Ceramic and glass business news of the week for April 13, 2020

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Allied Glass completes spray line investment

Allied Glass commissioned a high-speed automatic spraying line at its dedicated decoration facility. The U.K.-based container glass manufacturer said the spraying line will be dedicated to the decoration of premium spirit bottles offering the ability to coat the glass with eco-friendly water-based sprays.

Glass Technology Services open lab to essential product lines

Following a period of temporary closure to ensure the wellbeing and safety of staff, Glass Technology Services is pleased to share that laboratories have reopened for essential product lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

European soft drinks industry joins the Close the Glass Loop program

UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, representing the European soft drinks industry, has joined the “Close the Glass Loop” industry stewardship program for glass packaging, initiated by FEVE. The program hopes to achieve a post-consumer glass container collection target of 90% and to ensure it is recycled into the glass container production loop.

USA Rare Earth acquires US rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing capability

USA Rare Earth, LLC, purchased the neodymium iron boron permanent magnet manufacturing equipment formerly owned and operated in North Carolina by Hitachi Metals America, Ltd. The purchased equipment should provide USA Rare Earth most of what is needed to re-establish rare earth magnet production in the United States.

TVA signs nuclear research MOU with University of Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Tennessee to evaluate development of advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors. The project, if developed, would be at TVA’s 935-acre Clinch River Nuclear Site in Roane County.

Enphase Energy, Courant Naturel partner to provide residential solar rooftop solutions

Enphase Energy, Inc., a global energy technology company and supplier of solar microinverters, and Courant Naturel, a fast-growing residential solar installer, will collaborate to deliver solar solutions to customers in southwest France.

Russian energy firm providing fuel components for Egyptian nuclear reactor

The Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority signed a 10-year contract with Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant for the supply of low-enriched nuclear fuel components for the ETRR-2 research reactor, which is used for research in particle physics and material studies.

OTHER STORIES

Webinar: Can materials science counter the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Materials Research Society is hosting a free 90-minute panel discussion with five researchers who are applying biomaterials, nanotechnology, and other tools of materials research to accelerate a solution to COVID-19. The webinar takes place Thursday, April 16, from 12–1:30 p.m. EST.

American Elements granting needs-based pricing for COVID-19 emergency materials

American Elements announced the company will offer significant needs-based discounts on chemicals and advanced materials to pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, microbiology researchers, medical facilities, and government agencies working to combat the novel coronavirus.

AGC Glass Europe mourns former CEO Philippe Bodson

A former CEO of AGC Glass Europe, Philippe Bodson, has passed away as a result of coronavirus aged 75. He was also chairman of the Glass Industry Federation from 1981 to 1984, the European Grouping of Flat Glass Producers (1986 to 1988), and the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (1987 to 1990).

Year of Glass secures UNESCO backing

A proposed United Nations Year of Glass in 2022 has moved a step closer after it received support from UNESCO. There are 779 endorsements from 58 countries to date. Given the current world health situation, the proposal will probably be presented in the December meeting of the UN General Assembly for final approval.

Kyocera honored by Japan Techno-Economics Society

Kyocera Corporation received the President’s Award from the Japan Techno-Economics Society for its Aquala surface-processing technology. Developed in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, this technology extends the life expectancy of artificial hip joints.

Lubrizol pledges $2 million to support COVID-19 needs

Lubrizol, a leading specialty chemical company, announced a $2 million donation commitment to support COVID-19 needs globally. This pledge extends the science work the company is already doing on hand sanitizers, medical gowns, face masks, drug products, medical devices, transport vehicles, and more.

Local manufacturer offering area businesses safety equipment

Schott Gemtron Canada is offering up to 10 sheets of tempered glass free-of-charge that businesses can use to shield their staff members who interact with clients and customers. The factory, which has about 120 employees, produced these sheets during regular production hours.

Samsung Electronics to cut off Samsung Display from making foldable glass

According to a report from South Korea, Samsung Electronics is planning to develop its own foldable panel, without the help of Samsung Display, in order to lower the cost of the screen and make the technology more affordable in the future.

MARKET TRENDS

Batteries for stationary energy storage 2019–2029

A new IDTechEx report provides a global view of behind-the-meter and front-of-meter stationary energy storage deployments and market drivers. Progress in stationary energy storage is thanks in no small part to falling Li-ion battery costs, driven by the economies of scale of the electric car industry.

Market disruptions: Single-use plastic bans and supply chain considerations

A Freedonia Group report looks at how the haphazard nature of localized single-use plastic bans is forming a complex regulatory landscape for disposables across the U.S. Specifically, it looks at how the regulations affect manufacturers, distributors, and purchasers.

NEW PRODUCTS

Mercedes-Benz: Graphene-based, rare-earth-free EV tech

Mercedes debuted its latest electric vehicle—the Vision AVTR—at the 2020 CES show. The AVTR’s 110 kWh battery pack uses graphene-based organic cell chemistry free of rare-earth metals.