Construction + Economy

Construction + Economy, Research

How Will A Gallium Shortage Affect LED Costs?

  I’ve previously written about China’s gallium export ban not impacting current global gallium supplies here. I’ve also written about the recent 2023 DOE Critical Materials Assessment, here. A deeper look at the Critical Materials Assessment shows the LED industry might be in for a rough ride. The majority of white light LEDs are made [...]

Construction + Economy, Lighting Industry

India’s Population & Economy Rise As Global Leaders

  In April 2023, the UN announced that India’s population had surpassed China’s, to become the largest in the world. India’s economy is also on a trajectory to surpass the U.S. in the next 50 years. The U.S. is currently the largest global economy with China in the #2 spot. Over the 15 years prior [...]

Construction + Economy, Energy + Environment

US DOE Assesses Critical Materials For Energy

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has completed an assessment of critical materials for energy. The Energy Act of 2020 defines a “critical material” as: Any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material that the Secretary of Energy determines: (i) has a high risk of supply chain disruption; and (ii) serves an essential function in one [...]

Construction + Economy, Lighting Industry

20% Increase In Non-Residential Construction Forecasted By AIA Panel

  The American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) Consensus Construction Forecast panel has projected nonresidential building spending in late 2023 and beyond and predicts that spending on buildings will increase by 20% this year. This would be the highest rate since the years leading up to the Great Recession. The panel found an extremely strong start in [...]

Construction + Economy, Lighting Industry

GaN Device Makers Confirm Chinese Gallium Restrictions Won’t Disrupt Supply

  In April, 2023, I wrote about the evolving and escalating trade war between the U.S. & China. One of the developments was the U.S. and some of its allies banning the sale of advanced AI computer chips to China. On July 3rd, China retaliated with an announcement that it would impose export restrictions on [...]

Construction + Economy, Lighting Industry

Amazon In Retail & B2B Ecommerce

  Amazon dominates retail e-commerce but not B2B e-commerce. Here is a closer look: Amazon dominates retail e-commerce with $431 Billion in sales projected this year. Amazon’s retail Ecom market share is 37.6%. In second place is Walmart with $73.5 Billion in retail e-commerce sales, 1/6 that of Amazon. Amazon’s top retail e-comm categories are [...]

Construction + Economy

A Review Of New Construction Metrics

  Recently released new construction metrics show mixed monthly results, variations by sectors, and positive projections through 2023 and 2024. DMI The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, fell -2% in May to 180.5 points (2000=100) from the revised April reading of 184.1 points. Over the month, the commercial component of the [...]

Construction + Economy, Lighting Industry

China’s Share Of U.S. Imports Dropping Sharply

  China’s share of U.S. imports has been declining sharply over the past six years. The all time high was 21.6% in 2017. The first four months of 2023 fell to 13.3%. That’s a 38% decline in import share over the past 6 years. If annualized at 13.3%, 2023 would be the lowest level since [...]

Construction + Economy, Energy + Environment

Electrification Impacts On Lighting, Part 7: State & Municipal Fines

At LightFair, I was part of a panel presenting the impacts of electrification on the lighting industry. This is the final article, Part 7, of the series. Dozens of states and municipalities have begun adopting energy benchmarking regulations that include fines to building owners who fail to meet either emissions or energy efficiency requirements. New [...]

Construction + Economy, Controls

Electrification Impacts On Lighting, Part 6: Advanced Lighting Controls

  At LightFair, I was part of a panel presenting the impacts of electrification on the lighting industry. This article is Part 6 of the series. In Part 3 of this series, the drivers of deeper energy efficiency retrofits were discussed, including: Rapid rises in electric utility rates that will likely continue for some time. [...]

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