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☆ Analysis-Bumper green aluminium output is good news for carmakers, and climate
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Eric Onstad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Next year’s forecast increase in “green aluminium” output would reduce that by 13 million tonnes, or about 1.2%. Polestar said it pays slightly more for green aluminium, partly due to the administrative costs of changing suppliers, but did not say how much more. Producers, however, are still managing to sell some of their low-carbon output at higher prices under quarterly and annual contracts. Rising output of both will keep green premiums relatively low in the coming years, said Marcelo Azevedo at the McKinsey consultancy. GRAPHIC: Abundant Supplies of Green Aluminium - here

☆ Best Nonstick Frying Pans From Consumer Reports' Tests
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Mary H.J. Farrell | Consumer Reports | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

When it comes to cookware, there’s nothing as useful as a good nonstick frying pan. Below are the best nonstick frying pans from our tests, listed in alphabetical order. CR’s take: You really can’t go wrong with the Anolon Advanced Nonstick frying pans; there are two in this set, a 10-inch and a 12-inch. And like the set it comes with, the GreenPan Padova frying pan stands out in our list of nonstick cookware. CR’s take: This nonstick frying pan comes from a brand known more for its colorful cast-iron cookware.

☆ Factbox: Aluminium companies compete to sell low-carbon products
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Expert Analysis | Reuters Professional | Calls Grow For Companies To Disclose Impacts On Nature In Bid To Plug Finance Gap | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Aluminium companies have launched a raft of aluminium products with lower carbon emissions, largely by either using hydro power or recycled material. Below are low-carbon aluminium brands by the major producers. * ALCOA (AA.N)ECOLUM - Primary aluminium with a total carbon footprint of under 4 tonnes of CO2, including bauxite mining and refining. * RIO TINTO (RIO.L), (RIO.AX)RENEWAL - Primary metal with CO2 emissions of 4 tonnes or less of CO2 per tonne of metal. * CHINA HONGQIAO GROUP (1378.HK)The Chinese producer has introduced two low-carbon products, HQALoop and HQALight, one made with recycled aluminium and the other from low-carbon aluminium produced in Yunnan using hydro electricity and other renewables.

☆ Analysis: Bumper green aluminium output is good news for carmakers, and climate
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Eric Onstad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Next year's forecast increase in "green aluminium" output would reduce that by 13 million tonnes, or about 1.2%. Polestar said it pays slightly more for green aluminium, partly due to the administrative costs of changing suppliers, but did not say how much more. "The cost per reduced kg of CO2 emissions when shifting to green aluminium is still significantly lower than many other ways of reducing raw material emissions," a company spokesperson told Reuters. Producers, however, are still managing to sell some of their low-carbon output at higher prices under quarterly and annual contracts. Rising output of both will keep green premiums relatively low in the coming years, said Marcelo Azevedo at the McKinsey consultancy.

☆ Hydrow's compact, affordable rowing machine is perfect for holiday gifting
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Maria Cassano | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Designed by rowing experts, made for everyoneA Hydrow rowing machine has two main components. Then there’s the crystal-clear display, which immerses you in scenes of actual waterways from around the world and brings you rowing workouts led by world-class athletes and Olympians. This holiday season, there are plenty of sales and freebies to get either rowing machine in a loved one’s home (or your own) for less. Until Dec. 23, each Hydrow Wave comes with free Jaybird headphones, a free Polar heart rate monitor and free standard delivery (a $240 value). Check out the two Hydrow rowing machines below.

☆ 8 best flat irons to shop in 2022, according to experts
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Mili Godio | Mili Godio Is An Associate Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +13 min

We also gathered their recommendations for the best flat irons to shop. Ceramic vs. tourmaline vs. titanium flat ironsThe three most common flat iron plates are ceramic, tourmaline and titanium. When the metal beneath — usually aluminum — is exposed, it can cause damage to your hair, according to Bertin. Best flat irons to shop in 2022We consulted experts about what to look for when shopping for a good flat iron and highlighted their recommendations below with varying plate types and sizes for different hair types and textures. Our experts agreed that flat irons should equip a button or knob that easily displays the temperature you’re using, rather than limited settings.

☆ European Union reaches landmark agreement on a pollution tax for imports
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The EU wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by the year 2030, compared to 1990. Plans for the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism took a significant step forward Tuesday morning after a provisional deal between the Council of the EU and members of the European Parliament was reached. The European Parliament's statement described the new bill as being "the first of its kind." "CBAM will be a crucial pillar of European climate policies," Mohammed Chahim, a member of the European Parliament, said. In its own statement, the Council of the EU (government ministers from each EU country) said Tuesday's agreement still had to be confirmed by the European Parliament, EU member states' ambassadors, and then "adopted by both institutions before it is final."

☆ This startup wants to show the impact Fortune 500 companies have on the environment and society. Check out the 18-slide pitch deck Upright used to raise $5.2 million.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Finnish startup Upright just landed a 5 million euros seed round (around $5.2 million). The platform reveals the impact the world's largest companies have on the environment and society. Check out the 18-slide pitch deck Upright used to raise its first round from VC Planet A.Annu Nieminen has always found solace in math. She couldn't find anyone working on a tool to show the overall negative or positive impact of businesses so decided to do it herself – "as the cliche goes," she told Insider. The Helsinki-based startup has been bootstrapped until now, as it announces a 5 million euros seed round (around $5.2 million).

☆ China brings WTO case against U.S. and its sweeping chip export curbs as tech tensions escalate
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. has brought in sweeping measures to cut China off from high-tech semiconductors, hobbling the chip industry in the world's second-largest economy. China has hit back against the measures, beginning an official complaints procedure against the U.S. through the World Trade Organization. China initiated a dispute against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization over Washington's sweeping semiconductor export curbs that look to cut the world's second-largest economy off from high-tech components. It said that the WTO dispute is a way to address China's concerns through legal means. China was among the countries that brought action against the U.S.Trade disputes via the WTO can take years to resolve.

☆ United places order for 200 Boeing planes, giving two troubled jets a vote of confidence
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —United Airlines placed a massive order for at least 200 Boeing planes on Tuesday, split between two models dogged by recent problems: the 737 Max and the 787 Dreamliner. United generally picks Boeing over AirbusThe order, while an important lift for Boeing, isn’t a total surprise. While United has some orders with Airbus (EADSF), nearly 80% of its existing fleet is composed of Boeing jets. The 100 737 Max jets United is buying includes 44 planes for which it already had an option to purchase, and 56 new orders. In June 2021, it announced the purchase of 200 of the 737 Max jets, along with 70 competing planes from Airbus, in the largest aircraft order that United has ever placed.

☆ Britain eyes trade agreements with California, Utah
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Britain this week inked an agreement aimed at boosting trade and investment with South Carolina, its third such deal with a U.S. state, and is seeking similar deals with California and Utah, the UK junior trade minister, Greg Hands, said on Friday. Britain remains convinced that a comprehensive free trade agreement with the United States makes good sense for both countries, Hands told Reuters, although the Biden administration has put all free trade talks on ice for now. Britain has signed trade agreements with Japan, Australia and New Zealand since leaving the European Union, and hoped to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, he added. "Yet our largest bilateral trade partner of all, the United States, we do not have a comprehensive free trade agreement with," he said, noting that the two countries share similar standards on worker rights, the environment and climate change. California is the most populous U.S. state and would rank as the world's sixth largest economy if it were a country.

☆ Major car companies like Ford, Tesla, and Toyota are at 'high risk' of sourcing parts made by Chinese forced labor, a report finds: 'It's an industry-wide problem'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A new report found "massive and expanding" links between major car companies and China's Xinjiang region. A year ago, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was signed into law, which banned US imports of products made wholly or partly in the Xinjiang region, unless the company could prove they were not using forced labor. "It is not impossible to audit one's supply chain to identify risks"The auto industry's supply chains are "closer to a ball of spaghetti than a linear chain," Simon Croom, professor of supply chain management at the University of San Diego, told Insider. The average automaker may have links to as many as 18,000 suppliers, including their direct suppliers, the suppliers of those suppliers, and so on. Per Croom, while many companies claim to lack full insight into their supply chains, "it is not impossible to audit one's supply chain to identify risks."

☆ WTO Rules Against U.S. Tariffs on Imported Steel, Aluminum
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Yuka Hayashi | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. tariffs on imported steel and aluminum were imposed during the administration of former President Donald Trump. WASHINGTON—The World Trade Organization said Friday its dispute-settlement panels found the U.S. violated international trade rules with its tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, in a case that pit Washington against China as well as several friendly nations. The ruling covers the import duties that former President Donald Trump imposed in 2018 on national security grounds, citing the need to protect domestic manufacturers from global overproduction of the metals.

☆ Copper and Aluminum Bulls are Running Too Fast
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Megha Mandavia | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Aluminum prices are up about a fifth from their late September lows. The cliché is that when China sneezes, commodities catch a cold. Logically, then, when it’s feeling better the commodity complex should too: Industrial metals like copper, aluminum and iron ore have staged an impressive rally recently as signs that China is preparing to reopen become more obvious. This time, however, there are a few wrinkles that should give investors pause: especially the still-dire state of the nation’s housing market, which constitutes the single largest source of global demand for metals like iron ore.

☆ High energy prices will be a tailwind for aluminum, says BoA's Francisco Branch
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHigh energy prices will be a tailwind for aluminum, says BoA's Francisco BranchFrancisco Branch, Bank of America head of global commodity and derivatives research, joins 'Closing Bell: Overtime' to discuss the collapse of crude oil and why he thinks that could reverse.

☆ Tesla, Volkswagen, and GM might be using metal from factories linked to forced Uyghur labor, researchers say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Major car makers are at high risk for exposure to forced Uyghur labor, according to new research. The alleged use of forced labor could disrupt efforts to ethically decarbonize the global supply chain. Other industries, like solar panel manufacturers, have recently been revealed to have similar ties to Uyghur labor. "We reject forced labor and all forms of modern slavery including human trafficking," said Volkswagen. A Honda spokesperson told Insider that it "expects our suppliers to follow our Global Sustainability Guidelines with respect to labor."

The proposal from the U.S. Trade Representative's office to be negotiated with the European Union would create a "club" of countries seeking to reduce carbon emissions. Countries with emissions exceeding the standards would pay higher tariffs when exporting metals to countries with lower emissions, the sources briefed on the plans said. Countries with steel and aluminum plant emissions at or below the standards would pay lower tariffs, the sources said. U.S. steelmakers claim to have the world’s lowest carbon emissions levels, in part because 70% of American steel is made from scrap iron in electric-arc furnaces rather than coal-fired blast furnaces. The U.S.-EU talks on low-carbon steel have been aimed in large part at China, which relies on coal for most of its steel output as well as low-grade iron ore that contributes to high carbon emissions.

☆ UAW calls on automakers to move supply chain out of Xinjiang region
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Police officers patrol in the old city in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, May 4, 2021. REUTERS/Thomas PeterWASHINGTON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) union called on automakers to shift their entire supply chain out of China's Xinjiang region after a new report on Tuesday suggests that nearly every major automaker has significant exposure to products made with forced labor. "The time is now for the auto industry to establish high-road supply chain models outside the Uyghur Region that protect labor and human rights and the environment," said UAW President Ray Curry. "In some cases, Uyghur forced labor is apparent at multiple steps" of parts manufacturing, mining, refining, pre-fabrication and assembly, it added. Curry called on the U.S. government to "devote the necessary resources to allow Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to effectively identify and ban the importation of products made with forced labor."

☆ Why aluminum plants in the U.S. are far more polluting than some of their counterparts abroad
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Phil Mckenna | Inside Climate News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +15 min

A plant worker uses a crane to lift a cask of molten aluminum a Century Aluminum Company plant in Hawesville, Ky. in 2017. Of the five remaining facilities, only the Century Aluminum Sebree plant in Robards, which employs 625 workers, and a smaller Alcoa plant in Massena, New York, run at full capacity. Phillip McKenna/NBC NewsSteinsen, of Century Aluminum, said the company has no plans to shut down its Sebree facility in Robards. In 2015, when the U.S. aluminum production was in steep decline, the EPA ended its industry partnership. In 2019, 7,510 metric tons of PFCs were emitted from global aluminum production, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Geophysical Research — Atmospheres.

☆ Biden's climate plan strains trade ties with Europe
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The European Union and United States — together responsible for one third of global trade — have been at loggerheads in recent weeks over US President Joe Biden’s landmark $370 billion climate plan. While a trade war is unlikely, the plan is testing the transatlantic alliance and pushing Europe to consider mobilizing its own package of subsidies. The IRA is now law, and there is little appetite to bring it back to Congress to make substantive changes, he told CNN Business. The European Union has a couple of options at its disposal, analysts told CNN Business. On Monday, Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said that the bloc should create its own “European IRA plan,” according to a Reuters report.

☆ Aluminum plants in the U.S. are releasing tons of a highly potent greenhouse gas, unlike their counterparts abroad
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Phil Mckenna | Inside Climate News | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

In written testimony submitted to the U.S. International Trade Commission in 2017, Century Aluminum executives said aluminum producers were being "decimated" by "unfair practices of Chinese aluminum producers." "The continued viability of the aluminum industry outside of China, and especially in the United States, is dependent upon a prompt and effective solution to China's overcapacity and overproduction." Steinsen, of Century Aluminum, said the company has no plans to shut down its Sebree facility in Robards. A spokesperson for the agency said, "EPA continues to track facility specific emissions from the aluminum industry through the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program." In 2019, 7,510 metric tons of PFCs were emitted from global aluminum production, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Geophysical Research — Atmospheres.

☆ China's COVID policy is top of mind for investors as unrest rattled markets this week. Here are 5 things they're watching as Beijing signals willingness to loosen some restrictions.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Chinese cities this week loosened COVID restrictions in the wake of mass protests, lifting Chinese stocks. China's top pandemic official this week appeared to signal a softening in the zero-COVID policy but the government has yet to pledge a comprehensive step-down. Retail investors should be prepared to move defensively should Beijing's decisions on zero-COVID policy go against their respective positions, Martin said. Here's what some market experts are looking at as global investors watch for developments surrounding the Chinese government's zero-COVID stance. "You have to understand that nobody has an edge as to predicting China policy anymore.

☆ Mauna Loa Eruption Threatens a Famous Climate Record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Elena Shao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

420 410 400 The Keeling Curve 390 Measurements of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere from the Mauna Loa Observatory, in parts per million CO2. In the meantime, officials are contemplating flying in a generator via helicopter to the Mauna Loa observatory, which is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Mauna Loa Observatory Lava flow Eruption began at Moku‘āweoweo caldera Mauna Loa Honolulu Hawai‘i Hawaiian Islands Area of detail Honolulu Hawai‘i Hawaiian Islands Area of detail ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Mauna Loa Observatory Lava flow Eruption began at Moku‘āweoweo caldera Mauna Loa Source: Copernicus Notes: Image captured by satellite on Nov. 28, 2022. But none hold quite the same symbolism as Mauna Loa, which is home to the first and most frequently cited data. Even now, when scientists want to test new carbon dioxide monitoring equipment, “they go to Mauna Loa,” Dr. Sweeney said.

☆ Cold weather could cause French power cuts next week
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Electricite de France SA FollowPARIS, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Cold weather could lead to power cuts in France on Monday as delays to the restart of nuclear power following repair work leave supply lagging demand, analysts said. Nuclear power supply had been expected to reach around 40 gigawatts (GW) this week, but operator EDF's (EDF.PA) delay in restarting reactors meant it rose to only around 35 GW, leaving France more reliant on imports and gas-fired production. "If we remain at 35 GW, next week Monday could become quite tight: we expect the demand at otherwise seasonally normal levels, but 35 GW of nuclear would be too low to meet a possible demand peak at 73 GW," Gerl said. The current EDF schedule shows 3 GW of nuclear power returning to the grid next week, putting total capacity at 38 GW for the first cold spell of the peak demand winter season. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsGrid operator RTE said on Thursday France may face "some days" this winter when there was too little electricity supply.

☆ Lamborghini's last purely gas-powered supercar will be an off-road beast
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, officially unveiled in Miami Wednesday will be the Italian automaker’s maker’s last purely gasoline-powered supercar. It will also be unlike any Lamborghini supercar before because it’s designed to go off-road. Other Huracán supercars have air scoops on the side but, in this car, the side air scoops are permanently closed. But the concept of the Huracán Sterrato came entirely from inside Lamborghini, said Brokert, as engineers were developing the Urus, Lamborghini’s SUV. Production of the Huracán Sterrato will begin at Lamborghini’s factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, in February.

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