Ceramic and glass business news of the week for December 11, 2023

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Technology Days at US national labs: Feb. 7–8, 2024

Technology Days is an opportunity for Better Plants and Better Climate Challenge partners to learn about and leverage the research and development capabilities of the national labs, with a focus on industrial decarbonization, climate resilience, and sustainability. The next Technology Days will take place Feb. 7–8, 2024, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Harper International receives order for cementitious materials research

Harper International was awarded a contract to engineer and manufacture a rotary tube furnace for cementitious materials research to be installed at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research. The equipment delivery and start-up services are scheduled for 2024.

Bacardi and Hrastnik1860 cut carbon footprint of glass production in hydrogen trial

Spirits company Bacardi completed production of a glass spirits bottle fueled by 60% hydrogen in a trial at glassmaker Hrastnik1860’s Slovenia facility. The bottle, which for the purposes of the trial was the St-Germain elderflower liqueur bottle, will reach bars and stores in the coming weeks.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Arglass announces buyout of majority shareholder

Glass container manufacturer Arglass completed a buyout of previous majority stakeholder Yamamura, restoring full ownership of the company to its founders. Japan-based Yamamura sold 100% of its shares back to Arglass so it can refocus on business efforts in its home country.

Lithoz and Oak Ridge team up to advance 3D-printed nonoxide ceramics

Lithoz GmbH and Oak Ridge National Laboratory signed a cooperative research and development agreement to use Lithoz’s 3D printing technology to explore the processing and additive manufacturing of nonoxide ceramics for extreme temperature applications.

National laboratories partner with CMBlu Energy on long-duration energy storage project

Argonne and Idaho National Laboratories were selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for a project to validate CMBlu Energy’s battery technology for microgrid resilience and electric vehicle charging.

Idaho National Laboratory and US Critical Materials develop rare earth processing methods

Idaho National Laboratory and U.S. Critical Materials Corp will engage in a multiphase collaborative project to develop a process for carbonatite ore handling, preparation, and extraction of targeted, value-added metals present in the ore.

Hoffmann Green signs partnership with ready-mix concrete specialist CRBPE

Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies signed a commercial partnership with CRBPE, which manufactures and delivers a wide range of ready-mixed concrete products. This agreement, which runs until the end of 2027, involves supplying Hoffmann’s clinker-free cements to CRBPE’s four concrete plants.

DNV kicks off joint industry project on standards for offshore wind concrete floaters

DNV secured partners to launch a new joint industry project to enhance technology development and prepare for industrialization of concrete substructures for floating offshore wind.

OTHER STORIES

LG Energy Solution expansion continues as EV demand softens

With a new expansion-minded CEO at the helm, the next two years will be quite busy for Korean electric vehicle battery maker LG Energy Solution, with plenty of U.S. capacity expansion and joint ventures on tap even as EV demand cools in certain countries.

Ohio Federal Research Network awards $6.85 million to advance aerospace innovation

The Ohio Federal Research Network program awarded a total of $6.85 million to six Ohio-based organizations representing industry and academia and their collaborators to advance science and technology innovation for U.S. national security initiatives.

Major glass recycler Strategic Materials files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Strategic Materials, which describes itself as the largest glass recycler in North America, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing high interest rates, increased competition, and changing consumer demands. The company’s existing lenders plan to provide $23 million to support its business operations as it restructures.

MARKET TRENDS

BSI concrete standard changed to promote decarbonization

BSI published changes to its BS 8500 Concrete standard, which trade body U.K. Concrete claims could save one million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually if adopted across all U.K. construction sites. The new concrete recipe blends finely ground limestone from U.K. quarries with byproduct materials, such as fly ash and blast furnace slag.

The simple, ancient idea that can replace concrete walls

Reviving dry stone walling would be better for the environment—as well as preserve aesthetically and culturally valuable scenery. But building more stone walls would mean relying on traditional craftsmanship over modern engineering.

NEW PRODUCTS

IBM unveils next-gen 133-qubit Heron quantum processor and modular quantum computer

IBM Corp. announced the launch of its newest quantum processor Heron, featuring 133 qubits of computing power. Alongside the new processor, IBM unveiled the Quantum System Two, the company’s first modular quantum computer powered by Heron.

Converge announces Mix AI, predictive AI to help decarbonize concrete construction

Construction technology company Converge announced Mix AI, a new tool that uses predictive artificial intelligence to assist contractors in reducing concrete overdesign and embodied carbon emissions, promoting low-carbon construction practices.

Bricking Solutions customizes gantry cranes and material baskets for each operation

Bricking Solutions provides customized gantry cranes and material baskets. The free-standing gantry crane lifts and lowers the material basket, which is customized to the operation based on the weight, volume, footprint, and size the facility needs.