Industry: Energy Transition

Silver’s main domestic use in 2020 was electrical and electronics (28%), surpassing jewelry and silverware (26%). Its industrial applications, including pharmaceuticals and solar cells, are driven by its superior conductivity and resistance properties.

Several countries have laid out hydrogen strategies in the journey to energy transition. For example, South Korea is aiming to quadruple current annual demand for hydrogen to 2 million tons per year (MMTPA) by 2030 and grow to 5 MMTPA by 2050. Similarly, Japan is aiming to consume 3 MMTPA by 2030, rising to 20 MMTPA by 2050. However, […]

In the October 2021 edition of the ADI newsletter, we examined evolving dynamics in energy and materials markets with a focus on sustainability and future demand. This issue featured an outlook on asphalt market growth in emerging economies as refiners seek alternative revenue streams. We also assessed the environmental challenges facing lithium mining for electric […]

How will hydrogen by transported if Energy Transition picks up the pace? Can existing pipelines help meet growing hydrogen demand?

As more countries continue to plan for a carbon-neutral world, many companies are beginning to invest in hydrogen.  Hydrogen can support many decarbonization efforts by emerging as an alternative fuel in transportation, becoming a cleaner heat source in industrial applications.  While we expect the demand for hydrogen to grow significantly in several large-scale applications, there […]

In the September 2021 edition of the ADI newsletter, global natural gas prices were surging, triggering a widespread domino effect across markets—raising heating and electricity costs, disrupting industrial operations, and impacting everything from fertilizer production to holiday food supplies. In Latin America, Mexico remains a focal point for refined fuel imports, shaping regional trade dynamics. […]

Lithium mining, particularly in Argentina and Chile’s salt flats, faces scrutiny due to its water-intensive nature and potential link to increased droughts, raising environmental sustainability concerns. 1 To mitigate “dirty” lithium mining, electric vehicle battery manufacturers need to explore “clean” alternative sourcing methods.  

Concerns over potential supply shortages and price volatility, stemming from China’s significant control over rare earth metal exports (80% in 2019) and historical instances of export restrictions, are prompting governments and private entities to pursue new projects and diversify sourcing to reduce reliance on China. 1  

Nickel is a critical mineral with ~70% of current demand being dominated by stainless steel followed by 25% for manufacture of alloys, special steels, and coatings, and 5% for electric batteries. While demand from stainless steel and alloys will likely remain robust in the medium-term, significant demand growth is expected to arise from nickel’s application […]

The projected surge in clean energy technologies (EVs, batteries, energy storage, and clean power) over the next decade will dramatically increase demand for critical minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, graphite, and REEs, making their adequate supply crucial. The application and demand growth for these minerals will vary across technologies.

Manganese is mainly used in steel production, but its use in EV batteries, especially in cobalt-free designs like LMO (61% cathode) and NMC (20-30% cathode), presents a growth opportunity.

Lithium-ion batteries were the primary driver of cobalt demand in 2020 (57%), with cobalt comprising about one-fifth of a typical cathode due to its benefits in charge rates and corrosion resistance. Despite these advantages, battery manufacturers are seeking to decrease their reliance on cobalt.