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Red Sea Crisis

The African and Asian continents are separated by the Red Sea. It is a significant body of water for tourism, international trade, and the abundant and varied marine life it sustains. The Gulf of Aden and the Bal el Mandeb Strait connect the Red Sea, an inlet of the Indian Ocean, to the south. To the north of it are the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Suez, and the Aqaba Gulf. Together with captivating beaches that draw tourists from all over the world, the area is home to numerous significant ports and harbours that handle most of the world's freight. India's sea traffic passes via the Red Sea on a busy lane; thus, any stoppage might have serious repercussions.

The Red Sea is currently going through a crisis where the Houthis, Rebels from Yemen have launched aerial attacks against dozens of merchant and Naval vessels passing through the Red Sea.  Initially they attacked Israeli ship claiming as an act of solidarity supporting Gaza, Palestine However they soon began to attack other merchant naval vessels from other countries too.

Thirty percent of the world's container trade passes via the Red Sea, which is currently experiencing an unprecedented shipping crisis. There has been a notable decrease in marine activity due to the attacks on commercial vessels brought on by the recent Middle East crisis. By the end of March 2024, traffic through the vital Suez Canal and Bab El-Mandeb Strait had decreased by half, whereas navigation on the alternate route via the Cape of Good Hope route had increased by 100%.

This has enormous effects on the maritime industry, the environment, and the global economy. Cargo and tanker travel distances have grown by up to 53% because of the longer routes that are now required. Because more gasoline is burned during this increased travel, CO2 emissions have grown as a result. From an economic perspective, the crisis has led to soaring freight and shipping insurance costs, aggravating inflation and undermining the local and international maritime sectors. Numerous shipping firms rerouted their vessels to avoid the Cape of Good Hope. Businesses with low inventory suffered as the average delivery time increase was of 10 days or more.

The Red Sea blockage affects global trade and energy supply. Increased shipping costs and traffic disruptions affecting Indian economy. In the first 2 months of 2024, Suez Canal trade dropped by 50% from a year earlier while trade through the Panama Canal fell by 32%, disrupting supply chains and distorting key macroeconomics indicators. The Red Sea crisis Could temporarily hamper some supply chains in affected countries and cause upward pressure on inflation due to higher shipping costs. Red sea is a busy corrido for India sea- trade and any disruption could have significant consequences. Slowing demand from Europe will impact India's labour-intensive sectors and Insurance cost has shot up for ships.

For Indian exporters, one of the biggest worries is the unpredictable and delayed shipment timetables. Exporters are finding it more and more difficult to fulfil their delivery obligations because of major delays caused by the closure of important shipping lanes and the necessity to reroute cargo. Their relationships with foreign buyers are being strained as a result, and they are becoming more and more irritated with the supply chain's unpredictability.

The operating capital of Indian exporters has been severely strained by the disruptions, especially for the smaller companies. SME exporters were under pressure from delayed shipments to explore for more costly alternatives, such air freight, which put further burden on their working capital. Many SMEs are having difficulty keeping up with their cash flow due to delayed payments from foreign purchasers and the necessity to find alternate, frequently more expensive transportation routes.

The Red Sea is a vital artery for the transport of oil and gas. Disruption threatens energy security, could impact fuel prices and industries that rely on stable energy supplies. This adds a level of uncertainty to an already volatile global energy market.

Products that require quick delivery, such as fresh fruits and vegetables or certain medicines, are likely to be in short supply. Delays and shortages could lead to higher food prices, fuelling inflation, The Straits Times reported.

The impact of this financial strain may be extensive, affecting not just their capacity to complete orders but also their overall viability as a corporation. In addition, the Red Sea issue has brought attention to how vulnerable smaller Indian exporters' connections with foreign consumers are. These SMEs frequently need to accept longer payment terms or even concessions that put further burden on their working capital because they have less negotiating leverage.

MARBLE CUTTING USING GARNET

When cutting marble, rather than using conventional saw blades or grinding wheels, waterjet cutting systems typically use garnet abrasives. This is the process of cutting marble with garnet abrasives in a waterjet cutting application. 

Waterjet cutting technology, is a method that uses high pressure jet of water mixed with abrasive particles to cut through materials. The most used Abrasives in water jet cutting is Garnet due to its hardness and ability to maintain sharp edges. 

Due to its extreme precision, waterjet cutting can produce complex shapes and cuts with very little cut width. This makes it appropriate for intricate patterns and exquisite decorations in marble.

 Waterjet cutting with garnet preserves the integrity of the marble by not producing a heat-affected zone, in contrast to conventional cutting techniques that do (such as when using diamond saw blades). Waterjet cutting is appropriate for both thick slabs and intricate details since it can handle marble of different thicknesses and is not constrained by the size of the material being cut. 

Compared to certain other cutting techniques, waterjet cutting is thought to be more ecologically friendly because it only employs non-toxic materials like garnet and water, which don't release any dangerous dust or fumes. 

In industries where accurate marble cutting is needed, such as for architectural features, artwork, worktops, and flooring tiles, garnet abrasives are often employed in waterjet cutting. 

It is also utilized in restoration projects when it is necessary to carefully cut away old or damaged marble and replace it with new parts. 

In conclusion, when garnet abrasives are used in waterjet cutting systems, marble can be cut precisely, flexibly, and with the ability to create intricate designs without the heat-related issues associated with other cutting methods. This technology has become indispensable to the marble cutting industry because it is so efficient and yields such excellent results. Waterjet cutting is an Economical solution to a variety of Applications such as: Floor Inlays, Medallions, Tile cutting, Custom Lettering & Design, signs, logos, plaques, Metal cutting, Rubber Bumpers, custom instrument faceplates etc.

Gaibandha Riverine area has Varieties of Valuable minerals!

In the sandy shoals of the riverine area Gaibandha, valuable minerals valued at several thousand billion of taka have been spotted in an invisible form. Gaibandha, which contains four upazilas and 165 chars (shoals), is surrounded by rivers. The riverbanks of the Jamuna and Brahmaputra are impassable, sand shoals have formed. The rivers here often experience high tides during the monsoon. According to a research, minerals worth several thousand crores of Taka are still concealed in the shoals of sand. The sandy shoals of the Brahmaputra River, which flows between the districts of Gaibandha and Kurigram, are home to six different types of precious minerals, according to a study done by the Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy, which carries out research on mineral resources. 

According to the institution, which cited the research findings, without any techno-economic evaluation, the cost of the mineral resources detected in each square kilometre region would be at least Tk 36.3 billion (3,630 crore). The sandy river shoals are rich in mineral resources, according to the survey's specialists. The precious minerals garnet, magnetite, zircon, rutile, ilminite, and quartz have all been found in the shoals. Paints, plastics, welding rods, inks, meals, cosmetics, and medications are among the items that employ rutile. 

These minerals are exported worldwide by Australia, India, Italy, Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and the United States.  
 
Zircon is utilized in the manufacturing of moulding sands, tiles, and ceramics.  
Currently, this natural resource is exported all over the world by the US, Australia, South Africa, India, China, Brazil, and Sierra Leone. In addition to being utilized in the drilling of deep wells for oil and gas exploration, magnetite is also employed in the manufacturing of steel and magnets, as well as in the cleaning of coal taken from mines.  
Only two nations in the world export this priceless mineral worldwide: Australia and South Africa. The mineral garnet is expensive and hefty. It is employed in the sandblasting process, ferrous pipe cleaning, and corrugated paper production. Australia and India are now the world's top exporters of the material.  
 
The source of the Brahmaputra is near the Kailash peak in the Himalayas, at Lake Mansarovar. It flows through Tibet and Assam in India, then into Bangladesh via Kurigram. Once in Saghata, the Jamuna gave rise to its name. A preliminary study was conducted from 2010 to 2012 to determine which minerals are present in the area. 

2,500 tons of sand were sourced from various sandbanks in Kurigram, Gaibandha. 2 kg of ilminite 200 kg of rutile 400 kg of zircon 3.8 kg of magnetite 12 kg of garnet 50 kg of quartz minerals per tonne of sand were extracted through various processes. The market value of sand used for building purposes after 10 metres of sand are extracted per square kilometre is estimated to be between 800 million to 1 billion rupees (80-100 crores).  

Industrial Garnet market share

By 2034, it is projected that the industrial garnet market share would have expanded at a 5.4% CAGR and be worth US$ 1,189.7 million. 

The Garnet Market has shown significant growth in 2024, worldwide with a prediction to reach a value of US$ 703.1 million. For the years 2024-2034, the market’s compound annual growth rate is estimated to be at 5.4% (CAGR) which means by 2034, the estimated valuation will be US$ 1,189.7 million.  

Industries that include waterjet cutting, abrasive blasting, water filtration, and abrasive powder are generating more and more demand. Industrial garnet is a highly adaptable abrasive material that is used extensively in many different industries because of its exceptional hardness, chemical inertness, and low friability. 

Growing Demand in Waterjet Cutting: Industrial garnet has emerged as the preferred abrasive material for waterjet cutting due to the increase in precision cutting applications. Industrial garnet is in high demand due to the growing metal fabrication and automotive industries. These two sectors are also important contributors to the rising demand for waterjet cutting equipment. 

Abrasive blasting is a critical process used in the shipbuilding, construction, and infrastructure development industries for surface preparation and cleaning. Because of its remarkable hardness and minimal dusting characteristics, industrial garnet is a highly sought-after abrasive material in the abrasive blasting industry. 

Water filtration requires more effort. As environmental concerns increase, the focus of efficient water filtration systems has increased in various industries. The high density, hardness and chemical inertness of industrial garnet make it an excellent filter for water and wastewater treatment, which is increasing in demand. 

The increasing demand for high-quality abrasive powders, driven by the burgeoning electronics, optics, and semiconductor industries, is expanding the scope of industrial garnet utilisation. This mineral is widely employed in manufacturing abrasive powders for various applications including polishing, lapping, and grinding. As a result, the industrial garnet market is experiencing significant growth. 

Despite its exceptional qualities, industrial garnet encounters formidable competition from synthetic abrasives like aluminium oxide and silicon carbide. Manufacturers of synthetic abrasives frequently provide competitive pricing and unwavering quality, presenting a hurdle to the expansion of the industrial garnet market. 

Environmental regulations concerning the extraction and processing of industrial garnet, especially in environmentally fragile regions, may present obstacles to market expansion. Stringent environmental criteria might result in heightened operational expenses for garnet mining enterprises, potentially influencing market dynamics. 

The market for industrial garnet is expanding rapidly in East Asia and North America. Due to the robust demand from the oil and gas sectors, it is anticipated that the market share in North America would increase to 28.4%. East Asia's increasing industrialisation, the development of its infrastructure, and its emphasis on sustainable manufacturing techniques—particularly in water jet cutting applications—were expected to contribute to the region's projected 21.3% market share in 2024. Due to its reduced impact and recyclable nature, it is more ecologically friendly than synthetic alternatives.