NIST awards $7.8M for Advanced Manufacturing Technology planning grants
The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology announced 16 awards totaling $7.8 million to help accelerate the growth of advanced manufacturing in the United States. The grants—including one awarded to ACerS—will support industry-driven consortia in developing research plans and charting collaborative actions to solve high-priority technology challenges.
Unifrax LLC, a Tonawanda, N.Y.-based manufacturer of specialty fiber products, and Haldor Topsoe A/S, a Denmark-based world leader in catalysis and related process technologies, recently announced the signing of a partnership agreement. The partnership marks the beginning of a joint global effort by the two parties to commercialize an innovative new line of catalytic filter candles. This new product family will be marketed as TopFrax filters and was developed for catalytic hot gas filtration in the industrial market.
Lucideon has published a revised edition of its worldwide regulations and standards guide for the safe use of ceramic and glass tableware in contact with food. The comprehensive handbook indexes the regulations or standards for over 80 countries and economic areas. The guide is primarily a tool for ceramic, glass and enamel ware manufacturers, however, exporters, importers, retailers, glaze or colour manufacturers and testing facilities will also find it a useful resource to ensure their products conform to international standards and regulations.
Boeing CEO warns of job relocations if US Ex-Im Bank disappears
Boeing Co. may have to relocate U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing jobs overseas if Congress eliminates funding for the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Chief Executive Jim McNerney says. The Ex-Im Bank, which serves U.S. exporters and the buyers of U.S. goods, is targeted for closure by some conservative Republicans who say it usurps the role of the private sector and provides “welfare” for big business. Boeing, a leading Ex-Im Bank beneficiary, favor multi-year renewal of the agency, which it says helps create jobs and poses low risk.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation will establish a consortium to provide private sector input on national advanced manufacturing research and development priorities. NSF has released a solicitation, calling for applications from organizations to administer the consortium through a cooperative agreement.
NREL releases report describing guidelines for PV manufacturer quality assurance
The Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released an updated proposal that will establish an international quality standard for photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing. The document is intended for immediate use by PV manufacturers when producing modules on an industrial scale so they can increase investor, utility, and consumer confidence in PV system performance.
Ardagh out of running for €3bn Saint Gobain glass unit
Packaging giant Ardagh, headed by Dublin financier Paul Coulson, has pulled out of a €3bn bidding race for a division of French industrial group Saint Gobain. It’s thought Ardagh was among a number of firms that submitted first-round bids for Saint Gobain’s Verallia glass packaging unit, which is expected to sell for up to €3bn. But it’s believed that Ardagh’s bid was lower than that of rival suitors, including private equity giants Blackstone and Apollo.
Company settles Kevlar trade secrets lawsuit
A South Korean company accused of stealing trade secrets involving Kevlar technology has pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges and settled separate civil litigation filed by the DuPont Co., officials say. In resolving the legal battles, Kolon Industries Inc. was sentenced to pay $85 million in criminal fines and agreed to pay $275 million in restitution to DuPont.
Author
April Gocha