Chemicals & Energy

Central African Conflict-Diamonds Entering Legal Supply Chain, Group Says

December 15, 2016

Conflict diamonds from the Central African Republic are crossing into neighboring Cameroon and the legal supply chain because of corruption, smuggling and poor controls, Partnership Africa Canada said.

Automakers Push Back Against Emissions, Fuel Efficiency Standards

December 14, 2016

Environmental Leader

The EPA will stay the course on vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency standards that the agency says will halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. The standards require automakers to double passenger cars and light trucks' fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Steelmakers Merge in China to Forge New National Leader

December 12, 2016

Industryweek

China officially established a new national steelmaking leader - the world's second-largest manufacturer - this month by merging two giant mills, as Beijing pushes consolidation in the industry to combat overcapacity.

European Wind-Power Supergrid to Launch in March

December 12, 2016

Maritime Executive

In 2010, world leading companies in offshore wind came together to form The Friends of the Supergrid - an association that advocates for an efficient, interconnected and resilient electricity grid to complement existing national transmission infrastructure.

Despite Climate Change Vow, China Pushes to Dig More Coal

December 7, 2016

The New York Times

America's uncertain stance toward global warming under the coming administration of Donald Trump has given China a leading role in the fight against climate change. It has called on the United States to recognize established science and to work with other countries to reduce dependence on dirty fuels like coal and oil.

Africa Could Become Fertile Ground for New Energy Investment

December 6, 2016

Environmental Leader

Africa wants to become fertile ground for new energy investment - investments that would help electrify parts of the continent and make it ripe for new businesses and new jobs, the African Development Bank says.

Ship Sales Climb to 7-Year High

December 6, 2016

Maritime Executive

Sales of second-hand ships used to haul commodities such as iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer have hit a seven-year high in 2016 as the industry creeps out of an eight-year downturn that has sunk several fleets of shippers.

Global Steel Production Rose 3.3 Percent for October

December 5, 2016

American Machinist

Global raw-steel production rose 2.6 percent from September to October, totaling 136,522,876 metric tons, with similar percentage increases in most of the major steelmaking nations and regions tracked by the World Steel Association. The year-over-year comparison is even higher for October, with a 3.3 percent higher in October 2016 than in October 2015.

U.S. Third-Quarter Growth Revised Upward on Consumer Spending

December 5, 2016

Industryweek

The U.S. economy expanded more than previously reported last quarter on a sunnier picture of household spending, the primary growth engine. Gross domestic product rose at a 3.2-percent annualized rate in the three months ended in September, the fastest in two years, compared with an initial estimate of 2.9 percent, Commerce Department figures showed last week. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for a 3-percent gain.

How a Rebel Myanmar Tin Mine May Up-End a Global Supply Chain

December 5, 2016

The New York Times

From a remote corner of northeastern Myanmar, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the world's largest consumer companies. More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Myanmar's border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found.

Chemicals & Energy

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the chemicals and energy industries. Learn how chemical and energy companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.