industry

There is an industry losing 42,000 jobs and bleeding before us: Hollywood

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The entertainment industry in Los Angeles is going through its worst crisis in decadeswith a dizzying drop in the number of productions and jobs, which has caused a feeling of “economic disaster” in the creative heart of California. It seems like a well-known story that we recover cyclically every few years, but this time some abysmal figures, never seen before, accompany: the media have detected how companies are entering a real emergency situation. Are we contemplating Hollywood’s last great crisis? Two years of chaos. According to The Wall Street Journalthe crisis that Hollywood is going through not only affects the large studios and production companies, but also has an impact on thousands of indirect jobs and the commercial fabric of the city: restaurants, technical services, prop stores and housing have seen how the activity linked to film and television is drastically reduced. In the last two years, more than 40,000 jobs have been lost in the sector, leaving animators, technicians, scriptwriters, operators and small businesses in a precarious situation, and raising the local unemployment rate above the state and national average.​ Some data. These 40,000 direct jobs disappeared represent a drop of more than 20% of the sector’s total. With this, the unemployment rate in Los Angeles County for industry professionals has reached 5.7%, exceeding not only the state average of California (5.5%) but also the national average of the United States, around 4.3%. All this has led to a drop in local production to historical record numberswith a decrease of at least 30% in film and television projects recorded in Los Angeles, continuously since 2023.​ And how is that reflected for practical purposes? In it production exodus: The number of Hollywood projects filming outside of California, primarily in states with more competitive tax incentives such as Georgia and New Mexico, has risen 25%.​ The signal from the sets. The occupation of the Hollywood sets It is perhaps the clearest sign of how the area’s economy has fallen. In 2024, the average occupancy of sets in Los Angeles fell to a historic 63%, a significant decrease from the average of more than 90% that remained constant between 2016 and 2022. And there is another fact: only 20% of the activity on sets was destined for television, down from 30% in previous years. The cause, as we will see below, is the reduction in expenses that the platforms of streamingimmersed in extreme savings policies.​ But why does it happen? First of all, prolonged strikes of scriptwriters and actors since 2023, which paralyzed a good part of local production, generating million-dollar losses and discouraging new investments from being generated. Added to this is the considerable increase in the cost of living and production in Los Angeles, which has led many studios and production companies to seek alternative destinations with tax incentives and more attractive subsidies, such as those mentioned above, Canada or other emerging markets.​ Another significant cause is the transformation of the entertainment economic modelparticularly with the proliferation of platforms streaming. These platforms, faced with market saturation and pressure to maintain profitability, have reduced their budgets and the number of projectstaking away part of the total production volume in Los Angeles. The combination of lower demand and budgetary adjustments has pushed the industry into a prolonged contraction.​ And finally, there is the emergence of artificial intelligencewith its challenge to traditional labor, especially in fields such as animation, visual effects and post-production. And now what. To begin with, an immediate effect: The position of the United States as a global leader in audiovisual production is in danger. Not only are a significant number of productions moving to other regions and even countries, attracted by better fiscal conditions, lower costs and cheaper technical equipment. It is that thanks to the globalization of entertainment that has brought streamingticket offices like those in Korea or China They are no longer secondary. This week’s highest-grossing film worldwide it has been an anime. The animation phenomenon of the year has been a k-pop idol movie. The throne is more disputed than ever. Header | Braden Egli in Unsplash In Xataka | While Hollywood goes through a slump, one film industry is constantly filling theaters: the Chinese one

Something has gone wrong in the European automotive industry. The conflict over Nexperia already threatens to paralyze factories

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The European automotive industry is beginning to tighten. Manufacturers have received a clear signal that something is not right: Nexperia, one of the main chip suppliers, can no longer guarantee deliveries. Sector associations warn that the room for maneuver is very limited. This is not a technical problem or a strike, but rather the chain effect of an international dispute that threatens to affect the very foundations of a key industry for the Old Continent. It was on October 16 when the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) officially warned of possible production stoppages if the Nexperia supply interruption was not resolved immediately. According to ACEA, the affected chips are used in electronic control units and current inventories will only last a few weeks. The turning point: a blacklist. At the end of September there was a movement that many in the sector identify as the trigger for the current crisis. The United States Bureau of Industry and Security updated his List of Entities to extend restrictions to subsidiaries controlled by already sanctioned companies. Nexperia, owned by Wingtech, thus fell under the scope of the measures. Since then, tensions have accelerated: The Dutch Government intervened in the company and China responded by blocking the export of certain components. Now, Nexperia’s role in the automotive industry is less showy than that of the large chip manufacturers, but essential. Its chips are integrated into electronic modules and control units (ECUs) of many of the vehicles produced in Europe. The company, based in the Netherlands and with a strong presence in Asia, is characterized by its volume and reliability. Precisely for this reason, the inability to maintain deliveries has ignited both sides of the supply chain. The impact in Europe. Initial warnings have been transformed into contingency plans. ACEA calls for a coordinated response between European authorities and the affected countries, aware that the supply chain is going through a delicate point. In Germany, CNBC points outVolkswagen has formed a special team to evaluate possible risks and keep communications open with its suppliers. One of Nexperia’s facilities in Guangdong The company tries to gain margin with a new supplier. “We have an alternative supplier that could compensate for Nexperia’s lack of semiconductors,” explained to Handelsblatt Christian Vollmer, responsible for Production of the VW brand. According to the media, conversations with that company have been underway for weeks. Although the discovery gives some oxygen, the transition will not be immediate and the risk of interruptions remains on the table. The group assures that, for now, there is no operational impact, but they admit that the scenario could change in the short term. The echo crosses the Atlantic. Concern has also reached the United States. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which brings together manufacturers such as General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen, called for a quick resolution of the conflict. Its CEO, John Bozzella, warned Reuters that if chip shipping “does not resume soon,” auto production “will be affected in the United States and other countries.” Some companies in the group recognize that their plants could notice the impact starting next month. Japan takes positions before the coup. Japan is also bracing for impact. The Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) explained that its members have received notifications from Nexperia warning of supply interruptions. According to the organization, the affected chips are part of the control systems of numerous models and their shortage could have consequences for global production. Mitsubishi Electric, which has had agreements with Nexperia since 2023, assured that it is already studying substitutes. A geopolitical board that is already sneaking onto the assembly line. The Nexperia case is no longer understood only as an industrial problem. The intervention of the Dutch Government and the confrontation with its Chinese subsidiary have turned the company into the new point of friction between Europe, Beijing and Washington. The Netherlands justified its decision by the need to protect the strategic supply of semiconductors, while China defended that its subsidiary acts in accordance with local legislation. At the center of the dispute, Nexperia is trying to maintain its activity under two increasingly opposing regulatory frameworks. The factories are on guard. The next few weeks will be decisive in measuring the real scope of the conflict. Manufacturers adjust their inventories and review alternative suppliers, while sector associations maintain diplomatic pressure to unblock the situation. From Sweden, Volvo Cars CEO Håkan Samuelsson explained to the Financial Times thatalthough his company, owned by the Chinese group Geely, does not face immediate problems, “there will be some factories that will have to stop.” He believes that the key is to react quickly and apply the lessons learned from the semiconductor crisis during the pandemic. Images | Nexperia | Caesar Salazar In Xataka | I also carried the bike in the car anyway. Until the DGT reminded me that it could fine me 200 euros

EA is about to be bought for 50,000 million dollars. Its buyer is the new great cover of the industry

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Electronic Arts is about to change hands in exchange for 50,000 million dollars (approximately 42,731 million euros to change). If the agreement is confirmed, the company behind exits such as FIFA or the Sims would star One of the greatest acquisitions in history of the sector, with a blow of effect that would transcend beyond video games. On the other side of the table and with the open portfolio, an investment group led by the Capital Manager Silver Lake Partners, which by the way too You have interest in buying the Tiktok part which operates in the United States, and the sovereign background of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia already has a part of the industry. Now he wants to lead her Of the rumor, which sounds strongly in the last hours, The Street Journal is echoed. With a market capitalization figure of EA is 48,000 million dollars, so the purchase offer is slightly above. After the publication of the rumor, the consequences have not been expected: EA shares have risen 15% and they already mark historical maximums. The operation would be quite advanced according to the medium and became official through an announcement in early October. So everything It seems imminent. The size of the movement is not so much the impressive figure itself, but The specific electronic arts weight within the industry of the video game. Thus Botepronto, EA is an institution in the sports genre. Thus, it has franchises such as EA Sports FC, Madden either NHL And he does not stay there, since he also has such iconic titles as THE SIMS, Battlefield either Need for Speed. This megaadquisition remembers, saving distances, to the purchase of Blizzard Activision by Xbox for 68.7 billion dollars. Of course, in that case there was a long process of procedures and look at a possible Microsoft monopoly. In this case and to materialize the agreement, Saudi Arabia would become one of the protagonists of the industry. Battlefield 6 In this sense, The country of East half would control brands and sagas of reference that report to the company millions of income each year and that are also played by millions of people. On the other hand, it would be necessary to see how the studies associated with the different projects, their competitors and also how the cultural influence of the Arab country would react. The one of Saudi Arabia with the video game industry is not a surprise: After years investing in signatures such as Nintendo either Capcom with the aim of diversifying its economy. Of course, one thing is not to put the eggs in the same basket and another to lead a market that moves more money than cinema and music together. We are waiting for upcoming movements and/ or the official announcement. In Xataka | Thus the switch 2 behaves after a month of use: the Nintendo console surprises more for what it maintains that for what it changes In Xataka | I’ve been without touching a football video game for 20 years. I have tried the ‘EA Sports FC 25’ and this has been my experience Cover | Photo of Maxim Abramov in Unspash and EA Sports

India will spend a fortune on having its own chips industry. The problem is not just money

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India has approved An investment of 18.2 billion dollars To develop ten semiconductor projects and thus create an entire chip industry from scratch. The country wants to reduce its dependence on imports and compete with powers such as Taiwan and United Statesbut the country will be necessary for more than money to execute its strategy. Ambition is disproportionate. India is one of the largest consumers of electronic devices in the world, but it does not practically No local chips industry. Its implementation in the semiconductors aims to create the entire supply chain, from the design to the manufacture, tests and packaging, in the region. The approved projects include two manufacturing plants of semiconductors and multiple test and packaging factories. The opportunity of India. The race began in 2022, when the United States restricted chips exports of advanced to China. This triggered a global competition for self -sufficiency in semiconductors, and for India was a golden opportunity to reduce imports and capture a greater share of the global market of electronic devices that moves away from China. Beyond money. Stephen Ezell, Vice President of Global Innovation Policy in Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Explain which India needs “more than a few semiconductor factories.” The Executive explains that leading manufacturers “consider up to 500 different factors before investing billions in a plant”, including talent, fiscal policies, labor regulations, technological infrastructure and customs policies, areas in which India still has pending work. The Government changes strategy. New Delhi has modified its approach initial. In 2022 he focused only on advanced chips of 28 nanometers or less, but this did not help develop the nascent Indian industry. Now the government finances 50% of the costs of all manufacturing projects, regardless of the size of the chip, and also supports the test and packaging units. Star projects are already underway. The largest current project is the semiconductor manufacturing plant of 11,000 million dollars That Tata Electronics builds in Gujarat, in association with the Taiwanese Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. The installation will produce chips for energy management, screen controllers and microcontrollers that can be used in AI, automotive and data storage. Talent exists, but it is limited. India has a reserve of engineers who already work for global chips design companies since the 90s. However, Jayanth BR, recruiter with more than 15 years of experience in the sector, Explain that international companies only subcontract design validation work “at the block level” to India. The central design remains in the United States or Singapore. Intellectual property is the great challenge. Sajai Singh, partner of the Jsa Jsa Advocates & Requests, Point out that India must update its intellectual property laws and improve application mechanisms. “Our competition is with countries like the United States, Europe and Taiwan, which not only have solid Pi laws, but also a more consolidated ecosystem for chips design,” he explains. And now what. The next three or four years will be decisive for the objectives of semiconductors of India, according to Sujay Shetty, general director of semiconductors at PWC India. There are still factors that India must stop, since manufacturing plants require specific locations without flooding or vibrations, with reliable road connections and suppliers of specialized chemicals that meet standards of ultraralta purity. India is still far from producing 2 nanometers avant -garde chips, but could find its niche in assembly and semiconductor tests, a sector with lower capital requirements and better margins. Cover image | Brian Kostiuk and Naveed Ahmed In Xataka | The undisputed winner of the aggressive competition of TSMC, Intel and Samsung is a European company: ASML

Latin America and Africa are a juicy caramel for car manufacturers. And the Chinese industry is already moving file

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The Chinese automotive industry has launched to the ambitious adventure to conquer the world. Yes last year We were talking about tariffs And both the United States and Europe looking for trying stop the expansion of the Chinese electric carnow we talk about huge ships from the main companies bringing their cars. But China Not only is your eye on Europe. It is already moving towards Africa and Latin America. Restrictions. Apart from bringing their cars to our borders, Chinese companies are moving forms for expand your dealer network in Europeas well as They operate their own factories. To ‘skip’ tariffs and restrictions, instead of manufacturing cars in the usual way, they do so by removal kits and put. But it is evident that these tariffs imposed on the electric car have been the trigger for the export to the West to cover other territories. In fact, brands such as ByD came to rethink their international strategy in some markets, and those alternative destinations outside the traditional axis are those that have lower commercial protection and greater growth potential. Africa (the north, especially) and some Latin American countries stand out for their lower customs obstacles and local policies that encourage the industry.

It is the illusion that the industry needed

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There were unbelievers who claimed that the expectation around ‘Silksong‘, the hopeful sequel to’ Hollow Knight ‘, was more a meme than a real craving for the players community. The launch has been in charge of shutting up Bocas: the hurricane of ‘Silksong’ has blown with such force that it has not only brought records of concurrent players, but has momentarily left out of service to stores more than prepared to withstand avalanches of people. Perhaps they are just the first moments of glory that Silksong intends to provide. Digital collapse. The fury for ‘Silksong’ on its exit day was such a caliber that collapsed the main digital platforms In their first hours for sale: Steam, Nintendo Eshop, PlayStation Store and Xbox Store suffered falls and errors, preventing thousands of users from completing the purchase or download of the game. Even services such as Game Pass recorded saturation, reflecting an unprecedented demand for an indie title. In fact, this demand level can be measured with AAA games belonging to successful franchises, rather than with independent partners. Concurrent records. ‘Silksong ‘also burst all Prior records of simultaneous players In Steam, exceeding 535,000 concurrent players in just 15 minutes after the premiere and touching the 600,000 just hours later. If we compare with your precedentthe first ‘Hollow Knight’ took years to reach a peak of 73,000 simultaneous players. These figures place ‘Silksong’ as one of the most powerful premieres in Steam’s recent history, exceeding AAA releases such as ‘GTA V’, ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ or ‘Elden Ring: Nighttreign’ on its first day. It was seen coming. This expectation had already resonated for months, or even years. Recently, ‘Silksong’ had become the most desired game in Steam, with almost 5 million users, pointing it on their desire list. It was an amount greater than that of Grabonds Blockbusters like ‘Battlefield 6’. You cannot say that we have caught us by surprise: as our life -estate companions say, We know perfectly what we come with ‘Silksong‘. We are going to find a perfectly polished metroidvania, with exquisite mechanics and a graphic finish on the line of its precedent. And yet, players have formed never seen in an indie title. There are reasons. And the main one is the price, we are not going to fool ourselves. The less than 20 euros that Team Cherry asks is a commercial maneuver (not all indies – or want – to allow such a low price), it is clear, but also, Cas we count a few days ago, A sleeve cut to the industry. In times when even a company mainstream With good reputation as Nintendo gives the impression of swelling more prices of the account, the price of ‘Silksong’ is almost a love letter to the environment, above commercial interests. And he claims indie ethics, the only sector of the industry where plays are not covered with a halo of cynicism. Save the mystery. Although the first and frantic contact shots are beginning to appear on the Internet so as not to lose the thread of today, ‘Silksong’ has also wanted (again, not everyone can afford it, but the expectation generated has left the waist to Team Cherry for something like that) that we all enjoy the game at the same time. There have not been previews for press, there have been no codes for media that lead to unwanted leaks. ‘Silksong’ is in the ‘Hollow Knight’ line, we already knew that but has dozens of secrets to discover, and without a doubt that has also increased the expectations and desire of the players. A mixture of maneuvers calculated to the millimeter and honest vocation to like and surprise, completely oblivious to the great mastodon of the industry. ‘Silksong’ deserves the success it is having and more: we did not see so much honest and simple illusion for a launch in recent years, so again we believe in video games. And that is priceless. In Xataka | This game has been scheduled by only one person, and there is already talk of him as one of the great shooters of the year

A triplegable missile that marks territory in front of the entire industry

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Buy or not a tablet. That is the big question when the mobile falls short to work or see content comfortably. At that point more doubts arise: if it is worth investing in another device, if it compensates to always load with it, if we really need it. Everything has its pros and cons. But what if there was a single screen for everything? What recently sounded to experiment today is a reality that steps strongly: folding mobiles have taken another step. They are no longer folded only by two, now they also fold in three. The most striking example is the new Huawei Mate XTS Ultimate Designthe second triplegable company. The Chinese brand presents it with a clear objective: Attract those looking for more than a traditional smartphone. Huawei Huawei Mate XTS Ultimate Design Technical Card Screens Folding: 6.4 ”(2232 × 1008) Double: 7.9 ”(2232 × 2048) Triple: 10.2 ”(2232 × 3184) OLED · LTPO (adaptive soda rate) PWM 1440 HZ · 240 Hz touch sampling Processor Kirin 9020 Operating system Harmonyos 5.1 RAM 12 GB / 16 GB Storage 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB Rear cameras MAIN: 50 MP, F/1.4 – F/4.0, RYYB, OIS, 10 Steps Physical Opening Ultra wide angle: 40 mp, f/2.2, Ryyb Telefoto Periscope: 12 MP, F/3.4, Ryyb, OIS, 5,5x optical zoom (Digital 50x) Front camera 8 mp ultra wide angle, f/2.2 Load and battery Cable: up to 66 W; Inverse 5 w · wireless: up to 50 w; Inverse 7.5 w 5600 mAh Accessories Compatible with M-PEN 3 (air gestures, button) Bluetooth keyboard Price Since 17,999 yuan (about 2,165 euros) A huge screen and the entire Huawei muscle This mobile is a sophistication exercise. The rear wears a textured finish that highlights even more with its octagonal camera module, framed in gold. Metal edges maintain the same tone, creating a uniform and elegant aesthetic. It is available in black, white, purple and soft red, all with golden details that reinforce their exclusive character. Huawei had already surprised with the Mate XT, his first folding of three sections. Now, with this Mate XTS, refine your proposal without drastic changes with the naked eye, but with improvements that make it more ambitious. Its main protagonist is the screen: an X-True panel of 10.2 inches and 3K resolution that folds into two points to adopt different sizes according to the use. It can become a 7.9 -inch tablet or a 6.4 -inch smartphone, always with a 92% screen ratio that takes full advantage of the space. The panel includes LTPO technology to dynamically adjust the refreshment rate and offer a more fluid experience. Despite its size, Huawei has made the device surprisingly light in hand, and its construction with materials such as UTG glass and reinforced components promise to provide resistance without losing elegance. Under the hood, the Mate XTS premieres the new Kirin 9020 processor, accompanied by Harmonyos 5.1. Huawei says a jump of more than 36% in performance Regarding its predecessor, optimizing multitasking, apps and energy consumption. In addition, it incorporates advanced antennas and satellite connectivity (according to availability), which allows you to maintain communication even without land coverage. The photographic section is another of its great arguments. Mounted a three-chamber system: a 50 MP principal with variable opening (f/1.4-f/4.0) and optical stabilization, an ultra large angle of 40 MP) a notable jump from the 12 MP of the previous model) and a 12 MP teleobjective with 5.5x and digital optical zoom of up to 50x. The 8 MP front camera is complemented with functions such as the double view to preview the photos from both sides of the screen. Autonomy is in charge of a 5600 mAh battery with silicon anode, which promises resistance without compromising thickness. Admits Fast charging of 66 w by cable and 50 w wireless. Huawei has paid attention to the productivity section: the mobile is compatible with the M-Pen 3 pencil, which allows you to draw, take notes or control presentations with air gestures. It also works with a bluetooth keyboard designed. At the software level, the experience is designed to take advantage of the triplegable format. Harmonyos 5.1 Includes a multiventana mode that allows you to stack applications, drag content between screens and run full PC apps such as WPS Office o Graphic editing programs. Functions such as screen translation or a voice assistant. Price and availability of Huawei Mate XTS Ultimate Design Huawei Mate XTS Ultimate Design has just been officially presented in China. At the moment, there are no details about its arrival in Europe, but its prices in the Asian market allow us to get an idea of ​​its range. Huawei Mate XTS Ultimate Design. 12+256 GB: 17,999 yuan (about 2,165 euros) Huawei Mate XTS Ultimate Design. 16+512 GB: 19,999 yuan (about 2,405 euros) Huawei Mate XTS Ultimate Design. 16 GB + 1 TB: 21,999 yuan (about 2,646 euros) We have made an approximate direct conversion to euros, although that does not mean that these are the final prices if the device arrives in Spain. For now, Huawei maintains the unknown on its international launch. Images | Huawei In Xataka | The new Nxtpaper 60 Ultra TCL is a mobile with a soul with an electronic book. The key is its 7.2 -inch matte screen In Xataka | Huawei says that it has resolved a technological challenge that will trigger China’s competitiveness in the United States

Now he wants to turn off factories to save his industry

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China is the undisputed leader of world solar energy. Its factories produce almost 90% of the solar cells of the planet and have left European and American competitors out of play. But that overwhelming domain has resulted in a monumental problem: prices for soils, millionaire losses and an excess of panels that the world does not need. Now Beijing prepares a shock plan to “reset” its solar industry. The solar bubble exploded. Between 2020 and 2023, Beijing redirected resources from the real estate sector to what he baptized as “the three new growth industries”: solar panels, electric cars and batteries. The result resulted in a flood of factories and an unprecedented production. In a report for Financial Timesthe Asian giant has registered a manufacture of 588 GW of solar cells last year, more than double the 451GW world demand. The immediate consequence was a price collapse: companies sold below cost to release stock, What caused losses With more than 60,000 million dollars. The solar grade polisilicio – key premium material – sank up to about 50 yuan per kilo. In addition, the social impact was not less. The five largest photovoltaic companies They reduced their templates in 31 %, which represents 87,000 silent layoffs. Of success to venom. The diagnosis is clear: excess capacity and wild competence. What once was the recipe of success – hipercompetitiveness and mass production – has ended in a downward race. Bo Zhengyuan analyst He explained it at FT: “That same ‘animal spirit’ that succeeded in industry is now destroying it.” In addition, the state strategy played a central role. The central government encouraged factories and solar parks as a growth engine, while provincial governments, evaluated by employment and production, resisted any closure of deficit plants. The self -regulation attempt did not work either. In 2024, giants such as Longi, Tongwei and Ja Solar signed a “self -discipline” pact to limit production, imitating oil OPEC. But the agreement was not binding, and while some expected others to fulfill, many increased their production further to gain market share. The result was the opposite: historical excess of supply and sunken balances. Beijing’s plan. With the sector in red numbers, Beijing has decided to intervene. According to Bloomberglarge producers, with state support, plan a fund of at least 50,000 million yuan (7,000 million dollars) to acquire and close more than one million tons of polysilicio capacity. The movement seeks an immediate objective: stabilize prices. Ming Yang, Financial Director of Daqo New Energy, has declared Bloomberg that the sector “already touched background” and should return to profitability before the end of the year. His words were enough for solar actions to shoot: Daqo rose 14 % in Shanghai and the sector dominated the highest increases in the CSI 300 index. In parallel, Gcl Technology proposed to close a third of the industry’s capacity. Its financial director He has recognized Reuters There are no guarantees that the reform is implemented this year, but acknowledged that Spot prices have already begun to rise after the signal of regulators to curb “excessively low” sales. For its part, the Ministry of Industry has summoned executives from 14 companies to demand the closure of underutilized factories and promised stricter controls on new environmental projects and requirements, As Financial Times has pointed out. A geopolitical and technological dilemma. The Chinese solar reset not only has an economic, but also political and geostrategic dimension. According to FTon the one hand, the avalanche of cheap exports has tensed relations with the United States and Europe, while Beijing continues to promote sales to developing countries within its Strip and Route initiative. On the other hand, the sector has not stopped its technological commitment. Despite the losses, the six largest companies invested 3.4 billion yuan in R&D in the first half of 2025 and maintain almost 17,000 employees dedicated to research. In just five years, the conversion efficiency of solar cells has gone from 20 % to 30 %, According to UBS cited in the British media. But the paradox persists: analysts They estimate that it would be necessary to eliminate Between 20% and 30% of the production capacity for companies to be profitable again. An adjustment of this caliber collides with the interests of the provincial governments, which depend on local employment and investment, which complicates the execution of the plan. The light and the shadow of leadership. China built its solar hegemony with speed, scale and low prices. That same recipe today with destroying it. The country faces an uncomfortable decision: let the ultra -opening continue to sink its champions or assume a painful adjustment that closes factories and entertain prices. “In no other sector dominate more than in this one,” Economist Alicia García-Herrero has warned FT. Precisely because of that, Beijing seems willing to reset his sun, although it hurts. Only in this way can it prevent its greatest success story from becoming another victim of its own excess. Image | Unspash Xataka | China broke the solar panel market. Now their companies have had to say goodbye to a third of their employees

Crocs’s is one of the most epic stories in industry

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Crocs has managed to strain rubber closures In catwalkshave collaborated with luxury brands and some are sold for authentic barbarities. No one seems to care about the obvious: they are very ugly. Comfortable? Definitely. Nice? Not even. This is the story of how a brand of shoes designed for navigators has become a global fashion phenomenon. The beginnings: a fishermen shoe Founded in 2002, the company began selling the Crocs Beach. They are the classic crocs that we all know; of rubber, soft and non -slip, perfect for navigators. Their comfort made other workers begin to use themmainly who spent many hours standing (I bought some when I was cashier in a store). The thing could have stayed there and the Crocs would continue to be comfortable footwear to work. We know that it was not so. In 2006, Crocs went over and managed to raise 208 million dollars, The largest initial public offer of a footwear company to date. The same year, They bought Jibbitz for 10 million dollarsthe company that created the first ornaments that are placed in the holes of the clogs. The crocs They began to be known worldwide And they left the workplace to sneak into everyday life. Joy lasted little and The financial crisis of 2008 hit the company strongly, getting to be On the verge of bankruptcy. In the following years, the company had to close many stores and reduce its catalog to survive. The culprits that the crocs become cool The cheapest of these costs 795 euros. Image: Balenciaga The change did not happen overnight, but perhaps the turning point It was marked by designer Christopher Kane in 2016when He put on his models with Crocs at London Fashion Week. They were not normal crocs, they had marbled colors and were decorated with crystals. But they were still Crocs, and on a catwalk. What seemed like a punctual provocation was only the beginning. A year later, the controversial firm Balenciaga said “hold me the cubata” and left in Paris fashion week with some 10 centimeter platform crocs. Suddenly crocs was daring, it was cool. It was putting comfort above all. We have seen it with Other fashions like Labubu: the Celebrities They played a key role in the massive acceptance of the crocs. The celebrities They started going out with their crocs And many launched collaborations. The first was Drew Barrymore in 2018shortly after Post Malone followedthat exhausted all pairs in a single day. There have been many more since then: Justin Bieber, Bad Bunny, SZA … Suddenly Crocs was daring, it was cool. It was putting comfort above all. Much more than comfort: a form of expression Collaboration with Animal Crossing. Image: Crocs Carrying crocs became An act of rebellion. Yes, they are ugly clogs, and what? In This great article They speak of the human need to differentiate ourselves from the mass and the crocs offered just that: to be the rare, the one who does not fit the rest. Collaborations with brands or celebrities were a great impulse, but Crocs’s success goes much further. Jibbitz’s purchase was a master play when introducing The customization component: Not only do you buy your product, you also do it with those little pins. Not only is they very comfortable, they are a form of expression. Not only is they very comfortable, they are a form of expression. To collaborations with artists or designers, others such as the newly announced with Nintendo and his game are added Crossing animalthat of Barbie or that of Pokémon To name just some examples. This is how CROCS establishes an emotional connection and loyalty to its customers. The shoe that resurfaced from its ashes That Crocs were on the verge of bankruptcy makes its history more epic if possible. In 2020, already recovered from the coup, 1,390 million dollars entered, which is not bad, but it was nothing compared to what was coming. Pandemia pIt was rotated that a more informal lifestyle was adopted and In 2021 Crocs had explosive growthreaching 2,310 million dollars of income, or what is the same: a growth of 67%. They did not stop there and in 2022 they rose to 3,550 million, 53% more. In 2023 the trend stabilized with 3,960 million and in 2024 they have installed above the 4,000 million dollars. Another key growth factor is the diversification of its catalog. When we think of crocs, we all have the classic model in the mind, but in recent years the brand’s catalog has grown a lot and, although they maintain the essence of the original, they have managed to expand their audience and reach more public, thus increasing their sales. And let’s not forget another key factor: the profit margin. According to the latest results, The margin amounts to 61.7%. That is, for every 100 dollars they earn, they stay 61.7. Not bad. The most expensive crocs for sale in stockx. Crocs not only managed to survive, he managed to prosper until he became a footwear brand accepted by all; From the general public to the one who seeks the most exclusive. Today, resale stores such as stockx have extra rare pairs that They are sold for more than 1,000 eurossome even for more than 2,000. But without a doubt the greatest achievement of Crocs is that it has become a fashion icon without changing its design. In any case, it has been the fashion industry that has been adapted to them. That is the magic of these ugly clogs: being the discordant note, a GLitch in a world they do not belong. Cover image | Melike B, Pexels In Xataka | Labubu Humanity Bags are being small. So its creator already knows how to sell even more

a diamond industry in full existential crisis

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They do not run Good times for the former exclusive, powerful and milmillonaria diamond industry. The boom of the “cultivated gems” He has set up the market, stirring something even more important than prices: his identity. When changing the mines of Africa for China’s laboratories, the sector has seen how its image of exclusivity weakened, one of the pillars on which it settled its business decades ago. The request Taylor Swift has served to vivify him. Of the Queen of Pop Queen, all the details are not known, but a huge diamond is gathered that some analysts value already between $ 250,000 and $ 500,000. Beyond its value, the commitment has served to revitalize the message of sophistication and luxury that so well cultivated in its day Of Beers. A ‘yes I want’ that is worth millions. Taylor Swift is much more than the pop queen. It is a real walking industry capable of Alter the GDP of the US with his tour and a influencer to which, only on Instagram, they continue More than 280 million of people (add it 32.5 on Tiktok) In search of inspiration. That is why the photograph he shared yesterday with his hand request is much more than a news for the pink press. His commitment to Travis Kelce has put the trend hunters of everyonewhich already examine the pedida ring with magnifying glass. Beyond the jewelers and designers, the Swift fans legion or the pink press, there is a group that has probably followed the news of the request with almost the same beautification as the singer: the world diamond industry. And the reason is very simple. Plunged into one deep existential crisis (Perhaps the greatest of all its history) that affects both its prices and its public image, the swing that Kelce has just put on the left ring finger of Swift reinforces the value that has made diamonds into a Milmillonario business: exclusivity. Why’s that? Because they don’t run simple times for the diamond industry. De Beers, the Titan of the Sector, the company that convinced generations of love that a romance is only authentic if it is sealed with a Pedrusco, is not at your best; And diamond prices have experienced A deep fall In recent years until they are minimal that were not seen so far in centuries. Behind that deep crisis there are several factors. There are those who explain it for The ‘prick’ of the Chinese market. Others simply point to a Cultural change: We marry less and that amounts to less commitment and alliances rings, to which it adds that the sector already enjoyed A boom Between 2021 and 2022, when the US market grew thanks to all postponed weddings during the pandemic. However, there is another factor that greatly explains the drift of the sector in recent years, one that affects both prices and the identity of diamonds: Synthetic stones. A Serious dangerous competitor. Those also known as “laboratory diamonds” are not new. Its origins can go back to mid -last century. However in recent decades its elaboration It has been refined So much and above all they have reached such penetration in the market that have become a serious competitor for natural diamonds. Serious and dangerous. The last ones (the natural stones) leave mines after having formed for millions of years in extreme conditions. The first (synthetic) are created in laboratories in days. And the reality is that experts do not differentiate them with the naked eye. The result was the expected. Laboratory diamonds have gained space in jewelry stores, affecting market prices, guarding traditional companies and especially staggering the foundations on which the business was built. They compete with the minted gems but can be manufactured in series in record time and a speed made in the industry there are voices that already warn of the risk of Overproduction. Not just that. There are manufacturers that They have decided to bet For the “cultivated” diamonds when considering them more ethical. A percentage: 20%. The result is that synthetic diamonds have made a considerable hole in the market. In An article recent The Wall Street Journal He pointed, citing the analyst Paul Zimnisky, who already represents more than the fifth of the world sales of jewelry with landing. It is not bad if one takes into account that only a few years ago, in 2016, they were less than 1%. If we talk about commitment rings your market penetration is even greater. The website specialized in weddings The Knot show that more than half of the commitment rings sold last year in the US included at least one laboratory diamond. Again there are many, many more than before pandemic. Growth since 2019 is estimated at about 40%. Market quota … and prices. That panorama has been marked by a prices collapse. Both of the synthetic and the natural stones. Zimnisky Calculate that since 2016 the sale price of a diamond of a laboratory quilate has dropped about 86%. During the same period the mined stones have also lost value, although in much less value: a gem of the same size would now cost around 40% less than nine years ago. Not all studies and valuations coincide in the data, but what they do share in all cases is the drawing: clearly falling. And what does Swift have to see? Swift’s ring affects the pillar on which the traditional diamond market, one of its capital values: exclusivity. From the Queen of Pop’s ring it is known that it is the exclusive design of a New York jewelry, which looks Antique Cushion Cut of eight carats and a diamond Old Mine Brillant of historical cut rounded in the corners. It is said that only the diamond can cost between $ 250,000 and $ 500,000 and that the ring is around one million or 1.3 million dollars. The analysts of The New York Times even They believe that the jewel will mark the return of “vintage … Read more

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