Daily Digest for

South Africa is working towards the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance trade across Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the country’s commitment to renewable energy, stating that the harnessing of solar and wind energy will position South Africa as a leader in green manufacturing and competitive product production. This initiative aims to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and sustainably utilize the country’s natural resources.

Germany experienced a notable decline in the strawberry harvest for the year 2024, with a report indicating a 10.6% decrease in yield primarily due to adverse weather conditions, including frost during the blooming season followed by dry conditions in spring and excessive rain during the harvesting period. The total strawberry harvest dropped to approximately 37,000 tons over an area of 9,200 hectares. The cultivation of raspberries is increasingly moving to greenhouse settings, which have shown to be effective against climate fluctuations.

Leclanché, based in Switzerland, has reached a strategic partnership milestone with Pinnacle International Venture Capital. Pinnacle completed the due diligence review, aiming to provide funding through a 50/50 Joint Venture for Leclanché’s battery production. This includes a planned expansion of their production facility in Willstätt, Germany, to up to 2 GWh/yr, and another facility in the Middle East, aiming for similar capacity. The total consideration for share acquisitions could reach CHF 360 million, highlighting their commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

US-based 6K has developed new microwave plasma technology called UniMelt that eliminates toxic waste while recycling all byproducts. The company is scaling up production of battery materials and critical minerals processing, with a new 100,000-square-foot facility set to begin construction in Jackson, Tennessee, expected to produce 13,000 tons of material annually. This technology addresses U.S. national security concerns by reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

South Korea-based LG Energy Solution is advancing its dry electrode process technology, allowing for the elimination of the drying step in battery production. This innovation can lead to a reduction in manufacturing costs by 17% to as much as 30%. The company aims to establish a pilot line for this technology at its Ochang Energy Plant by Q4 2024 with plans for commercial production by 2028.

US-based Industrial Microbes has secured $10 million in funding to scale biomanufacturing processes that convert waste into valuable chemicals. The company focuses on producing bio-based chemicals, using ethanol sourced from corn, agricultural waste, and even municipal solid waste. Their biomanufacturing process aims to lower costs and increase supply chain resilience as they develop products like acrylic acid and carbon fiber precursors.

The U.S. Congress is working on rewriting the Toxic Substances Control Act to address pressures from the chemical lobby to weaken health protections against harmful chemicals. The lobbying efforts include removing health-based reviews for new chemicals, relaxing controls on air pollution from plastic incinerators, and undermining state laws that inform the public about toxic substances in everyday products. Advocates emphasize the need for stronger protections against chemicals like PFAS and methylene chloride, which pose significant health risks.

Germany’s GIZ has implemented a digital management system for 780 mining licenses in Sierra Leone, covering 98% of industrial and small-scale licenses. A database detailing public revenue from mineral extraction is now freely accessible online. This new system has helped the government collect unpaid mining licenses worth USD 5 million and meet standards of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).