Ceramic and glass business news of the week for July 11, 2022

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

US commits $2 billion for solar deployment in Angola

The U.S. government facilitated a partnership between the government of Angola and U.S.-based project development firms AfricaGlobal Schaffer and Sun Africa to mobilize $2 billion to develop a solar project in the southwestern African nation. The project includes developing solar mini-grids, home power kits, and solar-to-power telecommunications.

Gerresheimer to invest €126 million in North Macedonian facility

German pharmaceutical company Gerresheimer plans to invest €126 million in a new factory in the Technological-Industrial Development Zone, Skopje, North Macedonia. Construction will start in the third quarter of 2022, while series production should begin in 2024. The factory will specialize in manufacturing medical glass/syringes for vaccines.

United Energy to set up glass manufacturing plant in Oman

Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates announced that a deal was reached with United Energy Company for the establishment of a glass manufacturing plant on a 20,000-sq.-m area at Sur Industrial City.

Portland glass recycling plant agrees to install air pollution control technology

Owens-Brockway said it will install a catalytic ceramic filter at its glass recycling facility in Northeast Portland to control and reduce particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide emissions.

Turkey discovers massive reserve of rare earth elements

Turkey discovered a reserve of rare earth elements in the central Anatolia region that contains 694 million tons of rare earth reserves, according to a statement from Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The world’s largest rare earth field is an 800-million-ton site in China.

World’s first rare earth processing hub powered by offshore wind

Pensana signed a letter of intent securing private wire connection to battery storage operated by Yorkshire Energy Park under which it will have access to 4 MW rising to 10 MW of low-carbon electricity for 10 years. The Yorkshire Energy Park is located adjacent to Pensana’s site within the Saltend Chemicals Park.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Power Factors acquires Inaccess, expanding its leading renewable software solutions

Power Factors, a leader in renewable asset management software, will acquire Inaccess, a provider of integrated mission critical software and hardware solutions for renewable power plants, battery energy storage systems, hybrid plants, and virtual power plants.

SINTX Technologies acquires Technology Assessment and Transfer, Inc.

SINTX Technologies, Inc. announced the acquisition of Technology Assessment and Transfer, Inc. TA&T, based in Maryland, is a nearly 40-year-old advanced ceramics business that specializes in developing and commercializing a broad array of innovative materials for defense, biomedical, and industrial applications.

Nano Dimension acquires Admatec and Formatec

Nano Dimension Ltd., a supplier of additively manufactured electronics and multidimensional metal & ceramic 3D printers, signed and closed a definitive agreement to acquire Formatec Holding B.V, which includes its two subsidiaries, Admatec Europe B.V. and Formatec Technical Ceramics B.V.

Driven Brands acquires fifth US auto glass brand K&K Glass

Driven Brands Holdings announced its acquisition of Florida-based K&K Glass. This acquisition marks the fifth U.S. auto glass brand brought under Driven Brands, with former owner of K&K Dan Knowlton saying the acquisition will help the business and its employees reach their full potential.

India, Australia discuss cooperation in rare earth minerals

Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines of India, began a visit to Australia aimed at fostering collaboration in the critical sector to bolster India’s transition to clean energy. Besides holding talks with Australia’s Minister for Resources Madeleine King, Joshi visited several key facilities.

MITO spearheads graphene classification initiative to aid composites industry

MITO Material Solutions announced that its vice president, Caio Lo Sardo, took a leading role in what is said to be the first graphene document in development led by the U.S. committee within the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 229, Nanotechnologies.

Tata Group partners with Renesas to manufacture semiconductors

Renesas Electronics Corporation, a supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced a strategic partnership with two Tata Group companies on the design, development, and manufacturing of Renesas’ semiconductor solutions for enhancing innovation across electronics systems for the Indian and emerging markets.

OTHER STORIES

Solarplaza Summit Nordics

The Solarplaza Summit Nordics unites key players active in the Nordic PV markets, providing them with crucial market insights and extended networking opportunities. The conference takes place in Copenhagen on Sept. 29, 2022.

Otto Schott Research Award recognizes achievements in glass science

This year’s Otto Schott Research Award went to two European researchers: Alicia Durán from the Spanish Research Council in Madrid, Spain, and Daniel Neuville from the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris at the University of Paris. The award was presented as part of the 26^th International Congress of Glass in Berlin, Germany.

GrafTech appoints Marcel Kessler as chief executive officer and president

GrafTech International Ltd. announced that Marcel Kessler was appointed as the company’s chief executive officer and president, and was elected to the company’s Board of Directors, all effective July 1, 2022.

UK launches data center for critical minerals

Britain launched a center to gather data and analyze information on the supply of critical minerals such as cobalt and lithium, which are key for electric vehicle batteries. The center, to be run by the British Geological Survey, will use the data to help to find ways to source minerals needed for green technologies.

O-RAN Alliance launches research group to focus on 6G

O-RAN Alliance announced it formed a next generations research group, with the aim of carrying out research about O-RAN and future 6G networks. The O-RAN Alliance also announced the launch of its certification and badging program.

MARKET TRENDS

Record year for container glass production

According to new data released by FEVE, the European Container Glass Federation, container glass production was at its highest ever level in 2021. That year, more than 23.4 million tonnes, or 83.3 billion bottles and jars, were produced for the European and global markets. Since 2012, container glass production has grown by 18.6%.

European and UK glass containers recycling rate hits record high in 2020

Average EU27 + UK collection for recycling rate for glass packaging hit a new record rate of 80% in 2020. This rate represents an increase of 2% points compared to 2019, with nine countries already achieving over the 90% collection target.

Nepal starts exporting cement to India for the first time

For the first time, Nepal started exporting cement to India, with the initial consignment of 3,000 bags entering through a check post bordering Uttar Pradesh. The Palpa Cement Industries in Nawalparasi district dispatched the first consignment.

NEW PRODUCTS

New floating PV system for near-shore applications

Norwegian startup Sunlit Sea designed a floating array consisting of a single unit float of built-in cold-pressed aluminum with a close-to-standard solar panel bonded on the top surface. A 22.7%-efficiency mono PERC photovoltaic panel is bonded to the top of the float, giving a total unit thickness of 85 mm.

ROSS Planetary Dual Dispersers offer unique processing flexibility

The ROSS PDDM Planetary Dual Disperser is a robust mixer that offers unmatched shear intensity and rapid dispersion of dry powders into viscous batches. With this system, solid additions can be made quickly and efficiently, thanks to two stainless steel high viscosity stirrer blades and two high-speed shafts with saw-tooth dispersers.