Ceramic and glass business news of the week for April 15, 2024

PLANTS, CENTERS, AND FACILITIES

Columbia begins construction on NYC’s first all-electric university research building

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons will begin construction on New York City’s first all-electric university research building in May 2024. The new biomedical research building will house eight stories of laboratories and research facilities, collaboration corners, living walls, and community engagement spaces.

Heidelberg Materials North America announces new Texas Lehigh Cement Co slag facility

Heidelberg Materials North America announced that Texas Lehigh Cement Company LP, its 50-50 joint venture with Eagle Materials Inc., will be starting production at a new slag cement facility in Houston, Texas, in summer 2024.

Kyocera consolidates manufacturing for optical components into Tokyo Hamura facility

Kyocera Corporation announced that starting April 1, the company moved the manufacturing operations for its optical components business from the Tokyo Chigase Facility to the Tokyo Hamura Facility to enhance operational efficiency in production. The Tokyo Chigase Facility was closed immediately after the completion of the consolidation.

ACQUISITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

Chaney Enterprises agrees to acquire Chandler Concrete

Chaney Enterprises is in talks to acquire Chandler Concrete Co., Inc. Chandler operates 44 ready-mix plants, three block plants, and one building supply store.

Australian magnate Rinehart takes stake in US miner MP Materials

U.S. rare-earths producer MP Materials says Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart’s mining firm has taken a 5.3% stake in the company, expanding her investments in the mineral ore sector. MP Materials is the second-biggest producer of rare earths outside China after Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths.

Altona Rare Earths strikes copper deal in Botswana

Shares in Altona Rare Earths soared as much as 60% on Tuesday, April 8 after announcing it had inked a deal to acquire up to 85% of a copper and silver asset in Botswana held by Ignate African Mining. The option agreement is for the Sesana copper-silver project, located in the heart of the highly prospective Kalahari Copper Belt.

Microchip giant TSMC strikes $11.6 billion deal with Biden to boost production in Arizona

The White House approved almost $12 billion in grants and loans to Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to expand production in Arizona. TSMC plans to construct a third factory on its Phoenix site, which would begin production this decade. Its first facility is on track to go live next year, while the second is set to be operational in 2028.

European Commission announces co-programmed partnership for solar photovoltaics

The European Commission published its Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which announces the formation of the Co-programmed European Partnership for Solar Photovoltaics with the European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP PV). The Commission the solar sector will negotiate on the best possible format for the partnership.

EU establishes strategic partnership with Uzbekistan on critical raw materials

The European Union and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding launching a strategic partnership on critical raw materials. The EU and Uzbekistan will jointly work on the establishment of an operational roadmap with concrete implementation actions.

OTHER STORIES

NREL analysis shows snapshot of the clean supply chain of the future

Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in collaboration with industry partners, demonstrated the potential for a zero-tailpipe emissions supply chain—one that transports goods from the nation’s busiest ports to their final destinations without producing vehicle emissions—all while using today’s technology.

US glass manufacturers invited to decarbonization workshop

Glass manufacturers in the U.S. were invited to a workshop devoted to decarbonizing the industry, organized by the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal of the workshop is to bring together stakeholders to identify key challenges, priorities, and opportunities for the decarbonization of the glass manufacturing sector.

Visy hits milestone on way to glass recycling target

Australian glass manufacturer Visy achieved an average of 63% recycled glass in its packaging across Australia and New Zealand this financial year to date. It represents a 5% increase compared to the 2023 financial year. The figure is higher for recycled colored glass (amber and green) at 75%, on average, across Visy’s operations.

Cornwall applies UN Resource Management System for sustainable materials mining

In Cornwall, United Kingdom, a pioneering initiative is underway to optimize resource management for critical raw materials projects. Applying the United Nations Resource Management System is helping to transform the region’s approach to resource extraction, processing, and sustainability.

MARKET TRENDS

CSIRO survey reveals Australians’ attitudes toward the renewable energy transition

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, released the most comprehensive survey of Australians’ attitudes toward the renewable energy transition. The survey found most Australians supported change toward an energy system that relies more on renewables.

EPA finalizes the nation’s first PFAS limits in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the U.S.’s first drinking water standards for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Drinking water concentrations of PFOA and PFOS, two of the most thoroughly studied and prevalent PFAS, will be capped at the lowest limit the EPA believes is technologically possible, about 4 parts per trillion.

NEW PRODUCTS

Guardian publishes new EPDs for North American glass products

Guardian Glass published new environmental product declarations (EPDs) for its flat, unprocessed glass and processed glass products produced in North America. The EPDs cover various clear, low-iron and tinted glass, sputter-coated glass, wet-coated glass, and heat-treated glass products.

LightPath announces first incorporation of its infrared glass within US DoD program

LightPath Technologies, Inc., a leading vertically integrated global manufacturer and integrator of proprietary optical and infrared technologies, announced the first incorporation of its new BlackDiamond-NRL infrared glass within a U.S. Department of Defense program of record.