PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES
RATH becomes first European supplier of oxide ceramic continuous fiber
RATH has been developing oxide ceramic continuous fiber for several years as part of the Horizon Europe project InVECOF. In mid-October 2024, the company officially launched production of the ALTRA FLEX oxide ceramic continuous fibers in K99 and M75 qualities at the Mönchengladbach site in Germany.
Oxan Energy selected to build 900-MW Estonian offshore wind project
The Estonian authorities selected Oxan Energy, a French offshore wind developer, and its partner SNOW to build the Saare 1 offshore wind project. The project, which has a potential capacity of 900 MW, will be located 60 km off the coast of the largest Estonian island, Saaremaa.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University installs first Lithoz CeraFab Multi in the US
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus is the first institution in the United States to install the Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30 ceramic 3D printer. The unique system is going to be used for research in aerospace, lunar exploration, and energy systems.
Cobra produces first mixed rare earth carbonate from South Australia project
London-listed exploration and development company Cobra produced a potentially saleable mixed rare earth carbonate at laboratory scale from its in-situ recovery study on permeable ore from the Boland project in South Australia.
USA Rare Earth achieves breakthrough in domestic rare earth production
USA Rare Earth successfully produced a sample of dysprosium oxide with a purity of 99.1 wt.% at its Texas Round Top mine project.
LKAB begins construction of rare earth element processing facility in Sweden
LKAB commenced construction of its new demonstration plant for processing phosphorus and rare earth elements in Luleå, Sweden. The facility is the first in a planned Industrial park.
ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
RHI Magnesita expands footprint in North America through Resco Group acquisition
RHI Magnesita completed the acquisition of Resco Group, a U.S.-based producer of shaped and unshaped refractories. The acquisition of Resco Group will support RHI Magnesita’s strategic growth trajectory in alumina-based refractories.
Integral Metals acquires Woods Creek Project, enhancing rare earth exploration portfolio
Integral Metals acquired the Woods Creek Project, located within the Idaho Rare Earth Elements-Thorium Belt in southwestern Montana. The company plans to prioritize exploration activities such as geochemical sampling, geophysical surveys, and petrographic studies to enhance the geological model and identify drill targets.
Saudi Arabia launches NovusCrete consortium to promote sustainable saltwater concrete
Saudi Arabia established the NovusCrete consortium to accelerate the adoption of sustainable and durable saltwater concrete by setting standards for seawater-based concrete, promoting recycling of construction waste, extending infrastructure lifespan, and minimizing environmental impact.
INL signs agreements with Boise State University, University of Idaho for energy research
Idaho National Laboratory signed agreements with Boise State University and the University of Idaho to deepen collaborative research and development projects involving advanced solutions to the nation’s energy and security challenges.
New consortium aims to address the challenges of the energy industry with AM
A new international nonprofit consortium aims to leverage additive manufacturing to address the challenges faced by the energy industry. Named energize.am, the consortium gathers organizations from the U.S., U.K., Singapore, Brazil, and more.
Graphene Enhanced Concrete Consortium launched
Khalifa University of Science and Technology’s Research and Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s Industrial Development Bureau, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, and the Department of Municipalities and Transport jointly launched the Graphene Enhanced Concrete Consortium.
OTHER STORIES
World of Concrete hosts thousands for 51st annual event
World of Concrete kicked off 2025 with a gathering of 57,908 registered professionals from January 19–22 in Las Vegas, Nev. More than 1,500 exhibiting companies presented their heavy machinery, tools, products, and services for material handling, concrete reinforcement, concrete masonry, cement production, and decorative concrete.
Museum showcasing traditional Rishtan ceramics to be established in Uzbekistan
A museum dedicated to the history of traditional ceramics will be established in the Uzbek town of Rishtan. The institution, organized as a nongovernmental entity, will help preserve and promote the region’s unique pottery heritage.
US pledges continued support for Angola’s Lobito Corridor under Trump administration
The United States of America reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of Angola’s Lobito Corridor, maintaining its investments irrespective of the transition to the administration of President Donald Trump, who was sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025.
MARKET TRENDS
Report: Carbon storage ‘mandate’ could help CCS projects
A new report from Oxford Net Zero and Carbon Balance Initiative suggests that a carbon storage mandate, which would require fossil fuel suppliers to permanently store a rising percentage of their CO2 emissions, could create a self-sustaining storage market while gradually reducing dependence on public funding.
Report: Conditions for competitive e-fuel production in Sweden, Spain, and Germany by 2030
A new analysis by Aurora Energy Research highlights the potential for competitive e-fuel production across Europe, driven by the cost of hydrogen and supportive policy frameworks. The study focuses on ammonia, methanol, e-kerosene, and e-methane, identifying key opportunities particularly in Sweden, Spain, and Germany.
NEW PRODUCTS
Gallium-based bone cancer therapy paste secures £110k support
The Dubrowsky Lab, based at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, received a grant of £110,000 from Orthopaedic Research UK to support the development of a gallium-doped bioactive glass paste that has the potential to combat bone cancer.
SCHOTT introduces glass nanowaveguides for ultrahigh-resolution imaging
New glass-based nanowaveguides by SCHOTT are now commercially available. The waveguides are based on transverse Anderson localization, which allows them to surpass imaging solutions based on traditional micron-level fiber optics.
Author
Lisa McDonald
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