Ceramic and glass business news of the week for July 13, 2020

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Libbey announces plans to close Shreveport plant

Tableware glass manufacturer Libbey Inc, which is in the midst of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to close its Shreveport plant in Louisiana by the end of the year. The company says it will negotiate its plan, which is tentative, with unions representing its employees prior to a final decision.

Wyoming gives green light to carbon tech company for first new coal mine in four decades

For the first time in nearly four decades, the state of Wyoming has granted approval for a new coal mine. However, coal from the 15,000-acre Brook Mine near Sheridan, instead of being burned, will be used to develop alternative uses, such as carbon fiber and activated carbon, because carbon technology company Ramaco Carbon is behind the project.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

ExxonMobil, Princeton extend partnership on energy research

ExxonMobil and Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment extended their partnership to research lower-emission technologies and energy solutions. The new, five-year agreement builds on ExxonMobil’s participation in Princeton’s E-filliates Partnership, which launched in 2015.

US Air Force partners with FSU to develop reinforced ceramics 3D printing of sensors

Florida State University, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, are conducting a study to develop reinforced ceramics 3D printing of sensors. The technology of reinforced ceramics 3D printing of sensors uses a new liquid polymer in a 3D printer that can dispense pre-ceramic polymer, which is then pyrolyzed to form ceramic.

9T Labs, Setforge collaborate to bring carbon fiber-reinforced polymer AM to production

9T Labs and Setforge will replace metals with high-performance carbon fiber-reinforced polymers for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications by using the 9T Labs Red Series equipment.

Partnership forms to advance additive manufacturing in South Korea

Essentium, an innovator of industrial additive manufacturing solutions, partnered with Hephzibah, a South Korean 3D printing specialist. The partnership will aim to deliver AM solutions based on open ecosystems that produce parts with the strength, speed, and scale customarily associated with injection moulding and with vastly improved economics.

OTHER STORIES

Webinar: Best solar energy technologies for the Nordic region

A webinar by Next2Sun managing director Sascha Krause-Tuenker aims to provide a first look at some of the most appropriate solar energy technologies for the Nordic region, which faces challenges of snow, ice, long winter nights, and low levels of solar irradiation. The webinar takes place Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 3 p.m. CEST.

Guardian Glass launches Glass Technical Library

Guardian Glass North America announced architects, fabricators, window manufacturers, and glazing contractors now have access to a growing online library of technical papers and videos to help them design, build, and work with glass. New webpage is available here.

ClearVue signs US agreement for manufacture, distribution of PV insulated glass panels

Australian smart building materials company ClearVue Technologies signed a manufacturing and distribution agreement with U.S.-based Insulsteel Building Sciences that will see ClearVue’s advanced glass technology incorporated into Insulsteel’s energy-efficient building solutions.

SINTX Technologies publishes study to reduce spread and transfer of coronavirus

SINTX Technologies, Inc., an original equipment manufacturer ceramics company focused on silicon nitride and its applications, announced positive testing results demonstrating the anti-viral properties of its silicon nitride, which may be useful in the reduction of the spread of COVID-19.

Australian rare earth miner Lynas chairman to retire

Australian rare earth miner Lynas Corp announced that chairman Mike Harding intends to retire by September 30 after more than five years in the role. Kathleen Conlon, a nonexecutive director at the firm since 2011, was elected to succeed Harding.

MARKET TRENDS

Battery makers face looming shortages of high-quality lithium

According to industry insiders at an Atlantic Council panel, despite material shortages, lithium-ion markets are taking off and supply problems will not result from a shortage of lithium raw materials.

NEW PRODUCTS

UConn-made COVID-19 mask solution coming to market

Within six weeks of announcing a successful method to fabricate custom-fit mask frames to optimize protection from the spread of COVID-19, UConn has a licensing deal with a Connecticut manufacturer to produce them.