News
Basic Materials
May 14, 2026
Trump-Xi summit puts rare earths in focus as Japan races to diversify supply
U.S. President Donald Trump is on a state visit to China, where he is set to hold a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Market observers expect rare earth export restrictions to be among the key agenda items.
May 11, 2026China’s new hydrogen push could be a step towards cleaner steel
The new five-year plan and a pilot scheme signal China is getting serious about green hydrogen, with steelmaking among the sectors that may benefit.
April 23, 2026Malaysia delays carbon tax as energy prices rise, prioritizes carbon market framework
Rising global energy prices are pressuring decarbonization efforts. Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability said on April 21 that Malaysia will delay a carbon tax on industries to ease business cost pressures.
April 17, 2026Taiwan’s carbon fee proposal: Six key aspects to watch【2026 update】
Taiwan's carbon fee will operate on a “leading by example” approach and may shift to cap and trade in two to three years. Here’s a breakdown of the six main aspects of the current carbon fee scheme.
April 14, 2026Repeated failures expose gaps in Indonesia’s nickel waste management
Indonesia’s booming nickel industry generates massive volumes of toxic waste, with dry stack or “filtered” tailings promoted as safer than the typical wet sludge, but often poorly implemented.
April 10, 2026Thailand’s growth cut to 1.3% amid energy crisis, PM Anutin unveils policy response
With the World Bank cutting Thailand's 2026 GDP forecast to 1.3%, PM Anutin is responding with B20 biodiesel at 5 baht/litre below standard diesel, expanded DPPA access for green power, and a 180-day "super licence" to cut business costs.
March 31, 2026CBAM 2026 rollout: How companies in Asia can use internal carbon pricing to build a competitive edge
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will come into force in 2026, placing unprecedented compliance pressure on export-oriented companies across Asia.
March 10, 2026How Iran war could disrupt energy supply chains and raise new risks for businesses
The Middle East sits at the center of global oil and natural gas trade. Following a strike on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, fossil fuel prices have swung sharply, fueling concerns over inflation, raw material costs, and supply chain stability.
February 19, 2026Indonesia’s steel expansion risks a surge in greenhouse gas emissions
As global demand for steel is rising, Indonesia’s steel industry is one of the country’s largest industrial greenhouse gas emitters and is set to become far more polluting if current trends continue, according to a nonprofit report.
February 11, 2026Malaysia uses EUDR delay to strengthen palm oil traceability, MSPO standards
Malaysia is expanding its national sustainability standard to strengthen palm oil supply chain compliance.