Ceramic and glass business news of the week for September 23, 2024

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Mantec technology plays part in massive ozone plant

In a recent six-figure deal, Mantec Technical Ceramics shipped specialist ceramic diffuser tubes and installation ancillaries that are currently being incorporated into one of the largest public sector ozone plants to be built in the Middle East in more than 10 years.

Chinese Chemtics launches $30M chemicals plant in Egypt

The Chemtics Egypt Chemicals plant was launched in the integrated industrial zone in Ain Sokhna, Egypt. The plant, which will see a total investment of $30 million, aims to produce more than 40,000 tonnes of calcium hypochlorite annually.

Calderys invests in major single-site greenfield plant in India

Calderys commenced construction of a 40-acre plant plant in the state of Odisha, India. It will be the world’s largest single-site greenfield plant dedicated to refractories and steel casting fluxes. It will include five state-of-the-art production lines for acidic and basic bricks and monolithics, ready-shaped products, steel casting fluxes, and testing facilities.

SRC rare earth processing facility first to produce rare earth metals in North America

The Saskatchewan Research Council announced that its rare earth processing facility is ahead of schedule and can now produce rare earth metals at a commercial scale—making Saskatchewan the first and only jurisdiction to do so in North America.

Walmart expansion involves one of the largest 3D-printed concrete structures in the US

Walmart and Alquist 3D, a provider of 3D concrete printing, collaborated to produce one of the largest free-standing, 3D-printed commercial concrete structures in the United States—a nearly 8,000-square-foot, 20-foot-high addition to a store in Athens, Tenn.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Carbon Limit partners with industry to debut heat crisis-combatting concrete additive

Climate tech company Carbon Limit partnered with NCP Industries and Bison Innovative Products as licensing affiliates to launch a new series of innovative architectural design products incorporating CoolCrete technology, bringing the first-of-its-kind product to commercial and residential projects worldwide.

Cornell, partners to make upstate NY a regional engine for better batteries

With funding from the National Science Foundation, Cornell University and a group of institutional partners created the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine to advance energy storage technology and boost large-capacity battery manufacturing in upstate New York. This project is one of 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines meant to spur economic growth in the technology sector beyond established coastal hotspots.

Roadmap for US–India initiative to build safe and secure global clean energy supply chains

India and the United States are working to acquire US$1 billion from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to establish a partnership between the two nations to expand manufacturing of clean energy components and build a secure global clean energy supply chain.

SLB expands partnership with NVIDIA for generative AI in energy sector

Energy technology company SLB expanded its partnership with NVIDIA to develop generative artificial intelligence solutions for the energy industry. The collaboration aims to integrate industry-specific generative AI foundation models into SLB’s platforms to develop data management and technical processes in energy.

OTHER STORIES

UNITECR 2025 announces call for papers

UNITECR 2025, the 19^th Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories announced the official call for papers for next year’s event, which will take place Oct. 27–30, 2025, in Cancun, Mexico. All abstracts must be submitted by Dec. 20, 2024.

Industry achievements celebrated at Glass Problems Conference

Four industry professionals were celebrated at this year’s Glass Problems Conference. Christopher Bloom of Owens Corning was awarded the Glass Manufacturing Excellence Award. Kayla Natividad of Pilkington Architectural Glass North America was awarded the Women in Glass award. Megan DeLamielleure of Corning was awarded the Glass Innovator award. Hisashi Kobayashi of Linde was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Charles Ross & Son Company announces the passing of Richard Ross

Richard Ross, former president of Charles Ross & Son Company, died on Sept. 14, 2024. Taking the helm as president in 1961, Rich’s leadership, foresight, and dedication drove Charles Ross & Son Company, also known as ROSS Mixers, to new heights establishing manufacturing facilities in New York, Georgia, and Florida.

The Refractories Institute announces three recipients of 2024 scholarships

The Refractories Institute announced three recipients of its 2024 academic scholarships, which help university students pursue an education related to refractory science. This year’s recipients are Jakia Sharmin Mim and Rajat Durgesh Rameteke at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Logan Wehrli at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

MARKET TRENDS

Data centers set to spike US electricity demand

Consulting firm ICF released a report that found the rise of artificial intelligence, as well as building and vehicle electrification trends tied to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, are poised to drive a rapid growth in U.S. electricity demand, which could lead the cost of electricity to spike by a national average of 19% by 2028.

World now has five times more PV than nuclear power

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2024, overseen by French nuclear energy consultant Mycle Schneider, shows that the world’s installed photovoltaic capacity has now exceeded by almost five times that of nuclear energy.

NEW PRODUCTS

SolarEdge’s newest residential solar battery is a big step up from its previous model

SolarEdge unveiled a new home battery model that includes a powerful new inverter; a flexible, modular design; and shorter installation and commissioning times. Battery capacity options range from 4.4 to 17.6 kWh, and up to four battery systems can be installed at one location.

Principle Power expands WindFloat portfolio, launches center column designs

Principle Power unveiled two new semisubmersible floating wind foundation designs: the WindFloat TC (with a tubular, center column) and WindFloat FC (with a flat-panel, center column). The new designs are advancements of existing WindFloat technologies.