PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Toshiba to relocate hydrogen energy product site

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation has started to relocate a hydrogen energy production site from Yokohama to Hamakawasaki operations in the Ukishimaarea, Kawasaki City, Japan. Due for completion later this year, the new facility will produce Toshiba ESS’s Hydrogen energy products.

Namibia Critical Metals advancing Lofdal rare earths project

Namibia Critical Metals Inc. provided an update on progress at the Lofdal heavy rare earth project in northern Namibia, which is a joint venture with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. Details on the joint venture, which is operating under a term 1 budget of $3-million, can be seen here.

Rare-earth minerals pilot plant opens in Colorado

USA Rare Earth and Texas Mineral Resources Corp. formed a joint venture to develop a rare-earths mine and processing facility, known as Round Top, on 950 acres southeast of El Paso, Texas. Before development at Round Top begins, they currently are testing an ion-exchange process at a new pilot plant in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Guardian Glass set to close Dudelange plant

Flat glass manufacturer Guardian Glass looks set to close its Dudelange site and transfer production to its Bascharage plant, both in Luxembourg. The company said high operating costs were the main reason for its plan to close the plant.

Liebherr engineers invite small orders with self-service batch plant

Virginia-based Liebherr USA’s parent company plans a global launch this summer of an automated batch plant tailored to small professional or DIY project customers. With output at about 35 yd./hour, the model will be equipped for adjustable height discharge of .20- to 2.5-yd. loads in small trailers or larger vehicles, including conventional mixer trucks.

CATL sets up 21C Lab to expand R&D on novel energy technologies

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, a leading lithium-ion battery maker, broke ground on a new innovation laboratory, 21C Lab, at its headquarters in Ningde, east China’s Fujian Province. The laboratory is scheduled to start operation at the end of 2021.


ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

DOE to fund national lab–industry partnerships for battery manufacturing innovation

The U.S. Department of Energy is soliciting proposals from national laboratories and industry partners that pursue radical innovations for U.S. battery manufacturing leadership. Under this opportunity, DOE will directly fund national laboratories to establish public-private partnerships.

Effat University and partners launch solar energy project

Effat University, together with partners ECN.TNO, DSM, and Exasun of the Netherlands, started a large-scale outdoor test of 60 solar panels specifically designed for desert conditions. The panels are monitored at the rooftop test site of EFFAT University.

Enphase Energy, Q CELLS enter AC module partnership

Enphase Energy Inc. and Q CELLS entered a strategic partnership to develop Enphase Energized Q CELLS AC Modules (ACMs) based on seventh-generation Enphase IQ microinverters. The first ACMs will be available from major U.S. distributors starting in July.

In-space additive manufacturing startup Made In Space acquired by Redwire

Made In Space, one of the new space companies that has done the most for popularizing the idea of in-space manufacturing, was acquired by Redwire, a newly formed entity created by a private equity firm to roll up a number of space technology, supply, and development companies.


OTHER STORIES

Webinar: Lubrication in glassmaking

Glass International is holding its next webinar on “Lubrication in glassmaking” on Tuesday, June 30, from 10–11 a.m. Eastern. Three technical presentations will outline the role of lubricants, why a glass plant cannot do without them, and some of the innovations that have taken place in the sector.

New dates for tasc 2021 trade fair

tasc, the Trade Show for Automotive Glass, Smart Repair and Car Detailing, will return to the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf, Germany, with an earlier date of Feb. 19–20, 2021 (instead of October 2021). Online exhibitor registration is now open at this link.

CHIPS for America Act would strengthen U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, innovation

New bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would invest tens of billions of dollars in semiconductor manufacturing incentives and research initiatives over the next 5–10 years to strengthen and sustain American leadership in chip technology.

Puerto Rico work to update grid, make the territory more energy independent

A new report from the Idaho National Laboratory outlines how Puerto Rico is working to meet the challenges of updating its grid and becoming energy independent, which could involve microreactors.

SAIL to increase usage of domestically produced refractory products

Steel Authority of India Limited decided to increase usage of domestically produced refractory products across its integrated steel plants. In step with this initiative, it organized a webinar with domestic refractory makers from various regions to explore opportunities.

Corning Inc. starts production on Valor Glass for COVID-19 vaccine

Corning Inc.’s Big Flats facility started production on Valor Glass vials, which will be used for the vaccine in development for COVID-19. Corning Inc. received $204 million dollars from the federal government to produce this glass for the vaccine.

Lehigh issues first EPD based on Cement Product Category Rule 2.0

Lehigh Cement published the industry’s first Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) using the new North American Product Category Rule for Portland, blended, masonry, mortar, and stucco cements. The latter document helps cement companies tailor EPD to sustainability and green building practitioners’ increasingly robust transparency standards.


MARKET TRENDS

Research: Hydrogen can meet 50% of UK energy demand by 2050

According to research by Aurora Energy Research, hydrogen can meet up to half of the United Kingdom’s final energy demand by 2050 and play a significant role in meeting the country’s net-zero emissions targets by helping to integrate renewables into the power system by reducing the requirement for flexibility during peak winter months.

India’s refractory companies look for new sources to reduce dependence on China

Refractory companies in India are planning to source crucial raw materials from destinations other than China as pressure builds on the industry to ensure uninterrupted supplies. Key refractory companies have already held conversations with leading metal and steel makers.


NEW PRODUCTS

Low-cost and scalable solid electrolyte technology for solid-state batteries

Ampcera Inc.’s new flexible solid electrolyte membranes for solid-state batteries have a thickness down to 25 microns, room temperature lithium ionic conductivity greater than 1 mS/cm, and are stable against a lithium metal anode. Also, the vertically integrated manufacturing could reduce cost of solid-state batteries below $100 per kilowatt hour.

THORBIDE: High alumina brick with silicon carbide

HarbisonWalker International’s latest THORBIDE family targets processes using high levels of alternate fuels or raw materials, where aggressive alkali attack is the primary wear mechanism. THORBIDE physical properties also provide superior strength for mechanically stressed areas, making it great for application in rotary kilns and stationary vessels.

Author

Lisa McDonald