Entries tagged with “uk”
Articles
22 articles found for uk:
- Virtual Power Plants: The Way Forward
Growth of distributed energy sources (renewable energy) and fluctuations in demand for electricity has led to the development of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) systems. A VPP is a cloud-based system that uses software and algorithms to integrate and manage distributed energy resources. Currently, most VPPs are being established in developed countries such as the US, the UK, Germany, and France. Over the past year or so, VPP’s growth has been fueled by COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Green Gold Rush: Cleantech Startups Attract Global VC Interest
In recent years, cleantech startups have emerged as the favorites of venture capitalists (VCs). The rising concerns surrounding climate change triggered a massive shift in investment patterns and pushed the clean technology sector into the limelight. This transformation is not confined to a specific geographic region; rather VCs across regions are increasingly supporting technologies and innovations that could contribute to a sustainable future. Is this a short-term trend or a new phenomenon?
- Sugar Alternatives – The Sweet Success Story
Sugar alternatives are an emerging ingredient category gaining popularity due to the consumer shift toward health and fitness. Various factors drive its growth, with certain regions recording higher demand than others. With various options available, the sugar alternative industry is poised to grow as it is an exciting sector with unexplored opportunities and potential.
- Mini-grids: Bridging the Gap in Electricity Access
More than a billion people across the world do not have access to electricity; this includes Africa, where a major share of the population lives without electricity. To increase electrification and link remote locations, more and more countries are looking to install mini-grids. Asia and Africa are recording higher growth in installation of mini-grids, and it is expected that by 2030, mini-grids will provide electricity to more than 500 million people globally.
- Carbon Capture – Moving Toward Net-Zero Emissions
To save the planet from climate change, countries and organizations are working toward achieving net-zero emissions. Capture, utilization, and storage of carbon emerged as a leading strategy for limiting the global temperature rise. However, these technologies are expensive to implement in factories and manufacturing facilities. In addition, each technology comes with its set of limitations. If these obstacles can be surmounted, carbon capture can be widely implemented and contribute to a positive environmental impact.
- Friendshoring: Strategy to Reduce Supply Chain Dependency on China
Supply chains globally have barely recovered from the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic. The Russia–Ukraine war has added to the woes of already fragile supply chains. The only silver lining is that companies realize the perils of relying on a select few countries for manufacturing, raw materials, and components. For decades, companies have followed strategies such as offshoring, nearshoring, and outsourcing business operations to low-cost countries. However, recent events accelerated the movement to safeguard supply chains and move away from depending entirely on countries like China. One such concept that could be a game-changer for global trade order is “Friendshoring.”
- Floating Offshore Wind Energy
The need for environment-friendly resources and technology is rising. Renewable energy resources are gaining popularity, with wind energy being the second largest source. Though offshore wind is the fastest growing source, floating offshore wind source is also emerging as a powerful source of energy. Platforms and turbines are being developed to garner this energy. Though the resource faces challenges in implementation, it is a viable and economic option, and if a few measures are taken, it can easily become a main contributor of renewable energy.
- Impact of Biosimilars on Treatment Landscape in US and EU
Rising healthcare costs vis-à-vis the expanding population and lifestyle-related diseases are some of the key areas of concern across the globe. Governments and the healthcare industry, in particular, have been exploring avenues to address these challenges while offering affordable healthcare services. Digital health users opted for online prescriptions and virtual consulting during the pandemic for faster transformation of the health care delivery. However, advances such as development of biosimilars are a key step toward addressing the concerns of the escalating cost of healthcare and patients' access to critical medicines.
- Smart Healthcare: The Dawn of a New Era in the Post-Pandemic World
The global pandemic created a humanitarian and economic crisis; nonetheless, it accelerated technological innovation across industries. Healthcare, the most directly affected sector, had to quickly adopt and implement modern technologies to handle the crisis. Healthcare systems across the world were challenged due to the surge in demand and workload pressure. This led to a wave of technological transformations and accelerated the adoption of digital capabilities to enhance efficiency. With this, the process of health check evolved, undergoing several structural changes.
- Navigating the Global Expansion Challenge: Insights for Startups
Transitioning from a domestic company to a global business is a notable milestone for startups, unlocking new customer bases and expansive growth opportunities. However, venturing into international markets can be a complex and uncertain journey. As the investment landscape evolves and global competition intensifies, startups must exercise caution and undertake strategic planning in their pursuit of international expansion. They must be aware of market considerations, common pitfalls, and essential strategies for success.
- Millets – The New Super Crop
Millets, often referred to as "food grains of the poor," are grown and consumed worldwide. Currently, there is a renewed interest in millets due to their numerous health benefits, low environmental impact, and adaptability to diverse growing conditions. In fact, the United Nations declared 2023 as the “International Year of Millets”, highlighting the importance of these crops for food security and sustainable development. This is expected to increase the demand for millets globally and create new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs in the millet value chain.
- Beyond Plastic: Embracing Sustainable Packaging Alternatives
There is a major global shift away from plastic packaging toward other sustainable alternatives. This is driven by increasing environmental concerns and growing recognition of the detrimental impact of plastic waste on the ecosystem. There is a need and demand for more sustainable solutions.
- CAR T-Cell Therapy – Revolutionizing Medical Science
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has come to fore as a breakthrough in cancer treatment, specifically for blood cancer. Several companies have invested in it and many treatments have already received FDA approval. Although there are certain limitations to this therapy, they can be overcome via research. The CAR T-cell therapy can not only become a revolutionary treatment for cancer but also cure autoimmune diseases and viral infections.
- Exploring the Factors Behind Volatility in the Silicon Market
The high volatility of silicon metal prices impacted multiple end-use industries over 2021–22. Prices spiked multi-fold in 2021 compared with 2020, but declined by 60–70% in 4Q22, primarily driven by supply-demand dynamics and varying cost of production.
- The Rise of High-Pressure Processing
High pressure processing (HPP) technology is witnessing rapid growth in the food and beverage industry. Consumer demand for fresh, minimally processed foods with longer shelf life; the need for safer and healthier food products; and the rise of HPP-processed functional foods are driving the HPP market.
- The Rise of Vertical Farming and Hydroponics
Increasing demand for food, coupled with decreasing farmlands and fertile soils, has led to the emergence of alternative forms of farming, such as vertical farming, to boost food production. Countries that have long struggled with domestic production and supply constraints due to the lack of natural resources and favorable climatic conditions are implementing these technologies to achieve food self-sufficiency.
- Fertilizer Sector on Fertile Ground in 2022
Fertilizer prices have considerably increased over the last year. Growth was driven by higher demand on account of economic recovery in 2021 after the pandemic, jump in raw material prices (especially for natural gas), ban on exports by major producers such as Russia and China, and geopolitical tensions.
- Towards a Greener Future: The Rise of Eco-Friendly Disposable Hygiene Products
Disposable absorbent hygiene products are becoming more popular among people of all ages and socioeconomic groups. Campaigns for public education, wider availability of the goods, and enhanced marketing initiatives have contributed to normalizing the use of these products and lowering the stigma attached to them. There is a rise in the need for absorbent hygiene products, notably those for adult incontinence, as many nations' populations are getting older. The need for disposable absorbent hygiene products has been influenced by contemporary lifestyles, which include busy schedules, lengthy workdays, and substantial travel.
- The Internet of Behavior: Shaping the Future of Data-Driven Insights
Today’s interconnected world has given companies access to an immense amount of data. This data can be used to predict human behavior, possible outcomes to a certain situation, general behavioral patterns, and design offerings accordingly. This process is called Internet of Behavior (IoB) and can be used in various fields such as marketing, healthcare, insurance, and even policy making.
- Shrinkflation in the US
Shrinkflation is a form of inflation where companies reduce the product size, quantity, or quality to maintain or increase their profit margins. A common practice during high inflationary periods, shrinkflation is preferred when companies are hesitant to raise product prices amid rising operating costs. To avoid facing consumer backlash, companies sneakily practice shrinkflation, which, coupled with consumer ignorance, makes it hard to detect. Consequently, consumers may end up purchasing two packets of a product, for example, if its size is reduced by fourth. Thus, shrinkflation may not only help in maintaining margins but also boost sales. When accused of shrinkflation, companies may give several reasons such as health, environment, and better value addition. Inflation is transparent, but shrinkflation is underhanded and thus could be difficult to calculate and tackle.
- DeFi – Revolutionizing Financial Markets
DeFi has made considerable progress in a surprisingly short time that would contribute to a more transparent and accessible future in finance due to rapid technological developments. There are now over 4.5 million DeFi users worldwide, which is anticipated to reach two-digit millions in the immediate future. However, the technology seems to be in a nascent stage and is yet to be fully stress tested at scale over an extended period. While there are concerns over DeFi replacing the traditional financial system, experts suggest they can coexist and thus improve the global finance architecture and benefit the economy worldwide.
- The Future of Internal Combustion Engine
In 2021, the worldwide internal combustion engine (ICE) market was approximately worth USD 58,514.15 billion and is predicted to reach USD 93,615.18 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.05% between 2022 and 2029 showing tremendous growth. It is likely to expand further as demand for passenger and commercial vehicles rise in both established and emerging markets. Electric powertrains are increasingly coupled with ICE to enhance vehicle fuel efficiency, which is driving industry development. The demand for ICE is growing exponentially in industries such as agriculture, construction, mining, and power generation. The global lack of EV infrastructure availability is partly responsible for the ICE market's growth.
Blogs
1 blog posts found for uk:
- Healthtech Startups - Driving Innovations in Healthcare
Technology enabled vertical of healthcare is known as healthtech. This sector has recently seen many startups offering innovative products or services that improve the distribution of healthcare or support it in other ways. While developed countries have seen its quick adoption, emerging nations are also increasingly accepting it and implementing these products to make their healthcare more efficient. The venture capitalist and investment companies have taken notice of the growth in this sector and have been investing in promising startups.
Special Reports
1 special reports found for uk:
- Changing Energy Dynamics Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict
In line with the Paris Agreement, countries across the globe have implemented net-zero emission (NZE) initiatives to decarbonize electricity generation by 2050. However, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has put pressure on countries to reuse various energy sources to meet the energy requirement. In this scenario, the green power transition hinges on surge in usage of coal and acceptance of nuclear as the future source for energy generation. Moreover, solar energy is anticipated to benefit significantly from the Russia–Ukraine war as several developed nations have increased solar installations by quickly approving these projects. However, we see an immediate risk related to the installation of solar modules due to increase in photovoltaic prices and imposition of tariffs.