China’s power shortages hit growth in the world’s second-biggest economy, threatening more pain for global supply chains, while Europe’s gas squeeze looked set to continue as Russia’s Gazprom showed no sign of hiking exports to the region in October.
Coal, oil and gas prices have all rocketed higher in recent weeks hammering utilities and consumers from Beijing to Brussels, raising inflationary pressures and putting at risk a global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Europe, which relies on Russia for 35% of its gas supplies, has seen its benchmark gas price rise more than 350% this year. As a result, a slew of European firms that supply gas or power to households and companies have folded.
The Czech Republic’s energy regulator took the exceptional step of asking suppliers to provide reassurances that they could supply energy to homes and companies, after another of the country’s electricity and gas groups halted supply.
A dozen or so suppliers have already gone bust in Britain.
In Asia, power provider Ohm Energy said it had exited the retail electricity market in Singapore, the third company to do so in recent weeks.
China, which needs coal to fire up about 60% of its power plants, has been grappling with a shortfall in supplies and surging prices for the most polluting of fossil fuels, leading to disruption in electricity supplies for factories and homes.
A global rebound from the depths of the pandemic-induced slump has left all fossil fuel suppliers struggling to keep pace.
European companies are among those feeling the pinch from the energy price surge, adding to other challenges that include a shortage of memory chips and a lack of shipping containers.
Supply chain volatility has intensified globally said and this headwind is expected to continue in the fourth quarter.
Reference:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/power-squeeze-curbs-chinese-growth-leaves-europe-in-a-gas-bind/articleshow/87112298.cms
The global trade landscape is undergoing significant changes following the announcement of new reciprocal tariffs by the United States government. Recent developments indicate significant shifts in global trade dynamics, with key policy adjustments, ongoing negotiations, and evolving logistics patterns. Below is a summary of the latest developments.
In January 2025, the US FDA published a draft regulatory guidance entitled “The Considerations for Use of Artificial Intelligence to Support Regulatory Decision-Making for Drug and Biological Products”.
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) is rapidly reshaping clinical research and drug development.
In the quest for increased sustainability, a lot has been made of the potential to use bio-based raw materials, captured CO2 and recycled plastics as raw materials for new chemicals. But what about using biotech processes to manufacture chemicals? Could it offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional petrochemical processing, and be more amenable to biobased raw materials?
High duties on imports from Canada, Mexico and China raise problems for international supply chains.
Advanced Drug Delivery Systems Market, valued at USD 234.84 billion in 2023, is on a trajectory of significant growth, projected to reach USD 352.01 billion by 2032
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on January 15, 2025, announced its decision to ban Red Dye No. 3 also referred to as Erythrosine.
Targeted drug delivery revolutionises treatment by focusing medications on specific tissues, reducing the impact on healthy cells. Scientists enhance this precision with carriers like microspheres and nanoparticles, controlling release and absorption. Microspheres, made from biodegradable proteins or polymers, sustain drug release, making them ideal for targeted therapies, especially in oncology. Beyond drug delivery, microspheres open new possibilities across industries—from next-gen coatings to thermal insulation. With tailored sizes, shapes, and materials, they drive advancements in pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and more.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule to require standardized testing of talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos. The FDA noted that this move aims to protect consumers from potential harm posed by asbestos, a known carcinogen linked to serious illnesses such as lung and ovarian cancers.