Ceramic and glass business news of the week for June 22, 2020

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

PRCO America to build refractory plant in Graves County

PRCO America Inc., a manufacturer of specialty refractory brick for the steel industry, plans to open its first U.S. production facility next year in Graves County, Kentucky, a nearly $5.5 million investment expected to create up to 32 full-time jobs.

Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems upgrades brazing furnace for CQI-9 production

Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems recently rebuilt and shipped a 24-inch, four zone continuous mesh belt brazing furnace for an automotive parts supplier in Mexico. The build included a new 330 stainless steel muffle, new silicon carbide heating elements, new cooling sections, and new furnace controls to meet CQI-9 requirements.

Completion of Taiwan’s first megawatt-level on-campus microgrid energy storage system

Delta, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions, announced the completion of Taiwan’s first megawatt-level on-campus microgrid energy storage system, installed at the BaoShan Campus of National Changhua University of Education.

Clean-energy project on Lake Erie faces stiff headwinds because of warblers, waterfowl

Icebreaker Wind, the United States’ first wind energy project on freshwater, is facing opposition from wildlife activists and others because of the risk they say it would pose to the millions of warblers and waterfowl that migrate over Lake Erie every spring and fall.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Enphase Energy partners with Excel Power to deliver solar projects in Australia

Enphase Energy, Inc., a global energy technology company and supplier of solar microinverters, announced that Excel Power, a leading commercial and residential solar company, is leveraging the Enphase microinverters to build a growing base of commercial solar customers in Australia.

Ardagh Group and Stanpac partner to meet increased demand for glass milk bottles

Ardagh Group, Glass – North America and long-term partner Stanpac are providing glass milk bottles to meet increased demand during the coronavirus pandemic. Ardagh manufactures the American-made glass milk bottles that Stanpac supplies to regional dairy brands across the United States.

Tortoise pulls out blank-check corporation to purchase energy technology startup

Tortoise Acquisition Corp. will be merged with Hyliion Inc., an electric vehicle powertrain producer based in Cedar Park, Texas, a suburb of Austin. The merged entity will take on the Hyliion Holdings Corp. brand and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol “HYLN.”

MN3D network established for additive manufacturing in maritime industry

The Maritime Cluster Northern Germany established the MN3D network to drive the adoption of additive manufacturing in the maritime industry. The implementation of AM in the maritime industry and marketing strategies will be jointly driven by network partners.

Lithoz partners with MITRE, MSI Transducers on AM of underwater acoustic transducers

Lithoz, a leader in advanced ceramic 3D printing technology, is collaborating with MITRE and MSI Transducers Corp to make Lithoz’s technology available to develop more advanced underwater acoustic transducers for communication systems.

Visagio, DiManEx partner to streamline additive manufacturing, supply chain management

Visagio and DiManEx are combining efforts to strengthen production processes for clients around the world. Currently, their approach is centered around helping professionals use new technology to shift from mass production to end-user and on-demand processes.

ExOne receives funding in partnership with universities for 3D printing research

The Manufacturing PA Innovation Program awarded about $350,000 funding to five university projects working in collaboration with The ExOne Company to further binder jet 3D printing development. The funding comes as part of a larger $2.8 million in grants the Program awarded to 43 projects across Pennsylvania universities.

OTHER STORIES

Webinar: Five fundamentals for efficient materials sample preparation

Buehler’s upcoming webinar will focus on the five key parts to achieving highly efficient sample preparation. For each part, core considerations will be discussed, examples will be given, and resources to help improve materials selection and processes will be provided. The webinar will take place Tuesday, June 30.

Webinar: Data-driven ceramics and glass research

In an upcoming MRS OnDemand Webinar Series, ceramic and glass academic and industrial experts will discuss the application of data science tools toward the design, understanding, and optimization of ceramic and glass materials. The webinar will take place Wednesday, July 15, from 12–1:30 p.m. (ET).

ENrG Inc to close its business on June 30, 2020

After 18 years, ENrG Inc is going to close its business on June 30, 2020. The liquidation of assets will take place as an online auction here. The company is known for manufacturing Thin E-Strate, an ultrathin, flexible ceramic substrate.

BV Glas secures funding for hydrogen glass research project

The Federal Association of the German Glass Industry (BV Glas) received state confirmation of funding for its hydrogen glass (HyGlass) project. BV Glas is partnering with the GWI institute in Essen to conduct research into the suitability of hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels in the glass production process.

Volkswagen invests up to $200m in stealthy solid-state battery builder QuantumScape

The Volkswagen Group just increased its stake in QuantumScape with an investment of up to $200 million in the U.S. solid-state battery developer. This funding comes two years after VW invested $100 million in the secretive battery startup and makes Volkswagen its largest automotive shareholder.

DOE invests $65M at national laboratories, universities to advance nuclear technology

The U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $65 million in nuclear energy research, cross-cutting technology development, facility access, and infrastructure awards for 93 advanced nuclear technology projects in 28 states.

MARKET TRENDS

US trade commission: Subsidised glass containers from China do not harm our industry

The U.S. International Trade Commission said the U.S. glass packaging industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by imports of glass containers from China. As a result, no countervailing duty order will be imposed on such imports.

New analysis shows continued COVID-19-related clean energy job losses

According to the latest monthly analysis of unemployment filings by BW Research for E2, E4TheFuture, and the American Council on Renewable Energy, the biggest part of America’s energy industry—the clean energy sector—is still suffering badly. The new report contradicts the findings of a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

Futuristic solar plants plagued by glitches, poor training

According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a hectic pace of development spurred by expiring national and state incentive programs has caused multiple reliability problems among the world’s most advanced solar energy plants.

NEW PRODUCTS

6,500-gallon pre-filter vessel

The most recent ROSS pre-filter vessel is constructed of 304L stainless steel and has a working capacity of 6,500-gallons. It is capable of 200 psi and full vacuum at 200°F, and it is designed, built, and stamped according to ASME Code Section VIII, Div. 1.

Pole stabilization system for concrete, FlowFill pouring applications

The patent-pending Direct Embed Pole Stabilization system from LineWise is a new bracing system for holding concrete or steel poles in place while pouring concrete or FlowFill. The system, which is 7.5 feet in length when fully contracted, requires no routine maintenance, provides a long service life, and is made of 100-percent recyclable material.