US advanced ceramics market to grow 5% annually to 2017
Demand for advanced ceramics in the U.S. is forecast to rise more than five percent annually to $13.5 billion in 2017. Gains will be driven by the development of new applications for advanced ceramics and by their increased adoption in already established applications based on superior performance and material properties. These trends are predicted to be most pronounced in the machinery, transportation, and medical markets.
Samsung to build $1B display factory in Vietnam
The display manufacturing unit of Samsung Electronics Co. said it secured approval from Vietnam to build a $1 billion factory in the Southeast Asian country. Samsung Display Co. said that the plant in northern Vietnam will supply small displays for Samsung smartphones and tablet computers starting sometime next year. Production capacity at Samsung’s two handset factories north of Hanoi reportedly tops 200 million units a year, about half of its worldwide handset production.
Consistent with its strategy to invest in higher growth opportunities, Ferro Corporation has acquired certain commercial assets of a reseller of Ferro porcelain enamel products in Turkey in order to enhance direct marketing and sales opportunities. Ferro porcelain enamel sales to this entity in 2013 were approximately $6 million. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Goh Ban Huat to acquire Dynac Sdn Bhd
Ceramics manufacturer Goh Ban Huat (GBH) announced the acquisition of Dynac Sdn Bhd, an oil and gas services provider, under a RM632 million reverse takeover offer. The offer will make Dynac Sdn Bhd GBH’s new largest shareholder. GBH will pay RM210 million in cash and the balance RM422 million through the issuance of new GBH shares at RM2 each.
Boeing working on new windshield design for Dreamliners
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is working on a new design for windshields of Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes following a series of incidents of cracks appearing in the aircraft owned by Air India. There have been several incidents of windshield cracks involving the latest Dreamliner aircraft, not only in the fleet of Air India but other airlines as well, like All Nippon Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, in the last few months.
Airbus files patent for windowless cockpits
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus may be taking a different approach to its windshields. The company has filed for a patent for a new, high-tech “windowless cockpit” design that gets rid of the familiar glass windows. Instead, the pilot would see out of high-tech video screens complete with 3D renderings of the outside, laser-formed holograms, and feeds from several on-board cameras.
US to press China on liberalizing high-tech trade
The U.S. is looking for concessions from China to kick start international negotiations on liberalizing trade in high-technology products. Trade Representative Michael Froman told reporters the U.S. wants to resolve differences with China over products covered by the Information Technology Agreement during annual high-level U.S.-China talks in Beijing.