PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES
US Critical Materials reports highest-grade neodymium deposit in the US
U.S. Critical Materials reported what it calls the highest-grade neodymium deposit in the U.S. at its flagship Sheep Creek project in Montana. With China currently controlling around 90% of global neodymium supply, U.S. Critical Materials says its discovery could offer the U.S. a long-sought foothold in rare earth production.
Why Andromeda is all fired up about its Great White kaolin project in Australia
Andromeda’s near-production Great White project in Australia is one of the few kaolin deposits globally capable of producing ultrahigh-purity kaolin with extremely low levels of iron and titanium—key traits for top-tier ceramic applications. The deposit also contains halloysite, a rare tubular form of kaolin, which adds distinct value in the high-end tableware segment.
Kazakhstan attracts $1B in geological investment, uncovers major rare earth deposit
Kazakhstan has attracted approximately $1 billion in private investment into its geological sector over the past five years and recently discovered a major rare earth deposit estimated at 800,000 tons.
India launches five CCU testbeds for cement sector decarbonization
The Department of Science and Technology launched five carbon capture and utilization testbeds in the cement sector. The five testbeds are collaborative industrial pilot projects between Indian research institutions and local cement manufacturers under a public–private partnership model.
NIH to award $8M for new USC Superfund Center to research and address ‘forever chemicals’
A team of scientists from Keck School of Medicine and Viterbi School of Engineering of the University of Southern California were awarded an $8 million, five-year grant from one of the National Institutes of Health to launch a Superfund Research Program Center where they will study environmental contamination from “forever chemicals,” or PFAS.
ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
Abrisa Technologies acquires Agama Glass
Abrisa Technologies, a subsidiary of HEF Photonics, acquired Agama Glass Technologies, a manufacturer of etched antiglare glass and technical glass processing. This strategic move gives Abrisa a fully domestic, vertically integrated solution for chemically etched antiglare display glass.
Quintus Technologies enters academic partnership to accelerate all-solid-state batteries
Quintus Technologies entered a high-impact research partnership with the University of Chicago and the University of California San Diego to accelerate the development of all-solid-state batteries. At the center of this partnership is Quintus’s MIB 120 warm isostatic battery press, which can combine elevated temperatures with isostatic pressure.
Nanotherm and Battelle to develop advanced carbon nanotube-based heating solutions
Nanotherm, an innovator in carbon-based thermal technologies, announced a preliminary agreement with Battelle aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of next-generation heating solutions for the automotive, industrial, and consumer sectors.
Corning collaborates with Broadcom to accelerate AI data center processing capacity
Corning Incorporated announced a collaboration with Broadcom Incorporated, a leading supplier in the semiconductor field, on a co-packaged optics infrastructure that will significantly increase processing capacity within data centers.
Serco and Prodigy Clean Energy partner on transportable nuclear power plant development
Prodigy Clean Energy and Serco announced progress on a prototypical test program demonstrating the robustness of Prodigy’s transportable nuclear power plants to resist accidental and threat scenarios.
MP Materials and Maaden to jointly develop rare earths supply chain in Saudi Arabia
U.S. rare earths miner MP Materials signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s flagship mining company Maaden to jointly develop a rare earth supply chain in the Middle Eastern country.
OTHER STORIES
Tsu-Jae King Liu named president of National Academy of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering appointed Tsu-Jae King Liu as its next president. Liu holds close to 100 patents and has co-authored more than 500 research papers on advanced computing and memory technologies. Her six-year term will begin on July 1, 2025.
Ardagh Glass Packaging customers win five Clear Choice Awards
Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America announced that five of its customers were awarded 2025 Clear Choice Awards by the Glass Packaging Institute. The Clear Choice awards recognize those who take glass packaging beyond the ordinary.
Lynas becomes first producer of heavy rare earths outside China
Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths became the first producer of heavy rare earths outside of China following the successful production of dysprosium at its Malaysia plant. The facility began operations in 2012, producing mainly light rare earths.
MARKET TRENDS
US and China agree to slash tariffs for 90 days in major trade breakthrough
The U.S. and China agreed to suspend most tariffs on each other’s goods in a move that shows a thawing of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The deal means “reciprocal” tariffs between both countries will be cut from 125% to 10%.
Three-fourths of National Science Foundation funding cuts hit education
Education accounts for more than half of the nearly 1,400 terminated grants at the National Science Foundation in the past month. These grants account for almost three-quarters of the $1 billion value of all terminated grants.
NEW PRODUCTS
New interactive map shows concentration of rare earth elements at offshore wind sites
A new interactive map published by the British Geological Survey shows the concentration of rare earth elements at offshore wind sites around the U.K. The organisation’s online tool allows people to see the amount of metals and magnets used in farms which may be crucial for reclamation once they reach the end of their lifecycle.
SCHOTT expands design diversity of fire-viewing panel portfolio with ROBAX NightFlame
With the round bent variant ROBAX NightFlame curved, SCHOTT is expanding the design diversity of its fire-viewing panel portfolio. The semi-transparent black glass-ceramic’s dead-front effect hides combustion residues when it is turned off.
Wavelabs unveils tester for mini perovskite solar modules
Germany-based testing equipment manufacturer Wavelabs launched a new mini-module tester targeted at researchers scaling up wafer-based and thin-film technologies, especially perovskites. The new Sinus-1000 Advanced is based on the company’s award-winning light emitting diode technology.
Modvion unveils wooden wind turbine tower for the largest onshore turbines
Modvion announced its new wooden wind turbine tower, engineered for the largest onshore wind turbines. The company is now adapting the design for series production, where they will produce towers with hub heights up to 219 meters.
Author
Lisa McDonald
