PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

New battery prototype facility opens its doors at UT Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas recently opened the doors to its new Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialization and National Security (BEACONS) facility. This 15,000-square-foot facility is designed to facilitate the development and commercialization of new battery technologies and manufacturing processes.

US Fermi partners with Texas Tech University to launch 11 GW AI-powered energy campus

US energy company Fermi America filed a federal application to develop an energy and data complex in Texas. The project, named Hypergrid, is being developed in partnership with Texas Tech University and is expected to eventually deliver up to 11 GW of combined nuclear, gas, and solar power.

Holcim México invests 56 million pesos in low carbon concrete infrastructure

Holcim México has announced a strategic investment of 56 million pesos (US$2.98 million) to significantly expand its production and distribution capacity for ECOPact, its low-carbon concrete. This investment includes the installation of 27 silos, with a total capacity of 2,600 tons of sustainable cement, across all its ready-mix plants nationwide.

 

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Allied Mineral Products acquires ACTCHEM technology

Allied Mineral Products, LLC purchased the intellectual property rights to ACTCHEM, a family of abrasion-resistant technology used in industrial applications.

RHI Magnesita and BPI announce strategic joint venture to accelerate circular economy

Refractories supplier RHI Magnesita and BPI Inc., a U.S.-based leader in minerals processing, announced a transformative joint venture to expand circular economy initiatives and accelerate sustainability across North America.

Argentina and Peru strengthen nuclear energy ties

Representatives of Argentina and Peru signed an agreement to establish new areas of collaboration as they seek to further their long-standing ties in the field of nuclear energy.

Azimut and Eni Next partner for energy innovation

Eni Next and Azimut Group signed a collaboration agreement under which Azimut will launch a new European long-term investment fund of venture capital that leverages Eni Next’s consulting and expertise on technological developments in the energy sector. The launch is expected in September 2025.

Lucideon signs MOU with National Center for Additive Manufacturing

Lucideon signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Additive Manufacturing at the Coventry, U.K.-based Manufacturing Technology Center. The memorandum supports the development of additive manufacturing technologies and their applications in the ceramics industry.

 

47th ASEAN conference taking place in September 2025

The 47th ASEAN conference will take place in Cebu, the Philippines, from Sept. 22–25, 2025. The conference theme is “Shaping Sustainable Solutions for Glass Manufacturing.”

World Soda Ash Conference taking place in October 2025

Glass International has partnered with World Soda Ash 2025, taking place from Oct. 7–9, 2025, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Learn more about the conference and register to attend here.

British Glass appoints new president

British Glass appointed Dean Butler, U.K. business development director at Ardagh Group, as its new president. He succeeds Thomas Riss, CEO of Stoelzle Flaconnage.

Trump signs major rare earth minerals deal in Africa

President Donald Trump signed a major minerals agreement with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a broader U.S.-mediated ceasefire. The agreement sets out that Rwanda and Congo will de-risk mineral supply chains and set up value chains that link both countries with the U.S. and U.S. investors.

Japan plans ‘world first’ deep sea rare earth mineral extraction

Starting in January 2026, Japan will attempt to extract rare earth minerals from the ocean floor in the deepest trial of its kind. The drilling boat, called Chikyu, will drill in Japanese economic waters around the island of Minami Torishima in the Pacific.

 

MARKET TRENDS

There’s a race to power the future—China is pulling away

The race is on to define the future of energy. The New York Times reports on how the United States and China are pursuing energy strategies defined mainly by economic and national security concerns rather than the climate crisis.

Solar installers learn to be nimble in selling batteries

pv magazine USA spoke to solar installers who have learned first-hand that interest in batteries can vary from customer to customer, and that it helps to be nimble when selling battery storage systems, as interest can often depend on geography and state policy, among other factors.

 

NEW PRODUCTS

New NREL tool can help energy buyers make informed, cost-effective decisions

Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Procurement Analysis Tool (PAT) can help energy buyers cut through the complexity with data-driven insights tailored to their needs. PAT is a free, web-based platform that supports early-stage planning and screening for off-site electricity procurement across the United States.

New GARDCO RTM digital micrometer

Paul N. Gardner USA announced its newest offering, the RTM digital micrometer with the comprehensive RT Kit option. This micrometer is built for use with Testex Replica Tape, the industry’s trusted method for measuring blasted steel and textured coating profiles.

ROSS introduces a custom coaxial mixer for complex formulations

ROSS announced the completion of a custom coaxial mixer. The agitation system consists of two independently driven components: a heavy-duty, two-wing anchor with triangular cross-section and a pitched-blade propeller assembly. Both agitators are powered by a 15 HP explosion-proof motor.

Author

Lisa McDonald