Ceramic and glass business news of the week for January 15, 2024

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

UB launches Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies

The University at Buffalo launched its Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies. The center will foster collaborative microelectronics partnerships across campus, support new academic programs with microchip manufacturers and related industries, and will work to boost the nation’s workforce in the microelectronics industry.

Rutgers launches wind energy research center

Rutgers University is launching a two-part wind energy project: a warehouse-size testing facility, to be potentially located close to the Jersey Shore; and a much smaller laboratory, to be located on the Rutgers University–New Brunswick campus.

£2 billion UK hydrogen plant secures planning approval

A hydrogen production facility and carbon capture plant, which will supply low carbon hydrogen to glass manufacturers Pilkington and Encirc, is set to go ahead. EET Hydrogen, a joint venture between Essar Oil UK and low carbon energy firm Progressive Energy, is behind the proposal.

ClearVue scores commercial first with solar glass tech

Western Australian solar window company ClearVue Technologies launched its commercial campaign in Australia with an order to provide its clear solar glass technology for a $12 million, six-storey building being built in Victorian state capital Melbourne.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

TricorBraun makes glass packaging acquisition

Global packaging group TricorBraun acquired glass packaging provider Glassland. The acquisition grows the German footprint of TricorBraun’s glass packaging business, Vetroelite, and will also broaden TricorBraun’s European presence.

Black Swan Graphene and NERD collaborate on UK concrete project

Black Swan Graphene and Nationwide Engineering Research and Development announced a development agreement with Roger Bullivant Limited to establish a pilot manufacturing plant in the U.K. for Concretene, a graphene-enhanced concrete admixture developed in collaboration with The University of Manchester.

Puget Sound Energy commits $10 million to nuclear power feasibility work

Bellevue-based Puget Sound Energy agreed to a $10 million investment in the new nuclear project feasibility phase by Energy Northwest, a Washington state public power joint operating agency.

CarbiCrete partners with Canal Block to provide cement-free concrete in Ontario

CarbiCrete, a firm involved in the decarbonization of concrete, announced that NGen, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing, will provide funding for the integration of CarbiCrete’s cement-free concrete technology into a masonry plant in Port Colborne, Ontario, that is owned and operated by project partner Canal Block.

OTHER STORIES

ERVA Webinar: Engineering materials for a sustainable future

The Engineering Research Visioning Alliance, an initiative funded by the National Science Foundation Engineering Directorate, is hosting a webinar on engineering materials for a sustainable future on January 23 from 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern.

L&L Special Furnace ends an impressive 2023 calendar year

L&L Special Furnace Co. enjoyed strong sales of new equipment in 2023, mostly in the aerospace and composite segments, with changing process requirements and expansion in this space creating a tremendous amount of opportunities.

NSF announces $16 million to prioritize ethical and social considerations in emerging tech

The U.S. National Science Foundation launched a new $16 million program in collaboration with five philanthropic partners that seeks to ensure ethical, legal, community, and societal considerations are embedded in the lifecycle of technology’s creation and use. An informational webinar will take place on Feb. 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. Eastern.

NREL releases the 2023 Standard Scenarios

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory released its 2023 Standard Scenarios, which shows how the U.S. electricity sector might change through 2050. The scenarios can guide power system planning and enable dialogue using a common set of assumptions.

MARKET TRENDS

New report sets out the scale of opportunity for the Midlands in advanced ceramics

Businesses and academics from across the Midlands collaborated on the Advanced Ceramics Sector Profile, which gives an insight into the wealth of knowledge and key strengths already in place across the region and how it is uniquely placed to tap into the significant growth opportunities globally.

Report: Significance of rare earth circular economy in global low-carbon transition

A recent study presented an integrated model for exploring the complex linkages between rare earth elements and climate pledges, and quantified the potential of circular economy strategies to reshape global supply chains of rare earth elements.

NEW PRODUCTS

MATECH: Breakthrough ultrahigh-density carbon-carbon composites for hypersonics

MATECH announced the creation of ultrahigh-density carbon-carbon composites, which provide an ablation and oxidation resistance 20 times greater than current “off-the-shelf” carbon-carbon composites.

Plibrico introduces innovative online refractories selection tool

Plibrico introduced a user-friendly online refractory selection tool guide. The selection tool guide identifies Plibrico refractories that offer the optimal blend of structural, thermal, and mechanical properties, along with exceptional overall performance and workability.

Fonon Corporation highlights 3D laser glass cutting systems

Fonon Corporation’s patented 3D Zero Width Laser Cutting Technology generates a controlled microcrack to any selectable depth through glass (and other brittle materials) at a controlled, optimized angle to the surface of the material. The result is excellent surface integrity of the cut surface with no cracks or chips.