PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Consol Glass cancels R1.5-b manufacturing plant due to impact of COVID-19

Consol Glass indefinitely suspended construction of a new R1.5-billion glass manufacturing plant in Ekurhuleni (South Africa) due to demand reduction for glass products driven by the pandemic. The expansion would have doubled the capacity of Consol Glass’ existing Nigel factory and was expected to support new investments in the mining industry.

Western Australian government to roll out renewable energy technology

The Government of Western Australia, through Horizon Power, will invest $21 million in infrastructure projects for the Kimberley region focused on renewable energy technologies to kick-start the State’s economy as part of the WA Recovery Plan.

Nuclear fusion technology center to trial exotic alloy parts

The external construction of a new fusion technology facility in South Yorkshire is complete. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will be handed the site in September to begin the second phase of fit-out. The key role of the new facility will be to develop and test technologies for fusion materials and components.


ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

SINTX Technologies, O2TODAY enter joint development agreement to create face mask

O2TODAY, an original equipment manufacturer company, entered into a joint development agreement with SINTX Technologies, Inc. to develop a safe and effective consumer face mask with broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral activity, based on incorporating SINTX’s unique silicon nitride powder into the mask filter and fabric.

Astec to acquire concrete equipment providers CON-E-CO and BMH Systems

Astec Industries, Inc. acquired two premier full-line concrete batch plant manufacturers serving customers around the world: Concrete Equipment Company, Inc. and BMH Systems, Inc., which had combined annualized sales in 2019 of approximately $50 million.

Vetropack purchases glassworks in Moldova

Swiss glass packaging manufacturer Vetropack signed an agreement to take over a glassworks in Chișinău, Moldova. Vetropack said the addition to the group, which comprises two separate operational units (Glass Container Company and Glass Container Prim), will enhance its market position in Central and Eastern Europe.

Zenith, American Rare Earths strike share purchase agreement for US rare earth project

American Rare Earths struck a share purchase agreement with Zenith Minerals over its Laramie rare earths project, in Wyoming. Under the terms of the agreement, American Rare Earths will acquire Zenith’s wholly owned subsidiary Wyoming Rare for 2.5-million of its own shares, along with $50,000 in cash.

Ardagh Group partners with Plata Wine Partners to supply locally made wine bottles

Ardagh Group, Glass–North America announced a supply agreement with Plata Wine Partners to manufacture all of their wine bottles. The agreement pairs the largest independent coastal grape grower in California with the largest domestic manufacturer of glass bottles for the U.S. wine market.


OTHER STORIES

MRF to provide multiple precision SiC crystal growth furnace systems

Materials Research Furnaces was selected by a major U.S.-based company to produce multiple-precision furnace systems for the growth of silicon carbide single crystals. The systems implement resistive heating for processing 150 mm (6”) boules with capabilities for 200 mm (8”) development.

Pandemic takes heavy toll on physics

A recent FYI article takes a look at the scale of the pandemic’s disruptions to the research enterprise, including significant project delays, outsized impacts on early career scientists, and costs to universities that are already running into the tens of billions of dollars.

Fortune Minerals announces NICO exploration program

Fortune Minerals Limited announced work is resuming on the company’s 100% owned NICO Gold-Cobalt-Bismuth-Copper Project. The project contains an iron oxide copper-gold type ore deposit with proven and probable open pit and underground mineral reserves.


NEW PRODUCTS

5G concealment panel

Telecom infrastructure provider Raycap released a new drop-in 5G small cell panel upgrade for concealed 4G deployments. Called the InvisiWave Screen Panel, the new panel speeds up and lowers the cost of 5G deployment by allowing for the easy transformation of existing cell sites into 5G sites without degrading equipment performance.

Author

Lisa McDonald