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Raízen e BYD anunciam hubs de recarga de elétricos

  • Spanish Market: Battery materials, Biofuels, Electricity, Metals
  • 02/02/24

A Raízen Power – braço de energia elétrica da sucroalcooleira Raízen – e a montadora chinesa BYD fecharam parceria para construir polos de recarga de veículos elétricos pelo Brasil.

A iniciativa criará centros para recarga de veículos elétricos com a solução Shell Recharge em oito capitais, utilizando energia de fonte renovável fornecida pela Raízen Power.

Cerca de 600 novos pontos de carregamento serão instalados, adicionando 18 megawatts (MW) de potência instalada para recarga no país, disse a Raízen – uma joint venture entre a Shell e o conglomerado Cosan.

O anúncio segue o início da construção do primeiro complexo industrial da BYD no Brasil, que produzirá 150.000 carros/ano na Bahia, com operações programadas para começar em dezembro.

"Vemos o continente como um mercado potencial para a BYD e a transição energética", contou Alexandre Baldy, conselheiro especial da empresa e ex-ministro das Cidades do governo Temer, à Argus.

A Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Anfavea) projeta que as vendas de veículos elétricos movidos a bateria aumentem para 24.100 unidades em 2024, ante 15.200 no ano passado. A entidade prevê a alta mesmo considerando a volta da tarifa de importação em janeiro.


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09/09/24

EU needs to shake up energy markets: Draghi report

EU needs to shake up energy markets: Draghi report

Brussels, 9 September (Argus) — The EU should take measures in energy markets that are "dominated by vested interests", including antitrust investigations, a report from former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi found today. The call came as part of Draghi's report into the EU's future competitiveness, which was requested last year by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. It identified cost-efficient decarbonisation as a major challenge, and said the bloc must focus on accelerated innovation and growth and overcome geopolitical dependence and vulnerability. The report, which runs to more than 300 pages, says the EU should carry out antitrust investigation into electricity and gas markets, and into energy imports, to deter "anti-competitive behaviour and tacit collusion" among companies, it said. There should be a common maximum level of energy surcharges in the EU covering all energy taxes, levies and network charges, the report found. Draghi — a former Italian prime minister — put forward specific proposals for energy markets including the development of an EU-level gas strategy, progressively moving away from spot-linked sourcing and increasing EU bargaining power, and reinforcing long-term contracts. He argues for decoupling inframarginal generation from natural gas prices through long-term power purchasing agreements (PPAs) and contracts for difference (CfDs). Draghi wants compensation mechanisms for offering flexibility on markets as well as joint purchasing of energy in addition to demand aggregation. Other ideas tackle speculative behaviour via position limits and dynamic caps as well as an EU trading rule book with "an obligation to trade in the EU". A further proposal is a review of a so-called "ancillary activities" exemption, under EU financial regulation, whereby non-financials, typically energy, firms can trade energy derivatives more freely without being authorised as investment companies. Speaking alongside Draghi today, von der Leyen noted the need to shift away from fossil fuels and support industry through decarbonisation, also by bringing down energy prices. Draghi's report noted the difficulty of cutting emissions in hard-to-abate industries, as well as in the transport sector. Planning is crucial, the report noted. For industry, it recommended "a mixed strategy that combines different policy tools and approaches for different industries", importing some "necessary technology" while ensuring the bloc retains some manufacturing capacity. It called for "a joint decarbonisation and competitiveness plan where all policies are aligned behind the EU's objectives." Von der Leyen did not react to specific proposals put forward by Draghi, and she is not obligated to act on the report's proposals. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Methanex to acquire OCI’s methanol business for $2bn


09/09/24
09/09/24

Methanex to acquire OCI’s methanol business for $2bn

Houston, 9 September (Argus) — Methanol producer Methanex announced Sunday that it will acquire OCI's international methanol business for $2.05bn. As part of the transaction, Methanex will acquire four primary assets, including a 910,000 t/yr methanol facility and 340,000 t/yr ammonia facility in Beaumont, Texas. Methanex will acquire OCI's 50pc interest in the 1.7m t/yr Natgasoline methanol plant in Beaumont. The acquisition of Natgasoline is subject to a legal proceeding between OCI and Proman, the other 50pc holder in Natgasoline, over certain shareholder rights. If the dispute is not resolved within a certain period, Methanex has the option to exclude the purchase of the Natgasoline joint venture and proceed with the rest of the transaction. The transaction also includes OCI HyFuels, a producer of green methanol products such as biomethanol and bio-MTBE, and trading and distribution capabilities for renewable natural gas (RNG) and ethanol. Additionally, Methanex will acquire an idled 1m t/yr methanol facility in Delfzijl, Netherlands. The purchase price includes $1.15 billion in cash, the issuance of 9.9 million shares of Methanex valued at $450 million and the assumption of about $450 million in debt and leases. The acquisition of fertilizer producer OCI began over a year ago, according to OCI officials. "We identified Methanex as the natural owner of OCI Methanol at the outset of our strategic process, which we initiated in the spring of 2023," OCI executive chairman Nassef Sawiris said. This acquisition moves Methanex, primarily a methanol maker, into the ammonia sector. "From an operating perspective, we have a shared culture of safety and operational excellence, and we expect the OCI team will help us build new skills in ammonia while enhancing our capabilities in the evolving business of low carbon methanol production and marketing," Methanex CEO Rich Sumner said. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of the two companies and is now awaiting certain regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. The transaction is also subject to approval by a simple majority of the shareholders of OCI. The largest shareholder of OCI, has signed an agreement to vote for the transaction. By Steven McGinn Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

East-west marine biodiesel spread near six-month low


06/09/24
06/09/24

East-west marine biodiesel spread near six-month low

London, 6 September (Argus) — The east-west marine biodiesel spread narrowed amid firm demand for the B24 blend in Singapore and lacklustre spot marine biodiesel demand in northwest Europe in recent sessions. The east-west marine biodiesel spread — the premium held by B30 used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome) dob ARA to B24 Ucome dob Singapore — was marked at $47.50/t on 5 September, its narrowest since 19 March. The spread narrowed amid a noted increase in demand from Asian-based shipowners who embark on voyages to Europe ahead of the implementation of FuelEU Maritime regulations in Europe next year — according to market participants. The latter had also reported an increase in B24 demand in Singapore from containerships seeking scope 3 emissions rights that can then be passed on to cargo owners. Scope 3 emissions rights can be obtained on a mass-balance system, allowing shipowners flexibility with regards to the port at which a blend can be bunkered. Argus assessed B24 dob Singapore prices at an average of $720.70/t on 1 July–5 September this year, compared with $757.70/t on 8 February–28 June following the launch of the B30 Ucome dob ARA price on 8 February. Consequently, the east-west marine biodiesel spread was marked at an average of $95.34/t on 1 July–5 September, compared with $74.57/t on 8 February–28 June. A wider east-west spread would incentivise shipowners to opt for the B24 blend in Singapore rather than ARA, when operationally viable, to meet the voluntary scope 3 demand from their customers. Rising demand in the Singapore bunkering hub was further supplemented by higher sales of marine biodiesel blends at the port. According to official data released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, sales of marine biodiesel blends in the second quarter of the year were marked at about 161,400t — higher by 34,500t from the previous quarter. This was also higher by 52,600t from the second quarter of last year. By Hussein Al-Khalisy Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Indian state approves chip, EV manufacturing plants


06/09/24
06/09/24

Indian state approves chip, EV manufacturing plants

London, 6 September (Argus) — The Maharashtra state cabinet in India has approved three foreign investment manufacturing projects — a $1bn semiconductor plant and two battery electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid vehicle factories. The semiconductor chip plant, a joint venture between Israel-based Tower Semiconductor and Indian industrial conglomerate Adani Group, is planned to be built in two phases. The 587.63bn rupees ($7bn) first phase will have a production capacity of 40,000 wafers/month and the Rs251.84bn second phase will add another 40,000 wafers/month, the state's deputy chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, announced. The facility, to be located outside Mumbai, will be the second semiconductor fabrication plant in the country. The project still needs approval from the central government and Ministry of Electronics and IT, which plans to revise its semiconductor incentives. The project is designed to capitalise on the Indian government's plans to establish a domestic semiconductor manufacturing supply chain, driven by strong local demand in the electronics, EV and manufacturing sectors. Earlier this week, the Indian cabinet approved a proposal from Kaynes Semicon to set up a chip assembly, testing and packaging plant in Gujarat. The Rs33bn plant will have a capacity to handle 6mn chips/d. The governments of India and Singapore on Thursday signed an agreement to co-operate on semiconductor industry development and supply chain resilience, with an eye to Singaporean companies investing in Indian production. The two automotive plants that were also approved by Maharashtra state will be built by Skoda Auto Volkswagen India and Toyota Kirloskar, which is a joint venture between Japan's Toyota Motor and local firm Kirloskar Systems. The Rs150bn Skoda facility in the city of Pune will produce battery electric and hybrid cars. The company already has plants in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (previously named Aurangabad), which produce 180,000 cars and 60,000 cars, respectively. The Rs212.73bn Toyota plant will be built in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and will manufacture battery EVs, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. The announcement comes after the company signed an initial agreement with the Government of Maharashtra in July to explore setting up a new manufacturing plant in the city. The company operates two automotive plants in Bidadi in the state of Karnataka with an annual installed capacity of 3.42mn vehicles/yr and plans to build a third plant in the town to start operations in 2026 with a capacity of 1mn units/yr. The new plants reflect Toyota Kirloskar's growing product portfolio at it expands into EV manufacturing, rising consumer demand and an increase in exports, the company said. By Nicole Willing Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US adds 142,000 jobs in August, unemployment at 4.2pc


06/09/24
06/09/24

US adds 142,000 jobs in August, unemployment at 4.2pc

Houston, 6 September (Argus) — The US added 142,000 nonfarm jobs in August, fewer than forecast, raising the odds of a half-point rate cut at the Federal Reserve's policy meeting in two weeks. The job gains followed downwardly revised gains of 118,000 for June and 89,000 for July, for combined losses of 86,000 for the two prior months, according to the Labor Department. The gains in August were below the average monthly gain of 202,000 for the prior 12 months. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2pc in August from 4.3pc in July, still near five-decade lows of 3.4pc reached in early 2023. The gains were slightly lower than the 160,000 job gains forecast in a survey by Trading Economics, increasing the odds of a 50 basis point cut in the target rate to 45pc probability today from 40pc Thursday, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Odds of a quarter point cut fell to 55pc today from 60pc the day prior. Fed policy makers in late July kept their target rate unchanged at a 23-year high, but Fed chair Jerome Powell told a bankers symposium last month that the "time has come for policy to adjust," his clearest signal that the Fed is ready to begin lowering borrowing costs as inflation has slowed markedly and the labor market was beginning to show signs of weakening. A rate cut after the 18 September Fed meeting would come less than two months before the US presidential election on 5 November. Job gains were reported in construction and health care. Health care added 31,000 jobs in August, about half the monthly gain in the prior year. Construction added 34,000 jobs, more than the average. Manufacturing jobs fell by 24,000 in August. Employment was little changed in other major industries, including mining and oil and gas extraction. Average hourly earnings increased by 3.8pc over the 12 months ending in August, up from 3.6pc through July. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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