PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES
German Research Foundation approves new research center in materials sciences
The German Research Foundation will fund the establishment of the new Collaborative Research Center “Elastic Tuning and Response of Electronic Quantum Phases of Matter” at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
Stevanato Group to open US technology center
Italian-based Stevanato Group, a producer of pharmaceutical glass containers and integrated provider of drug delivery systems, is preparing to open its Technology Excellence Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The new center will provide a full-service approach to support biopharmas along their drug development journey.
Work resumes on O-I’s Gironcourt plant
Construction work has resumed on the construction of a third furnace at Owens-Illinois’ Gironcourt plant in France. Work had been interrupted as a result of COVID-19. The expansion will see the glassworks produce 2 billion bottles of beer a year.
Cleveland-Cliffs restarts Michigan’s Tilden Mine, resumes construction on Toledo HBI plant
Cleveland-Cliffs is restarting its Tilden Mine in Michigan and construction on its hot-briquetted iron plant in Toledo as demand for steel increases. The HBI plant was supposed to open this month, but now is expected to complete in the fourth quarter this year.
Los Lunas first to use new solar energy technology
Los Lunas, a village in New Mexico, turned on its new solar power system, designed to keep its recycling center powered 24/7. The system will put out six-times the power of normal solar panels, yet it is smaller and more compact. The panels are vertical so they’ll also work during winter weather. Los Lunas is the first city in the nation to use the new panels.
Rare earths processing facility opens in Colorado
USA Rare Earth, LLC, the funding and development partner of the Round Top Heavy Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Project in West Texas, together with Texas Mineral Resources Corp. announced its rare earth and critical minerals pilot plant processing facility in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, received its required permits and its pilot plant is now being commissioned.
ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
Materion Corporation to acquire Optics Balzers
Materion Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Optics Balzers, AG, an industry leader in thin film optical coatings. With this acquisition, Materion significantly expands its geographic reach, extending beyond its core of North America to include Europe and Asia.
Sandvik completes the acquisition of QCT’s division for cutting tools
Sandvik has completed the previously announced acquisition of the cutting tools division of Quimmco Céntro Tecnológico, a privately owned Mexican company offering integral machining solutions.
ASTM and America Makes launch strategic guide for additive manufacturing data
ASTM International and America Makes debuted a strategic guide that identifies gaps, challenges, solutions, and action plans for additive manufacturing data. The guide was established out of a December 2019 workshop on additive manufacturing data management and schema.
Delta and SJSU develop micro solar converter that captures 30% more energy in shade
Researchers at San Jose State University developed a prototype power converter for PV panels that captures over 30% more energy than conventional technologies. Delta, a power and thermal management solutions company, provided funding for the research.
CAM Bioceramics’ medical materials set to be used with Admatec DLP technology
3D printer manufacturer Admatec announced that medical and dental professionals will now be able to use CAM Bioceramics’ medical grade ceramic materials with Admaflex DLP 3D printing systems.
Viaccess-Orca joins 3MF Consortium
Viaccess-Orca, a provider of digital content protection and advanced data solutions, is joining the 3MF Consortium as Founding Member. The 3MF Consortium is dedicated to advancing a universal specification for 3D printing.
OTHER STORIES
Battery Critical Materials Supply Chain Opportunities Workshop
On June 29, 2020, the Department of Energy is hosting a virtual Battery Critical Materials Supply Chain Opportunities Workshop that will provide an overview of current investments in research and development in battery critical materials and host a virtual roundtable on the state of the domestic supply chain.
SiO2 Materials Science to accelerate scale-up of primary packaging platform for vaccines
SiO2 Materials Science announced a $143 million agreement with the federal government to accelerate the production scale-up of the company’s state-of-the-art, patented, primary packaging platform for storing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutics.
Norway announces $384.5m clean energy fund to aid in COVID-19 recovery
Norway announced plans to fund a “green transition package,” investing $384.5m into sustainable power and infrastructure to help the country’s economy and productivity post-COVID-19.
Clean Energy States Alliance announces 2020 state leaders in renewable energy
The Clean Energy States Alliance, a national nonprofit coalition of public agencies working together to advance clean energy, announced the recipients of the 2020 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards.
Canada planning to require low-carbon concrete in federal construction projects
Starting in 2021, the Canadian federal government wants all cement used in federal projects to be of a type that produces 10% fewer emissions than regular cement. It is also considering setting limits on carbon intensity of federally purchased concrete.
MARKET TRENDS
Fluorine focus: new & alternative source developments
A recent IMFORMED article looks at the current fluorine market and discusses where the industry may be headed after the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on new fluorspar deposit development and progress with alternative fluorine sources.
Superhard materials: Global market trajectory and analytics
A recent Research and Markets report forecast the superhard materials market worldwide will grow by a projected US$6.7 billion from 2020–2027, driven by a revised compounded annual growth rate of 3.8%. Cemented carbides in particular is forecast to grow at over 1.6% and reach a market size of US$8 billion.
Organizations flooded with tech purchased for WFH employees face ‘asset refresh’
The month of March saw U.S. sales of computers increased by 40%, notebook sales by over 50%, and keyboard sales by 64%. With many workers now returning to the office, companies and government agencies are going to be forced to deal with a mountain of new equipment purchased for the work-from-home period.
China’s solar growth lifts tellurium prices
Chinese tellurium prices are expected to edge up in the near term in response to buoyant investment in solar photovoltaic production projects, according to market participants.
Author
Lisa McDonald
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