India waives import duties on key petrochemical imports Change India exempted imports of a wide list of petrochemical products from import duties from April 2 through June 30, 2026, and also removed the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess on ammonium nitrate for the same period. Why it matters The measure removes a temporary tariff-based price advantage for domestic petrochemical producers, increasing competitive pressure on local margins. Import-dependent manufacturers have a limited window to replenish stocks without tariff costs, but supply reliability remains uncertain while Middle East hostilities continue. Economic Times · Apr 2 More actions Like (sign in) Save (sign in) Share Facebook LinkedIn X / Twitter Copy link
Yara halts Pilbara ammonia plant for two months Change Yara halted operations at its Pilbara ammonia plant after a power outage damaged critical systems, taking offline about 850,000 tonnes-per-year of ammonia and targeting a restart. Why it matters The outage tightens domestic and regional ammonia availability, restricting urea production and the supply of feedstock for mining explosives and making procurement and production planning harder. Global alternatives are limited because roughly 25% of ammonia trade and about 43% of urea flows are currently blocked by the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. The Deep Dive · Mar 24 More actions Like (sign in) Save (sign in) Share Facebook LinkedIn X / Twitter Copy link
Malaysia renews Lynas Rare Earths' license, orders end to radioactive waste by 2031 Change Malaysia renewed Lynas Rare Earths' operating license through March 3, 2036, required any radioactive waste produced in the next five years to be treated and neutralized (including by thorium extraction), banned new permanent disposal facilities, and set a five-year review that can revoke the license. Why it matters The company must rapidly scale lab-tested neutralization methods to industrial levels rather than continue accumulating untreated radioactive residues in Malaysia. Noncompliance or missed retrofit deadlines will expose Lynas to license review and potential revocation, tightening operational timelines and permitting options. Associated Press · Mar 4 More actions Like (sign in) Save (sign in) Share Facebook LinkedIn X / Twitter Copy link
IMFA completes ferrochrome plant acquisition from Tata Steel Change Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys (IMFA) completed the acquisition of a ferrochrome plant in Kalinganagar, Odisha, from Tata Steel for Rs 707.26 crore. Why it matters The acquired facility occupies 115 acres in Kalinganagar, Odisha. It currently contains four furnaces with combined output of 100,000 tonnes per annum. A partially built fifth furnace is scheduled for commissioning in approximately one year, which will raise total capacity to 150,000 tpa. The transaction value is Rs 707.26 crore, comprising a Rs 610 crore base consideration plus GST and net working capital, and was financed from internal accruals. Economic Times · Feb 27 More actions Like (sign in) Save (sign in) Share Facebook LinkedIn X / Twitter Copy link
