PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Germany launches ‘world’s first’ vertical floating solar power plant

SINN Power, a German-based developer of floating renewable energy platform solutions, commissioned what is described as the world’s first vertical floating photovoltaic system at the Jais gravel pit in the Starnberg district, Bavaria.

Mexico’s first green hydrogen plant opens in Querétaro

The central state of Querétaro inaugurated Mexico’s first green hydrogen plant, the result of a partnership between German company Gerresheimer and Mexican company Cryoinfra. The new plant is located at Gerresheimer’s pharmaceutical glass complex.

CSG to set up intelligent energy-saving glass plant in the United Arab Emirates

KEZAD Group, one of the largest operators of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region, announced that China Southern Glass will establish its first overseas intelligent manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates.

 

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

DBL Ceramics and POP 5 Bangladesh turns waste into learning with TileChalk initiative

Through its TileChalk initiative, launched in partnership with POP 5 Bangladesh, DBL Ceramics is transforming residue sludge from tile manufacturing into classroom chalk for underserved schools across Bangladesh.

Noveon Magnetics and Lynas Rare Earths partner to advance rare earth magnet supply chain

Noveon Magnetics, the only operational U.S. manufacturer of sintered rare earth magnets, and Lynas Rare Earths, the world’s only commercial producer of separated light and heavy rare earth oxides outside of China, formed a strategic partnership aimed at establishing a scalable and domestic U.S. supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets.

China, Iceland to boost geothermal and green energy cooperation

China and Iceland will enhance intergovernmental and industry-level cooperation on geothermal and green energy, according to a joint statement released by Chinese state media. The document was released following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iceland’s President Halla Tomasdottir in Beijing.

 

Saint-Gobain unveils $14B investment, acquisition plan under new strategic roadmap

Saint-Gobain announced that it would invest around $14 billion in investments and acquisitions between 2026 and 2030. Officials also announced that the company intends to earmark around $9 billion to be distributed in dividends and share buybacks by 2030.

Iran becomes third global power in gas turbine refractory brick production

An Iranian knowledge-based company successfully developed the production process of specialized refractory bricks for gas turbines entirely within the country. This achievement places Iran alongside Germany and the United States as the third country possessing the technical knowledge to produce sacrificial refractory bricks for gas turbines.

Engineers raise £1.3M to bring ceramic matrix composites to mass market

Danilo Di Salvo and Richard Grainger of High Temperature Material Systems raised £1.3 million to commercialize a process that significantly reduces the energy, time, and cost involved in producing ceramic matrix composites.

The US has a new roadmap for fusion energy, without the funds to back it up

A recent press release from the U.S. Department of Energy boasts that its new strategy aims to deploy commercial-scale fusion power to electricity grids by the mid-2030s. The actual roadmap, however, paints a fuzzier picture.

More than 20 US states sue EPA over $7B ‘Solar For All’ cancellation

More than 20 U.S. states are suing the Trump administration for the cancellation of the $7 billion “Solar For All” program. The program was created in 2022 to fund solar deployments in low-income and disadvantaged areas.

 

MARKET TRENDS

New Mexico has huge potential for geothermal energy—what will it take to harness it?

A recent report estimates that New Mexico has the potential to produce substantial power from its geothermal resources. But what will it take to tap into this substantial energy source underneath our feet that could reduce emissions and curb climate change? A Source New Mexico article investigates.

Researchers assemble report on energy storage in North Carolina

The North Carolina Collaboratory and Innovate Carolina’s UNC Institute for Convergent Science published a report outlining the importance and feasibility of energy storage as existing energy needs and technologies shift.

Why big tech’s nuclear plans could blow up

Big tech is making a big bet on nuclear, but as a BBC article shows, it will take years for nuclear to have a role in meeting the artificial intelligence energy crunch—and only if the industry can convince an often-sceptical public.

 

NEW PRODUCTS

Vitro releases white paper on best practices for testing and evaluating bird-safe glass

Vitro Architectural Glass released a white paper on best practices for testing and evaluating bird-safe glass technology. The company says the resource is vital because the glass industry has not developed standardized guidelines for the testing, performance, and quality of bird-friendly glass. View the white paper here.

SINTX strengthens infection-prevention portfolio with newly allowed U.S. patent

SINTX Technologies, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent application containing method claims covering the company’s antipathogenic fabric technology.

Etex and Heidelberg Materials Benelux unveil low-carbon cement technology

Etex and Heidelberg Materials developed a fully circular process that transforms fiber cement waste into high-quality secondary raw material, which is then used to produce circular, low-carbon cement.

Author

Lisa McDonald