Category: 3. Business

Our report for INEOS explains why the European chemical industry is undergoing a severe and sustained contraction. Structural pressures, principally high energy costs, carbon costs, regulatory and permitting burdens, are eroding competitiveness relative to the United States, China, and the Middle East.

Between 2019 and 2025Q2, the European chemical sector’s output declined significantly. It has contracted by 30% in the UK, 18% in Germany, 12% in France, and 7% in Belgium. Structural pressures—chiefly high energy and carbon costs alongside regulatory and permitting burdens—are undermining the sector’s viability.

Falling output levels and lower profitability is causing European chemical firms to cut their investment relative to their global competitors. Between 2019 and 2024, the average annual growth in European chemical firms’ investment spending was half the rate of their US counterparts (1.5% versus 3.0%). This trend is projected to continue over the next decade. This will further adversely impact the sector’s competitiveness.

Emissions data suggest that, if European chemicals production is replaced by imports from China and the US, total carbon emissions will rise. Chinese and US chemical industries emit around threefold and twofold more carbon for the same volume of output, respectively, than those in Europe. The greater distances needed to transport the imports will also add to the greenhouse gas emissions.

European policymakers face a critical decision: act decisively now to safeguard this vital strategic industry or risk its irreversible decline.

Developing Asia reached a 98% access rate in 2024. India and Indonesia now have universal access, leaving most of the remaining gap in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Myanmar, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which together account for 83% of the region’s population still without electricity. Progress has stalled since 2021, with four of the five countries showing slower progress than before the pandemic.

Latin America is close to universal access, with 98% of the population connected in 2024. But the last few percentage points are proving difficult. Remote areas such as the Andean Highlands and the Amazon remain underserved, and at the current pace, it could take 15 years to close the gap. Honduras and Haiti face the largest challenges. In Haiti, about half the population still lacks electricity, and progress in 2024 was 56% below the 2015–2019 average.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for eight out of ten people globally without electricity. The number of people lacking access grew between 2020 and 2022 but has since begun to fall, though progress is concentrated in a handful of countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Mozambique. In 2024, regional progress remained below pre-pandemic levels, with 27 countries still lagging their 2015–2019 averages. Early 2025 estimates suggest a modest acceleration, supported by record solar PV imports from China and new electrification policies in key countries.

Pubs and bars in England and Wales could see extended opening hours as the government launches a fast-track a review on “outdated” licensing rules.

The plans could make it easier for venues to serve food outside and host more live music, in a bid to “remove unnecessary barriers”.

Pub landlords and local communities will be able to have their say in a four-week call for evidence. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the review was about “cutting red tape” and “boosting footfall” to support the UK’s economic growth.

But critics have warned relaxing rules around alcohol would lead to more antisocial behaviour.

Sir Keir said “pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities”, and added that the government was “backing them to thrive”.

“When our locals do well, our economy does too,” he said.

The call for evidence will focus on nine key recommendations from the Government’s Licensing Taskforce, with particular emphasis on streamlining on-trade alcohol licensing for hospitality venues.

It said it plans to cut the cost of licensing, extend business rates relief and cut alcohol duty on draught pints.

Nick Mackenzie, co-chair of the Licensing Taskforce and chief executive at pub giant Greene King, said updating the licensing system was a “vital step” towards reducing the challenges of running a hospitality business.

“Pubs are faced with continued rising costs, placing them under enormous pressures which is why the Government must continue to back the sector, including critical reforms on business rates which would unlock opportunities for pubs to invest and help drive economic growth,” he said.

Dr Richard Piper, the chief executive of the charity Alcohol Change UK told the Guardian the proposed reforms would be a “charter for chaos” without support from local authorities and health experts.

He said permitting vendors to sell alcohol later into the evening would “inevitably mean more victims of crime, including domestic violence, more antisocial behaviour and disturbance, more police time spent dealing with drink-fuelled incidents and both ambulance and A&E staff having to deal with even more people who have come to harm as a result of alcohol”.

Pubs in England and Wales do not have universal fixed opening hours under current licensing rules. Instead, local authorities grant licenses with specific operating hours which pubs must follow.

The number of pubs in the UK has steadily decreased every year since 2000, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. The association estimates that 378 pubs would close in 2025 across England, Wales and Scotland, amounting to more than 5,600 direct job losses.

A breakthrough in sustainable transmissions: Valeo remanufactures the complex DQ250 dual wet clutch, which is fitted to more than 5 million vehicles in Europe.

This milestone marks the completion of a project led by The Future is NEUTRAL and its subsidiary THE REMAKERS, to develop a competitive circular offering with low environmental impact.

This new offering reduces the price by 30% compared to the equivalent new product and consumption of natural resources by at least 45%.

A strategic partnership and a unique training program to prepare the 140 automotive expertise firms in the LIDEO network for tomorrow’s innovations.

Icare, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas Cardif, brings its expertise in warranty extension and automotive maintenance contracts. Stellantis’ Spoticar label, launched in 2019, offers a range of warranties and services for used vehicles, aiming to strengthen customer trust and facilitate transactions. Through this partnership, BNP Paribas and Stellantis are strengthening their collaboration, creating new opportunities for customers and dealers.

This partnership covers an extended range of insurance products and services for the benefit of dealers and buyers of used vehicles. The agreement includes specific warranties for used cars, such as warranty extensions, maintenance contracts, and dealer guarantees. Dedicated offers for electric vehicles with battery coverage are also planned.

Dealers and customers will also benefit from a claim reporting and management platform, as well as digital tools such as online training modules, sales support, and a unified partner portal integrating tools to prepare and resell vehicles. Technical and commercial support will also be provided on the ground to help with integration and performance monitoring.