"The partnership brings together Glatfelter’s expertise in developing innovative and sustainable non-woven solutions with Safire Group’s revolutionary shear-thickening battery technology to offer customers safer, higher performing Li-ion powered systems."
How a tiny town sent a big message to China — and Biden
"Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) called the election result a 'blip' in the state, but said it underscores the need to compete against China in the race to dominate the energy technologies of the future."
Economic and Environmental Lessons from Switzerland
The way to unlock the power of society and the private sector is by giving people the freedom to innovate.
Economic and Environmental Lessons from the United States
Later this month, world leaders will gather at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP28. As with most economic policy questions, this topic is being driven forward by the United States.
Exxon Makes Lithium Play in Long-Term Bet on EV Demand
"The lithium industry, if it continues to grow in southwest Arkansas, is expected to bring thousands of jobs to a corner of the state that was in decline for decades after the 1980s oil crash. Thousands moved away as the region’s oil wells dried up and big plants closed."
Carbon markets seek a reboot in the face of existential challenges
Bill Spindle of Cipher reports on the challenges of carbon markets. “As COP28 approaches, the industry is attempting a major reboot. After years of intense activity by dozens of study groups and implementation committees, the carbon trading industry has launched fresh initiatives to raise the quality of offsets and codify what claims buyers can credibly...
Bill Gates-Backed Startup to Use Old Wood to Remove Carbon From the Air
"Graphyte is in the process of building its first plant in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, near local timber and rice mills that could serve as biomass sources, according to Rogers. It’s also in the process of signing customer offtake agreements, or a contractual commitment to buy carbon removal services at a predetermined price upon delivery. The first carbon blocks are expected to be produced by January 2024. The startup projects the project will have the capacity to remove 5,000 tons of CO2 per year by the end of 2023 and 50,000 by July of 2024."
Why companies are racing to build the world’s biggest bug farm
"Insect start-ups hope large facilities will help them get their foot in the door with big buyers in the market for fish and livestock feed, pet food and fertilizer. 'If you are just [producing] a few tons or tens of tons you don’t exist,' said Antoine Hubert, co-founder of Ynsect,a French start-up that specializes in mealworms. 'This is why we have to design something pretty massive, because you need thousands of tons if not tens of thousands of tons to exist for a single buyer.'"
US, UK Lead Pledge to Triple Nuclear Power by 2050 at COP28
"The declaration is the latest sign of shifting sentiment toward nuclear power, which doesn’t produce carbon dioxide emissions, but has often been criticized over the waste it generates, the cost of building plants and potential security issues. Support has gained traction especially as clean back-up for renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The countries will also commit to new technologies, such as small modular reactors."
All Is Quiet in Oil Markets—for Now
"Despite roiling the region politically, the war between Israel and Hamas doesn’t threaten supplies directly. That would change if the war were to spread or expand into areas housing the infrastructure—production facilities, tankers and pipelines—that enables the flow of oil and gas. About 21 million barrels of oil pass through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz daily, along with substantial amounts of liquefied natural gas. Since the U.S. shale revolution, the bulk of those supplies now head to Asian markets."