Ceramic and glass business news of the week for October 16, 2023

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

$10 million DOD award will fund pioneering Sensing and Cyber Center of Excellence

The Virginia Tech College of Engineering received a $10 million, five-year Department of Defense award to fund groundbreaking research with potential military and commercial implications. Dwight Viehland, the Jack E. Cowling Professor of materials science and engineering, will serve as principal investigator of the Sensing and Cyber initiative.

SCHOTT receives funding for the construction of first climate-friendly melting tank

Specialty glass manufacturer SCHOTT received funding of about EUR 14.8 million for the construction of its first large-scale industrial pilot plant. In this project, pharmaceutical glass is to be manufactured largely without causing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ardagh Glass launches Netherlands solar energy installation

A solar power plant at the Ardagh Glass Packaging facility in Dongen, the Netherlands, is now live, supplying renewable electricity on-site. The development is part of Ardagh Group’s strategy to use 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

STL among first Indian optical companies to transition to green hydrogen for operations

STL, a leading optical and digital solutions company, announced that it has collaborated with Hygenco, a homegrown green hydrogen solutions provider, for the supply of green hydrogen to its manufacturing plants.

Biden-Harris Administration announces $7 billion for Hydrogen Hubs

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $7 billion to launch seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs across the nation and accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen.

Mikrosam filament production line supports Amargo tank production

Consulting and production company Amargo (Koprki, Poland) is now home to Mikrosam’s (Prilep, Macedonia) newest, floor-based, state-of-the-art filament production line, which will be used to produce chemically resistant tanks or hydrogen storage in industrial plants.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Tyrolit strengthens US-market position with strategic acquisition of Acme Abrasives

At the end of September 2023, Austria-based abrasives manufacturer Tyrolit Group acquired all of the stock of Acme Holding Company, a Michigan-based specialized abrasives manufacturer and provider. This acquisition is now Tyrolit’s seventh manufacturing plant in the U.S.

Lithium-hungry France strikes Mongolian exploration deal

France signed a deal with Mongolia to search for lithium and moved a step closer to mining uranium in the Asian country. The deals are a highlight of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh’s visit to Paris, which comes less than six months after French President Emmanuel Macron stopped in Ulaanbaatar on his way back from a G7 summit in Japan.

RATH works with InVECOF project to mature oxide fiber production in Europe for CMCs

Refractory materials supplier RATH is partnering with other leaders in high-temperature materials on Horizon Europe’s InVECOF project (2022–25). The project aims to make production of European-made oxide fibers and oxide ceramic matrix composite parts competitive with those produced in the U.S.

OTHER STORIES

Dubai launches world’s first 3D-printing certification system for construction industry

Dubai Municipality launched the world’s first system for certification in the field of 3D printing in the construction industry. The system, which includes conformity marks, will serve as a proactive measure to streamline procedures and improve the quality of concrete mixes used in factories licensed and operating in Dubai.

Mantec lands largest ever order for Ultralite

Delivery is underway for Mantec Technical Ceramics’ largest single order of Ultralite, its microporous refractory product that provides lightweight, super-insulative mass in tunnel kiln cars. The contract, comprising a total volume of 520 m³, was placed by one of Europe’s leading kiln construction companies and is destined for use in the heavy clay sector.

UK hosted Principals’ meeting of Minerals Security Partnership for first time

On Tuesday, Oct. 10, the U.K. hosted a Principals’ meeting of the Minerals Security Partnership for the first time, at the London Metals Exchange. The meeting focused on boosting responsible investment and sustainable finance in critical mineral supply chains.

MARKET TRENDS

From fuel cells to feedstocks: A guide to hydrogen applications

An article by IDTechEx presents the multifaceted roles of hydrogen, ranging from its uses in industrial feedstocks to powering fuel cells in mobility sectors.

China records 80% solar manufacturing growth in July and August

The year-on-year growth of production in different sectors in China, including polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules, all approached or exceeded 80% in July and August 2023, according to the disclosed information from the Photovoltaic Manufacturing Industry Specification Conditions and industry calculations.

NEW PRODUCTS

Pilkington UK launches glass with 50% less embodied carbon

Pilkington UK, part of the NSG Group, launched a new glass range called Pilkington Mirai with 50% less embodied carbon when compared to standard float glass—representing the lowest carbon product of its kind on the market.

Kyocera launches new standard line of 230V silicon nitride igniters

Kyocera Corp. announced the launch of a new standard line of 230V silicon nitride igniters for industrial or residential gas furnaces, water heaters, boilers, and gas stoves. The igniters can reach 1,000ºC in about two seconds.

Alteo launches HYCal: alumina solutions for advanced ceramics

Alteo announced the launch of its HYCal brand of aluminas, which is meant for use in advanced ceramic applications.

SINTX Technologies awarded Phase II NIH grant for 3D-printed composite spinal implants

SINTX Technologies, Inc. was awarded a Phase II grant of $1,972,826 by the National Institutes of Health to develop a 3D-printed composite silicon nitride–polyetheretherketone spinal implant. This award represents the fourth NIH grant that SINTX has received since the Phase I award for this project was received in September 2021.