Manufacturing News and Headlines
Manufacturing News and Headlines
Toray Industries unveiled Toraypearl PA12, a spherical polyamide‑12 powder engineered for powder‑bed‑fusion (PBF) 3D printers. The spherical morphology improves powder flow and packing density, delivering a surface roughness of roughly Ra 7 µm and a Charpy impact strength of 50 kJ/m². PA12 already supplies about 70% of polymer feedstock in the PBF market, but conventional irregular particles cause rough surfaces and internal voids. Toray began customer trials in January 2026, positioning the material for both prototyping and functional production.
Silver has become a strategic material for the clean‑energy transition, with solar photovoltaics now accounting for roughly 17% of global silver demand. Primary ore grades are falling, pushing the industry toward higher‑grade, above‑ground sources such as retired solar panels that...
U.S. data‑center construction is driving a surge in electricity demand, giving wind turbine OEMs a fresh growth catalyst despite a hostile regulatory environment. German onshore specialist Nordex projects $11 billion in 2025 orders, while Danish Vestas expects revenue of $24‑26 billion in...
Michelin is redefining its business model, moving beyond traditional tyre manufacturing toward a mobility‑services platform. The French group announced a €5 billion revenue target from services by 2030, backed by a €1 billion investment in air‑less tyre technology and digital sensor integration....
Purafy Clean Technologies and Electromaax have formed a strategic partnership to produce and distribute the Purafy Portage, a portable water purification and desalination system. Electromaax will handle manufacturing and leverage its global marine distribution network, while Purafy supplies graphene‑enhanced ultrafiltration...
On 10 February CrossCountry and Alstom unveiled the first refurbished Voyager train at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane works. The overhaul delivers a modern interior and exterior, featuring new seats with extra legroom, LED lighting, upgraded tables, power sockets and enhanced CCTV....
James Cropper Advanced Materials introduced Vectis, an industrial‑scale aligned fibre platform that produces Unimat, a non‑impregnated nonwoven mat with up to 95% fibre alignment. The system leverages existing nonwoven equipment to deliver widths of 1,200 mm and areal weights from 20‑200 g/m²,...
Tariff volatility under the Trump administration is forcing U.S. brands to rethink where they source products. Executives like Brooklinen's COO note that shifting production to a new country takes months, not weeks, and domestic cotton supplies are limited. Companies are...
German shipbuilder Fassmer has secured a contract with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to build four SAMSe (mod) training boats for the German Navy. The vessels will support nautical instruction and the “Überleben...
ASUS unveiled its Optimized Liquid‑Cooling Solutions and a strategic partner framework to tackle thermal, power, and density challenges in next‑generation AI and high‑performance computing data centers. The portfolio spans direct‑to‑chip, in‑row CDU, and hybrid systems, built with partners such as...
Michael Petch revises his view of the AMUG Conference, arguing it is less an agenda‑setting forum and more a collective reckoning among seasoned additive‑manufacturing practitioners. The event’s dense, experience‑rich environment surfaces real‑world friction points that shape procurement and integration decisions...
Textile Exchange launched a three‑step Action Cohort pathway to accelerate responsible raw material production. Step one introduces voluntary data reporting in 2026, becoming mandatory for brands and retailers in 2027; step two pushes members to source more from verified preferred...
The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association reported polysilicon operating rates fell to just 32% of capacity, extending an oversupply that pushed polysilicon prices lower and softened wafer prices across all grades. Wafer prices dropped 3‑8% after the Chinese New Year,...
Tekna announced it has produced one million kilograms of titanium powder, marking a decade of continuous growth since its plasma atomization debut in 2015. The company expanded from a single line to 24/7 operations and added a second line in...
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding posted a record FY 2025, with revenue climbing 7.4% to RMB 28.5 billion and gross profit jumping 28.3% to RMB 9.8 billion. The core shipbuilding division generated RMB 26.8 billion, up 6.4%, while the orderbook swelled to $22.4 billion for 245 vessels. Shipping‑related revenue slipped 8.1%...
Flexport unveiled an AI‑powered “Audit Your Customs Broker” agent that scans historical customs entries to spot filing errors and flag potential tariff refunds. The company claims the tool cut its own U.S. customs error rate to 0.2%, a ten‑fold improvement...
ROHM Semiconductor announced a licensing agreement with TSMC to adopt the foundry’s 650 V GaN process at its Hamamatsu fab, targeting volume production in 2027. The integration combines ROHM’s device design expertise with TSMC’s advanced manufacturing, creating an end‑to‑end GaN supply...
African nations sit atop a critical share of the world’s cobalt and other minerals essential for electric‑vehicle batteries, yet most of the value is still captured abroad. The author argues that proactive industrial policy—mirroring China’s use of special economic zones,...
Ricardo Valbuena’s second installment on asset integrity highlights two core pillars: people development and risk‑based inspection (RBI). He advocates establishing a structured inspector career ladder and supporting staff with API certifications to boost motivation, skills, and retention. The article also...
Phased‑array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) is being promoted as a replacement for radiographic testing (RT) in heat‑recovery steam generator (HRSG) pipe weld inspections. PAUT removes ionizing radiation exposure, delivers instant defect data, and allows real‑time welding adjustments. The technology shortens inspection...
The American Petroleum Institute’s Fall 2025 API Standards Conference, held November 9‑15 in Anaheim, convened the Committee on Refining Equipment to review and advance SCIMI initiatives. Six SCIMI standards were published in 2025, including addenda to RP 574, RP 580, RP 575 and RP 570,...
Inspectioneering’s Fall 2025 “Meeting of the Minds” roundtable in Anaheim revisited the core pillars of mechanical integrity (MI). Participants highlighted the Corrosion Control Document (CCD) and Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs) as essential data foundations. The discussion warned against the “shiny‑object” trap,...
Laser surface ablation is emerging as a precise, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional mechanical, chemical, and ultrasonic cleaning methods. By using controlled laser‑material interactions, it can selectively remove rust, coatings, and contaminants while preserving the substrate and eliminating abrasive waste....
The article emphasizes that a structured inspection planning process, anchored by a risk‑based planning matrix, is essential for successful turnarounds (TAs). Developing a comprehensive Inspection Test Plan (ITP) early ensures clear communication of scope, methods, acceptance criteria, and hold points...
The Inspectioneering article outlines how thermal hotspots in refractory‑lined, high‑temperature equipment jeopardize structural integrity and operational continuity. It details damage mechanisms such as overheating, cracking, and corrosion that arise when refractory linings fail. The authors emphasize inspection techniques—infrared, acoustic, and...
API’s Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit (IMIS) is slated for July 20‑23, 2026 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Marking the event’s 10th edition, the summit will convene inspection planners, corrosion specialists, and fixed‑equipment decision‑makers....
The Netherlands will present a cluster of circular textile and digital traceability solutions at Techtextil, the premier international textile trade show in Frankfurt from April 21 to 24. The showcase targets global buyers and technology partners, emphasizing sustainable material loops...
An aerospace OEM producing light‑helicopters replaced its traditional machined intake duct with a 3D‑printed carbon‑PEEK component. The additive‑manufactured duct consolidated multiple parts, cutting material and tooling costs by roughly 80% while also reducing weight and lead time. Performance testing confirmed...
Meriton, a national alliance of HVAC manufacturer representatives, unveiled a newly defined brand at AHR 2026 in Las Vegas. The rebrand emphasizes Meriton’s shift from a holding company to a unified partnership network spanning 19 brands across 25 states and over 2,000...
Manufacturers are turning to integrated ERP systems to break free from legacy, paper‑based processes. By consolidating production data, ERP delivers real‑time visibility, precise job costing, and customizable KPIs that drive faster, data‑backed decisions. The article outlines five pillars—visibility, metric improvement,...
GearWrench announced four new automotive diagnostic products, expanding its portfolio with a wireless 10‑inch tablet, a handheld 5‑inch tool, a high‑definition inspection endoscope, and a universal TPMS programmer with sensors. Prices range from $99.99 for the GWSCOPE to $2,249.99 for...
Malaysia’s TTVision Holdings Berhad will launch a joint‑venture manufacturing plant in India in the second half of 2026 to produce automated optical inspection and high‑speed processing systems for photovoltaic production lines. The facility will act as a localized integrator linking...
MHI announced the finalists for its 2026 Innovation Awards ahead of MODEX, after receiving 220 product submissions. Eight industry judges narrowed the field to three finalists in each of four categories: Best New Innovation, Best Robotics Innovation, Best IT Innovation,...
China’s Inner Mongolia region has commissioned a 300 MW/1,200 MWh hybrid battery energy storage system that blends lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) modules with vanadium redox flow cells. The plant, located in the Kubuqi Desert, uses Sineng Electric’s grid‑forming converters to deliver rapid response, virtual...
The Chinese Academy of Sciences has set a new world record for kesterite (CZTSSe) solar cells, achieving a 15.45% power conversion efficiency and a certified 15.04% efficiency. The breakthrough stems from an interfacial phase equilibrium strategy that introduces a lithium‑tin‑sulfide...
Arkema will use JEC World 2026 to showcase a suite of sustainable specialty materials, including recyclable Elium® resins, biobased Rilsan® PA11, and high‑performance Kepstan® PEKK and Zenimid™ polyimides. Demonstrations feature a boat hull component and a record‑breaking speed board that...
Chinese researchers at Wuhan University of Technology have demonstrated a polymer solar cell with a record‑high power conversion efficiency of 19.1%. By blending a small fraction of linearly packed small‑molecule acceptors into a polymeric macromolecular acceptor matrix, they achieved ordered...
The Australian Government has allocated $6.9 million through its Industry Growth Program to accelerate manufacturing‑focused innovation. Spark3D will receive $4.8 million to commercialise the Achyon semiconductor packaging tool, while Kardinia Energy secures $2.1 million to launch a pilot printed‑solar production line. Both projects...
Ideal Heating has added a 65 kW monobloc air‑source heat pump to its Ecomod 290HT line, targeting commercial buildings that need higher temperature output. The unit runs on propane (R290), delivers up to 70 °C flow temperature and achieves a COP of...
DLG Group, a leading Northern European feed manufacturer, has deployed the Fiix cloud‑based CMMS to modernize maintenance across its plants. Within the first month the rollout delivered measurable improvements in mean time between failures and set a target of cutting...
Fractilia announced that its FAME 300 stochastic metrology system is now in‑line at a top‑five semiconductor device maker, marking the first full‑scale deployment of automated stochastic control in production. The solution monitors more than 200 metrology steps, generating real‑time SPC charts...
Methods Machine Tools announced the appointment of Jon Casten as vice president of aftermarket, bringing over 25 years of post‑sales leadership to steer its service, parts, warranty and customer support operations. Casten previously drove on‑time delivery above 98% and lifted...
Studer, part of United Machining Solutions, reported a mixed 2025 performance with a slow first half but a strong Q4 that limited year‑over‑year sales decline. Machine orders rose, driven by 44% first‑time customers, and the service division set new maintenance...
Latrobe Magnesium’s demonstration plant in Victoria produced roughly 20 tonnes of magnesium oxide (MgO) over a continuous two‑week run, confirming the viability of its patented low‑carbon extraction process. The achievement de‑risks the company’s transition to full‑scale magnesium metal production, slated for...
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched the Powering the Regions Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS), a $400 million fund to cut greenhouse‑gas emissions from regional industrial facilities. The program, part of the broader Powering the Regions Fund, supports projects that...
Companies face mounting sustainability regulations and consumer scrutiny, yet their legacy supply‑chain systems hold fragmented, inconsistent product data. The article outlines five actions—gaining product visibility, feeding tools with clean inputs, extending traceability beyond distribution, building compliance‑ready data infrastructure, and treating...
CSIRO has teamed with the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) Connect to launch "Innovate to Grow: Advanced Manufacturing," a free eight‑week online program aimed at Australian SMEs. The initiative blends self‑paced learning, expert coaching and peer discussion to help firms...
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has renewed Wilson Logistics' exemption allowing commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders to serve as team drivers without a front‑seat trainer, extending the waiver through February 2031. The renewal adds a 30‑day limit on...
Gunderson Marine & Iron’s McMurdo Docking Pier has reached Antarctica after a 9,159‑nautical‑mile, 69‑day tow from the Pacific Northwest. The structure, designed by Glosten for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, endured 30‑foot seas and route adjustments to avoid Southern...
JD Sports has signed a multiyear agreement with Checkpoint Systems to deploy the ItemOptix RFID platform across its European footprint, beginning with more than 400 UK and Ireland stores by the end of 2024 and scaling to nearly 1,000 locations...
