9JUNE 2026India has moved swiftly to secure fertilizer supplies ahead of the upcoming kharif sowing season, issuing a global tender to import 1.7 million tonnes of urea amid rising concerns over global supply disruptions.The move comes at a time when geopolitical tensions in West Asia are impacting the availability and cost of key raw materials like natural gas, which is critical for urea production.As demand is set to surge in the coming weeks, the government is focusing on building adequate buffer stocks to ensure farmers have uninterrupted access to fertilizers during the peak planting period, while also shielding the agriculture sector from global volatility. HPCL and Tata Motors have partnered for a used lubricant pilot project, marking a fresh push toward sustainable waste management in India's automotive sector.Ola Electric has secured regulatory approval for a new electric scooter designed for India's commercial mobility market, signalling the company's likely entry into the rapidly expanding commercial EV two-wheeler segment as early as this quarter.The documentation of the government's homologation is confirmed by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) in February 2026. The approval covers an L1 electric scooter which runs on a 4 kW motor and can be ridden at an acceleration of around 70 km/h.The new scooter is designed to be built on the same S1 platform used by Ola Electric, but with a touch of commercialization, such as food delivery and quick-commerce logistics and urban fleet operations. The new configuration will aim to focus on operating economics, ridership, and fleet utilisation, all of which are essential for delivery riders and mobility operators. The collaboration aims to create an organised system for collecting, storing, and recycling used automotive lubricants, helping reduce environmental risks and strengthen circular economy practices in the country.The pilot project is expected to address a growing challenge in the automobile industry -- the safe disposal of used lubricants. Waste oils generated from vehicles often enter informal disposal systems, which can harm soil and water if not handled properly.Through this initiative, the two companies plan to introduce a more structured and traceable process to ensure used lubricant recycling is carried out responsibly. The partnership comes at a time when industries are increasingly focusing on sustainability and environmentally responsible operations.With India tightening regulations around waste management and resource recovery, companies are being encouraged to adopt systems that reduce waste and improve recycling. Used lubricants, categorised as hazardous waste, require scientific handling to prevent environmental contamination. ADNOC recently exported another liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to India via the Strait of Hormuz, a move seen as a positive sign for regional energy trade as Gulf shipping slowly regains momentum after months of disruption.The shipment comes at a time when global energy markets remain sensitive to developments in the Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the busiest shipping lanes for oil and gas exports and LNG transport.Any interruption in vessel movement through the narrow waterway often creates concerns over fuel availability, rising costs, and disruptions to global supply chains. INDIA BOOSTS UREA IMPORTS TO AVOID KHARIF SUPPLY SHOCKHPCL, TATA MOTORS JOIN HANDS FOR USED LUBRICANT RECYCLING PILOTOLA ELECTRIC RECEIVES ARAI APPROVAL FOR COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC SCOOTER
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