Europe

Estimated to cost around 16 billion euros, the South Stream pipeline will be jointly funded by Gazprom, Italy’s Eni, France’s EDF and a unit of Germany’s BASP, with the former expected to fund half of the capital expenditure.

Due to start operating in 2015, the pipeline will travel under the Black Sea via the Balkans, bringing up to 63 billion cubic metres of gas annually. Upon completion the pipeline will reach Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria and Italy in one leg, while a second will reach Croatia and Greece.

Chief executive officer Harri Natunen explains how the company is using bioheapleaching technology to get the most from its low grade nickel deposits.

Though it is perhaps not the first country that one associates with the industry, Finland’s mining history in fact dates back to 1540. Today the raw material base for its metal industry is made up from the exploitation of nickel, copper, cobalt, zinc and lead ores, as well as chromium, vanadium and iron deposits.

Most travellers would be unaware how fast their individual needs are changing, but understanding their behaviour keeps the leading global car rental brand Europcar ahead of the trend.

Swedish clothing retailer H&M was the biggest user of organic cotton worldwide for the second consecutive year in 2011, according to Textile Exchange's latest Global Sustainable Textiles Market Report.

“H&M's ambitious program continues to drive demand for organic cotton and other more sustainable fibres,” said LaRhea Pepper, managing director of Textile Exchange.

Dust control is an issue in the mining industry, but also in agriculture, railways, roads and even the military. Bruce Coulthard, president of PZS Stabilization, talks about the revolutionary dust control product PennzSuppress D.

Under the terms of the deal, the two will run a joint venture dubbed Penguin Random House, with Bertelsmann owning 53 percent, while Pearson will hold 47 percent.

The deal marks the first ever tie-up between any of the world’s six biggest publishers, yet such a move has been seen as an inevitability with experts pointing to the need for firms to adapt to changes within the market.

A total of 224 applications covering 418 blocks were lodged, the most ever in one round, with 330 new licenses awarded and a further 61 facing environmental assessment.

The strong level of interest that continues to be shown in the North Sea, together with the wide range of companies that have successful gained new acreage in recent years, supports the views of experts that substantial value remains in the region for well-funded explorers and producers.

A modern broadcasting and telecommunications company providing a full range of voice, data and internet services across the Czech Republic, as well as TV and radio broadcasting. The company’s aim is to develop and strengthen its market position by continual improvement of services.