Volkswagen to invest over $1 billion on a battery production plant in Germany
Volkswagen will invest almost 1 billion euros (US$1.1 billion) in battery cell production at a facility in western Germany and is seeking to simplify the group by spinning off or selling units, the automaker said on Monday. Volkswagen said in a statement after a supervisory board meeting it would set up the battery facility in... View Article
Tesla expects global shortage of electric vehicle battery minerals
Tesla Inc expects global shortages of nickel, copper and other electric-vehicle battery minerals down the road due to underinvestment in the mining sector, the company’s global supply manager for battery metals told an industry conference on Thursday, according to two sources.
Chinese electric car maker BYD’s first-quarter profit up 632 percent
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co Ltd, backed by U.S. investor Warren Buffett, reported on Sunday a 632 percent jump in its first-quarter net profit, buoyed by strong demand for its new energy vehicles. The Shenzhen-based car and battery maker, which has a joint venture with Daimler AG in China, said last month it expected... View Article
BORON
MARKET
The borates market typically grows at levels equal to, or above GDP growth in key demand markets.
Increased demand for agricultural applications continues with Africa and India showing improved adoption of using borates as a micro-nutrient to increase crop productivity. Heightened demand for refined borates products and boric acid reflect increased consumption in both agriculture and industrial markets.
Continued market growth at approximately GDP rates or above is expected, driven by innovation in the boro-silicate glass industry and fracking in the Americas, as well as increasing and more widespread consumption of borates in agricultural applications.
REFINED BORATES MARKET
- Overall 4.5% CAGR from 2013 to 2018
- Growth driven by Agriculture (6%), Borosilicate Glass (4%)
- As the market continues to improve, Insulation Fibre Glass in the North American housing market will also stimulate growth.
MINERAL BORATES MARKET
- Overall 4% CAGR from 2013 to 2018
- Growth driven by Agriculture (6%), Insulation Fiber Glass (4%) and Frits and Ceramics (4%)
- Minerals used in Asia for direct use and conversion to refined products and in North / South America directly in end-uses.