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Oct 14, 11:02
China expands rare earth export controls to midstream and end products
On October 9, 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce issued Announcements No. 61 and 62, expanding export controls on rare earths. The scope now extends beyond raw materials to include equipment, technology, and assemblies containing rare earth elements. An extraterritorial clause was also introduced, stating that foreign products containing a certain proportion of Chinese-origin rare earths or manufactured using Chinese technology must also apply for export licenses. China emphasized that this clause was intended to improve the regulatory system; in response, the US raised tariffs.
MiTAC Computing Technology Corporation, a subsidiary of MiTAC Holdings, has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Belgian innovator Tonomia, which focuses on distributed AI renewable energy solutions. This partnership marks an important milestone in advancing sustainable AI infrastructure.
As electric vehicle (EV) adoption surges and global attention on ESG and renewable energy deepens, battery reuse and recycling have become pivotal to the waste battery circular economy. South Korea's eNDIVe is standing out with a dual-track strategy that combines both reuse and recycling, positioning the company for steady long-term growth despite current economic headwinds.
Pahal Solar, an Indian startup integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into solar manufacturing, plans to invest INR170 million (approx. US$1.91 million) to double its production capacity.
The global rare earth market has long been dominated by China, encompassing everything from ore extraction to separation and refining, and even magnet manufacturing. Although the US possesses rare earth resources, high costs, strict environmental regulations, and China's low-price supply led the US to virtually exit the industry after the 1990s, becoming reliant on imports from China.

South Korea's once-dominant battery manufacturers are losing their footing in the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, as Chinese rivals surge ahead, driven by low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, strategic pivots, and overwhelming production efficiency. New data shows Korea's three major battery makers—LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI—are ceding market share at an accelerating pace.

Taiwan's annual energy efficiency improvement rate has hit 5.1%, surpassing the international benchmark of 4%. This achievement supports the island country's goal of reaching a 20% renewable energy share by 2026, according to the Executive Yuan.
Yulon Group's mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platform Line Go is marking two years since its brand upgrade, as the service sees steady growth with over 4.7 million users. In particular, the Line Go Taxi service has become the largest low-carbon emission fleet in Taiwan, with an accumulated driving distance in 2024 equivalent to circling the Earth about 1,367 times.
Billion Electric is partnering with major shareholder Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) to capture a significant slice of the growing energy storage market in the semiconductor sector, as AI drives the demand for power and behind-the-meter (BTM) renewable energy. According to Billion Electric general manager Elsa Chang, 2025 marks the company's first foray into the BTM energy storage market, with further applications and business prospects going forward.
Chih-Wei Wu, deputy director general of the Energy Administration (EA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), showed journalists around the Maritime Technology Innovation Center (MTIC) in Kaohsiung on October 2. Current tenants include Thunder Tiger, the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) under the National Institute of Applied Research (NIAR), Fugro IOVTEC, Maca Tech, Lung Hwa Electronics, and GOAT Engineering.
Amid the semiconductor supply chain's ongoing push for green transformation, Sustainable Energy Solution, a renewable power sales company under the Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) group, held a signing ceremony on October 2 with global advanced packaging and testing services supplier Amkor Technology for a 10-year corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA).
Taiwan is set to surpass South Korea in per capita GDP a year ahead of schedule, reaching the US$40,000 target by 2026. This is fueled by record-breaking exports, robust semiconductor and AI industries, and proactive energy and infrastructure initiatives. Despite global uncertainties, the island's economy demonstrates remarkable resilience and strategic foresight.