PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

TSMC’s first new overseas fab in years begins to make chips

TSMC commenced mass production at its fab in Kumamoto, Japan, marking the first step in its major expansion overseas. The plant, operated by Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, produces chips using a variety of process technologies for TSMC’s major customers in Japan.

UTSA announces new research center to advance space technology and operations

The University of Texas at San Antonio announced the launch of the new Center for Space Technology and Operations Research, which is dedicated to advancing the engineering, technology and operations that will support space missions between the Earth and moon.

DOE announces creation of three new Microelectronics Science Research Centers

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science announced the creation of three new Microelectronics Science Research Centers. One center will focus on energy efficiency. The other two centers will work on resilience in extreme environments.

Showcase Minerals identifies rare earth and uranium exploration targets at the Pontiac Project

Showcase Minerals Inc. announced that its Phase I exploration program on the Pontiac Project in Québec, Canada, confirmed historical uranium mineralization while also identifying anomalous values of rare earth elements, uranium, and other strategic minerals.

USA Rare Earth produces first batch of magnets at Oklahoma plant

USA Rare Earth produced the first batch of sintered permanent rare earth magnets at its new plant under development in Stillwater, Okla. The plant is part of USA Rare Earth’s vertically integrated rare earth element magnet supply chain, leveraging what it hails as “the only scalable, sintered neomagnet manufacturing system in the Western Hemisphere.”

US approves Idaho antimony mine a month after China blocked exports of vital mineral

The White House issued the final mining permit for Perpetua Resources’ Idaho antimony and gold project. The project is expected to meet more than a third of U.S. demand for antimony, a critical mineral at the center of a widening trade war between Washington and Beijing.

 

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Şişecam acquires Ciner Group’s shares in US soda ash operations

Şişecam acquired all shares of Ciner Group in Sisecam Chemicals Resources LLC and Pacific Soda LLC in the U.S. With this agreement, Şişecam’s ownership in Pacific Soda LLC has increased to 100%. Pacific Soda LLC manages the ongoing natural soda ash investment in the U.S., which will produce 5 million tons of natural soda ash per annum upon completion.

Brokk named distributor for FIRSTGREENs’ electric loaders

Brokk Inc., the North American distributor for Brokk demolition robots and Aquajet Hydrodemolition equipment, is now a dealer for FIRSTGREEN Industries’ electric, zero-emission, low-noise loaders. All FIRSTGREEN loaders feature lithium or lead-acid batteries that can last up to six hours of continuous use.

Italy partnership expands Rapid Fusion’s construction market presence

U.K.-based Rapid Fusion partnered with Italian startup Nanoo to produce 3D-printed concrete molds for the construction industry. The initial project involved creating table leg molds for an Italian furniture manufacturer using Rapid Fusion’s ZEUS robotic system.

Thai firms partner to launch innovative low-carbon concrete

Concrete Chonburi Product, one of Thailand’s premier concrete manufacturers, joined forces with energy conglomerate PTT to develop an innovative low-carbon concrete product dubbed G-Block. The new material has already seen its first successful implementation at the prestigious Somdej Theparat Rajasuda Herb Garden project in Rayong province.

Verescence joins Value of Beauty Alliance

Verescence is the first glassmaker to join the Value of Beauty Alliance. Founded at the beginning of 2024, the Value of Beauty Alliance aims to raise awareness of the importance of the beauty industry and highlight its positive contributions to Europe, both at an economic and societal level.

 

Daniel Llaguno appointed as president of UNITECR

The Unified International Technical Conference of Refractories executive team announced that its president, Mauro Cueva, had to step aside from his role due to a health issue. Daniel Llaguno, CEO of NUTEC Group, who previously acted as vice president of UNITECR 2025, was appointed to assume the presidency.

TTB to allow spirits brands to use glass for all fill sizes

The Regulations and Rulings Division of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau authorized spirits brands to use glass for any fill size. The rule also authorizes 13 additional standards of fill for wine containers and 15 standards of fill for distilled spirits containers.

Firefighters learn from INL experts about electric vehicle batteries, safety

Researchers in Idaho National Laboratory’s Battery Test Center presented at an electric vehicle battery workshop for firefighters from four eastern Idaho fire departments. The workshop covered characteristics of electric vehicle batteries and strategies for handling battery fires and stranded energy.

Biden issues ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters—Trump vows to undo it

President Joe Biden issued a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in areas along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and portions of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea. Biden’s actions, which protect more than 625 million acres of federal waters, could be difficult for Trump to unwind because they would likely require an act of Congress to repeal.

 

India adds record 24.5 GW of solar in 2024

India added 24.5 GW of solar and 3.4 GW of wind capacity in 2024, doubling solar installations and increasing wind capacity by 21% from 2023, according to JMK Research & Analytics. This growth can be attributed to the launch of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a government scheme that aims to provide free electricity to households in India.

DOE report: US can recycle 90% of wind turbine mass

A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy reveals that existing U.S. infrastructure could process 90% of the mass of decommissioned wind turbines. However, the remaining 10% will need new strategies and innovative recycling methods to achieve a more sustainable wind energy industry.

California’s renewable electricity supply helped avoid blackouts and cost increases in 2024

New research led by Stanford University’s Mark Jacobson shows how California’s unprecedented renewable electricity advancement in 2024 led to significant benefits including preventing blackouts and no cost increases.

 

NEW PRODUCTS

KLAR launches in the UK with first-of-its-kind bioceramic nicotine pouches

KLAR, a next-generation nicotine pouch developed by Swedish bioceramic laboratory Emplicure, launched in the U.K. The pouches use a calcium-compound granulate as the core ingredient, which allows for a more impactful nicotine “kick” with less nicotine consumption overall.

Author

Lisa McDonald