Ceramic and glass business news of the week for June 21, 2021

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

New concrete plant for Aggregate Industries

As part of ongoing plans to expand their concrete offering across the West Midlands, Aggregate Industries opened a new multimillion-pound ready-mixed concrete plant in Coleshill, Warwickshire, England.

Saint-Gobain invests $10 million in Swedish glass wool furnace

Saint-Gobain Sweden is to invest SEK 85 million (US$9.92 million) to modernize its Isover glass wool furnace in Billesholm. The project is part of the company’s sustainability plan and will strengthen its position in the Swedish market for insulation.

BayWa r.e to launch pilot solar-plus-hydrogen project in Netherlands

Renewables group BayWa r.e. and its Dutch subsidiary GroenLeven partnered with Netherlands energy network operator Alliander to build a pilot green hydrogen project powered by a 50 MWp solar farm.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

PAI Partners close to acquiring France’s SGD Pharma

French pharmaceutical glass manufacturer SGD Pharma is to be sold to a European private equity organization. SGD Pharma’s owners China Jianyin Investment (JIC) are in final negotiations with PAI Partners over the deal. JIC acquired a majority shareholding in SGD Pharma in 2016.

AGC sells North American architectural glass business to Cardinal

AGC is to sell its North American architectural glass business to U.S.-based Cardinal Glass Industries for $450 million. The deal will see AGC sell all three of its plants in Kansas, Tennessee, and Virginia, which altogether has three flat glass furnaces and two coaters.

Renovation Brands acquires Trueform Concrete and Blendhouse

Renovation Brands announced that it acquired Trueform Concrete and Blendhouse, both leaders in the high-end decorative concrete industry.

Pangea Aerospace and Aenium partner on reusable aerospike 3D-printed rocket engine

Pangea Aerospace, a company developing more efficient rocket engines, and Aenium Additive Systems, an engineering company specialized in AM technologies and complex material science, sealed an industrial partnership for development and industrialization of advanced combustion devices focused on advanced 3D printing processes and materials.

Forterra collaborate in decarbonization project

Concrete product manufacturers Forterra, in collaboration with design-for-manufacture experts Akerlof, superstructure and façade construction specialists PCE, and consultants from Curtins and Accelar, are researching and developing processes that significantly reduce the carbon emissions of precast concrete.

Electric Power Research Institute working with NYPA on thermal energy storage pilot

Electric Power Research Institute is working with the New York Power Authority to explore the use of crushed-rock thermal energy storage. This technology may help the state transition from fossil fuels to at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030.

A green hydrogen partnership between Australia and Germany

Australia and Germany agreed to invest in the development of a clean hydrogen supply chain between the two countries, which could see Australia eventually exporting renewable hydrogen fuel to Germany.

OTHER STORIES

Free digital event on laser materials processing

Physik Instrumente issued an open invitation to anyone interested in learning more about laser processing to attend a free online series entitled “Laser World of PI—Let’s Shape the Future of Laser Materials Processing.” The half-day virtual event takes place June 24, 2021, at 9 a.m. Eastern.

Advanced Ceramics and Applications IX: Extended deadline for abstract submission

The Serbian Ceramic Society ACA IX conference, which was postponed last year, is scheduled for Sept. 20–22, 2021, in Belgrade. Abstracts are due by July 15 and should be submitted via e-mail as attached documents to president@serbianceramicsociety.rs, with the subject: ACA IX-first name and surname of the presenting author.

Recap: TCT Asia 2021—Lithoz China’s first event

On May 26–28, 2021, TCT Asia took place in Shanghai, showcasing the potential of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies for companies and innovators from more than 24 countries. After the recent foundation of Lithoz China, this was their first event to strengthen Lithoz’s presence in Asia.

Plibrico announces participation in AISTech2021 conference and exposition

The Plibrico Company, a global supplier of industrial refractories, announced details of its participation in the upcoming AISTech2021 conference and exposition. Sponsored by the Association for Iron & Steel Technology, AISTech2021 is scheduled for June 29–July 1 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

India organizing green hydrogen summit of BRIC nations

India is scheduled to host a two-day summit on green hydrogen, with countries like Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa set to take part in it. The countries will discuss their initiatives around the emission-free fuel. The summit, scheduled to start on June 22, is being organized by state-run NTPC Ltd.

Rolls-Royce investing $110M over next decade to develop energy storage for aircraft

Rolls-Royce will be developing energy storage systems (ESS) that will enable aircraft to undertake zero emissions flights of more than 100 miles on a single charge. Rolls-Royce is planning an £80-million (US$110 million) investment in ESS over the next decade.

Brad Cramer, chief legal officer, promoted at HarbisonWalker International

The Board of Directors of HarbisonWalker International promoted Brad Cramer to senior vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary, and chief compliance officer. Cramer previously held these roles as vice president.

MARKET TRENDS

Explainer: why is a drought contributing to the silicon chip shortage?

A Cosmos article looks at what needs to happen to make a silicon chip—and why it needs so much water.

Nuclear waste recycling is a critical avenue of energy innovation

A TechCrunch article looks at the possibility of recycling nuclear waste into usable fuel. For example, in May, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy announced a new $40 million program to support research in “optimizing” waste and disposal from advanced reactors, including through waste recycling.

The human bottleneck in critical minerals supply chains

An Economic Times EnergyWorld article looks at the paradox of the green revolution—while public opinion is firmly in favour of decarbonization, the public often opposes the mines and smelters needed to get there.

Graphite producers for anode market adopting ESG faster than other sectors

Fastmarkets reports that awareness and incorporation of environmental, social, and corporate governance policies within the graphite market are developing slowly, with take-up greater downstream—especially in anode sector—and among developing companies.

Battelle-led team completes carbon sequestration research

Battelle and its team of partners concluded the carbon capture, utilization, and storage research associated with the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership, paving the way forward for commercial deployment. A comprehensive series of reports were approved by the United States Department of Energy and can be downloaded here.

Three things to consider when choosing an additive manufacturing partner

A Forbes article gives the top three factors to consider when choosing an additive manufacturing partner: experience in your particular industry, identifying design and engineering needs and resources, and certifications and standards.

NEW PRODUCTS

PrismaPro gas analyzer

The new PrismaPro RGA is built rugged for challenging applications and is sensitive enough for the most demanding scientific studies. Precise and stable results down to a detection limit of 3×10^–15 mbar.

New ultrahigh-temperature ceramic forming precursor

Starfire Systems Inc. announced the release of a new ultrahigh-temperature ceramic forming precursor. The hafnium carbide precursor is a valued addition to the family of silicon carbide forming preceramic polymers.