VINACHEM

The Strait of Hormuz quickly became a choke point for energy and chemicals trade from the Middle East after the US and Israel went to war with Iran. About a quarter of all seaborne oil and a fifth of liquified natural gas (LNG) has passed through this narrow passage between Iran and Oman in recent years. 

The world's farmers face soaring fertiliser and fuel prices as the war in the Middle East escalates, leaving some scrambling for supplies as the spring planting season approaches. 

Based on the white paper “Powering the Future: Overcoming Battery Supply Chain Challenges with Circularity” published by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with RMI and the Global Battery Alliance, January 2025. Report leads: Pramoda Gode (Global Battery Alliance), Laura LoSciuto (RMI), Anis Nassar (World Economic Forum). Research team: Monkgogi Buzwani, Sudeshna Mohanty, Kriti Singh (RMI). Rewritten in scientific journalism style. No information beyond the source document has been added. 

CF Industries’ stock soared, as profits could see a boost from higher nitrogen prices stemming from supply disruptions in the Middle East 

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East surged over the weekend. Multiple trading sources reported on February 28 that following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Several tanker owners and traders have suspended crude oil, fuel, and liquefied natural gas shipments through the strait. 

The World Economic Forum (WEF) and consulting firm Kearney have released their 2026 annual report on global value chains, noting that global supply chains are undergoing profound restructuring driven simultaneously by geopolitical tensions, technological acceleration and economic volatility. 

Every year, laundry and dishwater detergents generate billions of dollars in revenue—at a detrimental environmental cost. Now, scientists are looking at new ways to clean up the process using more eco-friendly ingredients.