As the world struggles to combat climate change, the transition to sustainable energy systems remains crucial. With the ongoing shift to cleaner energy solutions, the spotlight is turning more than ever to critical transition minerals which are essential for powering technologies driving the energy transition. Transition minerals are naturally occurring materials, primarily found in rocks, that play a pivotal role in renewable energy techn…

Private equity (PE) is a form of investment capital that is raised and managed by private equity firms to directly invest in private companies or take public companies private, thus removing them from public stock exchanges. The goal of PE investments is typically to improve the performance of the acquired companies over a period (usually 5 to 10 years) and eventually sell them for a profit, either through a public offering, sale to another c…

In recent years, India’s pharmaceutical industry has emerged as a global leader, driven by several key factors that have elevated its status both domestically and internationally. As highlighted in one of our recent LinkedIn publications, one of the main drivers of this success is the geographically diverse distribution of manufacturing hubs across the country, producing a wide range of pharmaceutical products. Source: Invest in India …

In 2024, lithium continues to be a cornerstone of the global transition toward clean energy, with its pivotal role in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. The surge in demand for lithium-ion batteries is experiencing significant developments across the industry, impacting production, supply chains, and geopolitics worldwide. The demand for lithium remains robust in 2024…

The electric vehicle market has made significant strides over the past decade, with 2023 marking a record year of growth. However, the performance in 2024, particularly in Europe, has been mixed, reflecting the complexity of transitioning to a fully electrified automotive market. Economic constraints, infrastructure inadequacies, supply chain issues, technological limitations, and consumer sentiment all play a role in this dynamic landscape. …

Energy security and decarbonation are some of the greatest challenges of our time. In a context of increasing international instability, it is necessary to ensure that these goals are achieved with all the possible means, while preserving energy sustainability and supply for all consumers. Already providing about 10% of global electricity generation, the nuclear energy represents a solid opportunity for fighting against climate change. …

Today, more than ever, digital transformation is vital in all industrial fields. Digitalization serves as a means to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability in industrial processes. Furthermore, the effective implementation of cutting-edge technologies can facilitate decarbonization, helping to limit the impact of climate change, while also moderating high energy costs and better responding to increasing demand, especially in times of i…

In today’s industrial landscape, digital technology has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing traditional processes and operations. From automation to data analytics, digitalization is reshaping how industries operate and innovate, paving the way for enhanced efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. In April, we delved into the numerous ways digital technology facilitates ongoing industrial transformation, highlighting its …

Today’s business landscape is driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation and efficiency, with digital technologies serving as the cornerstone to realizing these ambitions. Nowhere is this more apparent than in industry, where the integration of digital solutions promises a paradigm shift towards greater productivity and prosperity for all stakeholders. Indeed, digital transformation, exemplified by the emergence of Industry 4.0 over the …

Overview of the Pharmaceutical Investment Surge The anti-obesity drug market is projected to reach a value of $100 billion by 2030, as estimated by analysts from Goldman Sachs. While major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Amgen, Roche, and AstraZeneca, have outlined their strategies to enter this lucrative market, the forefront of the global fight against obesity is being led by two key players: Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. In…

Dynamism and vision are prominent assets of Northern Europe. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden commonly compose this region: historically connected, these countries are land of solid innovation and wide-ranging creativity. They demonstrate strong economic prowess, acting as catalysts for digital advancements and tech-intensive innovation. According to the international consulting group Nordic Embassy, with a combined population…

Biotechnology is one of the world’s biggest industries with a global market share surpassing US$1.37 trillion in 2022. Increased by massive investments, especially in response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry has experienced unprecedented growth, with an estimated annual growth rate of approximately 14%. The trajectory indicates a remarkable surge, propelling the industry’ towards an expected value of US$2.44 tri…

At the forefront of developing new drugs, therapies, and medical technologies, the life sciences industry plays a pivotal role in enhancing the health and well-being of individuals. Research, coupled with advancements in medicine and technology, contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, eventually elevating the quality of life and life expectancy for people globally. Beyond its impact on individual health, this i…

Transportation, a cornerstone of modern civilization, is undergoing a remarkable shift. The surge in urbanization and population growth has intensified the strain on transportation systems, leading to congestion, pollution, and increased energy consumption. The traditional reliance on fossil fuels in vehicles has significantly contributed to carbon emissions, prompting a clarion call for change, recognizing the importance of sustainable trans…

Ensuring zero net emissions by 2050 is shared target among the most important economies of the world. Various strategies have been put into action by many countries, all with this shared objective. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the formulation of recovery and resilience plans by the majority of governments all over the world, along with the subsequent allocation of financial resources are pivotal elements for attaining success, des…

Vaccination presents a critical challenge in the Middle East, as well as across the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.In this publication, our investigation will focus on this expansive region, which encompasses a diverse range of countries that span a vast geographical area and exhibit substantial disparities in terms of political systems, economic prosperity and living standards. Source: LSA – University of Michigan&nbsp…

Empowering Africa’s Healthcare: Strengthening Local Medicine Production for a Resilient Future The limited manufacturing capacity for diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines in Africa is a critical concern that necessitates immediate attention. The need to establish a self-sustaining ecosystem is evident. This challenge has catalysed partnerships between African governments, international health agencies, and private enterprises to establi…

The path to comprehensive coverage: designing universal access to vaccines in Africa Africa is one of the areas of the world where access to vaccines is most challenging to secure for the entire population. Besides the historical, economic, and political reasons that account for the low levels of local vaccine production, there is an additional complexity to be faced. The continent’s geography reveals 54 recognized countries, encompassi…

Located in the southern part of Africa, Zimbabwe is a former colony of the British Empire that gained fully independence in 1980. It is a relatively small state within the African continent, with an overall population of approximately 14 million people.   Zimbabwe is recognized as the leading African country in terms of lithium reserves, making it one of the most significant players at the international level. The country’s primary lithium…

Unveiling Africa’s Lithium Wealth: A Rising Contender in the Global Supply Chain The African continent is gaining significant attention as a global hotspot for valuable mineral resources. As the global energy transition gains priority among countries worldwide, the demand for lithium is rising as it has become a critical component needed for battery material production in the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) industry and renewable ene…

The Middle East is a vast land, mostly desertic and with limited water resources. It served as the cradle of civilization and has been home to various cultures throughout history, progressively acquiring independence. At the beginning of the 20th century, this region was named “Middle East” respecting a European perspective. Once settled, the name remained and is extensively used today to identify the area  stretching from the Mediterranean S…

Electric vehicles are a great solution for decarbonising mobility and making a large part of transportation greener and more sustainable. Easy to say, this assumption leads to some major thinking, to understand the challenges raised by the utilisation of batteries for such electric vehicles.  As highlighted in the first part of this publication, producing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles is more resource-intensive than manu…

The Rise of Electric Vehicle Batteries and their Implications for the Automotive Industry and Global Energy Economy Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are the power source that allows electric vehicles to run. These rechargeable batteries store the electrical energy necessary to power the vehicle’s electric motor. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of battery used in EVs because of their high energy density, long lifespan, and low…

Fuel cells: the instruments for using hydrogen as a source of energy Hydrogen represents a very strong ally in producing electricity in clean and sustainable forms. The perfect instrument facilitating such impactful results, at the core of worldwide ambitions today, are hydrogen fuel cells.  Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity using a chemical reaction. Each fuel cell has two electrodes: a negative anode and a positive cathode. At …

The main differences between grey and green hydrogen  Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and it has a wide range of applications in various industries. It is commonly used as a feedstock in the chemical industry, as a reducing agent in metallurgy, and as a fuel for transportation and power generation. In this article, we will explore the traditional applications of hydrogen in industry and discuss the differences b…

The European biotech during the COVID-19 pandemic: preparing a brighter future  The powerful combination of technology and biology proved to be a unique asset in the fight against the expansion of COVID-19. Biotech especially in healthcare saw a critical acceleration in the entire continent.  Such a successful result was not so evident at the beginning of this unexpected and challenging pandemic. The European market fragmentation r…

The use of biology as a technology, in various and multiple forms, has existed since the dawn of civilisation. Examples of this include the domestication of plants and animals, the discovery of fermentation and the exploitation of yeasts to bake.Biotechnology is the combination of biology and engineering principles to create, develop and deploy new products, techniques, methods, and organisms, including microorganisms, to improve human health…

European sustainable mobility: the European market of electric vehicles Framing a European vision for electric vehicles We have said it before, the European Union’s bold goal is to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, as outlined in the European Green Deal. This set of measures aims to modernize the EU, increase resource efficiency, and enhance competitiveness.  Easy to say, quite complex to put in place. Such…

The European Union (EU) has implemented a number of policies and initiatives to promote sustainable energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The overall goal is to create a secure, competitive, and sustainable energy system for the EU.  The EU’s energy strategy is thus based on three main pillars: security of supply, competitiveness, and sustainability. One of the key goals of the EU’s energy policy is to increase the share o…

Aspiring strategies for the development of green hydrogen: targets and concrete actions As of today, over 30 governments have developed, or are in the process of developing, national hydrogen strategies to facilitate their climate action plans and to take advantage of the social and economic co-benefits offered by the green hydrogen value chain. Some policies are illustrative of this commitment:  CountryInitiativeYearJapanBasic …

Hydrogen is defined as “green” when its production process is based on renewable energy sources –mainly through an electrolytic process. Source: World Bank 2022 As a cross-cutting energy vector, green hydrogen is a strong ally for decarbonizing heavy industry, including chemical and energy-hungry sectors like steelmaking and cement production, as well as cleaning products, refrigeration, and electricity grid stabilization, and also some…

“Water is the coal of the future.” That’s how French author Jules Verne summed it up nearly 150 years ago. “The elements hydrogen and oxygen, decomposed by electric current, will in the future supply the Earth’s energy,” he went on to say.  Is Verne right? Is hydrogen really becoming the ‘silver bullet’ to advance the decarbonization of the Earth? Or is it merely a ‘hype train’, as Forbes put it? One thing is certain: hydrogen alone w…

The CGT value chain: differences from the traditional pharma The development in Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) – deeply accelerated since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic – is leading to a major shift of paradigm in the biopharmaceutical business model.  CGT represents unique opportunities for care, opening the way to unprecedented and unthinkable cures and provoking a positive impact on the global society.  In the mea…

Cell & Gene Therapy: the (recent) origins Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) has its roots in the second half of the 20th century. At this time, researchers started to discover the immense potential of incorporating DNA sequences into patients’ cells for treating people with genetic disorders.  However, it was necessary to wait until the beginning of the 1990s to launch the first gene therapy trial on humans. During this time, it wa…

Did you know that more than 3,500 years ago Egyptians invented aspirin? Though Hippocrates (born 460 BC) is widely credited as being the father of modern medicine. The field of medicine has progressed substantially throughout history, both traditional and modern. Today, there are nearly 400 cell and gene therapies (CGT) in development for a variety of diseases and conditions. Cell and gene therapies are beginning to deliver on their promise, …

For over a year INCONCRETO has been working at Benslimane, in Morocco, as the Project Management Office (PMO) for Sensyo Pharmatech. Sensyo is a new pharmaceutical company investing in aseptic filling capabilities for vaccines in Morocco. I am delighted to share this interview with our partner Peter Bell to show you more about this interesting and impressive project. You will find Peter Bell’s profile at the end of the interview: INCONCRET…

The microprocessor, also known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), is the brain of all computers. A kind of miniature electronic device that contains the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry necessary to perform the functions of a digital computer’s central processing unit. Computer systems aren’t the only devices that use microprocessors. Everything from smartphones to household appliances (e.g., microwave…

It is white coloured, almost silver. It is particularly rare all over the world but it becomes increasingly requested. This is why lithium is known as the white gold. It has the lowest density of all metals. It reacts intensely when put in contact with water, forming hydrated oxide and highly flammable hydrogen. Despite being named after the Ancient Greek word for “stone”, which common sense tends to associate to something heavy, it is t…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is attempting to accomplish something unique. NEOM, a new concept of high-tech development area will rise from the desert sands and bring to life a new self-sustainable carbon neutral society. NEOM will include a smart city built horizontally, supported by high-tech industrial and logistics areas making it a future destination for sustainable living.   The NEOM project is located in Tabuk, in the north…