Ceramic and glass business news of the week for November 24, 2025

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

RWE completes installation of all recyclable blades at Sofia Offshore Wind Farm

RWE completed the installation of 150 recyclable wind turbine blades at its Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. The completed installation—which comprises 50 sets of three blades installed per turbine—marks the first-ever large-scale deployment of this innovative technology at an offshore wind farm in the U.K.

First Solar selects South Carolina for new US production facility

First Solar, Inc. announced that it will establish a new facility in Gaffney, S.C., to onshore final production processes for Series 6 Plus modules initiated by the company’s international fleet. The company expects to spend approximately $330 million to establish the new facility, which is scheduled to commence commercial operations in the second half of 2026.

US-Canadian billionaire opens $2B platinum mine in South Africa

US-Canadian billionaire and mining magnate Robert Friedland inaugurated the first phase of a $2-billion platinum-group metals project in South Africa, marking a significant milestone for a mine nearly four decades in the making.

University of Liverpool unveils plans to establish AI-driven materials discovery center

The University of Liverpool unveiled plans to establish a new £100 million AI Materials Hub for Innovation dedicated to accelerating the application of artificial intelligence in materials chemistry.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Bosch Advanced Ceramics acquired by Sintokogio Group

Bosch Advanced Ceramics is being acquired by the Sintokogio Group. Agreements were signed during Formnext, and following completion, will see Bosch Advanced Ceramics operating under the name Sinto Advanced Ceramics Europe GmbH.

Bormioli Luigi renews LionGlass deal with Penn State after successful trial run

The Pennsylvania State University’s LionGlass project reached a major milestone in its partnership with Italian glassmaker Bormioli Luigi, marking one year of collaboration and the signing of a second-year agreement to continue commercialization efforts in the cosmetics packaging industry.

US and Saudi Arabia establish new ventures on rare earth minerals and nuclear energy

During a recent visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, D.C., the two countries established a Strategic Framework for Cooperation on securing uranium, metals, permanent magnets, and critical mineral supply chains. Also, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it will finance a 49% equity stake in a new rare earths refinery in Saudi Arabia.

EU and South Africa advance cooperation on clean trade and investment

The European Union and South Africa signed a landmark Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, along with a new cooperation agreement on minerals and metals value chains and new projects under Global Gateway, Europe’s investment strategy for the world.

Calderys and Binzagr partner to serve the evolving needs of the Middle East refractory market

Calderys and Binzagr entered into a strategic partnership through a brand-new refractory facility. The 16,300-square-meter production plant, located in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, will include one state-of-the-art monolithics line for dense and lightweight refractory castables and a line for precast shapes and lances. It will primarily serve the evolving needs of Saudi Arabia.

Wesco International and Habitat for Humanity partner on ‘100,000 Floors to Play On’ initiative

Wesco International, a global provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions, announced its support for Habitat for Humanity International’s “100,000 Floors to Play On” initiative. This initiative aims to replace 100,000 dirt floors with concrete by 2028 throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

OTHER STORIES

Bullen Ultrasonics named ‘Innovator of the Year’ by Dayton Business Journal

Bullen Ultrasonics announced it was named 2025 Innovator of the Year by the Dayton Business Journal’s Business of the Year Awards. At the heart of Bullen’s innovation engine is its proprietary MicroLucent technology, an ultrafine laser machining platform engineered specifically for transparent and brittle substrates.

AfCFTA secretariat launches podcast to strengthen awareness of continental trade agreement

The African Continental Free Trade Area secretariat launched a podcast platform to provide information about Africa’s flagship trade agreement to the general public. The bi-weekly podcast will feature conversations with trade experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and Africans benefiting from intra-African trade.

From 20 years, Ukraine extracted kaolin sustainably—Russia exhausted entire quarry by 2025

Russia has entirely looted Ukrainian mineral resources from the Katerynivka quarry in Donetsk Oblast, according to Petro Andriushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation.  According to him, the quarry had been operational since 2003, during which approximately two million tons of raw materials were extracted.

MARKET TRENDS

Electric vehicle sales are booming in South America—without Tesla

Electric vehicle penetration in Latin America, including Mexico and Central America, doubled in 2024 to around 4% and continues to grow, boosted by government incentives and an influx of affordable Chinese models.

How long-term coal contracts are locking Asia out of a clean energy future

Decades-long power purchase agreements in Asia are keeping utilities reliant on coal-fired electricity, even as wind and solar generation becomes increasingly cost-effective. In Southeast Asia, between 50% and 100% of coal capacity is tied to contracts that have nine to 18 years remaining.

Aging clay drainage systems quietly increasing subsidence risk for UK homeowners

Millions of U.K. homes could be at growing risk of subsidence due to deteriorating clay drainage systems, according to new insights from ground engineering specialist Mainmark UK. Clay drainage pipes, widely used in homes built before the 1970s, are particularly prone to deterioration due to their porous and brittle nature.

NEW PRODUCTS

Quintus unveils pilot-scale warm isostatic presses for all-solid-state battery production

High-pressure technology manufacturer Quintus Technologies engineered the new series QIB 300 and QIB 600 warm isostatic presses to fast-track all-solid-state battery innovation by providing a robust platform to validate processes and lay the foundation for volume manufacturing within the same ecosystem.

EU-backed RAPTOR system sets a new benchmark for refractory recycling

A European technology consortium led by RHI Magnesita unveiled RAPTOR, a first-of-its-kind, artificial intelligence-powered mobile multisensor system that turns mixed, end-of-life refractories into high-purity secondary raw materials.