For several years, European industry has been grappling with a significant rise in energy costs, severely impacting its competitiveness on the global stage. In contrast, the United States benefits from much lower energy prices, giving its industries a clear competitive edge. This article explores the disparities in energy costs between Europe and the U.S., examines the root causes behind these differences, and suggests simple ways to improve Europe’s energy competitiveness. Energy prices in Europe are significantly higher than in the U.S. According to Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the...

Tech startups have become powerful disruptors in the global economy, reshaping investment trends and transforming venture capital flows. AI dominates the tech landscape, absorbing nearly half of U.S. venture capital in 2024, with AI-related companies securing $5.7 billion in January 2025 alone, accounting for 22% of overall funding. As competition intensifies, investors are shifting towards smaller, strategic investments to promote steady growth and prevent overvaluation. Corporate giants like Alphabet and Microsoft are investing in startups to access cutting-edge technologies quickly. Climate...

The debate around transition minerals is more relevant than ever, with demand surging and expected to triple by 2040. These materials are essential for powering clean energy technologies, including electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels. Transition minerals undergo a multi-stage transformation before they can be used in battery applications. The process begins with upstream operations, where raw minerals are extracted in resource-rich countries. These materials are then sold to traders or directly to refiners, which handle midstream operations. Refining involves chemical...

As the world struggles to combat climate change, the transition to sustainable energy systems remains crucial. With the ongoing shift to cleaner energy solutions, the spotlight is turning more than ever to critical transition minerals which are essential for powering technologies driving the energy transition. Transition minerals are naturally occurring materials, primarily found in rocks, that play a pivotal role in renewable energy technologies. Lithium, nickel, and cobalt are essential for manufacturing batteries, such as those used in electric vehicles. Rare earth elements are key components...

Private equity (PE) is a form of investment capital that is raised and managed by private equity firms to directly invest in private companies or take public companies private, thus removing them from public stock exchanges. The goal of PE investments is typically to improve the performance of the acquired companies over a period (usually 5 to 10 years) and eventually sell them for a profit, either through a public offering, sale to another company, or recapitalization. Key Characteristics of Private Equity: Private Ownership: PE involves investments in companies that are not listed...

In recent years, India’s pharmaceutical industry has emerged as a global leader, driven by several key factors that have elevated its status both domestically and internationally. As highlighted in one of our recent LinkedIn publications, one of the main drivers of this success is the geographically diverse distribution of manufacturing hubs across the country, producing a wide range of pharmaceutical products. Source: Invest in India With over 3,000 companies and 10,500 manufacturing units, the industry has become a cornerstone of the Indian economy, significantly contributing to GDP...

In 2024, lithium continues to be a cornerstone of the global transition toward clean energy, with its pivotal role in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. The surge in demand for lithium-ion batteries is experiencing significant developments across the industry, impacting production, supply chains, and geopolitics worldwide. The demand for lithium remains robust in 2024, driven by the rapid adoption of EVs and the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure. Major economies such as the U.S., Europe, and China are accelerating...

The electric vehicle market has made significant strides over the past decade, with 2023 marking a record year of growth. However, the performance in 2024, particularly in Europe, has been mixed, reflecting the complexity of transitioning to a fully electrified automotive market. Economic constraints, infrastructure inadequacies, supply chain issues, technological limitations, and consumer sentiment all play a role in this dynamic landscape. The global EV market has witnessed exponential growth over the past few years. In 2023, electric car sales were 3.5 million higher than in 2022, a 35%...

Energy security and decarbonation are some of the greatest challenges of our time. In a context of increasing international instability, it is necessary to ensure that these goals are achieved with all the possible means, while preserving energy sustainability and supply for all consumers. Already providing about 10% of global electricity generation, the nuclear energy represents a solid opportunity for fighting against climate change. The possibilities for further expansion and growth of this energy sector were already highlighted by INCONCRETO in the interview with Carlos Soriano, General...

Today, more than ever, digital transformation is vital in all industrial fields. Digitalization serves as a means to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability in industrial processes. Furthermore, the effective implementation of cutting-edge technologies can facilitate decarbonization, helping to limit the impact of climate change, while also moderating high energy costs and better responding to increasing demand, especially in times of international conflict. Such ambition is affirmed in the 2022 US Inflation Reduction Act, which designates USD369 billion in subsidies for companies...

In today’s industrial landscape, digital technology has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing traditional processes and operations. From automation to data analytics, digitalization is reshaping how industries operate and innovate, paving the way for enhanced efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. In April, we delved into the numerous ways digital technology facilitates ongoing industrial transformation, highlighting its symbiotic interplay with industrial processes at every stage of production. Now, our focus shifts to the Pharmaceutical Industry, exploring the...

Today’s business landscape is driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation and efficiency, with digital technologies serving as the cornerstone to realizing these ambitions. Nowhere is this more apparent than in industry, where the integration of digital solutions promises a paradigm shift towards greater productivity and prosperity for all stakeholders. Indeed, digital transformation, exemplified by the emergence of Industry 4.0 over the past decade, represents a transformative force capable of reshaping traditional business models and unlocking previously untapped avenues for growth. At...