Markets

Loop Industries announced a $1.5 million engineering services agreement with ELITe, its Indian joint venture, to support the construction of its Infinite Loop™ India facility. The deal follows a completed initial agreement and highlights engineering services as a key revenue source. Loop is also pursuing off-take agreements with major brands for the India JV to solidify its position in sustainable materials. Ground-breaking is anticipated in the latter half of 2025.

A video shows an SUV drifting recklessly on Xinjiang’s Sayram Lake grasslands, causing environmental damage. The incident, lasting about 40 minutes, resulted in turf tearing and soil compaction. Park officials have located the owner and will issue penalties, estimating damages between 70,000 and 200,000 yuan for ecological restoration. The event highlights the ongoing challenge of preserving fragile natural environments despite regulations against off-road activities.

Tigo Energy and BayWa r.e. will co-exhibit at ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. They will showcase solar solutions for C&I installers and EPCs, focusing on rapid shutdown regulations, high-wattage modules, and Total Quality Solar. Tigo’s TS4-X MLPE devices will be highlighted, offering optimization, monitoring, and safety features for Southeast Asia’s demanding climate. The Green Glove service program will also be promoted to support C&I system installers.

Molecular Partners, in collaboration with Orano Med, is advancing its Radio-DARPin candidate, MP0726, which targets mesothelin (MSLN) for ovarian cancer treatment. Preclinical data reveals promising tumor accumulation and favorable biodistribution, including a high tumor-to-kidney ratio. The program leverages Molecular Partners’ Radio-DARPin platform, designed to improve the delivery of radioactive payloads to solid tumors. MP0726’s preclinical data is to be presented at the 2025 SNMMI Annual Meeting.

Lilly announced positive Phase 3 trial results for once-weekly insulin efsitora alfa (efsitora) in adults with type 2 diabetes. The QWINT-1, QWINT-3, and QWINT-4 trials demonstrated non-inferior A1C reduction compared to daily basal insulin. The company plans to submit efsitora for regulatory review by the end of the year.

BYD, a leading Chinese EV maker, is expanding globally by significantly investing in its car carrier fleet. The company has received its fifth carrier, “Xi’an,” and the “Changsha” is set to launch, both with a capacity of 9,200 vehicles. This builds on existing vessels, supporting BYD’s strong export growth, with exports up 133.8% year-over-year in April and exceeding 293,000 units cumulatively for the first four months, solidifying its position in the competitive EV market.

HDC 2025 in Sanya showcased advancements in the HarmonyOS ecosystem, specifically focusing on streamlining app development. Huawei spearheaded the unveiling of the HarmonyOS Application Open Source Component Technical Map, a collaborative effort with partners to create a comprehensive library of open-source components. This initiative aims to reduce redundant coding, accelerate development cycles, and foster a thriving environment for developers, featuring 1115 open-source libraries and 7 cross-platform frameworks. The event included presentations from industry leaders demonstrating successful framework integrations and the growth of the HarmonyOS platform.

At HDC 2025, the “HarmonyOS Era Partners” zone showcased young, independent developers creating innovative apps. These creators, from diverse backgrounds, are thriving due to the platform’s open access and focus on user connection. Success stories like “Light Countdown” and “Daily Coffee” highlight the ecosystem’s potential for fostering impactful and people-centric technology, driving growth through collaboration and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Labubu, a collectible toy, is experiencing a global boom. Actress Yao Chen revealed she invested in Labubu early, witnessing its rise from criticism to immense popularity, including limited-edition figures. Initially popular in Southeast Asia, Labubu’s sales have exploded worldwide, driven by celebrity endorsements and high demand (leading to secondary market price increases). The company’s CEO aims to develop Labubu into a long-term intellectual property.

Mathematician Wei Dongyi gained viral fame on Douyin, accumulating over 24 million followers in three days. The World Record Certification Agency recognized his rapid follower growth. His account will feature mathematics content, connecting him with a wider audience. Sohu CEO Zhang Chaoyang acknowledged Wei’s social media presence as natural, highlighting the shift towards social media for educational content and publications.