The U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation finalized new fuel
efficiency standards on Aug. 28. The new corporate average fuel economy
(CAFE) standards will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5
mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by model year (MY) 2025 SEE MORE Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for state
management in exploiting, processing and using minerals, excluding
minerals used for producing building materials and the Ministry of
Construction is in charge of state management in exploiting and using
minerals to make construction materials. SEE MORE SINGAPORE — Consumer confidence has picked up
across Asia/Pacific markets as concerns about slow growth lessen in the
region, according to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index for Consumer
Confidence. SEE MORE SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Offers for styrene monomer (SM) in Asia
breached $1,450/tonne (€1,160/tonne) this week, representing a 17%
increase from early June, because of tight availability of prompt
cargoes, market sources said on Thursday. SEE MORE Chemtex International Inc. received a conditional USDA loan guarantee
to build a 20 MMgy cellulosic ethanol facility in eastern North
Carolina’s Sampson County. Project Alpha is planning to use energy
grasses as feedstock, with an estimated 30,000 acres of production
needed to supply the facility. SEE MORE