Saint-Gobain North America announced the opening of a state-of-the-art fire testing lab on its newly branded Innovation Hub North America (formerly Saint-Gobain Research North America), which spans 26 acres across Northborough and Marlborough, Mass.
Nuclear technology company Oklo Inc. announced that its Groves Isotope Test Reactor reached first criticality after achieving a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at low power. The milestone comes less than a year after the facility’s groundbreaking.
Hyundai Motor and Kia opened the Additive Manufacturing Solution Center at their Namyang Research and Development Center in the Republic of Korea, marking the Group’s first purpose-built facility dedicated to additive manufacturing research and production.
In Brazil, a massive water infrastructure project currently under construction promises to tackle the severe drought conditions that have long plagued parts of the country’s interior. Known as the Water Belt, the project aims to address chronic water shortages in the state of Ceará through an extensive network of canals that will divert water from the São Francisco River.
U.S. fusion energy company Fuse signed a five-year cooperative research and development agreement with Mission Support and Test Services at the Nevada National Security Sites. The agreement marks the latest expansion of Fuse’s collaboration across the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.
Thai Cement Manufacturers Association is advancing Thailand–Canada collaboration by piloting carbon capture technology in the Thai cement industry. The initiative designates the Saraburi Sandbox as a low-carbon technology testbed, bringing together industry, government, academia, and global partners to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Saint-Gobain and AGC Group are collaborating to deploy a large-scale hybrid highly electrified furnace for flat glass production, designed to significantly reduce direct CO2 emissions. The new furnace will replace the existing furnace at Saint-Gobain’s flat glass plant in Avilés, Spain. Construction is expected to start in January 2027.
Oakland University and Automation Alley announced the launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, a new collaboration that brings together the university’s engineering research and student talent and Automation Alley’s industry network to accelerate advanced manufacturing innovation.
MP Materials launched Project Swarm, an industrial coordination initiative designed to aggregate the future rare earth magnet requirements of U.S. and allied drone and motor manufacturers. Participating manufacturers can reserve future production capacity from MP Materials’ 10X magnet manufacturing facility in Northlake, Texas.
As of July 29, 2026, Japan is officially associated with Horizon Europe. The agreement allows Japanese researchers and organizations to take part in Horizon Europe on equal terms with those from European Union Member States and other associated countries.
The European Union launched a call for tenders to establish up to seven artificial intelligence gigafactories across Europe, as part of its latest major push to accelerate Europe’s technological sovereignty. Led by industry and supported by up to €10 billion in EU and national funding, the initiative is expected to unlock at least €20 billion in private investment across the EU.
The global industrial artificial intelligence sector is undergoing rapid consolidation and strategic partnerships led by major players such as Schneider Electric, Siemens, ABB, Emerson, Honeywell, and Rockwell Automation. A Forbes article looks at the trends and factors shaping this market.
Murata Manufacturing introduced the DE5 series of automotive safety-certified leaded disc ceramic capacitors for electric vehicle onboard chargers and other automotive power applications. The capacitors have received X1/Y1 certification under IEC 60384-14.
