PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES
Trump administration to back US minerals projects with $500M in grants(opens in new tab)
The U.S. Department of Energy plans to award $500 million in grants to seven companies building domestic lithium, cobalt, and other mineral and battery projects. This announcement is the latest in a string of investments aimed at bolstering U.S. mining and processing.
Developer DEWA, cement maker Cruz Azul to invest US$920M in Hidalgo, Mexico(opens in new tab)
Developer DEWA and Cooperativa La Cruz Azul confirmed combined investments of US$923 million in the Mexican state of Hidalgo to develop an industrial hub and reactivate a cement plant, within the framework of the federal Economic Development Poles for Wellbeing program.
The University of Arkansas announced the launch of the Arkansas Materials Institute. This research center combines the university’s Nano Institute and materials science and engineering graduate program, bringing together research facilities, academic programs, and faculty under a single organization.
ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
Arizona–Taiwan partnership advances semiconductor talent and innovation(opens in new tab)
The University of Arizona’s growing partnership with Taiwan’s National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University took another step forward during a two-day summit earlier this month. During the event, leaders from both universities and regional partners advanced plans for a joint Talent and Innovation Hub, focused on semiconductor education, research, and workforce development.
Space Forge selects Texas A&M as manufacturing base(opens in new tab)
British aerospace manufacturing company Space Forge Inc. signed a master research agreement with The Texas A&M University System, which sets the framework for a research collaboration and marks a first step toward Space Forge establishing its initial semiconductor materials manufacturing and processing capability in the U.S.
Homerun Resources signs MOU with Brazil’s largest float glass manufacturer(opens in new tab)
Homerun Resources Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Cebrace Cristal Plano, Brazil’s largest float glass manufacturer, to evaluate a strategic commercial partnership supporting Homerun’s solar glass manufacturing facility in Bahia, Brazil. Cebrace is a joint venture between Saint-Gobain and NSG Group.
US electronics recycler sets foot in India(opens in new tab)
A new partnership between U.S. recycler ERI and India’s Ecoreco aims to boost electronics recycling, critical minerals recovery, and IT disposition across the Indian subcontinent. ERI India will be officially launched during a press conference at the MRAI International Business Summit in Tokyo, Japan, on August 31.
OTHER STORIES
Semiconductor Industry Association names new president and CEO(opens in new tab)
The Semiconductor Industry Association announced Michael Robbins as the new president and CEO. He currently serves as president and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International and will assume his new role on October 1. Robbins will succeed John Neuffer, who announced his departure in January after nearly 12 years as president and CEO.
Tanzania gives cement producers eight days to tackle shortages(opens in new tab)
The Tanzanian government has given cement manufacturers eight days to increase supplies and reduce prices following reports that the retail price of a 50 kg bag rose up to TZS26,000 (US$10.50) in some outlets. Manufacturers attributed the constraints partly to breakdowns at major clinker-producing facilities.
Londoners find ‘horrendous’ cracks in their homes after successive heatwaves(opens in new tab)
Londoners are facing historic levels of subsidence risk after five successive heat waves dried out the clay soil on which much of the city is built. On average, households claimed £20,000 (US$34,600) for the risk last quarter, a 15% jump from the same period in 2025, according to data by the Association of British Insurers.
Legal environmental group Earthjustice sued the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to halt the auction off sections of water surrounding American Samoa for potential deep-sea mining. Earthjustice filed the lawsuit on behalf of two groups: Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i.
MARKET TRENDS
EU slips further behind US in race for critical minerals(opens in new tab)
The European Union and member states have committed about €6 billion to minerals projects in 2026, but the industry warns it is moving too slowly to kick-start the sector, according to a Financial Times article.
California’s big dollar bet on hydrogen for green energy is fading(opens in new tab)
California once bet big on clean hydrogen for cars and industry, but market turmoil, federal funding cuts, and stalled projects have turned the promise into a “non-moment.” With state officials and industry wary of investing in hydrogen for transportation, fuel producers are placing hopes in the power sector, facing challenges from environmental groups.
NEW PRODUCTS
Startup brings ancient Roman concrete technology to modern construction(opens in new tab)
DMAT, a startup out of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is commercializing findings from the lab of Associate Professor Admir Masic to improve the durability of modern concrete. The findings are based on studies of ancient Roman concrete.
Manz Asia pioneers production-proven 310/510/700 mm ECD for panel-level packaging(opens in new tab)
Manz Asia pioneered production-proven electrochemical deposition platforms supporting 310 mm, 510 mm, and 700 mm panel formats. Building on these platforms, Manz Asia integrates key wet process tools to enable scalable panel-level redistribution layer manufacturing.
Northrop Grumman SYNOPTICS grew and harvested a ytterbium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride crystal boule with a diameter three times bigger than the industry standard. Parts from this crystal will go on to power high-energy laser systems for inertial fusion energy research at Germany’s renowned research center, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron.
Author
Lisa McDonald
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