Today's Manufacturing Pulse
Algoma Steel invests $987M CAD to electrify blast furnace, slashing emissions
Algoma Steel is spending $987 million CAD (≈$730 million USD) to replace its coal‑fired blast furnace with electric‑arc furnaces, a move that could cut emissions by up to 70 percent. The upgrade triggers a higher carbon tax, with Q1 fees rising to $6 million CAD under Ontario’s new intensity‑based pricing. The investment underscores a shift toward greener steel production in Canada.
Also developing:
By the numbers: TIEA Connectors raises $8M Series A
Corvus Robotics Deploys Autonomous Inventory System at Dermalogica Global Headquarters
Corvus Robotics has rolled out its Corvus One autonomous inventory system at Dermalogica’s global headquarters and distribution hub in Carson, California. The drone fleet conducts 52 aerial scans per year, boosting inventory imaging frequency by 600 percent while freeing roughly 120 labor hours each month. Operating outside active picking windows, the solution requires no downtime or warehouse infrastructure modifications and feeds high‑resolution data directly into existing workflows. The deployment underscores a growing shift toward AI‑driven, infrastructure‑free warehouse visibility for consumer‑goods supply chains.
Accelerating Green Transition to Boost Industrial Resilience
Such a pleasure joining @EIB for this year's #EIBForum. Together with EIB's VP Ambroise Fayolle, @AfDBPresident and @bertrandpiccard, we discussed how to accelerate the green transition thus reinforcing industrial resilience, driving innovation and ensuring sustainable growth. https://t.co/MsNKt7m58K
RS Aqua Announces Strategic Partnership with US -Based Seasats to Bring Autonomous Surface Vehicles to UK and Ireland Defence Market
RS Aqua has entered a strategic partnership with San Diego‑based USV developer Seasats to market its autonomous surface vehicles in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The deal gives RS Aqua exclusive representation of Seasats' Lightfish and Quickfish platforms, which combine...
Video | Home Built in 10 Days Using ‘Factory-in-a-Box’ System
University of Sheffield researchers, together with Seismic Group, have showcased a ‘factory‑in‑a‑box’ modular system that can construct a complete home in just ten days. The approach deploys a rapidly assembled, weather‑shielded manufacturing unit directly on the building site, eliminating traditional...
Anschütz Delivers SYNAPSIS Integrated Navigation System for First Newbuild Tanker
Anschütz has delivered its SYNAPSIS Integrated Navigation System on the first new‑build tanker, TMS Seadevil, for German Tanker Shipping, constructed at Xiamen Shipbuilding. The 41,000 dwt vessel leads a series of six modern oil and chemical tankers designed for global deployment. SYNAPSIS...
Hirebotics Promotes Co-Founder Matthew Bush to CEO
Hirebotics announced that co‑founder and COO Matthew Bush will assume the chief executive officer role, effective February 20, 2026, succeeding co‑founder Rob Goldiez who is retiring after more than a decade at the helm. Bush has overseen the company's electro‑mechanical...
MVTec Presents New MERLIC Version: New Features for Easier Integration and Use of Machine Vision
MVTec Software released MERLIC 26.03 on March 26 2026, adding unlimited camera connectivity, a Frontend Observability feature, and a new Beckhoff TwinCAT ADS plug‑in. The version adopts a YY.MM naming scheme and offers two licensing packages—MERLIC and MERLIC Professional—with optional deep‑learning and custom‑tool...
Saying 'No' Faster: The Competitive Advantage for Modern Freight Dispatch
Freight dispatchers are shifting from chasing volume to making rapid, confident load selections. AI voice bots generate massive outreach, but without an intelligence layer they drown teams in low‑value opportunities. The article argues that saying "no" early preserves capacity, protects...
Introducing Seeq Intelligence: Bridging Industrial AI and Human Expertise for Smarter Operational Decisions
Seeq unveiled Seeq Intelligence, an industrial AI platform that blends real‑time operational data with institutional knowledge to deliver decision intelligence at enterprise scale. The solution introduces Agent Q, a natural‑language, domain‑aware analyst, and tools for building custom AI agents and...
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Accumold announced its participation at OFC 2026, the leading optical networking exhibition, where it will showcase micro‑molded plastic components for fiber‑optic and photonics hardware. The company will demonstrate how its precision‑molded parts support tight‑tolerance requirements in connectors, transceivers, and optical modules...
WoodMac Warns of Lithium Supply Deficit by 2028
Wood Mackenzie warns global lithium demand could exceed 13 Mt LCE by 2050 under an accelerated net‑zero transition. Without new investment, supply deficits could appear as early as 2028, with gaps widening to 8.5 Mt LCE by 2050. Electric vehicles account for...
Gitana 18 Maxi Trimaran Pushes Boundaries of Fully Airborne Offshoring Maritime Racing
The Gitana 18 Maxi Edmond de Rothschild trimaran was unveiled in Lorient on Feb. 14, marking the latest Ultim‑class vessel from the Gitana Team. At 32 meters long with a 23‑meter beam, the boat is engineered for sustained full‑flight foiling, allowing all three...
California Targets 3D Printers in New Bill as States Diverge on Gun Control
California Assembly Bill 2047 would require every 3D printer sold in the state to embed software that scans and blocks files capable of producing firearms or restricted parts. The Department of Justice must define detection standards by July 2027, with certification...
Marlink Rolls Out Fleet-Wide Multi-LEO Hybrid Connectivity Service
Marlink launched Sealink Multi-LEO, a hybrid connectivity service that unifies Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb low‑Earth‑orbit satellite networks under a single managed data allowance. The offering provides 500 GB to 10 TB of monthly data, with carrier‑agnostic orchestration that dynamically selects the best...
California Regulations Block New Semiconductor, Battery, Steel Plants
"Banned in California" https://t.co/fqcEbwqWML? "The regulatory environment makes it effectively impossible to build new semiconductor fabs, automotive paint shops, battery gigafactories, or steel foundries." https://t.co/IWKL3dFowf
Kroger Taps Inventory Drones for Cold Chain Distribution Operations
Kroger has begun using Corvus Robotics’ Corvus One drones to automate inventory scanning in its ambient and sub‑freezing distribution centers. The drones autonomously locate and scan pallets, delivering weekly, facility‑wide visibility without requiring Wi‑Fi, markers, or warehouse modifications. Capable of...
Austria’s Accupower Launches Residential Sodium-Ion Battery
Austrian firm Accupower has launched Natec Home, a residential sodium‑ion battery offering 7.68 kWh capacity, 3.8 kW power output, and a €3,990 price comparable to lithium systems. It operates from –30 °C to 50 °C, holds an IP65 rating, and can be paralleled up...
3D People Deploys AMIS Runtime in London Production Facility
Additive manufacturing service provider 3D People has fully deployed AMIS Runtime across its London facility, integrating the programmable build preparation engine with its powder bed fusion lines. The automation covers file import, repair, intelligent nesting, slicing, and continuous re‑nesting, eliminating...
K+N Still Largest Airfreight Forwarder Despite DSV Takeover of Schenker
Kuehne+Nagel retained its position as the world’s largest airfreight forwarder in 2025, posting a 7% volume increase to 2.2 million tonnes, ahead of DSV’s 2 million tonnes despite DSV’s recent acquisition of DB Schenker. The Swiss carrier’s growth was driven by surging demand...
Kazakh Manufacturing Hit by Marked Fall and Elevated Inflationary Pressures in February, PMI Shows
Kazakhstan's manufacturing PMI fell to 48.1 in February, down from 49.8 in January, indicating sector contraction. The decline reflects weaker domestic demand, higher tax pressure from a January VAT increase, and firms cutting staff, purchases, and inventories. Despite the downturn,...
Rock Tech and Siemens Plan Lithium Converter in Canada
Rock Tech Lithium and Siemens have signed a non‑binding MOU to replicate the German lithium‑conversion plant in Canada’s Red Rock, Ontario. The German facility, under construction in Guben, will produce 24,000 tonnes of battery‑grade lithium hydroxide annually, while the Canadian version targets...
GE Vernova Invests $30m in Italy
GE Vernova is allocating roughly $30 million to expand its Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, manufacturing hub, adding about 50 new jobs. The upgrade will introduce additional production lines for advanced dry‑type bushings, including resin‑impregnated paper and synthetic technologies, capable of handling voltages up...
Flex Expands U.S. Manufacturing of AMD Instinct Platform
Flex announced the expansion of its partnership with AMD to manufacture the Instinct MI355X AI accelerator at its Austin, Texas headquarters. Production is already underway with a volume ramp slated for the next quarter, and Flex will also support the...
Localisation Is the Aim of the Game in Defence Procurement
Defence procurement is shifting toward localisation, making domestic manufacturing and technology transfer essential for deal closure. European governments now demand local production as a contract condition. Hungary leads the change, signing agreements with Rheinmetall for the KF41 Lynx and Nurol Makina...
Overcoming Challenges in Medical Device Manufacturing
Medical device manufacturers face heightened scrutiny as product performance directly impacts patient safety, making supply chain reliability critical. Inconsistent materials, assembly errors, or poor documentation can trigger regulatory action, production delays, and costly field corrections. The article outlines practical steps...
Binder Introduces NCC Circular Connector Family
Binder has launched its Not Connected Closed (NCC) circular connector family, offering subminiature (Series 670) and miniature (Series 770) options with built‑in spring‑loaded covers that seal the interface when unmated. The connectors achieve IP54 protection unmated and IP67 when mated for Series 670,...
PV-Powered Refrigerated Trailer Completes Long-Distance Australian Trial Run
Protran Solutions successfully completed a 1,671 km round‑trip between Sydney and Brisbane using a battery‑electric refrigerated trailer equipped with roof‑mounted solar panels. The Sunswap Endurance trailer consumed 85.9 kWh total energy, generating 58.9 kWh from solar while retaining 62 % battery capacity after 32 hours...
Griffin Locomotive Approval Process Begins in Germany
Polish rolling‑stock maker Newag has launched the German approval process for its Griffin E4MSUa‑002 locomotive, following electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests in Switzerland and the Czech Republic. The multi‑system electric locomotive is being prepared for certification to operate on Germany and Austria’s...
GMG Allocates Capital for Completion of New Graphene Manufacturing Plant
Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has secured an additional AU$1.4 million, raising total capital for its Gen 2.0 graphene plant to AU$2.3 million. The facility, designed to produce up to 10 tons of graphene per year, is slated to be completed and operational by mid‑2026....
Immiscible Binary Organic Phase‐Change Composites with Segregated H‐BN Networks for Advanced Thermal Management (Small 13/2026)
Researchers Donghun Lee and Chae Bin Kim have developed immiscible binary organic phase‑change composites that self‑assemble into segregated hexagonal boron nitride (h‑BN) networks via particle‑stabilized emulsification. The melt‑mixed architecture achieves a thermal conductivity of 20 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ while maintaining shape stability above...
Union Maritime Bulks up with First Newcastlemax Newbuilds
Union Maritime, a UK‑based tanker operator, is linked to its first Newcastlemax bulk carrier order, potentially securing up to four 215,000‑dwt vessels from China’s Wuhu Shipyard. The deal includes two firm ships and two options at roughly $76 million each, with...
Semiconductors, Satellites, and Scale With Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy
In this episode, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy explains how her company provides end‑to‑end semiconductor services—from custom ASIC design and foundry access to wafer processing, packaging, board assembly, and final box builds—for aerospace, defense, and the rapidly growing new‑space sector....
UBB Reșița Elevates Metrology Training with Cutting-Edge Mitutoyo CMM
Babeș‑Bolyai University’s Faculty of Engineering in Reșița has equipped its research lab with a Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 coordinate measuring machine, funded by the West Regional Development Agency. The CMM provides 2.2 µm accuracy over a 500 × 500 × 500 mm volume and comes with 20 educational...
3D Scanning Metrology: A Guide to Accuracy and Resolution
The article explains how modern structured‑light 3D scanners, such as those from SMARTTECH3D, have replaced manual tools by delivering rapid, non‑contact measurements. It distinguishes accuracy—the closeness to true dimensions—from resolution, the density of captured points, and cites the VDI/VDE 2634 standard...
How North Carolina Attracted Amgen and Roche To Become a Next-Gen Obesity Drug Production Hotspot
North Carolina’s Holly Springs is becoming a hub for next‑generation obesity drugs as Amgen and Roche commit more than $3.5 billion to build manufacturing capacity. Amgen’s $1.55 billion rollout includes a new drug‑substance plant and a second facility slated for 2032, while Roche’s...
When Test Results Can’t Be Trusted: Solving Repeatability and Measurement Drift
Laboratories often assume test repeatability, yet subtle shifts in equipment, operators, and environment cause measurement drift that goes unnoticed until costly failures emerge. In paint labs, consistent pass results mask growing variability, leading to rework, delayed product launches, and regulatory...
Florida’s Fields Are Hurting – What That Means for Reefer Freight Right Now
Florida experienced an unprecedented freeze from late December 2025 through early February 2026, inflicting over $3 billion in agricultural losses. Key commodities such as tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers saw up to 50% crop loss, while strawberries, blueberries, and citrus also...
VLCC Rates Hit New Sky-High Record: $424,000 Per Day
VLCC charter rates surged to a record $424,000 per day after the U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran, as the Strait of Hormuz was officially closed to traffic. Spot rates for Middle‑East‑to‑China voyages jumped well above $400,000, dwarfing the recent $100,000‑plus benchmarks....
Manufacturing Rebounds, but Core PPI Surges Unexpectedly
Manufacturing is finally reviving, but core PPI just jumped 0.8% in a month when economists expected 0.3%. Services inflation refuses to budge. 🔒 Members-Only https://t.co/4QiEXL6LgZ
Automation Streamlines Sweet Potato Packaging, Boosting Predictability
#WhosNext? Sweet Potato packers? Thanks to #Automation the packaging of Sweet Potatoes has become a lot easier and a lot more predictable. (Eshet Eilon) #Robotics https://t.co/i11AbtXK0Y
Automation and Inkjet Reshape Print Manufacturing in 2026 – Jet Technologies
Australian print manufacturers are accelerating automation and digital inkjet adoption to counter chronic labour shortages, tighter turnaround expectations, and rising job complexity. Jet Technologies reports a structural shift toward production lines with fewer human touchpoints, leveraging connected digital platforms beyond...
Tariffs Drive U.S. Equipment Production Overseas, Cutting Jobs
"Tariffs Force Down Heavy Equipment Sales and Jobs" https://t.co/gAxfFeOvbe "it is more economical to build a forklift overseas, import it and pay the tariff" "multiple layers of tariffs on inputs have made it even more expensive to build machinery on American soil"...
WA Gov’t Targets Manufacturing and Key Industries in New Workforce Strategy
The Western Australian Government announced a new WA Workforce Strategy aimed at bolstering priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing, defence, clean energy, construction, tourism, hospitality and the care economy. Six industry‑focused roundtables and an online consultation running until 30 April 2026 will...
Australia Doubles Down on Manufacturing with Critical Minerals Rise
The Australian Government’s 2025 edition of Australia’s Identified Mineral Resources (AIMR) highlights a surge in critical mineral reserves and production, reinforcing the nation’s role as a reliable supplier for high‑tech manufacturing, defence and clean‑energy sectors. Eleven critical minerals, including fluorine,...
Victoria Eyes Global Antimony Edge with New Processing Push
Victoria's government introduced the Advancing Antimony Grants, offering up to $1 million to develop a state‑of‑the‑art antimony processing hub. The program targets the state's sole operating antimony mine at Costerfield and recent exploration at Sunday Creek, aiming to boost local processing...
New 2D Membrane Reactor Improves Photocatalytic Synthesis
Chinese researchers have created a two‑dimensional titanium‑oxide membrane reactor that enables photocatalytic imine synthesis with unprecedented speed and selectivity. The flexible membrane, assembled via vacuum‑assisted layering, delivers 99.2 % conversion and 99.3 % selectivity in under seven seconds at room temperature, far...
RoboCup 2026 Launches Unified Smart Manufacturing League
RoboCup 2026 introduces the Smart Manufacturing League (SML): a new unified league combining logistics, mobile manipulation, and intelligent industrial automation. 📝 TDP and a performance video ⏳ Deadline: March 20, 2026 🔗 https://t.co/oSq94PUdVO #RoboCup2026 #SML #Robotics https://t.co/pYWpgRMSpf
Eriez Highlighting Tramp Metal Control & Feeding Solutions at CONEXPO
Eriez will demonstrate its integrated tramp‑metal control and feeding solutions at CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026, targeting miners and aggregates producers. The portfolio combines vibratory feeders, magnetic separators, and MetAlarm® metal detectors to protect equipment and sustain high‑volume output. By removing ferrous and...
Hundred Container Ships Stuck at Hormuz Spike Freight Rates
The ships around the Strait of Hormuz include container ships. What does this do to global supply and freight rates?
J&J Commits $1B to Next-Gen Cell Therapy Manufacturing in Pennsylvania
Johnson & Johnson announced a more than $1 billion investment to build a next‑generation cell and gene therapy manufacturing complex on a 154‑acre site in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Construction is slated to start in the second half of 2026, creating over...