Lightbridge Secures European Patent Allowance for 3D Printed Multi-Zone Nuclear Fuel Design
Lightbridge Corporation received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office for its Multi‑Zone Fuel Element, extending patent protection across 39 European states including the UK, France and Germany. The design features three radial zones of differing materials whose thickness varies axially, enabling precise neutron flux control throughout the fuel’s life. Additive manufacturing processes are claimed for metallic, ceramic and cermet fuel systems, allowing complex geometries not possible with conventional methods. The allowance bolsters Lightbridge’s IP portfolio as it targets existing reactors and future SMR platforms.
Urenco Produces Europe’s First Batch of Longer-Lasting Nuclear Fuel in UK
Urenco has completed Europe’s first commercial production of LEU+, a higher‑enrichment low‑enriched uranium fuel, in a five‑day trial at its Capenhurst facility. The fuel, enriched to 5‑10% U‑235, is designed for existing gigawatt‑scale pressurised water reactors and the forthcoming Rolls‑Royce...
DOF to Build Four New Subsea Vessels for Petrobras Work
DOF Group has secured four 12‑year charter and services contracts with Petrobras, valued at nearly $2 billion. The agreements call for the construction of four 98‑metre DP2‑class remotely operated vehicle support vessels at Brazil’s Navship yard, with the first two to...
SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 Officially Launches in Kuala Lumpur
SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEMICON SEA) 2026 launched on May 5 at Kuala Lumpur’s MITEC, gathering policymakers, manufacturers, researchers and investors for three days of dialogue and showcases. The event, backed by Malaysia’s MITI and MIDA, expects more than 20,000 participants and...
New Battery Design for Longer-Range EVs
University of Surrey researchers unveiled a silicon‑coated carbon‑nanotube (VISiCNT) anode that can be produced via roll‑to‑roll manufacturing in just seven minutes. The design delivers up to 3.5 Ah kg⁻¹ (≈3500 mAh g⁻¹) reversible capacity, far surpassing the 370 mAh g⁻¹ of conventional graphite anodes, while maintaining...
Murata Introduces Bulk Case Packaging to Replace T&R, Improving MLCC Supply Chain Efficiency
Murata Manufacturing has launched a bulk‑case packaging system that replaces traditional tape‑and‑reel for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). The new containers feed directly into pick‑and‑place machines, supporting ultra‑small 01005 and 0201 parts at densities up to 500,000 units per case. Murata...
Trillium Raises $13 Million for Demonstration Plant for Bio-Based Acrylonitrile
Trillium Renewable Chemicals announced the completion of its $13 million Series B financing, led by HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, to fund Project Falcon—the world’s first demonstration plant for 100 % bio‑based acrylonitrile. The plant, built at Ineos Nitriles’ Green Lake facility, is slated for...
Manufacturer Flex To Spin Off AI Cloud Business
Contract manufacturer Flex announced it will spin off its power and data‑centre systems into a separate, publicly listed company focused on AI cloud infrastructure. The new entity aims to capture the rapid growth of digital, electrical and cooling solutions for...
Turbine Prices 'Surge as Supply Tightens'
Europe’s offshore wind market is confronting a structural supply crunch as turbine prices have jumped 40‑45% since 2020. The surge stems from a shrinking manufacturer pool, with GE Vernova pausing new orders and Siemens Gamesa and Vestas supplying almost all available...
Overcoming Material Constraints: Aseptic Filling Solutions for Rare or Expensive APIs
Aseptic fill‑finish lines can waste more than a liter of drug product per batch, translating to losses exceeding $1 million for high‑value APIs. The bulk of this loss occurs during sterile filtration and filling, where product remains trapped in vessels, tubing,...
Xanadu and EVG Partner on Heterogeneous Integration and Wafer Bonding Processes for Photonic Quantum Systems
Xanadu Quantum Technologies and Austria’s EV Group have formed a strategic partnership to develop heterogeneous integration and wafer‑bonding processes for photonic quantum computers. EVG will supply industrial‑grade bonding and lithography tools to fabricate Xanadu’s multi‑material photonic chips, aiming to shift...
A 66 kV Carbon Fibre Emergency Repair Tower Has Been Installed in Northeast China
State Grid Jilin installed China’s first 66 kV carbon‑fibre emergency repair tower at Jilin Chemical Fibre Group’s test site. The tower, which passed rigorous wind, ice and breakage tests, weighs more than half less than traditional steel towers and can be...
Italian Cement Down Sharply in February
Italian cement output plunged 18% year‑over‑year in February, extending a 1% decline in January and resulting in an 11% drop for the January‑February period. Weak domestic demand, driven by adverse weather, and a 42% slump in exports were the primary...
Heidelberg Materials Commissions New Kiln Line at Airvault Plant
Heidelberg Materials has commissioned a modern dry‑process kiln line at its Airvault cement plant in Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, France, replacing two semi‑dry clinker lines. The new line can produce 1.25 million tonnes of clinker per year and features a pre‑calciner to boost efficiency....
Hevo Explores Foxconn Tie-Up for Wireless EV Charging Production
Hevo, a wireless electric‑vehicle charging startup, has entered preliminary talks with Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT) to explore high‑volume manufacturing of its Rezonant charging‑pad hardware. The discussions are at the technical validation and design‑for‑manufacturability stage, with no production timeline confirmed. Hevo’s...
France’s Manufacturing Bounce May Prove Short-Lived
French manufacturing output rose 1.2% month‑on‑month in March, lifting total industrial production 1% after February’s decline. The rebound was driven by inventory buildup and a short‑term competitiveness edge as Asian rivals faced energy disruptions. However, weak domestic and export demand...
Honda Scraps Plan to Build BEV Plant in Canada
Honda Motor announced it will postpone indefinitely its CAD 15 billion (US$ 11 billion) battery‑electric‑vehicle plant in Ontario, Canada. The move follows the Trump administration’s rollback of up to US$ 7,500 BEV purchase incentives, which weakened demand in the United States. Honda also cancelled plans...
Fraunhofer ISE Opens Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Scale-Up Lab
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has inaugurated the Pero‑Si‑SCALE laboratory in Freiburg to scale perovskite‑silicon tandem solar cells to 210 mm × 210 mm wafers using industry‑standard processes. The lab builds on a hybrid vacuum‑wet deposition route that has already surpassed 33%...
Oswal Pumps Bags ₹162 Crore Solar Pump Order From Maharashtra Utility
Oswal Pumps Limited secured a ₹162.06 crore (~$19.5 million) order from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) to supply and install 6,896 off‑grid DC solar photovoltaic water‑pumping systems. The contract, part of the central PM Kusum B “Magel Tyala Saur Krishi Pump” scheme, covers design, manufacture, transport,...
L&T Bags ‘Mega’ ₹10,000-15,000-Crore Order From JSW Steel
Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro announced it has secured a mega order from JSW Steel valued at roughly ₹10,000‑15,000 crore (about $1.2‑$1.8 billion). The contract tasks L&T with engineering, procurement and installation of critical process facilities, including blast furnaces and steel melt...
Cement Sector Faces Margin Pressure Amid Weak Demand and Rising Costs
India's cement sector is bracing for margin compression over the next one to two quarters as input costs rise and demand weakens. Companies lifted prices in May by Rs10‑13 per bag (about $0.12‑$0.16), with the southern region seeing the steepest...
Expansion of Bauer’s Aresing Facility Is Underway
Bauer Maschinen is constructing a 22,000 sqm production and logistics complex in Aresing, Germany, with a mid‑double‑digit‑million‑euro investment—roughly €50 million (about $55 million). The new site will centralise material management, assembly, quality assurance and shipping, while adding a modern training centre and expanded...
Russian Services and Manufacturing PMI Both Contract as Economy Struggles Under Weight of War
Russia’s service sector contracted for a second month in April, with the S&P Global Services PMI edging to 49.7, still below the 50‑point expansion threshold. Manufacturing activity deepened its slump, posting a 48.1 PMI – the eleventh consecutive month of...
A 1% Problem that Can Derail India’s Factory Lines as Tiny Screws Throw Big Tantrums
A new Global Trade Research Initiative report warns that India’s Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on fasteners—components that represent less than 1% of manufacturing costs—are inflating expenses and throttling supply. Licensing fees of $960‑$1,200 per licence, $265‑$300 per variant test, and...
US DOW Doubles Down on Domestic Drone Production
On April 27 the U.S. Department of War released the Drone Dominance Program Supply Chain Framework, tightening procurement rules to favor domestic production of small unmanned aerial systems. The initiative earmarks $1.1 billion for 200,000 one‑way attack drones, targeting propellers, airframes...
Steel Exchange India Secures 5-Year MES Renewal, Reinforcing Defence Supply Credentials
Steel Exchange India Ltd secured a five‑year renewal of its Military Engineer Services (MES) approval, allowing continued supply of Fe 500D and Fe 500D HCRM TMT bars produced with TEMPCORE technology. The renewal, which requires IS 1786:2008 testing and periodic MES inspections, reinforces the...
Philippi-Hagenbuch’s Says Custom-Engineered Solutions Maximise Efficiency for Autonomous Haul Trucks
Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc., a specialist in off‑highway haul‑truck customization, announced that all its engineered solutions are now autonomous‑ready, allowing seamless integration with driverless trucks. The company’s portfolio—including Autogate® tailgates, HiVol® bodies, HiVol water tanks, and Rear Eject bodies—can be tailored to...
BMW Reaches 2 Million EV Milestone as Dingolfing Plant Takes Center Stage
BMW announced that its Dingolfing plant has produced the two‑millionth battery‑electric vehicle, a high‑performance i5 M60 xDrive in Tansanit Blue bound for Spain. The milestone follows the launch of the iX in 2021 and reflects the brand’s rapid EV rollout,...
Enhanced Particle Swarm Optimization for Packaging Production Process Scheduling: A Novel Hybrid Approach
The study introduces a multi‑objective scheduling model for packaging production, targeting reductions in cycle time, order delay, and overall cost. An enhanced particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm with dynamic inertia weights and adaptive learning solves the model. Simulations on a...
Toronto Robot Mills Mass Timber to Within 0.06-Millimetre Precision
The University of Toronto’s Civil and Mineral Engineering department has installed a 3.5‑metre KUKA Quantec KR210 robotic arm, delivering industrial‑scale mass‑timber milling with 0.06 mm repeatability. The system, the largest robotic arm ever placed at a Canadian university, can sculpt solid...
NanoXplore Launches New Graphene Powder to Replace Conventional Conductive Additives
NanoXplore has launched xGnP™ D500‑HP, a high‑purity graphene powder designed for conductive applications such as energy storage, composites and electronics. The material boasts 99.8 % purity, a 500 m²/g surface area and flexural strength more than twice that of conventional carbon blacks, while...
Bringing Intelligence to Metrology Programming with MiCAT Planner
Mitutoyo CTL’s MiCAT Planner automates the conversion of CAD/PMI data into complete CNC measurement programs, eliminating manual, expert‑driven coding. The rule‑based system applies optimized probe selection, collision‑free path planning and consistent measurement strategies, delivering 80‑95% time reductions for users. Developed...
Portable Automation Arrives With FANUC Ultra-Light CRX-3iA Cobot
FANUC America has launched the ultra‑light CRX‑3iA cobot, weighing just 11 kg (24 lb) and capable of rapid redeployment for high‑mix, low‑volume tasks. The robot offers a 3 kg payload, 692 mm reach, and flexible mounting options, making it ideal for welding, assembly, and...
Hexagon Software Enhances Measurement of Complex Geometries
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division launched Quindos 2026.1, a metrology suite that adds full CMM Check 3.0 compliance, variable high‑speed scanning, and rotary‑table workflow support for multiaxis measurement, while expanding gear‑analysis tools. The update also brings E57 point‑cloud handling and UI enhancements to...
Manufacturing Breakthrough: Wool-Based 3D Printing Filament Launches in New Zealand
Wool Source and KiwiFil have launched WoolyFil, a world‑first 3D‑printing filament coloured with pigments derived from New Zealand wool. The patented process turns wool fibre into fine, coloured particles that replace synthetic, fossil‑fuel pigments. The filament, currently offered in Green...
Mars to Expand Wodonga Pet Food Plant with $113 Million Investment
Mars Australia is allocating roughly $132 million USD to expand its manufacturing footprint, including a $74 million USD wet‑pouch production line at the Wodonga pet‑food plant slated for commissioning in June 2026. The broader $200 million AUD (≈$132 million USD) program also targets R&D...
Rheinmetall and MSC in Negotiations to Buy Romania’s Mangalia Shipyard
German defense contractor Rheinmetall and shipping giant MSC are negotiating to acquire a majority stake in Romania’s bankrupt Mangalia shipyard, while the Romanian government will keep a minority share and provide the land and assets. The yard, valued by the...
AML3D Deploys First Portable ARCEMY System at US Navy AM CoE
AML3D (ASX: AL3) has installed its first portable ARCEMY system at the U.S. Navy Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Danville, Virginia, completing factory acceptance testing and triggering the final AU$1.2 million (≈US$0.8 million) payment from Austal USA. The containerized unit, delivered...
South Korean Chipmakers Emerge in Ranking of Companies with Biggest Global AI Revenue Growth
South Korean chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics ranked among the fastest‑growing AI‑revenue companies in 2024‑2025, driven by surging demand for high‑bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. SK Hynix more than doubled its AI‑linked revenue to $70.4 billion, while Samsung’s AI‑related sales rose...
Expert Q&A: Learn About Lubrication Program Best Practices for Manufacturing Plants
The Plant Engineering Q&A with LubriPlate’s Jim Girard and Don Wrocklage outlines how modern lubrication programs are evolving from manual, reactive processes to disciplined, data‑driven systems. Key trends include greater investment in automatic lubricators, color‑coded storage, oil‑analysis programs, and predictive‑maintenance...
Neumann Steel Breaks Ground on New Yarrabilba Manufacturing Facility
Neumann Steel has broken ground on a new 4,340‑square‑metre manufacturing plant in Yarrabilba, Queensland, part of a 12,100‑square‑metre industrial site. The facility, built with partners Stockland and Rycon Constructions, will boost the company’s regional production capacity and shorten delivery distances...
Manufacturing Investment Falls Short for Victoria’s South-East, Says GSEM
The Greater South East Melbourne Council Alliance (GSEM) says the 2026‑27 Victorian Budget falls short of what the south‑east manufacturing hub needs. While the budget earmarks roughly AUD 20 million (about US$13 million) for food‑manufacturing electrification and gas‑appliance diversification, GSEM is pushing for...
Tata Mulls More Solar as Oil Prices Spike
Tata Steel (Thailand) Plc is launching a feasibility study to expand solar power at its Rayong, Chon Buri and Saraburi plants after production costs jumped 25% due to soaring oil prices and supply‑chain disruptions linked to the Israel‑US conflict. The subsidiary...
Matson’s Fleet Expansion Moves Into Full Production at Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Matson’s $1 billion Aloha Class fleet renewal program reached a key milestone as Hanwha Philly Shipyard began hull assembly on the second LNG‑powered containership and cut steel for the third. The program, which restarted commercial shipbuilding at the Philadelphia yard in...
Lucid Motors Doesn’t Know How Many EVs It Will Build This Year
Lucid Motors announced it can no longer confirm how many electric vehicles it will produce or sell in 2026, pulling its earlier guidance of 25,000‑27,000 units. The shift follows a CEO transition and a 12% workforce reduction that will cost...
Lucid (LCID) Will Adjust EV Production After Ending Q1 with Bloated Inventory
Lucid reported a 149% jump in first‑quarter production to 5,500 EVs, yet deliveries fell short at 3,093 due to a February seat‑supplier disruption that inflated inventory. The issue has been resolved, and March sales rose 14% year‑over‑year. Revenue reached $282.5 million,...
The AI Memory Tax: Every Manufacturer Will Pay for the AI Boom
AI accelerators are driving an unprecedented surge in high‑bandwidth memory demand, pushing DRAM prices up 172% year‑over‑year and forecasting another 90%‑95% increase in early 2026. The three dominant DRAM makers—Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron—control over 95% of supply, creating a concentration...
Volvo Trucks Tackles EPA 2027 with ‘Most Efficient’ D13 Engine Yet
Volvo Trucks North America unveiled its next‑generation D13 13‑liter engine, designed to meet the EPA’s 2027 rule that cuts NOx emissions by 80 %. The powertrain delivers up to 540 hp, 1,950 lb‑ft of torque and a record 630 braking hp while preserving the VNL’s...
BorgWarner Wins Three Electric Motor Contracts in China and South Korea for BEV, PHEV and Hybrid Programs
BorgWarner announced three new electric‑motor contracts in Asia, covering a battery‑electric SUV in South Korea and two distinct hybrid programs in China. The South Korean deal supplies a stator assembly for a B‑segment electric SUV slated for production in September 2027....
Lucid Misses Revenue Expectations After Delivery Disruptions
Lucid Group reported first‑quarter revenue of $282.5 million, well below the $389.2 million analysts expected. A seat‑supplier quality problem halted Gravity SUV deliveries for 29 days in February, limiting deliveries to 3,093 vehicles despite producing 5,500. The automaker reaffirmed its 2025 production...