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Strait of Hormuz Closure May Tip Global Economy
Chris Fisher Americans are warily eyeing prices at the pump as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz grind to a halt amid the threat of Iranian attacks on vessels. The IEA took the unprecedented step of saying it would release 400 million barrels of oil from reserve on Wednesday. But oil is far from the only product for which the world economy is heavily dependent on the shallow, narrow waterway which connects Persian Gulf ports with the rest of the world. From the metals market to agriculture and autos, a de facto closure of the strait would ripple through business sectors and both the U.S. and world economy.
Aluminum is a good example. It is one of the biggest non-petroleum commerce casualties of the U.S.-Iran war. In 2025, the Middle East accounted for roughly 21% of unwrought aluminum imports and 13% of wrought aluminum imports — and those percentages have been rising. Unwrought aluminum is the raw, unprocessed metal in forms like ingots and billets, while wrought aluminum has been mechanically shaped into sheets, rods, or other finished forms used directly in manufacturing.
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EU Legislation Boosts EU Manufacturing
Emiliano Marzoli On March 4, 2026, the European Commission unveiled the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), a cornerstone of the “Clean Industrial Deal” aimed at reclaiming Europe’s manufacturing prowess. The Act sets a bold target to increase manufacturing’s share of EU GDP to 20% by 2035.
To achieve this, it introduces strict “Union origin” (Made in EU) and low-carbon requirements for public procurement and subsidy schemes. For the automotive and heavy machinery sectors, the Act is particularly transformative: starting in 2029, public tenders for electric vehicles (EVs) will require that at least 70% of the vehicle’s non-battery value originates from within the EU, with final assembly and significant battery production also taking place on European soil.
Additionally, the Act creates “Industrial Acceleration Areas” to provide a digital “one-stop-shop” for permitting, drastically reducing the bureaucratic delays that have historically hampered the expansion of European factory sites.
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EcoFlow Launches 2kWh Portable Power Station
Akihiro Komuro EcoFlow Technology Japan has announced that it launched its new “DELTA 3 2000 Air” portable power station. Positioned in the 2kWh class, the new unit combines 1,920Wh of storage capacity with a lightweight design aimed at improving portability for household backup power, vehicle use and outdoor applications. The company simultaneously released a 220W lightweight bifacial solar panel using TOPCon cells, presenting the products as a combined solution for improving energy self-sufficiency during outages and off-grid use.
Despite its relatively compact dimensions of 220 × 223 × 426 mm, the DELTA 3 2000 Air offers rated output of 1,000W with 1,500W surge capacity and dual AC outlets. EcoFlow says the unit can support essential appliances such as refrigerators, lighting, notebook PCs and communications equipment during blackouts. The product uses lithium iron phosphate batteries and is rated for about 3,000 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 70% capacity, underscoring its positioning as a long-life backup power device rather than a short-term consumer gadget.
The company also highlighted disaster-preparedness and business continuity planning (BCP) applications, noting that the system can be used for communications backup, temporary server protection and auxiliary power for medical devices in homes and small offices. Its flat handle and compact form factor are intended to make storage easier in limited spaces such as under car seats or in narrow household gaps. The newly launched 220W bifacial solar panel, weighing approximately 5.1 kg, is designed to complement the power station by enabling more autonomous power supply in disaster or outdoor settings. -
BYD Indonesia EV Plant Nears Production
Akihiro Komuro Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is moving closer to launching local production in Indonesia as construction of its EV assembly plant in Subang, West Java, progresses toward operational readiness. The facility is designed with an annual production capacity of approximately 150,000 vehicles and is currently entering the final preparation stage ahead of full-scale production.
According to reports, the plant has begun trial production and manufacturing line verification as the company prepares for commercial operations. The project represents one of the largest EV manufacturing investments in Indonesia and reflects the country’s efforts to attract electric vehicle production.
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