Bridgestone Corp. has reached an agreement to sell the carbon black business in Thailand, operated by the wholly owned subsidiary Bridgestone Carbon Black (Thailand) Co. Ltd., to Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd. and Thai Tokai Carbon Product Co. Ltd. According to the Japanese tiremaker, the divestment is its strategy to enhance its global business by “turning changes into opportunities” and focusing on “growth with quality.” Bridgestone aimed to improve its premium tire business by increa...

OPmobility has secured a contract from an automaker in India to develop and supply a full bumper and grille for a light-duty truck model, the company said in a press release on June 30. The French supplier delivered a prototype and production-ready solution in under 15 months, far quicker than the typical 26-month timeline in India. OPmobility plans to commence the production of the new bumper and grille by the end of 2026. This contract signifies OPmobility's strengthening presence in the In...

Sona Comstar, India's largest importer of rare earth magnets, plans to begin domestic production of critical components used in electric vehicles in response to mainland China's export restrictions. Mainland China is responsible for about 90% of global rare earth magnet production and has imposed export limitations as a countermeasure to US tariffs. Despite a recent agreement between the US and mainland China to expedite rare earth export approvals, many governments and companies are seekin...

Thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology is set to implement a new customer- and technology-oriented structure with four distinct business units, effective Oct. 1, 2025. This realignment aims to position the segment for profitable growth and capital market readiness, specifically targeting the demand in the mainland Chinese market and the shift toward electromobility. The newly structured business units will focus on chassis, components, aftermarket, and forging, while enhancing customer focus and ...

BASF has commenced operations at its new hexamethylenediamine (HMD) plant in Chalampé, France. The German company had begun construction of this plant in 2022. Commencement of operations at this plant increases BASF's annual HMD production capacity to 260,000 metric tons. Stephan Kothrade, a member of BASF's board of executive directors, said this development emphasizes the company's commitment to chemical production in Europe and aims to enhance regional growth while maintaining compet...

Ford is struggling with the supplies of rare earth materials, Detroit Free Press and several other media outlets reported CEO Jim Farley telling Bloomberg TV in an interview. Mainland China, which holds over 90% of the global rare earth processing capacity, introduced stricter export licensing rules in April, affecting the supply to Western manufacturers across various industries, including automakers focused on electric vehicles. Farley highlighted ongoing difficulties, saying that the compa...

Volvo Cars has entered into a new sourcing agreement with the Sweden-based steel company SSAB for the supply of high-quality, recycled and near-zero emissions steel, beginning 2025. The agreement makes Volvo Cars the first car manufacturer to secure a supply agreement with SSAB for recycled, near-zero emissions steel intended for serial production. This agreement extends a long-term collaboration aimed at promoting sustainable steel. Volvo Cars is also advancing its circular sustainability go...

Dekra, a leading provider of safety, security, and sustainability testing and certification services, has opened a new automotive testing laboratory in Plymouth, Michigan. The facility, which is designed to address the future needs of the mobility sector, provides a wide range of automotive testing, validation and certification services, including electric vehicle testing, automotive electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), reliability testing, automotive connectivity technologies and digital t...

The executive board of thyssenkrupp is developing a strategic target model for the future course of the entire group and plans to submit it to its supervisory board before the end of the current financial year 2024/25, ending Sept. 30, 2025. As part of the plan, the Germany-based company — with business interests from automotive to chemicals to oil and gas to shipbuilding — is gearing up to transition into a strategic holding company with independent business segment...

On May 23, US President Donald Trump announced a partnership between US Steel and Nippon Steel without explicitly endorsing the previously announced takeover of the US-based steelmaker by the Japanese rival. “I am proud to announce that, after much consideration and negotiation, US Steel remains in America and keeps its headquarters in the great city of Pittsburgh,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “My tariff policies will ensure that stee...

GDI, a battery materials startup based in New York, raised an additional $11.5 million in Series A funding to expand its production of silicon anodes for electric vehicle batteries in the US and Europe. This latest round of investment was led by Helios Climate Ventures, Impact NY and InnoEnergy, increasing the total Series A funding to over $20 million. GDI said that its silicon anodes have a 30% higher energy density compared to traditional graphite anodes and allow EVs to charge in under 15...

According to Gabriel Padilla, general director of the National Auto Parts Industry (La Industria Nacional de Autopartes: INA), the association of automotive components suppliers in Mexico, about 92% of auto parts manufactured in the country comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations, allowing them to be exempt from tariffs when exported to the US. The remaining 8% face an average tariff of 27%. “We are one of the sectors with the highest level of compliance with the USMC...

Kingfa, a mainland China-based company specializing in plastic injection and molding parts, plans to invest $84 million to expand its operations in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. This investment involves building a manufacturing, research and development complex in the Logistik III Industrial Park in the municipality of Villa de Reyes. The planned investment includes $15 million for purchasing a 15-hectare site where the main building and a new warehouse will be built. Kingfa h...

Hundreds of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra owners and potential buyers are demanding refunds after discovering that the vehicle's premium carbon fiber hood, featuring dual air ducts and marketed as a 42,000 yuan (about $5,800) optional feature, is largely decorative rather than functional. The controversy began in early May when automotive bloggers tested the "carbon fiber dual air duct hood" that Xiaomi had promoted as having a "track-level cooling design." These tests revealed that the air ducts produced li...

Continental has developed a sustainable key fob that uses 100% bioplastic for its outer casing. This innovation is part of Continental's broader commitment to environmental sustainability, following the company's internal adoption of a design for the environment procedure in 2021. This procedure helps in identifying opportunities for enhancing product sustainability and has steered Continental toward incorporating organic materials in its production processes. “Continental is committed...

The executive board of Continental has decided to spin off its ContiTech group sector business into an independent company, the Germany-based company said in a press release on April 8. The company has kicked off the preparatory phase, which it said would involve “analyzing and assessing the possible transaction forms for independence and drawing up a timetable for implementation.” ContiTech is expected to become an independent company by 2026. ContiTech develops and produces rubber and p...

Automotive supplier Schlote Group filed for bankruptcy for its four German subsidiaries March 22. The four subsidiaries affected include Schlote Technology in Harsum, Schlote Gear and Drive Technology in Wernigerode, Schlote Brandenburg and Schlote Harzgerode, with the filings made at the district court in Hildesheim. This follows the bankruptcy of Schlote Holding GmbH, the parent company, in August 2024. The crisis was precipitated by the sudden revocation of roughly €20 million in credit ...

Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG) has released an updated feasibility study for its phase two integrated operations, which includes the Matawinie Mine and the Bécancour Battery Material Plant within a 150-km radius of Montréal, Québec. This study reflects technological advancements, engineering progress, project optimizations and updated economic factors, establishing a refined integrated production model for natural graphite and active anode material. Notably, the study indicates an after...

Thyssenkrupp, a German conglomerate, announced its plan to reduce its workforce by approximately 1,800 jobs due to ongoing difficulties within the automotive sector. The company attributed the decision to persistently challenging market conditions in the global automotive industry and highlighted a strategic move to freeze hiring as part of its efforts to navigate these challenges. Thyssenkrupp aims to implement these and other measures, including reducing investments, to achieve savings of m...

Chinese electric-car maker Nio is implementing a new organizational restructuring to focus more on cost control, with William Li, the company’s founder, chairman and CEO, increasing his involvement in the supply chain management, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on March 10. The CnEVPost news report cites local media 36kr as the original source of this news. It said that the electric-vehicle maker has launched an internal management mechanism called Cell Business Uni...

The automotive industry is grappling with a myriad of supply chain disruptions that have become increasingly common since the pandemic struck. In addition to Brexit complexities, rising material costs, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and economic instability are forcing companies to rethink their logistics and sourcing strategies on the fly. While improvements are anticipated in the global car chip shortage, challenges persist. As Nimish Ashar, associate director of E/E & Semicon...

As the automotive industry evolves, suppliers must prioritize regulatory compliance due to stricter environmental laws linked to climate change. Investing in new technologies is essential to avoid penalties and enhance competitiveness. We examine the regulatory challenges facing suppliers and share insights from industry executives in S&P Global Mobility’s 2025 Automotive Supplier Outlook. Regulatory pressures: A catalyst for change Automotive suppliers are facing numerous challenges...

The European automotive supply industry is currently grappling with a severe labor shortage, exacerbated by record attrition levels that have plagued it over the past few years. This alarming situation has led to job losses that surpass even the darkest days of the pandemic. Despite optimistic forecasts for new job creation, the reality reveals a staggering net loss of nearly 56,000 positions since 2020, with the worst yet to come, according to The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (C...

Kongsberg Automotive (KA), responding to recent tariffs imposed by the US on imports from mainland China and potential tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, anticipates limited negative effects on its operations. The company, seeking to recover any additional costs resulting from these tariffs, plans to pass these costs onto its customers, a strategy that is expected to be adopted industrywide. Despite efforts to fully compensate for these additional costs, there is concern within KA that in...

Cleveland-Cliffs, in collaboration with Nucor, is preparing an all-cash offer to acquire U.S. Steel, proposing a bid in the high $30s per share. The strategy includes the subsequent sale of the Big River Steel mill to Nucor if the acquisition is successful. This move comes after President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's $55 per share cash bid for U.S. Steel due to national security concerns. Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves expressed his ambition to make another bid for U.S. Steel, following a ...

Nemak, based in Monterrey, Mexico, has announced a strategic adjustment to its operations, specifically in its business of producing battery housings for fully electric vehicles within the e-mobility, structure and chassis applications (EV/SC) segment. This adjustment is marked by a decrease in the contracted capacity for an awarded project, leading to a reduction in the anticipated future revenue from this program. As a result of this downsizing, Nemak is postponing the launch of its new man...

Ganfeng Lithium has successfully started production at its newly completed lithium processing plant in Mali, overcoming numerous challenges such as a new stringent mining code, security concerns and an oversupply in the lithium market. The project, situated in the Goulamina lithium mine in the southern Bougouni region, represents a significant achievement with its first phase already operational as of mid-December 2024. This phase boasts an annual production capacity of 506,000 metric to...

SK Nexilis Co., a South Korean company renowned as the world's largest maker of copper foil, announced that it has received a substantial subsidy amounting to $133 million from the Polish government. This financial support is provided under the EU's Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) program, which was introduced in March 2023 to facilitate subsidies for companies that contribute to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions, targeting sectors such as electric vehicles and batteries. ...

Kongsberg Automotive (KA) has successfully secured a significant contract extension for its Fluoro-Comp and stainless-steel braided hoses, the company announced in a press release on Dec. 20. Valued at over €56 million in estimated lifetime revenue, this extension comes from a global tier 1 automotive supplier. The manufacturing of these products will take place at KA's facilities located in Suffield and Grand River in the US, as well as Ramos Arizpe in Mexico, over a period of five years. ...

Novares has inaugurated its new plant located in the city of Cerhovice in Czech Republic on Dec. 18, marking a significant move by the French company to maintain its operations in the Czech market, following the destruction of the Zebrak premises a few months earlier. This move is part of the Group's strategy to stay close to its global customers, ensuring the delivery standards in terms of quality and availability are met. The plant is set to continue serving its existing customer base, whic...

Rio Tinto has disclosed the initial resource and reserve estimates for the Salar del Rincon lithium brine project located in Salta, Argentina. The Rincon project is reported to have 1.54 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in measured resources, 7.85 million metric tons in indicated resources and 2.29 million metric tons in inferred resources, with ore reserves including 2.07 million metric tons in the probable category. Situated in the region known as the Lithium T...

GF successfully raised CHF650 million on the Swiss debt capital market, marking this occasion as the largest bond volume in the company's history. This achievement surpassed the initially targeted volume of CHF400 million-CHF500 million significantly, indicating strong investor interest in the offering. The bonds were issued in two tranches, one with a term of three years and another with a term of seven years. The 3-year bond tranche amounted to CHF300 million with a coupon rate of 1.25%, wh...

Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG), a company engaged in establishing North America's largest natural graphite production for the electric vehicle and lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery market, has reported significant progress toward its phase two Matawinie Mine and Bécancour Battery Material Plant. With a focus on an integrated feasibility study and collaborations with Panasonic Energy Co. Ltd. and General Motors Holdings LLC (GM) as anchor customers, NMG is actively preparing for the Fina...

Umicore, a company focused on battery materials, has shared updates on both its cost-saving measures and the status of its battery materials plant in Loyalist, Ontario. The construction of this plant remains paused as part of a strategic review of the Battery Materials business. This decision aims to focus on maximizing the capacity utilization of existing plants before expanding. Despite the pause, a core team will continue to work at Umicore's local office in Loyalist. The pause in construc...

LG Chem has announced plans to expand its Automotive Adhesives business into a multimillion-dollar unit by 2030. The South Korea-based company intends to start supplying thermally conductive adhesives to North American automakers. Thermally conductive adhesives are crucial for bonding battery cells to modules or packs, offering significant benefits in thermal management and performance upkeep through their high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties. In addition to the...

Hydro, a company involved in the production of synthetic graphite through its stake in Norway-based Vianode, has decided to decrease its ownership from 30% to 19.9%. This decision comes after Altor, a private equity fund, exercised a put option on Sept. 6, demanding Hydro to purchase an additional 20% stake in Vianode. However, this transaction was not completed. Instead, Hydro and Altor reached an agreement to cancel this put option, with Hydro selling 10.1% of its Vianode shares back to Alt...

Piedmont Lithium, recognized as a significant North American supplier of lithium products essential for the US electric vehicle supply chain, has announced a substantial development in its operations. The company shared news that the Minerals Commission of Ghana granted a Mine Operating Permit for the Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana. This project, a collaborative effort with Atlantic Lithium Ltd., represents a strategic move in enhancing lithium supply for EV manufacturing. The acquisition of...

ArcelorMittal has announced a definitive agreement with Nippon Steel Corp. (NSC) to purchase NSC's 50% equity interest in the AM/NSC Calvert joint venture. This step comes as a result of NSC's request, aiming to alleviate regulatory concerns arising from its planned acquisition of US Steel. The completion of this transaction is contingent on NSC successfully acquiring US Steel, a process that is still subject to several regulatory approvals. Under the terms of the agreement, ArcelorMittal wil...

Elkem, a notable provider of silicone solutions, has announced its participation in The Battery Show in Detroit. The company will be showcasing its range of battery assembly solutions, including the BLUESIL RT Foam, BLUESIL ESA and CAF product lines, which cater to thermal insulation, thermal management, electronic protection, and sealing and bonding applications, respectively. These products are designed to enhance the automation process in battery assembly for lightweight veh...

Covestro AG has entered into an investment agreement with entities of the Adnoc Group, including Adnoc International Ltd. and its subsidiary, Adnoc International Germany Holding AG. Under the agreement, Adnoc International Germany Holding AG is set to make a public takeover offer for all outstanding shares of Covestro at €62 per share. The transaction, valuing Covestro at approximately €11.7 billion, includes a 10% share capital increase by Covestro, resulting in €1.17 billion proceeds ...

NanoGraf, a company specializing in advanced silicon anode battery material, announced receipt of a $60 million grant from the US Energy Department's (DOE's) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This grant will be used for a project in Flint, Mich., to transform an existing manufacturing facility into one of the world's largest silicon anode material factories. The entire project, valued at a combined $175 million with additional inv...

Group14 Technologies, a company at the forefront of advanced silicon battery materials, has been selected by the US Energy Department (DOE) for an award negotiation up to $200 million as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding is intended to support the expansion of domestic battery manufacturing for electric vehicles and the electrical grid. This selection marks the second occasion Group14 has been chosen for a significant DOE grant under this law, following an initial $100 m...

Borealis has taken a significant step toward sustainability by joining the Finnish Environment Ministry's Circular Economy Green Deal (KGD), a program announced on Sept. 12, 2024. This initiative encourages organizations to adopt practices that minimize their use of natural resources and champion the transition to a low-carbon circular economy. With this move, Borealis aims to steer Finland's plastics industry toward sustainable practices, including the use of renewable raw materials, achieving ...

Swedish automotive supplier SKF has decided to spinoff its Automotive business as a separate entity, which will be listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, the company announced in a press release on Sept. 17. The new company is expected to go public on Nasdaq Stockholm during the first half of 2026. SKF said that separating the Automotive business from its Industrial business will increase Automotive's ability to adapt faster to transforming global automotive markets by allowing it to make inde...

Alcoa, a leading global industry entity in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, has reached an agreement to sell its 25.1% stake in the Ma'aden Joint Venture to the Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Ma'aden) for a total of approximately $1.1 billion. This transaction comprises around 86 million shares of Ma'aden, valued at $950 million, and $150 million in cash. The completion of this transaction is contingent upon regulatory approvals, the endorsement of Ma'aden's shareholders and other stan...

Volvo has announced an expansion of its commitment to sustainability by increasing the usage of low-CO2-emission steel across its truck models. This initiative, originally implemented in its electric trucks in 2022, marks Volvo as the first truck manufacturer to adopt this environmentally friendly steel, called SSAB Zero, produced by the Swedish company SSAB. Unlike conventional steel, SSAB Zero is made from recycled materials and is produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas, allowing fo...

Sigma Lithium has secured a 487 million Brazilian real ($86.5 million) development loan from the National Brazilian Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) for the construction of their Second Greentech carbon neutral plant in Brazil. This funding will support Sigma in doubling its production capacity of the Quintuple Zero Green Lithium from 270,000 to 520,000 metric tons per year. Construction has begun, with an expected completion and commissioning by summer 2025. The loan features...

PPG, a prominent global entity in the paint, coatings and specialty materials industry, headquartered in Pittsburgh, has announced an agreement to sell its Silicas Products division to Qemetica SA for about $310 million. Qemetica, situated in Warsaw, Poland, is a privately owned manufacturer known for its production of soda ash, silicates and other specialized chemicals. The sale is projected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2024, pending the usual closing prerequisites. This decision...

Rio Tinto and BYD, along with four other companies, are qualified to advance their proposals for the development of a lithium project in Chile's Altoandinos salt flats, as communicated by ENAMI, the state-run mining entity. This initiative is part of the Chilean government's ambition to enhance lithium production in the Atacama region's northern salt flats through new ventures in collaboration with the state. ENAMI, aiming at finding a partner to provide either financial or operational assist...

Sibanye-Stillwater, a prominent multinational mining and metals processing group, announced updates on the Sandouville nickel refinery and its precursor cathode active material (pCAM) project, aiming to enhance its footprint in the European battery supply chain. Acquiring the Sandouville refinery in 2022, the company sought to repurpose it for nickel sulphate production, catering to the demand within the European battery ecosystem. Following a scoping study in March, a prefeasibilit...

In a press release dated Aug. 15, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. announced the establishment of a new company, Polska-Mit Steel sp. z o.o. (PMS), in Skarbimierz, Poland, to address the growing global demand for electrical steel sheets. These sheets are crucial for manufacturing motor cores in various types of electric vehicles and transformer cores for power plants and substations. Slated to begin its operations in April 2026, PMS will operate a new processing facility aimed at bolstering the supply o...

Arizona Lithium Ltd., focusing on sustainable lithium development in North America, has successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate at its Prairie Lithium Project, with the process independently verified by Saltworks Technology Inc. This achievement came from the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) eluent of the ILiad pilot operating between November 2023 and February 2024. The lithium carbonate was processed at Saltworks' facility in Vancouver, Canada, and Arizona Lithium aims to distribu...

In a press release dated Aug. 6, Neo Performance Materials has announced that its subsidiary, NPM Narva OÜ, known as Magnequench Sintered Magnets, has secured a contract to supply sintered rare earth magnets to a top European tier 1 electric vehicle traction motor supplier. Projected to run from the second half of 2026 through 2033, with peak supply expected in 2029, this collaboration validates Neo's capability to meet intricate customer requirements, reaffirming its leading position...

Solvay, under the leadership of CEO Philippe Kehren, is positioning itself as a pivotal player in Europe's strategic shift toward self-sufficiency in the production of permanent magnets, currently dominated by imports from China. Solvay is actively engaging with major European car manufacturers and turbine-makers to secure support from the entire value chain, indicating a collaborative approach toward enhancing Europe's capabilities in this critical sector. The company is also in advanced dis...

Nippon Steel, a leading steel producer from Japan, has announced its decision to exit a joint venture with Baoshan Iron & Steel (Baosteel), a significant move that marks the end of a long-standing partnership that symbolized China's advancements in modernizing its steel industry. This withdrawal will see Nippon Steel's steel-production capacity in China decrease by 70%. The decision comes against the backdrop of Japanese automakers, who are primary customers of Nippon Steel, facing challe...

CleanTech Lithium PLC, a company specializing in the advancement of sustainable lithium projects in Chile, has successfully completed the first stage of production at its direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot plant in Copiapó, Chile, achieving significant progress in producing battery-grade lithium carbonate. During a 384-hour operation, the plant processed 88 cubic meters of concentrated eluate, equivalent to approximately one metric ton of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), with a lithium re...

Porsche has cut down its sales outlook for the fiscal year 2024 due to a significant supply shortage of aluminum components, which are used by the German sports-car maker in all its models, the company announced July 23. “The supply shortage is the result of the flooding of a production facility of an important European aluminum supplier who has informed its customers in writing of the occurrence of a force majeure event,” the Volkswagen-backed luxury performance carmaker said in a statem...

Sila, a company specializing in next-generation battery materials, has successfully closed its Series-G funding round, raising $375 million. The round was led by Sutter Hill Ventures and T. Rowe Price Associates Inc., with additional investments from new and existing investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, Coatue and Perry Creek Capital, among others. This financial milestone is set to support the completion of Sila's Moses Lake, Wash., plant by the first quarter of 2025, facilita...

Gradiant, a global provider of advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions, announced the spin-out of alkaLi, a new independent company focused on accelerating the production of battery-grade lithium to meet the increasing demand from electric vehicles, energy storage systems and portable electronic devices. AlkaLi is set to utilize EC2 technology, the only solution of its kind designed for the extraction, concentration and conversion of battery-grade lithium. EC2 by alkaLi is a mo...

In a press release dated June 17, TPI Composites announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Automotive business to Clear Creek Investments LLC (CCI). As part of the divestiture transaction, TPI Composites will sell its automotive subsidiary to CCI, which will be renamed Senvias Inc. The transaction is expected to close on June 30. “After a thorough review of strategic alternatives, we’re pleased to enter into this agreement with CCI. The di...

Posco Holdings Inc. plans to sign some additional deals from Argentina and Chile to secure lithium, a critical raw material used in the production of EV batteries, according to a news report published by The Korea Economic Daily on June 17. In this context, Jeong Ki-seop, president of Posco Holdings’ strategic planning, met up with Argentina's Minister of Economy Luis Caputo in Buenos Aires last week, the report said, citing the Korean company. The report mentioned that the senior Posco ...

In a press release dated June 18, Umicore announced a reevaluation of its workforce for its Automotive Catalysts business. This is in response to the evolving market demands and the less stringent Euro-7 emission legislation than initially anticipated. This adjustment involves accelerating certain changes, leading to a planned reduction of approximately 140 positions, or 14% of its workforce at the Hanau, Germany, site by 2027. The company has introduced voluntary leave programs, developed in...

LD Carbon, one of the leading suppliers of recovered carbon black, has successfully concluded its Series-C funding round, raising $28 million, the company said in a press release on June 19. The latest funding round was headed by Toyota's growth fund, Woven Capital, and saw the participation of several notable investors including Meritz Securities, Investwith, Industrial Bank of Korea, Hyundai Motor Group’s ZER01NE, Elohim Partners and New Main Capital. LD Carbon will use the funds to upsca...

UK-based Echion Technologies, a leading developer of niobium-based, fast-charging battery materials, announced June 13 that the company has raised £29 million in its Series-B funding round. The round was led by specialist battery and energy storage technology investor Volta Energy Technologies (Volta), with participation from existing investors CBMM, BGF and Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, it said. The newly raised funds will enable Echion to execute its go-to-market strategy to see its innov...

In a press release dated June 5, Spanish multinational Gestamp said that it has partnered with Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH to supply auto manufacturers with low-emission steel parts. Gestamp intends to develop circularity routes to combine steel deliveries to its European plants with the return of scrap from these sites, enhancing its business model with circular economy principles.  The partnership will focus on the use of low-CO2 steel produced using Salzgitter's Salzgitter Low CO2...

US-based recycler Redwood Materials has partnered with Ultium Cells LLC, the joint battery-cell manufacturing venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, to recycle production scrap from both their Warren, Ohio, and Spring Hill, Tenn., facilities, the company announced in a press release on May 23. Redwood Materials will recycle both cathode and anode material, as well as cell scrap. Ultium Cells’ two facilities are each 2.8 million-square-foot operations that expe...

DuPont has announced a plan to split into three separate publicly traded companies: Electronics, Water, and New DuPont. The separations of the Electronics and Water businesses will be executed in a tax-free manner to the shareholders, with New DuPont remaining as a diversified industrial company. Each of the three entities is expected to benefit from tailored capital allocation strategies, enhanced strategic flexibility, and distinct management teams, among other things. New DuPont will consi...

US battery technology startup Bedrock Materials, which was launched out of Stanford University in 2023, has raised $9 million in seed funding alongside the inauguration of its new research and development headquarters in Chicago, the company announced May 16. The $9 million seed-financing round was led by Trucks Venture Capital, Refactor Capital and Version One Ventures. Additional investment was provided by Hanover Technology Investment Management, SpaceCadet Ventures, Brainstorm C...

Lithium-sulfur battery technology provider Lyten has begun shipping lithium-sulfur A-sample cells to various automotive original equipment manufacturers, including Stellantis, and other leading US and EU auto OEMs, it said in a press release dated May 8. The company has also shipped samples to a major consumer electronics company and plans to deliver cells to the US Defense Department in May. Lyten's lithium-sulfur cells are manufactured on its semi-automated Pilot Line in San Jose, Calif., w...

Teijin Automotive, a leading supplier of advanced composites and automotive components, has opened a new 164,000-square-foot top coat and assembly facility in Huntington, Ind. The facility is located in the Riverfork West Industrial Center and is part of a total investment of over $100 million in the area. The new facility will employ approximately 110 people when operations begin in June, with the potential to employ up to 200 people in the future. The new facility enhances the capabilities ...

Valeo, a French company, has been recognized for its innovation and patent filings in the mobility sector. According to a report by the European Patent Office (EPO), Valeo ranked first in France and 33rd overall in terms of patent filings in Europe in 2023, for the second year in a row. The company filed 564 patent applications in Europe in 2023, accounting for 40% of its priority patent applications filed worldwide. Additionally, Valeo was ranked as the number one French patent applicant wor...

Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has launched a multiyear, multimillion-dollar challenge aimed at accelerating the synthesis of new materials predicted by AI for use in electric vehicles and other emerging technologies, according to a press release on April 18. The challenge, called the Synthesis Advanced Research Challenge, is designed to bridge the gap between AI predictions and actual material synthesis in the laboratory, which can take years. TRI Senior Director of Energy & Materi...

Materi'act and Forvia have developed a new compound material called NAFILean Vision, which incorporates up to 20% recycled Ocean Bound Plastics (OBP) for sustainable car interior applications. The bio-based fillers used in the material are derived from oyster shell particles and can help decarbonize plastics by combining low-carbon recycled plastics and renewable bio-based fillers that sequester CO2. The use of recycled OBP reduces the need for post-processing with paint or film in ...

The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Ministry of Science & Technology has provided financial assistance of 75 million rupees (about $1 million) to Remine India to set up a recycling facility for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and e-waste, according to an official press statement on April 2. The total cost of the project is 150 million rupees. The facility will be established at Eldeco, SIIDCUL Industrial Area in Sitarganj in Uttarakhand state, India. The project aims to recycle L...

ZF, a global technology company, has opened a new campus in Monterrey, Mexico, which houses four corporate function hubs for North America and the company's first research and development center in the country. The campus is located within the FINSA Guadalupe Industrial Park and covers an area of 43,294 square meters. The new building completes the Monterrey campus, which is a strategic complex for the leading automotive technology company at a regional and global level. The campus featu...

BASF has broken ground on a methyl glycols (MG) plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China, with an annual capacity of 46,000 metric tons. The new facility is designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for brake fluids in the region and is expected to start operations by the end of 2025. The plant will be the only fully backward integrated methyl glycols plant into a steam cracker in China, serving the fast-growing brake fluids market. According to Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President,...

Plastic Omnium recently broke ground on its fifth manufacturing plant and inaugurated a new Technical Centre in Pune, India, Autocar reported March 15. The new facility, spanning 10 acres and spread over 20,000 square meters in phase one, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to meet the increasing demand for innovative automotive solutions. The Technical Centre will enable engineers and researchers to collaborate on projects focused on sustainability and environmentally friendly sol...

Autoneum, a supplier of lightweight components for the automotive industry, is expanding its production capacities in Asia with two new plants in Changchun, mainland China, and Pune, India, it said in a press release dated March 8. The expansion is part of the company's strategic focus on future profitable growth in the region, particularly in the growing Asian markets. The new plant in Changchun, which will be operated as a joint venture, is located in one of Asia's largest car production ce...

Canada Rare Earth Corp. (CREC) has established rare earth supply operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy, the company announced Feb. 26. CREC said that the proprietary operations in the DRC will be conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary, Simba Essential Minerals SAS, which was incorporated in December 2023 under the direction of the company’s CEO Steve Sadiki. Sadiki has also taken up the role to serve ...

Röhm has expanded its production capacity for Plexiglas® molding compounds at its largest global production site in Worms, Germany, it stated in a press release dated Feb. 22. The newly constructed plant features an energy-efficient production process, reducing the carbon footprint of molding compound production. The investment is in response to a growing demand, particularly from the automotive industry, and positions Röhm as the European market leader and second globally. The expansion i...

Cooper Corp., a leading manufacturer of engines, engine components and generators, has expanded its manufacturing capabilities in Satara, Maharashtra, India, with the inauguration of two state-of-the-art units. The first unit, located at K10-MIDC Satara, focuses on enhancing the company's foundry capabilities with modern and pollution-free automated systems, boasting a built-up area of 52,186 square feet and a monthly production capacity of 3,500 metric tons. The second unit, situated at E1-M...

Lanxess, a specialty chemicals company, has completed the expansion of its Rhenodiv production line at its Jhagadia site in India, Autocar reported Feb. 24. This expansion significantly increases its production capabilities to meet the growing demand of the Indian sub-continent and Asian tire and rubber goods markets. The new production line empowers Lanxess to manufacture high-quality technology tire release agents with greater efficiency. The company has another similar facility in Argentina. ...

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, a leading supplier of high-performance materials and advanced products for the automotive sector and general industry, announced the opening of its modern production facility in Parets del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. The fully carbon-neutral plant, dedicated to manufacturing automotive components such as damper seals, is boosting its production capacity by 15%. Freudenberg has invested more than €11 million in the new production facility, Autocar Professiona...

Allison Ventures, Allison Transmission’s venture capital arm, has made a strategic investment in Niron Magnetics, a pioneering company in the field of sustainable non-rare earth permanent magnets, the company announced Feb. 20. It said that the investment marks a significant milestone in the advancement of clean energy solutions and the reduction of reliance on critical materials. It is known that Niron Magnetics has developed a breakthrough technology that enables the production of powe...

Asahi Kasei has announced that it will separate its Hipore lithium-ion (Li-ion) Battery Separator business into a dedicated subsidiary, Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp. (AKBSC), effective Oct. 1. In a press release dated Feb. 7, Asahi Kasei added that the separation is expected to accelerate the growth of its Energy Storage business, particularly in automotive applications where there is a forecast for significant demand. The Hipore separator is a key component in Li-ion batteries, al...

The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, celebrated the opening of its new Global Aluminum Competence Center in Giussano, Italy. The state-of-the-art facility will strengthen Chemetall’s position as a global supplier of solutions for the surface treatment of aluminum substrates. The Aluminum Competence Center was established to bundle Chemetall's comprehensive competencies in the area of surface treatment of aluminum in o...

Safety Tech, a business unit of Gauzy, will showcase its innovative solutions including its Smart-Vision Camera Monitor System (CMS) at the UMA Motorcoach Expo, it said in a press release on Feb. 1. The Smart-Vision CMS replaces mechanical rearview mirrors with high-definition cameras and interior displays designed to offer optimized visibility and enhanced ergonomics. Additionally, it also covers a larger field of view, eliminates glare and automatically adjusts brightness for improved vis...

Global driver system leader GKN Automotive said on Jan. 18 that its near and long-term carbon-emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which has also validated its ambition to be net-zero across its value chain by 2045. The company commits to reducing the direct greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of its more than 50 global sites (Scope 1) and the electricity it sources (Scope 2) by 45%, by 2030, from a base year of 2021. It a...

US Strategic Metals (USSM), one of the leading suppliers of battery metals production and processing solutions in North America, announced on December 18 that the company secured about $230 million in fresh financing from affiliates of Appian Capital Advisory LLP. The financing includes initial funding of a $120 million secured term loan facility and a $70 million secured royalty financing arrangement, the company said, adding that the fresh funding will enable the expansion of its mining, re...

Solvay has successfully completed the spin-off its Specialty activities to Syensqo, it said in a press release on Dec. 11. The demerger is expected to result in Solvay becoming a stand-alone publicly traded company, with Syensqo operating as a separate entity. Following the demerger, Solvay has announced that it expects to achieve mid-single-digit EBITDA growth and maintain an investment-grade credit rating. The company also aims be carbon neutral by 2050. It intends on eliminating coal usage...

Bosch, a leading automotive supplier, plans to cut up to 1,500 jobs at two of its German sites by 2025 due to changing demand and technologies in the auto sector, according to a Reuters report on Dec. 10. The company revealed the workforce reductions after they were first reported by weekly industry newspaper Automobilwoche. According to a company spokesperson, the adjustments are necessary to adapt staffing levels to the current order situation, structural changes in the drive sector and the...

As we approach the end of 2023, our “Talking Heads” series delves into conversations with the practice leads at AutoTechInsight. The aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their respective domains. The automotive industry faces challenges and opportunities shaped by the pandemic and technological advancements. Electrification is a key factor impacting new car prices, especially in Europe. A potential price war among EVs in mainland China is a concern. Afforda...

Volvo Cars has announced that it plans to use near-zero emission aluminum and steel as it aims to reduce CO2 emissions per car by 75% by 2030, compared with a 2018 baseline, it said in a press release on Nov. 30. The automaker also set a target to become climate neutral by 2040 and reduce CO2 emissions per car by 40% between 2018 and 2025. It is is doubling down on its existing ambition to only sell fully electric cars by 2030, eliminating tailpipe emissions from its model line-up. Volvo Cars...

Toyoda Gosei, a Japanese company, has achieved the Science Based Target (SBT) certification from the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) for its decarbonization efforts. The company has set CO2 reduction targets for 2030, which have been recognized as aligned with the Paris Agreement, a company press release on Nov. 30 said. Toyoda Gosei aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 46.5% in its production activities (Scope 1 and 2) and 27.5% in its entire supply chain (Scope 3) compared to 2019 lev...

Toray Industries has announced that its French subsidiary, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe, has obtained ISCC PLUS certification for its Lacq and Abidos production plants in South-West France, it said in a press release on Nov. 20. The certification allows Toray Carbon Fibers Europe to use biomass or recycled materials through the mass balance approach to produce and supply carbon fiber, reducing the Life Cycle Inventory of its products and contributing to building a circular economy. Toray Car...

Stellantis NV has officially opened its SUSTAINera Circular Economy Hub (CE Hub) at the Mirafiori Complex in Turin, Italy, the vehicle manufacturer announced Nov. 23. The new facility was inaugurated by John Elkann, chairman of Stellantis, and Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, among other senior company executives last week. Stellantis said that the new recycling facility, which is spread across an area of 73,000 square meters, is set up with an investment of €40 million. The carmaker said...

Jay Bharat Maruti Ltd. (JBML), a leading auto component manufacturer and tier I supplier to Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL), has laid the foundation stone for its new plant in Kharkhoda, Haryana, India. The plant will provide capacity enhancement to meet the requirements of MSIL's new manufacturing plant at IMT Kharkhoda, which is expected to be commissioned by fiscal year 2025. The facility will be set up in phases consistent with MSIL's volume forecast of 1 million vehicles at Kharkhoda,&nb...

In a press release announcement on Nov. 24, BASF Services Europe GmbH said that it has opened its new service hub location in Berlin. BASF Services Europe will use 15,000 square meters over eight floors in the Scale office complex in the Prenzlauer Berg district in Berlin. With about 2,800 employees, BASF Services Europe provides a wide range of business management services for BASF Group companies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Previously, BASF Services Europe had been situated in Berli...