PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES
Key milestone reached for UK’s new carbon fiber development lines
The National Composites Center completed the design phase for the U.K.’s new carbon fiber development lines. These lines will be the U.K.’s first open-access manufacturing facility for continuous carbon fiber production and will feature the latest digital technologies, including a spinning line to produce precursor fibers and a carbonization line to produce carbon fiber tows.
UBTech Robotics deploys first humanoid ‘team’ in car factory
Hong Kong-listed UBTech Robotics completed a test to deploy dozens of its Walker S1 robots in the Zeekr EV factory in the Chinese port city of Ningbo for “multitask” and “multisite” operations. According to photos and videos provided by UBTech, the human-shaped robots work as a team to complete tasks such as lifting heavy boxes and handling soft materials.
Ardagh Glass Packaging facility in California powered by solar energy
Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America celebrated the completion of the 13 megawatt DC solar project that will soon supply its Madera, Calif., facility with clean energy. The solar field, which is operated by Longroad Energy, will account for about 20% of the facility’s electricity demand.
Lichtgitter USA announces major fiberglass-reinforced plastic facility expansion in Louisiana
Lichtgitter USA announced a major expansion of its fiberglass-reinforced plastic manufacturing facility in Scott, La. The expansion, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, includes a new 65,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, allowing for increased production capacity.
Intel already spent billions on delayed New Albany chip factory
Intel’s first Ohio factories may be delayed several years, but the chipmaker has already spent billions of dollars to make its plants a reality at the New Albany site in Licking County. As of the end of 2024, Intel spent $3.7 billion and has signed contracts for another $3.2 billion in work, according to a progress report filed with the Ohio Department of Development.
ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
Tethon 3D acquires Technology Assessment and Transfer
Tethon 3D acquired Technology Assessment and Transfer, a subsidiary of SINTX Technologies. This strategic acquisition will enhance Tethon’s manufacturing capabilities, expand its resin portfolio, and increase its global market share.
We Soda acquires soda ash producer Genesis Alkali
WE Soda acquired Genesis Alkali, the largest U.S.-based producer of natural soda ash, for $1.425 billion. With this acquisition, WE Soda is now the largest global producer of soda ash, with a production capacity of 9.5 million metric tons per year.
Big 7 Ventures acquires Modern Concrete
Big 7 Ventures, a leading private equity firm specializing in industrial services and products, acquired Modern Concrete Inc., a specialized construction materials provider known for its remote concrete pouring solutions using volumetric trucks.
Turkish defense giant Nurol secures major US export deal for advanced ballistic armor
Turkish defense firm Nurol Teknoloji secured an export opportunity to the United States with its advanced technical ballistic ceramics and armor products. The company opened its U.S. office about two and a half years ago and consolidated its armor and ceramic products under two brands to increase their visibility in the U.S. market.
United invests in Heirloom to scale direct air capture
United’s Sustainable Flight Fund made an investment in direct air capture company Heirloom, thereby adding Heirloom’s carbon reduction technology to its portfolio of decarbonization strategies. The Fund also agreed to purchase up to 500,000 tons of captured carbon dioxide for the production of sustainable aviation fuel or permanently stored underground.
National Cement and Carbon TerraVault partner for California’s first net-zero cement plant
California Resources Corporation and its carbon management business, Carbon TerraVault, signed a memorandum of understanding with National Cement Company of California Inc. to provide carbon management services for the Lebec Net Zero, a first-of-its-kind initiative to produce carbon-neutral cement at National Cement’s facility in California.
OTHER STORIES
EU launches real-time dashboard for energy storage expansion
The European Commission has officially launched the European Energy Storage Inventory, a real-time dashboard for energy storage. The goal is to list all planned and operational energy storage projects in Europe by location and technology.
Canada to extend mineral exploration tax credit for two more years
Canada will extend a tax credit on mineral exploration for two additional years as part of the government’s move to support investment in exploration projects, energy, and natural resources. The tax credit offers investors a 15% tax credit to invest in flow-through shares of smaller mining companies. It was set to expire on March 31, 2025.
Bosch to shut down solid-oxide fuel cells business amid hydrogen refocus
Bosch announced it would stop developing solid oxide fuel cell technology as part of a plan to focus on electrolysis hydrogen. The company said that the decision comes as part of an operational and investment realignment of the business as the solid oxide fuel cell market has not developed as expected.
Swiss cement giant Holcim details North American spinoff
Swiss cement company Holcim is spinning off its North American business and rebranding it as Amrize to become the largest supplier in the U.S. and Canada. The deal, which is expected to close by the end of June 2025, would carve out more than 1,000 sites and facilities across the continent.
MARKET TRENDS
Italy’s manufacturing stuck in downturn in February
Italian manufacturing activity contracted for the eleventh month running in February 2025, though by slightly less than expected, a survey by the HCOB Global Purchasing Managers’ Index showed. The survey does not offer much hope for a turnaround in the short-term.
Amid deletions and lawsuits, groups race to save federal data in the US
Data removal by U.S. government agencies in response to President Donald J. Trump’s executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion will greatly affect researchers. Librarians and scientists are working to save as much as possible, and some groups are filing lawsuits challenging the administration’s actions.
IMFORMED: Industrial minerals US trade war threat
The industrial minerals trading community will be steeling itself over the latest round of U.S. trade tariffs brought to bear on Canada (25%), China (doubled to 20%), and Mexico (25%). This IMFORMED article looks at which industrial minerals and markets in particular will be facing an uncertain future with regard to their trade and use in the U.S.
IEA: The battery industry has entered a new phase
A new report by the International Energy Agency found that battery deployment continues to break records as prices fall. China is set to remain the top producer, but consolidation could transform the market.
NEW PRODUCTS
Teijin Carbon launches circular carbon fiber brand, Tenax Next
Teijin Carbon is launching a new brand, Tenax Next, to represent its next-generation carbon fiber products. These products feature circular feedstock with significantly reduced carbon footprint while maintaining the strength, durability, and performance of traditional Tenax carbon fiber products.
Author
Lisa McDonald
