows elevated fire hotspot activity in 2026 as super El Niño threat looms
FireWatch estimates that approximately 103,000 hectares (255,000 acres) of land burned nationwide during the first half of 2026, raising concerns as forecasters warn that a strong El Niño could further increase fire risk.
July 01, 2026Can ship recycling supply steel needed for the green transition?
Old ships contain mountains of scrap needed for lower-carbon steelmaking. But the course from ship to furnace is made harder by global politics.
June 23, 2026Prabowo’s nickel state: Indonesia’s search for power
Will the Prabowo administration's agenda of centralisation and state control over the nickel sector build lasting industrial capacity, or be even more extractive?
June 18, 2026Thailand built a low-carbon cement market but data center demand has yet to follow
Thailand's cement industry spent years achieving 80%+ low-carbon market share, but data centers still don't specify EPDs or carbon limits. Microsoft's Sublime Systems model shows what could change that.
June 17, 2026Why low-carbon steel is becoming a data center procurement issue
A hyperscale data center uses up to 20,000 tonnes of steel. Meranti Green Steel targets 600–700 kg CO₂/tonne by 2030 vs 2,300 kg for blast furnace steel, but EPD verification remains the key bottleneck.
May 22, 2026Indonesia’s move to centralize coal, palm oil and nickel exports alarms industry
Indonesia's Danantara subsidiary DSI will become sole export channel for coal, palm oil and nickel. IDX fell 3.54% on the announcement as S&P warned of execution risk and trade disruption.
May 20, 2026Indonesia’s nickel boom linked to rising illness and worker harm, reports find
A newly published report by Indonesia’s human rights commission, Komnas HAM, includes new evidence of environmental and public health harms caused by the nickel mining industry in eastern Indonesia.