Ceramic and glass business news of the week for March 13, 2023

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

New York eyes floating technology innovations as it aims to expand offshore wind

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is working on a second offshore wind master plan focusing on development in deeper waters and plans to release a blueprint in the spring.

TotalEnergies ENEOS to provide new photovoltaic system for CoorsTek Thailand facility

CoorsTek signed a long-term agreement with TotalEnergies ENEOS for a 1.5 megawatt-peak rooftop and carport solar photovoltaic system at its 110,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand.

US Steel to pursue emission capture at Indiana facility

United States Steel Corp. and CarbonFree Chemicals Holdings signed a nonbinding agreement to jointly pursue the capture of carbon dioxide emissions using CarbonFree’s SkyCycle technology at U.S. Steel’s Gary Works manufacturing plant. SkyCycle technology converts the CO₂ into precipitated calcium carbonate and produces hydrochloric acid.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Nano Dimension announces formal offer to acquire Stratasys

Nano Dimension Ltd., a leading supplier of additively manufactured electronics and multidimensional polymer, metal, and ceramic 3D printers, announced that it made a formal, nonbinding offer to acquire the remaining shares of Stratasys Ltd. for total consideration of approximately $1.1 billion in cash.

Bangkok Glass makes Prime packaging acquisition

Bangkok Container Glass acquired Prime Packaging for THB580 million (US$16.77 million) via its subsidiary BGC Packaging. Prime is a manufacturer and distributor of flexible plastic packaging and plastic rolls. Bangkok Glass CEO Silparat Watthanakasetr says the acquisition will enable it to become a total packaging solutions provider.

Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp announces acquisition of 70% interest in PCH Project

Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. signed a letter agreement with 3S LTDA and Beko Invest Ltd. to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Project located in the Brasília Fold Belt, Goiás State, Brazil. The PCH Project is classified as an alkaline intrusive rock occurrence with highly anomalous rare earth elements and niobium mineralization.

Rigaku extends partnership with CBRNe program at University of Rome Tor Vergata

Rigaku Analytical Devices renewed a partnership with the University of Rome Tor Vergata, in collaboration with a local representative, ABCS Srl. The CBRN Gate program provides education, training, and research activities related to global safety and security, in which Rigaku’s handheld Raman analyzer product line is used to identify chemical threats.

OTHER STORIES

Lahti Glass Technology changes managing director

Lahti Glass Technology appointed Jarmo Sopanen as the new managing director, taking over for Jarmo Näppi, who is to retire. Näppi has led Lahti Glass Technology since its founding in 2018 and will act as a senior advisor until his contract expires this summer.

Liquefied hydrogen carrier ship features SCHOTT glass-sealed Eternaloc feedthroughs

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. selected SCHOTT glass-sealed Eternaloc feedthroughs to provide unmatched safety when building the world’s first hydrogen carrier ship, the SUISO FRONTIER. The companies worked together to develop double-glass-sealed, vacuum-tight feedthroughs that allow transmission of both electrical and optical signals.

First CHIPS for America funding is now available

The National Institute of Standards and Technology launched the first opportunity for CHIPS for America funding. The $39 billion in funding will support domestic semiconductor manufacturing and is the first of three funding opportunities expected this year.

Funding opportunity: Industrial decarbonization and emissions reduction demonstrations

On March 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement for approximately $6 billion to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in energy-intensive industrial subsectors through transformational, commercial-scale demonstration projects.

MARKET TRENDS

Emergence of advanced materials across key manufacturing sectors in India

The EY report “Advanced materials: the emergence of new-age materials across key manufacturing sectors in India” states that India is witnessing a surge in demand for advanced materials and, in some cases, penetration is on par with global benchmarks.

NEW PRODUCTS

Sakuu successfully 3D prints fully functional high-performance patterned batteries

Sakuu Corporation announced that since December 2022, it successfully and consistently 3D printed fully functional high-performance batteries in custom shapes and sizes. These batteries were printed as patterned cells containing patterned openings for thermal management, in a fully dry process, at Sakuu’s Silicon Valley battery pilot line facility.

Pilkington debuts sustainable infrared heating solution

Pilkington UK will launch a range of glass infrared radiators called HeatComfort Panels to support demand for low-carbon heating solutions in homes and nondomestic buildings.

CUMI launches monocrystalline alumina under brand name Cumi Monk

Carborundum Universal Limited, a manufacturer of abrasives, ceramics, electro minerals, refractories, and more, launched CUMI Monk at the GrindTec Fair in Leipzig, Germany. CUMI Monk is a monocrystalline alumina manufactured by the fusion method.

L&L Special Furnace model FB435

The L&L model FB435 has an effective work area of 48” wide by 32” tall by 60” deep and has certifiable temperature uniformity of ±10°F from 500 to 1,850°F.  The furnace is lined with ceramic fiber on the sides and top, and the door is pneumatically operated with a counterbalanced lift system.