Global Climate News

A team of researchers at MIT has developed a new method for producing ammonia underground using Earth's natural heat and pressure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process involves injecting water with nitrogen and a catalyst into iron-rich rocks, generating hydrogen that reacts with nitrogen to form ammonia. This could reduce global CO2 emissions by up to 1 percent.

India's Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers inaugurated several projects under the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET). This includes a Calibration Laboratory in Ahmedabad (Rs. 1.43 crore), a Centre for Skilling and Technical Support in Bhagalpur (Rs. 40.10 crore, jointly funded by Central and Bihar governments), a Plastic Waste Management Centre in Bhagalpur, and a boys’ hostel in Madurai (Rs. 6.40 crore). The initiatives aim to improve skill development, promote plastic waste management, and enhance operational efficiency in the petrochemical industry.

French cosmetics company L’Oréal and IBM are partnering to develop a generative AI model to support the production of more sustainable cosmetics. The AI will analyze data to reduce energy consumption, waste, and promote the use of renewable and recycled materials. This project aims to accelerate L’Oréal’s ‘L’Oréal For the Future’ strategy, targeting mostly bio-based and recycled materials in its product formulations by 2030.

US-based Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) published a report, "Chemistry in Transition", analyzing emissions reduction levers for the US chemical industry. The report identifies 20+ levers, with 10 commercially viable, potentially reducing emissions by 34% with policy and infrastructure improvements. Additional reductions of 14% are possible with further policy support, reaching almost 50% reduction. The report emphasizes the need for infrastructure development (renewable energy, CO2 transport, recycling), policy support (incentives, differentiated markets), and innovation (electrification, catalysis).

RMI analyzed polyester's lifecycle emissions, finding that primary chemicals account for 77% of Scope 1 emissions. They evaluated various emissions reduction solutions, including near-term operational changes (47% reduction), near-term capital investments (31% reduction), and long-term capital investments and innovations (13-28% reduction). The study highlights the importance of a climate-aligned product definition and suggests mechanisms like retailer alliances, green public procurement, and policy incentives to accelerate the market for low-emission chemicals.

The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited China to strengthen economic and financial ties and expand clean-energy partnerships. This occurred before the government's "China audit", creating a contrast with the EU's more cautious approach to China. The visit resulted in £600m worth of deals for the British economy. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will also visit China to further clean energy efforts.

UK-based Cellcycle, part of The SER Group, partnered with CL Refurbishments Ltd to create the UK’s first recycling solution for lithium-thionyl chloride batteries. This partnership focuses on sustainable supply chains within the utility and battery sectors.

India's Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals conducted a three-day training program on chemical and petrochemical industrial safety in Bhubaneswar, focusing on Major Accident Hazard units. The program is part of a five-year plan to train personnel at 2393 such units across the country. The training covered various safety aspects, including risk assessment, toxicology, emergency planning, and waste management. A mock drill was also conducted.

Indian farmers are increasingly adopting sustainable agricultural practices, driven by optimism, government subsidies, and the availability of new products like biologicals. The adoption of digital payments and formal credit has also increased. However, challenges remain, including high interest rates, insufficient insurance coverage, and limited adoption of modern farming technologies.

The United Kingdom's climate technology sector, while promising, faces challenges in scaling. McKinsey's analysis reveals risk aversion among investors, limited late-stage capital, and fragmented ecosystems. The report highlights the need for increased ambition, securing capital for hyperscaling through captive demand and cost advantages, building talent, and fostering collaboration between startups, incumbents, and the public sector. Examples include investments in CCUS and EV battery technologies, with funding figures cited for various projects and companies.

Nordea, a responsible investor, is actively engaging with the top 50 chemical producers to phase out hazardous chemicals like PFAS. They are part of the IIHC initiative, dialoguing with 16 companies and the European Commission, encouraging transparency, R&D for safer alternatives, and phase-out plans. Nordea is also conducting bilateral dialogues with manufacturers to assess their preparedness for stricter regulations.

US-based MIT chemical engineer Zachary Smith is developing highly efficient filters to replace energy-intensive gas, liquid, and ion separation processes. His company, Osmoses, aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 90 percent in industrial processes by using room temperature membranes.

Liberty Mutual Insurance established an Energy Transition Risk team in 2023 to address decarbonization risks. They are investing in partnerships with government agencies and developing new insurance products for renewable energy and climate technologies. Collaborations include The Geneva Association and the U.S. Department of Energy to create risk management solutions and an Insurability Readiness Framework for emerging climate technologies.

Malaysia and Singapore signed an agreement to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), focusing on sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and digital industries. Six memoranda of understanding were also announced, including one related to carbon capture and storage and cooperation on emissions under Article 6(2) of the Paris Agreement.

Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark have developed a new technology using microorganisms to convert CO2 from flue gases into usable products like methane or acetic acid. This bio-integrated carbon capture and utilisation (BICCU) method avoids high-heat separation processes, reducing costs and offering a more efficient way to recycle CO2 from industrial emissions.

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.

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.

Mitsubishi announced the termination of its proposed methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer plant in Geismar, Louisiana, citing oversupply in the MMA market, failure to secure long-term customer commitments, and increased capital investment due to inflation. The company expects to record a loss of approximately 20 billion yen due to impairment losses.

US-based Cloverdale Paint and Celanese Corporation have partnered to create sustainable paint solutions using Celanese’s carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology. The collaboration is expected to utilize over 1 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually in Cloverdale Paint's manufacturing.

Taiwan-based Qualipoly Chemical Corp. (QPC) invested over NT$2 billion to expand its Tainan plant, creating over 100 jobs and increasing annual output value by NT$5 billion. The expansion aims to boost Taiwan's high-value electronic synthetic resin technology and further drive the development of related industries. QPC actively pursues ESG initiatives, collaborating with academic institutions on net-zero emission and high-value product R&D.