Oil Contamination to Air Taxis: Surprising Innovations and Challenges
Dear readers,
The Beijing News reports a widespread issue in China’s tanker transportation industry, where tanks used for transporting edible oil are often not cleaned after carrying chemical liquids, risking contamination.
Sunwoda, a Chinese company, plans to reduce the cost of all-solid-state batteries to 2 yuan per watt-hour by 2026 through increased research and development.
In the Xizang Autonomous Region, improved transportation infrastructure, including a new highway between Lhasa and Xigaze, has significantly reduced travel times and increased convenience for residents.
LG Electronics acquired 80% of the Dutch smart home company Athom to enhance its AI capabilities in home appliances.
In Seoul’s Seongsu-dong, the robot-friendly building Factorial Seongsu integrates advanced robotics for convenience.
The Korea Development Institute (KDI) suggests that expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure is more effective than subsidies for promoting EV adoption.
The Ministry of Transportation in Taiwan has approved the feasibility study for the Taichung Airport MRT (Orange Line). The project, expected to take 14 years and cost approximately 139.635 billion yuan, will include 26 stations along a 29.23-kilometer route, marking significant progress for the Taichung MRT project.
Changhua County Mayor Wang Huimei visited Heidelberg, Germany, to learn about its urban planning and public transportation systems. The visit aims to gather insights for the development of Changhua, including implementing successful strategies observed in Heidelberg and the Netherlands.
Shenzhen, China, launched its "air taxi" service, the first "low-altitude + rail" combined transport project in the country.
The UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warns that imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles could increase trade barriers.
LG Energy Solution (LGES) secured a significant deal to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to Renault for its electric vehicles.
South Korea plans to invest 2 trillion won over the next decade in smart and clean energy projects for its shipbuilding industry.
Jürgen Germeys
China
装完化工油再装食用油，别让罐车运输“脱轨运行” |新京报快评
Beijing News | Local Language | News
The Beijing News reported that there is a common practice in the tanker transportation industry of mixing food liquids and chemical liquids without cleaning the tanks, leading to potential contamination of edible oil. The lack of strict quality control from edible oil manufacturers, along with the absence of national standards for edible oil transportation, has contributed to this problem. To address this issue, the article suggests implementing mandatory national standards for edible oil transportation, increasing supervision and inspections, and establishing penalties for violations. It emphasises the importance of improving the safety management systems of edible oil production companies to ensure the quality and safety of edible oil during transportation.
China Daily | English | News
Sunwoda plans to reduce the price of its all-solid-state battery to 2 yuan per watt-hour by 2026 through increased R&D investment and technological innovation. The company aims for mass production with a capacity of 1 GWh. All-solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and safety compared to lithium-ion batteries, making them a potentially game-changing technology. China's strong industrial ecosystem and economies of scale give it an advantage in reducing the cost of such batteries.
Peoples Daily | English | News
Improved transport infrastructure in Xizang Autonomous Region, including a new high-grade highway linking Lhasa and Xigaze, has significantly reduced travel time and increased convenience for residents. This development has also opened up opportunities for rural tourism and economic growth in the region.
South Korea
Joongang Ilbo | English | News
LG Electronics has acquired 80 percent of the Dutch smart home company Athom in order to expand its AI integration into home appliances. The remaining 20 percent will be acquired in the next three years. Athom, founded in 2014, offers a smart home ecosystem called Homey that is compatible with 50,000 devices. LG aims to use this acquisition to enhance customer data and offer personalised services. The global smart home market is projected to grow from $81.2 billion to $260.2 billion from 2023 to 2028.
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ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News
A robot-friendly building in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, called Factorial Seongsu, integrates robotics technology to provide convenience to occupants. Robots in the building deliver drinks, packages, manage shared vehicles, and even park cars. Hyundai Motor Group is behind the operation of service robots in Factorial Seongsu, with plans to expand the use of robots in areas such as courier delivery. The building also features a parking robot that offers valet service for business vehicles. Additionally, an electric vehicle automatic charging robot is set to be introduced in September to further enhance the building's smart office capabilities.
KDI "??? ?? ??, ????? ???? ??? ???"
Money Today | Local Language | News
KDI suggests that expanding charging facilities for electric vehicles is more effective in increasing efficiency than providing subsidies. KDI estimates that the cost of installing 90,000 electric vehicle chargers is about 15% of the cost of providing electric vehicle subsidies. The cost-to-benefit ratio of subsidies for electric vehicles did not exceed 1, indicating that subsidy payments may be excessive. KDI recommends focusing on deploying fast chargers at transportation hubs to make long-distance driving easier, as the proportion of fast chargers in Korea is lower compared to other major countries.
Taiwan
领英推荐
路線圖曝光！中捷橘線通過交通部審查、14年後完工 盧秀燕說話了
The China Post | Local Language | News
The Ministry of Transportation approved the Feasibility Study Plan for the Taichung Airport MRT (Orange Line), marking significant progress in the Taichung MRT project. The total cost is estimated to be 139.635 billion yuan, with a route of approximately 29.23 kilometres and 26 stations. The project is expected to take 14 years to complete.
王惠美參訪德國海德堡市 取經城市規劃與公共運輸
Central News Agency | Local Language | News
Changhua County Mayor Wang Huimei visited Heidelberg, Germany to learn about urban planning and public transportation. Heidelberg has a complete light rail and bus transportation system that is convenient for people. Wang Huimei and her team also visited the Netherlands to learn from successful experiences in urban planning and public transportation for the development of Changhua.
「空中計程車」起飛！中國首個「低空＋軌道」空鐵聯運 比搭車便宜、比坐船快捷
The Storm Media | Local Language | News
Summary: Shenzhen City, China launched the "air taxi" service, which is the country's first "low-altitude + rail" air-rail combined transport project. Passengers can fly from Shenzhen North Railway Station to cities in the Greater Bay Area. The service, operated by a helicopter, offers faster and cheaper transportation than taking a car or boat. This initiative is part of Shenzhen's focus on developing the low-altitude economy.
Vietnam
Anh: áp thu? xe ?i?n Trung Qu?c có th? làm t?ng rào c?n th??ng m?i
VTV News | Local Language | News
The Chief executive of the UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned against increasing trade barriers in global markets, referencing Europe and the US imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. While the UK is not currently affected, uncertainties remain due to ongoing negotiations between the EU and China, as well as the upcoming US Presidential election. Chinese brands make up about 4% of the overall UK market and 10% of the electric vehicle market, with 30% of electric vehicles in the UK being manufactured in China. The UK car industry is closely monitoring the situation.
South Korea
Yonhap | English | News
LG Energy Solution (LGES) has won a deal to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for Renault S.A.'s electric vehicles. The five-year contract through 2030 will involve a total capacity of 39 GWh that can power 590,000 EVs. The batteries will be produced at LGES' Poland plant, marking the company's first large-scale supply deal of LFP EV batteries. Europe's growing demand for affordable entry-level EVs is fueling the need for LFP batteries.
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LG Ensol wins first large-scale order for LFP for electric vehicles… Supplied 39GWh to Renault [Deputy Manager Park]
Digital Daily | Local Language | News
LG Energy Solution has secured its first large-scale order for LFP batteries for electric vehicles, supplying 39GWh to Renault. The contract spans 5 years, from 2025 to 2030, and signifies LG's breakthrough in the European market against Chinese competitors. LG's LFP batteries offer enhanced safety and price competitiveness, utilizing a Cell To Pack (CTP) process solution for increased energy density. The batteries will be produced in Poland and installed in Renault's next-generation electric vehicles. This contract is expected to boost LG's market competitiveness and global presence in the electric vehicle battery sector.
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Maekyung | Local Language | News
LG Energy Solution signs a contract with Renault to supply LFP batteries for electric vehicles, marking the first agreement among Korean battery companies to supply LFP batteries in the vehicle industry. This contract will supply approximately 39GWh, enough to produce about 590,000 electric vehicles, in Europe.
Yonhap | English | News
South Korea's industry ministry plans to invest 2 trillion won over the next 10 years in smart and clean energy projects for the shipbuilding industry as part of Vision 2040. The initiative aims to develop cutting-edge technologies for ships, including full autopilot capabilities and carbon-free engines, to maintain the country's lead in the industry. The government also aims to transform South Korea into a marine engineering powerhouse by utilizing automated production systems and designated 10 flagship projects that harness advanced technologies.
Korea Times | English | News
LG Energy Solution signed a contract to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to French carmaker Renault, marking the first Korean battery cell maker to supply LFP batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). In addition, the company signed a contract with Australian lithium mining company Liontown to ensure a stable supply of lithium, a key raw material for EV batteries. LG Energy Solution will supply LFP battery pouches for EVs at Renault's headquarters in Paris, with a total supply amount of about 39 gigawatt-hours (GWh). The batteries will be produced at LG's Poland plant and featured in Renault's next-generation EV models. The company sees this contract as a way to strengthen its market competitiveness in the growing EV industry.
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Joongang Ilbo | Local Language | News
LG Energy Solution announced a contract to supply LFP batteries for Renault's electric vehicles in France, marking their first large-scale order for LFP. This move allows Korean companies to compete in the LFP battery market dominated by Chinese companies. The increase in demand for mid-priced electric vehicles has led to a rise in the adoption of inexpensive LFP batteries, with Korean companies like LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On diversifying their portfolios to include LFP batteries. LG Energy Solution also secured 1.75 million tons of lithium concentrate from an Australian mining company to produce high-performance electric vehicles.