Ceramic and glass business news of the week for December 9, 2024

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

University of Michigan and Los Alamos to jointly develop Michigan-based AI research center

The University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory plan to develop a state-of-the-art facility for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence research that will enhance and strengthen the university’s research capabilities in science, energy, and national security and create new jobs in southeast Michigan.

Funding to expand semiconductor manufacturing in Texas

The U.S. Department of Commerce reached a preliminary agreement to award Coherent Corporation up to $33 million in funding to expand semiconductor manufacturing in Sherman, Texas. The expansion will establish the first 150-mm indium phosphide manufacturing line.

Element Energy commissions 53-MWh second-life battery energy storage project in Texas

Element Energy has energized the world’s largest second-life battery energy storage facility, a 53-MWh West Texas installation comprising 900 used electric vehicle batteries. In 2022, Element Energy received $7.9 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to complete its 53-MWh commercial project.

AGP-Europe starts hydrogen production to achieve 20% blend in glass manufacturing

Ardagh Glass Packaging–Europe started producing green hydrogen for glass melting via a 5-MW electrolyzer at its facility in Limmared, Sweden. Via the proton exchange membrane, AGP–Europe supplies hydrogen to the energy mix in its glass furnace, with the target of eventually achieving a 20% hydrogen blend.

Material Evolution announces ultralow-carbon cement plant is now operational

Material Evolution announced the launch of an ultralow-carbon cement production plant in Wrexham, Wales. The plant produced its first batch of cement in October 2024, just eight months after construction began. The plant can produce 120,000 tonnes annually, which reportedly will reduce emissions up to 85% compared to ordinary Portland cement.

US Critical Materials announces results showing definitive high-grade gallium in Montana

US Critical Materials announced the completion of Phase One of the cooperative research and development agreement with Idaho National Laboratory. This phase involved studying, testing, and confirming the gallium and other critical minerals content at US Critical Materials’s Sheep Creek Deposit in Montana.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Recycl8 joins Low Carbon Concrete Collective

Scotland’s Low Carbon Concrete Collective has welcomed into its fold Recycl8, a company that specializes in repurposing incinerator bottom ash as a cement substitute. Led by Scottish Water, the Low Carbon Concrete Collective is described as “a partner ecosystem” that aims to accelerate the development and adoption of low carbon concrete mixes in Scotland.

Stellantis and Zeta Energy agree to develop lithium–sulfur EV batteries

Stellantis N.V. and Zeta Energy Corp. announced a joint development agreement aimed at developing lithium–sulfur electric vehicle batteries with game-changing gravimetric energy density while achieving a volumetric energy density comparable to today’s lithium-ion technology.

US and UK partner with Tokamak Energy on ST40 upgrade

The energy departments of the U.S. and U.K. governments will partner with Tokamak Energy for a $52 million upgrade of the ST40 fusion facility, which will coat its inner wall with lithium.

OTHER STORIES

Norway hits pause on deep sea mining

Norway has paused its plans to mine the sea bed at the bottom of the Arctic, following demands from a small environmentalist political party that the government scrap its first licensing round. However, preparatory work will continue, including developing regulations and gauging the environmental impact.

China accelerates hydrogen energy development with 33 new policies

In November 2024, both national and local governments across China released 33 new policies involving the country’s hydrogen energy framework. Among the notable developments, an amendment to the Energy Law recognizes hydrogen as an official energy source and transitions its management away from being seen merely as a hazardous chemical.

California hydrogen: Inside the tangled web of consumer grievances and legal disputes

A California court has advanced a civil fraud case against a Norwegian company that is believed to be at the center of the state’s failure to build workable hydrogen fueling infrastructure, which has already left thousands of car owners in the lurch.

UK glass industry trade body: New packaging tax a ‘shattering blow’

Trade body British Glass is urging the U.K. government to consider the broader impacts of a new packaging extended producer responsibility scheme, set to take effect in April 2025. The scheme will require businesses to bear the cost of packaging waste collection and sorting, which could mean a price increase of more than 10p per product for glass packages.

MARKET TRENDS

Brazil is the sixth country to reach 50 GW of solar photovoltaic energy

Brazil just surpassed the 50 gigawatt mark of operational installed capacity of solar photovoltaic energy. The country became the sixth to reach this level, joining the United States, China, Germany, India, and Japan.

Report: 90% of new electricity capacity in the US this year comes from renewables

Renewable energy sources accounted for almost 90% of new electrical generating capacity in the United States added in the first nine months of 2024, with solar accounting for 78% of new capacity, according to data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

China imposes its most stringent critical minerals export restrictions yet

On December 3, China announced stringent export restrictions on “dual-use” technologies for both civilian and military use, specifically targeted at the United States. These restrictions double down on previously announced controls on these metals, going so far as to ban shipments of antimony, gallium, and germanium to the United States.

American Elements increases production to meet rising demand

American Elements announced the expansion of its antimony, gallium, and germanium production facilities due to increased demand on its inventories. The increased capacity will also expand American Elements’ production of all related products, including alloys, oxides, and related compounds.

NEW PRODUCTS

New playbook on how to tackle crumbling RAAC concrete

The Manufacturing Technology Center, in collaboration with the Construction Leadership Council, published a new guide that gathers together the best available knowledge on how to tackle crumbling reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.