Rare earth elements—critical to electric vehicles, defense systems, and advanced electronics—are once again at the center of geopolitical tensions. China, which controls more than 90 percent of the world's rare earth refining and processing capacity, continues to wield outsized influence over global supply.
Taiwan's United Renewable Energy (URE) announced on June 30, 2025, that its newly launched all-black aesthetic solar module has obtained dual certifications from Taiwan's Voluntary Product Certification (VPC) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The company expects to complete US UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification in the third quarter of 2025, marking another milestone following the successful qualification of its M10 TOPCon module in 2024.
In Taiwan's rapidly expanding green energy market, driven by the global energy transition and power grid modernization, Billion Electric is making a strategic shift from its traditional power supply roots to become a major player in renewable energy and storage. During its June 30, 2025 earnings call, the company revealed it had secured a 262 MWh operations and maintenance (O&M) contract and expects to add two more project sites in the third quarter of 2025. Billion Electric also announced plans to launch several new products in the second half of 2025, signaling sustained momentum for growth ahead.
As Vietnam prepares to roll out its carbon trading pilot program in 2025, TPIsoftware, a Taiwan-based technology firm, announced a strategic partnership with Ho Team Construction, the largest Taiwanese construction contractor operating in Vietnam. The collaboration will see Ho Team become the country's first construction company to adopt an AI-powered carbon inventory system, laying the groundwork for Vietnam's full-scale carbon trading regime anticipated in 2029.
On July 1, 2025, Formosa Smart Energy (FSET) announced the completion of Taiwan's first integrated demonstration line for LFP battery recycling, combining front-end physical crushing with back-end chemical extraction.
Honda has postponed the launch of its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell factory, pushing back the production timeline with no new start date confirmed. Citing reports from Nikkei and Jiji Press, the company now plans to reduce the facility's annual capacity to fewer than 20,000 units, down from the originally projected 30,000. The plant, located in Tochigi Prefecture, was initially slated to begin operations in fiscal 2027 (April 2027–March 2028).
Optical film manufacturer Efun held its shareholders' meeting, successfully passing all proposals. Efun highlighted that with technological advancements, the demand for next-generation smartphones and AI products is becoming increasingly widespread. The key components of these products—semiconductor chips and OLED displays—require large quantities of water and gas barrier films used in packaging to ensure component longevity.
On June 26, 2025, Amita Technologies, Digi-Triumph Technology, and Smart Power System signed an agreement for "behind-the-meter energy storage and domestic battery supply chain" to strengthen Taiwan's energy storage industry and supply chain resilience. The partnership targets enhanced energy autonomy and green energy development amid global energy transitions.
The US and China finalized a trade understanding reached last month in Geneva, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, adding that the White House has imminent plans to reach agreements with a set of 10 major trading partners.
Tesla has secured its first gigawatt-hour-scale energy storage project in China — a rare breakthrough for a US firm in the country's increasingly closed clean tech market. Valued at CNY4 billion (US$558 million), the deal highlights diverging fortunes as Chinese energy and solar firms face escalating barriers in the US.
Lianyou Metals, a rare metal recycling and smelting company, expects steady growth in sodium tungstate and battery-grade cobalt sulfate shipments in the second half of 2025 as international customers increasingly adopt recycled materials to meet ESG requirements.
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