Unilin Technologies and Dieffenbacher GmbH have teamed up to bring Unilin's innovative "Osiris" MDF fibre recycling technology to the global market. The patented technology can recycle MDF, HDF, THDF, and wood fibre insulation boards, including post-consumer materials.

Unilin aims to license Osiris to other manufacturers, with talks already in progress across Europe and Southeast Asia. Under the partnership, Dieffenbacher will be the preferred provider for Osiris technology, offering technical support for installations.

A full-scale plant utilizing this tech is set to open in Bazeilles, France, by September 2025, with more licenses expected to be signed by the end of the year. 🌱🛠️

Samsung Electronics' chemical materials supplier, Soulbrain, is planning to build a new factory in Taylor, Texas, through its subsidiary, Soulbrain TX. This investment, announced on July 31, reflects the company's commitment to expanding its operations in response to growing demand for chemical materials in the semiconductor and electronics industries.

The city of Taylor has approved economic development and property tax incentives for the project, which will be executed in two phases. The first phase involves a $175 million investment, expected to be completed by January 2029 and create 50 jobs. The second phase, with an additional investment of $400 million, is set for completion by January 2033.

Soulbrain's expansion into Texas aligns with the increasing demand for advanced chemical materials, positioning the company to capitalize on emerging opportunities in a key manufacturing hub. Overall, this factory represents a strategic investment in the future of chemical materials manufacturing, emphasizing Soulbrain's proactive growth approach in a competitive landscape.

A German-based company, Schutz Container Systems, is poised to expand its operations in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with a proposal for a second manufacturing facility. This expansion follows their ongoing construction of a $39 million plant in the area. The new facility will specialize in manufacturing steel drums and cages using coils of steel. While the current plant is projected to create around 200 jobs focused on plastic drums and bulk containers, the new complex could employ up to 165 workers, operating around the clock. Construction of the first two buildings is expected to commence next spring, pending city council approval.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is poised to launch a groundbreaking €10 billion chip plant in Dresden, Germany 🇩🇪, with production expected to begin in 2027 🚀. This venture marks TSMC's first entry into the European market and comes with a substantial €5 billion in state aid from the EU 💰, aimed at strengthening local semiconductor production capabilities.

In collaboration with European firms Robert Bosch, Infineon, and NXP 🤝, TSMC has formed the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) 🏭, with each partner holding a 10% stake. This partnership is set to enhance the region's resilience in semiconductor supply chains, particularly in the automotive sector 🚗.

The open foundry model of the plant will allow smaller companies and universities access to chip production, fostering innovation and collaboration 💡. This initiative presents significant opportunities for contractors and suppliers 🛠️, including partnerships in semiconductor manufacturing, advancements in electric vehicle technologies ⚡, and local economic benefits through job creation 👷‍♂️ and increased activity associated with the new facility.

Novelis, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is leading the charge in aluminium recycling by establishing new sustainability standards. At the Aluminium 2024 trade show in Düsseldorf, executive vice president Emilio Braghi emphasized the company’s commitment to high recycled content and closed-loop material cycles.

Key Areas of Focus:

• High Recycled Content: Novelis focuses on producing aluminium with high recycled content, helping customers meet sustainability goals while reducing global resource and energy consumption.

• Decarbonization Efforts: The company's innovations aim to decarbonize the aluminium industry, achieving a CO2 footprint reduction of up to 95% compared to traditional primary aluminium production.

• Collaboration for Closed-Loop Solutions: Novelis emphasizes partnerships with customers and suppliers to promote closed-loop material cycles, recycling production scrap and end-of-life products to increase recycled material use.

• Resource Efficiency: The focus on enhancing resource efficiency demonstrates the environmental benefits of recycling aluminium, contributing positively to a circular economy and supporting climate action.