Thyssenkrupp CEO Says He’s Confident Materials Unit Can Be Sold
Thyssenkrupp is pushing forward with plans to spin off its materials trading business. CEO Miguel Lopez told shareholders he’s confident it can be done, but gave no firm timeline.
Category: Manufacturing
Asahi Kasei’s PFAS-Free Plastic Is a Big Deal for Industry
Asahi Kasei has launched a new PFAS-free polyamide engineered for demanding low-friction applications like gears and chain guides. This move comes as global regulations on these “forever chemicals” are tightening, forcing manufacturers to find alternatives.
NextEra’s Big Bet: Gas is the Bridge to Power AI Data Centers
NextEra Energy is sticking to its plan of using natural gas as a key fuel for powering new data center hubs. The company’s CEO even suggested they could double their 15 GW pipeline target by 2035. But it’s not all gas; solar and battery storage are also seeing massive growth in their project backlog
Samsung’s Chip Gamble: Why 2026 Could Be a Bloodbath for MediaTek
A new forecast shows a major shakeup in smartphone chip shipments for 2026. While Samsung is projected to grow, MediaTek could take a massive 8 percentage point hit. The mid-range market slowdown is turning up the heat.
Oxford Instruments inks deal to power AOI’s US chipmaking push
Oxford Instruments has signed an equipment supply deal with Applied Optoelectronics (AOI). The agreement will support AOI’s expansion of indium phosphide (InP) optoelectronic device manufacturing in Texas.
Samsung’s Memory Boom Drives Record Profits, But Phones Get Pricier
Samsung’s preliminary results show operating profit surging to around 20 trillion won ($13.78B) in Q4 2025, nearly triple the year-ago figure. The AI-driven memory boom is the clear driver, even as the company considers raising prices for its next flagship smartphones in some markets.
Borouge and Honeywell hit 20% efficiency gains with AI in live plant
Borouge, in partnership with Honeywell, has run a successful AI proof of concept at its Ruwais facility. The live test showed potential for 20% efficiency gains and 15% lower operating costs, a step toward a fully autonomous control room.
Fusion’s Big Magnet Moment and an Nvidia Reality Check
Commonwealth Fusion Systems has installed the first of 18 massive magnets for its Sparc reactor, aiming for a 2027 start. The company also announced a partnership with Nvidia and Siemens to build a digital twin, hoping AI will accelerate the path to fusion power.
US Pumps $2.7 Billion Into Nuclear Fuel for AI Power Crunch
The Biden administration is funneling $2.7 billion to three nuclear fuel companies to rebuild a domestic supply chain. This push comes as AI data centers send power demand—and prices—soaring. The goal is to end US reliance on Russian uranium.
Apple Execs Book Long Hotel Stays To Lock Down DRAM Chips
In a desperate move to secure memory chips, Apple executives are reportedly booking long-term hotel stays in South Korea. They’re negotiating with Samsung and SK hynix as DRAM prices have surged 230% since early 2025. The shortage is impacting the entire tech industry.