News

Industry news, company updates, and insights from DataM Intelligence. Stay informed with the latest developments in the industry.

Packaging Polymer Prices Rise Again in August 2026 as Supply Constraints, Energy Costs and Demand Recovery Reshape Global Markets

Packaging polymer prices are rising again in August 2026 due to a combination of tighter resin supply, higher petrochemical feedstock costs, energy price volatility, and recovering demand from packaging industries. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and PET resin markets are experiencing increased pricing pressure as manufacturers manage supply availability and changing regulatory requirements. Packaging companies are responding through inventory optimization, recycled polymer adoption, and alternative sourcing strategies to manage cost risks.

Jul 21, 2026

India Must Act Now to Lead the Global Battery Materials Supply Chain: Vikram Handa Calls for Urgent Domestic Manufacturing Push

India can become a global battery materials leader by expanding domestic manufacturing, critical mineral processing, and battery supply chains. Vikram Handa of Epsilon Group says rapid investment in battery materials infrastructure will help India reduce imports, support EV growth, strengthen energy security, and compete in the global clean energy market.

Jul 21, 2026

Asian LNG Prices Surge to Four-Month High as Middle East Tensions Intensify Global Energy Supply Concerns

Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices have surged to their highest levels in four months as growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supply chains. Market participants are closely monitoring developments around key shipping routes and LNG export hubs, with analysts warning that prolonged instability could tighten global gas markets and increase procurement costs for Asian importers. Rising LNG prices may also influence industrial energy expenses, power generation costs, and regional energy security strategies.

Jul 16, 2026

European HRC Prices Climb as New EU Import Rules Reshape Steel Market Dynamics

European hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices moved higher in July as the steel market adjusted to the European Union's revised import quota framework. Industry participants report stronger domestic pricing, tighter import availability, and growing expectations that supply constraints could support further price gains in the second half of 2026.

Jul 15, 2026

China Advances Methanol Transportation Infrastructure with First Fuel Pipeline Trial, Boosting Clean Energy Supply Chain

China completes its first methanol pipeline transport trial, creating new opportunities for fuel methanol infrastructure, clean energy logistics, and market growth.

Jul 13, 2026

EPA Announces Nearly $1 Billion PFAS Strategy to Transform Drinking Water Safety and Drive Advanced Remediation Technologies

The EPA’s new PFAS strategy provides nearly $1 billion in funding to help communities address PFAS contamination through drinking water improvements, technical assistance, and advanced treatment technologies. The initiative focuses on controlling PFAS pollution at its source, maintaining drinking water protections for key compounds such as PFOA and PFOS, and accelerating innovation in PFAS removal and destruction solutions.

Jul 10, 2026

India’s E85 Fuel Rollout Reveals Flex-Fuel “Chicken-and-Egg” Problem as Ethanol Market Expansion Accelerates

India’s rollout of E85 fuel marks a significant step in its ethanol-driven clean mobility transition, but the initiative is already facing a structural “chicken-and-egg” challenge between infrastructure readiness and vehicle adoption. While the government accelerates its flex-fuel roadmap to reduce crude oil dependency and promote renewable energy, limited availability of flex-fuel vehicles and cautious investment from fuel retailers are slowing large-scale implementation. This transition is closely tied to the expanding global ethanol ecosystem, where rising demand, policy mandates, and supply chain constraints are reshaping the future of biofuels and alternative energy markets.

Jun 17, 2026

LoRaWAN Roadmap 2026 Focuses on Plug-and-Play Usability to Unlock Massive IoT at Global Scale

The latest LoRaWAN roadmap emphasizes a major shift in IoT strategy, prioritizing usability, interoperability, and zero-touch deployment over core radio innovation. Developed to support “massive IoT” expansion, the roadmap introduces standardized APIs, plug-and-play device provisioning, satellite connectivity integration, and unified data models to simplify large-scale IoT deployments across industrial, utility, and smart city ecosystems. This strategic evolution positions LoRaWAN as a key enabler of next-generation connected infrastructure competing alongside cellular IoT, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth in global markets.