Global Climate News

China-based Hanyesteel, a steel plate factory, highlights its commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible production practices in its steel production, aiming to reduce the environmental impact.

The UKAEA’s NEURONE consortium has achieved a breakthrough in producing fusion-grade steel on an industrial scale, potentially reducing production costs by up to 10 times and improving the efficiency of future fusion power plants. The ~£12M project involved universities and organizations across the UK and Australia.

The UK Environment Agency published a regulatory position statement (RPS 247) on using unbound incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA) in construction, extending its validity to September 30, 2025. The RPS clarifies that while an environmental permit is legally required, enforcement action will not normally be taken if requirements are met.

A Chinese research team, including researchers from Donghua University, Fudan University, and Inner Mongolia University, demonstrated the use of lithium titanium phosphate (LTP) with negative thermal expansion properties as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. This addresses the issue of declining battery performance in cold environments by facilitating lithium ion diffusion even at low temperatures. The research was published in Angewandte Chemie.

Taiwan's National Museum of History (NMH) launched RENEW, a series of sustainable products made from recycled materials from the museum's renovation. The NMH collaborated with Dianjing Design and Ganwen Studio to create these items, which include coasters, incense diffusers, and keychains. This initiative demonstrates NMH’s commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.

Iranian company, Fooladnab Tabriz, obtained several certifications including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 17025:2017, demonstrating commitment to quality, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and laboratory management. The company also received multiple awards for its commitment to employee training, occupational safety and health, research and development, quality control and environmental protection.

The Norwegian producer price index (PPI) measures price developments for goods at the producer level, for both the domestic and export markets. The index covers oil and gas extraction, industry, mining, power supply, water supply and some services. In 2024, industrial prices increased by 3.7 percent, while energy prices decreased. The reference year for PPI was changed to 2021=100 from January 2024.

German Fraunhofer UMSICHT is showcasing mushroom materials as a bio-based, sustainable building material at the 2025 BAU trade fair. They are exhibiting applications like a 1 x 1.2-meter facade element combining photovoltaics and mushroom material insulation, developed with Fraunhofer ISE. The institute also offers a mycelium pilot plant for material production and prototype construction.

Germany-based Fraunhofer UMSICHT presented its expertise in the field of mushroom materials as a bio-based material at the BAU trade fair 2025. The institute showcased applications of materials made from fungal mycelium, including a facade element combining integrated photovoltaics, power generation, weather protection, and thermal insulation. The presentation highlighted the potential of mycelium materials for resource and climate protection in sustainable products.

Japan-based Green Science Alliance has developed a sustainable method to produce Metal Organic Framework (MOF) from waste PET bottles. The company used terephthalic acid from recycled PET and a solid-state synthesis procedure to reduce production costs. This sustainable MOF will be used in rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, and CO2 capture.

Finland-based Nordic Bioproducts Group (NBG) partnered with C.Q. Massó to increase the availability of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) for European cosmetics manufacturers. This collaboration aims to enhance supply chain reliability, promote sustainable beauty formulations, and offer safer alternatives to harmful ingredients like talc and titanium dioxide. NBG's Lappeenranta facility produces up to 10,000 tons of MCC annually with a focus on environmental sustainability.

Researchers are developing various bio-based methods to degrade PFAS, including silk-based membranes (MIT), fungi (Texas A&M), and PFAS-eating microbes (Northern University, Princeton). These methods aim for sustainable and low-cost solutions to remediate PFAS contamination in soil and water, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical treatments.

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology's Department of Chemical Engineering is recruiting 1-2 project teachers with expertise in chemical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, energy, materials, environmental engineering, or artificial intelligence. The selected candidates will teach chemical engineering courses, support international exchange services, and assist with administrative/advisory tasks.

The EU is implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) starting January 2026. Fastmarkets is consulting on pricing methodologies for aluminium foundry alloy premiums, considering two proposals: incorporating CBAM costs into existing premiums or launching new premiums inclusive of CBAM costs. This impacts aluminium pricing in Germany and Eastern Europe.

Sweden is expected to produce the world’s first truly zero-carbon emission steel in 2025. This will reshape pricing, markets, and supply chains. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effective in 2026, incentivizes decarbonization but also pressures steel mills to invest in green technologies. Green steel premiums currently track at an additional 20-40% cost. The transition requires significant capital investment and collaboration across stakeholders.

The Indian Ministry of Mines organized a Chintan Shivir to discuss transformative strategies for the mining sector, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and local manufacturing. Key initiatives included promoting a circular economy, expanding access to geo-scientific data to attract private investment, and boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative to develop local mining equipment manufacturing. The Ministry also launched the Annual Capacity Building Program and approved 18 research and development projects.

Researchers at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in Malaysia synthesized six 1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec-7-ene-based ionic liquids for CO2 capture. The highest CO2 sorption was 0.96 mol CO2 mol−1 IL at 20 bar. The study investigated the effects of chain length in the cation and anion identity on CO2 absorption.

Finland-based Neste introduced co-processed renewable Neste RE feedstock for polymers and chemicals. This new feedstock, produced by co-processing renewable raw materials with fossil crude oil, has a smaller carbon footprint than conventional fossil feedstock. Neste aims to reduce fossil raw material use in the chemicals industry and transform its Porvoo refinery into a renewable and circular solutions hub.

"Denmark-based Technical University of Denmark (DTU) launched a new initiative called BRIGHT, supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation with up to DKK 1.05 billion (€134.1 million) over seven years. BRIGHT focuses on sustainable materials, microbial foods, and microorganisms for net-zero agriculture to create bio-based solutions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

China-based Hanyesteel, a steel plate factory, produces specialty steel alloys for automotive, aerospace, construction, and energy sectors. These alloys offer lightweight solutions, high strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance, improving vehicle performance, aircraft safety, and the efficiency of energy infrastructure.