Ceramic and glass business news of the week for June 6, 2022

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

NSG launches solar renewable energy array at Ohio facility

NSG Group launched a 1.4 MW photovoltaic solar array at its glass manufacturing facility in Rossford, Ohio. The flat glass manufacturer says the solar field is fully operational and will supply about 2.5 million kWh of renewable energy annually. The array is owned and operated by AEP OnSite Partners, a subsidiary of American Electric Power.

GIG and Hydro Rein to develop 586 MW renewable project in Brazil

The Macquarie-owned Green Investment Group and Hydro Rein agreed to form a joint venture to build and operate a 586 MW wind and solar power project in Brazil’s north-east region. Named Feijão, the wind and solar hybrid project will be developed in the Brazilian states of Piauí and Pernambuco.

Bangkok Glass improves sustainability at Thai plant

BGC’s (a subsidiary of Bangkok Glass) emissions at its Pathum Thani plant were 10% below the average of the glass manufacturing industry in Thailand. The company says this result is due to many initiatives and actions to maximize cullet usage, optimize energy consumption, and minimize waste released into the environment.

New Rockhampton glass recycling facility to open this month

The new Kriaris Recyclables Processing Central Queensland site at Rockhampton will open this month. This $2 million facility, which is expected to keep 6,800 tonnes of glass waste a year out of landfill, will take glass and crush it into fines for use in bitumen or as a partial substitute for sand in concrete.

Updated Makuutu exploration target announced

ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths announced an updated exploration target and the associated planning of the Phase 5 exploration program at its 51% owned Makuutu rare earths project in Uganda. Makuutu is an ionic adsorption clay hosted rare earth element deposit located 120 km east of Kampala in Uganda.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

NSG integration with SYP Automotive

NSG will transfer its automotive processing operations in Guilin and Tianjin to SYP Kangqiao Autoglass, a manufacturer of advanced coated float and processed products for the Chinese architectural glass market. NSG believes the integration will strengthen its ability to meet the growing needs of vehicle manufacturers in China.

European Union to establish photovoltaics industry alliance

The European Union outlined a new “solar strategy” as part of a wider range of measures designed to end its dependence on fossil fuels from Russia. While the key measure is to instigate a “quick and massive” deployment of photovoltaics via the European Solar Rooftops Initiative, other elements include establishing a European Solar PV Industry Alliance.

GenCell, EV Motors Pure Energy deploy autonomous hybrid off-grid EV charging stations

EV Motors Pure Energy plans to purchase from Israel-based GenCell Energy dozens of additional off-grid charging systems based on GenCell’s fuel cell and energy storage technology. The charging systems will be implemented at multiple off-grid vehicle charging stations across Israel in a deal valued at some US$ 5 million.

Mkango and CoTec to collaborate in downstream rare earth technologies

Mkango signed a nonbinding term sheet with CoTec Holdings Corp., an ESG-focused company investing in innovative technologies, in relation to investments by CoTec into Mkango and Mkango’s subsidiary, Maginito Limited, and collaboration in downstream rare earth technologies.

Elemental Machines and Qualer announce a global strategic partnership

Elemental Machines and Qualer announced a global strategic partnership combining Elemental Machines’ innovative universal laboratory operations platform for research, clinical, and testing labs with Qualer’s comprehensive cloud-based asset and service management solution.

OTHER STORIES

Total Solutions Plus announces highlights for 2022

The 13^th Annual Total Solutions Plus conference will bring the ceramic tile industry together again to network and learn from each other. Total Solutions Plus is returning to the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, which will be held Nov. 6–8, 2022, in Palm Springs, Calif.

New law goes into effect making renewable energy more sustainable in Illinois

Under Senate Bill 3790,  Illinois will join states such as California, Hawaii, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Washington in the creation of a Renewable Energy Component Recycling Task Force. The task force will investigate options for recycling and other end-of-life methods for renewable generation components and energy storage devices.

Majority of Japanese firms struggle to get materials amid war in Ukraine

A Teikoku Databank survey found more than 50% of Japanese firms are struggling to obtain raw materials and other commodities due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Many of these companies say they are considering taking or have already taken action, including changing materials and passing on price rises to consumers.

MARKET TRENDS

Deep under the ocean, a fresh source of green power takes shape

For more than a decade, Japanese heavy machinery maker IHI has been developing a subsea turbine that harnesses the energy in deep ocean currents and converts it into a steady and reliable source of electricity. Called Kairyu, the 330-ton prototype resembles an airplane and is designed to be anchored to the seafloor at a depth of 30–50 meters.

Solar industry sees 95% increase in average downtime due to pandemic, supply chain

According to GCube Insurance Ltd’s latest market insights report, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruptions have pushed sector-wide average business downtime days up by 38% on 2016 levels. The global solar industry witnessed the worst effects of this disruption, with a 95% increase in average downtime days.

Industry survey reveals cost as main barrier to adopting clean energy technologies

In a Net Zero Technology Center survey, wind (35%), green hydrogen (18%), and electrification (13%) ranked as most important for an optimum energy mix, while solar and carbon capture utilization and storage were viewed as least important. More than a third (35%) said cost is the biggest barrier to adopting clean energy technologies.

Electronic and electrical ceramics market: Cumulative impact of COVID-19

A recent market research report by 360iResearch estimates the global electronic and electrical ceramics market was $12.15 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.69% to reach $16.06 billion by 2027. Includes impacts resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

NEW PRODUCTS

Michelmersh to launch world’s first 100% hydrogen fired clay bricks

Michelmersh will conduct a feasibility study to replace natural gas with hydrogen in the brick making process. The program is part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, which aims to fund low-carbon tech to decrease costs of decarbonization.