Ceramic and glass business news of the week for August 21, 2023

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

University of Glasgow characterization hub to acquire Rigaku electron diffractometer

The University of Glasgow purchased a Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy-ED electron diffractometer to serve as the flagship instrument in a new materials characterization analytical hub.

Duravit AG plans climate-neutral ceramic production facility in Québec

Duravit AG, a German design bathroom manufacturer, announced plans to build the “world’s first” climate-neutral ceramic production facility in the Canadian province of Québec. The new plant will make ceramic sanitary ware products. To make the wares, Duravit’s energy source will run on an electric roller kiln fueled by hydropower electricity.

Renewable energy generation operations begin at Electrify America Solar Glow 1

Electric vehicle DC fast charging network Electrify America started commercial operation of the new 75-megawatt Electrify America Solar Glow 1 solar photovoltaic renewable energy generation project in San Bernardino County, Calif. The project is the result of a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement with developer Terra-Gen.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Mannok partners with FLSmidth on new cement decarbonization research project

A new research effort led by FLSmidth and supported by various partners, including Mannok, will use digitalization and advanced predictive modeling to maximize the use of supplementary cementitious materials in cement, a key pillar to decarbonize cement.

Lucideon and the National Composites Center partner on next-gen ceramic composites

Lucideon and the National Composites Center forged a closer collaboration to develop advanced ceramic composites to meet a growing market demand for materials that survive in ever harsher environments.

Britain agrees to deals on clean energy, critical minerals with Zambia

Britain has agreed to deals with Zambia on clean energy and critical minerals following foreign minister James Cleverly’s four-day visit to Africa. Cleverly reportedly agreed to a U.K.-Zambia Green Growth Compact, aimed at generating 2.5 billion pounds (US$3.17 billion) of British private sector investment in Zambia’s mining, minerals, and renewable energy sectors alongside 500 million pounds of government-backed investments.

OTHER STORIES

SCHOTT celebrates 60^th anniversary in US

SCHOTT’s first presence in the United States was an office in New York City. The company has since expanded to seven facilities across the U.S. A brief video overviews SCHOTT’s history in the U.S. and a few of the company’s exciting milestones.

Morocco launches tender for 400 MW/400 MWh solar-plus-storage project

The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy launched a tender for the Noor Midelt III project, a 400 MW photovoltaic plant that will be connected to 400 MWh of battery storage. This project will raise the solar capacity of the overall Noor Midelt project, which also includes the Noor Midelt I and Noor Midelt II solar plants, to 1.6 GW.

The Inflation Reduction Act in its first year

Happy one-year anniversary to the Inflation Reduction Act! The Department of Energy published an article describing several ways the act has helped spur a surge in job creation and the expansion of businesses in the clean energy sector during its first year.

MARKET TRENDS

Unleashing the potential of limestone calcined clay cement

The Bureau of Indian Standards released an Indian Standard code (IS 18189: 2023) that provides comprehensive guidelines and specifications for the production, testing, and usage of limestone calcined clay cement in concrete. This code poises this cement to gain wider acceptance and adoption in the Indian construction industry.

Fiberglass dock technology making its way to South Carolina beaches

Many wooden docks and piers across the Grand Strand were battered when Hurricane Ian hit South Carolina in September 2022, leaving behind damage that is yet to be fully repaired. New fiberglass technology recently approved for use along South Carolina’s shoreline can help the state prepare for when the next storm hits.

NEW PRODUCTS

Accelera technology powers North America’s first green hydrogen passenger train

Accelera technology was used to power North America’s first hydrogen passenger train. The Accelera HySTAT-100-10 electrolyzer produced the green hydrogen, while Accelera fuel cells mounted to the roof of the train converted the hydrogen into electricity.

New database quantifies the materials needed to build wind and solar farms

Working with partners from other national labs, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory created a new database, the Renewable Energy Materials Properties Database, which examines materials needed for both wind and solar power plants.

US startup to produce perovskite glass for tandem modules

Perovskite technology startup Caelux secured a series A funding of $12 million, bringing total funding to $24 million to develop and commercialize its perovskite glass for tandem use. The company will open a manufacturing facility outside of Los Angeles, Calif.