Industrial Tech Newsletter Vol. 3

Your Pulse on Industrial Technology

January 17, 2025

Industrial Tech Newsletter Vol. 3

Your Pulse on Industrial Technology
Week of: January 13, 2025

Introduction & General Comments

This week in the industrial tech landscape, we saw significant advancements in clean energy manufacturing, critical materials discoveries, and transformative investment moves in energy and manufacturing. From China’s major lithium reserve discovery to breakthrough battery technologies and billion-dollar investments, the momentum continues to accelerate. Here’s your weekly roundup of the latest developments across the industrial value chain.

Materials

  • China Discovers 2,800-km Lithium Belt
    China has announced the discovery of a massive lithium belt spanning 2,800 kilometers, now home to the world’s second-largest lithium reserve. This finding could elevate China's share of global lithium reserves from 6% to a significant portion, reshaping global competition for EV battery materials.

  • New Bid for U.S. Steel
    American steel giant Cleveland-Cliffs signals a potential new bid for U.S. Steel, reigniting consolidation talks in the steel industry. The deal, if successful, could reshape the competitive dynamics of American steel manufacturing.

Energy

  • Microvast Breaks Ground in All-Solid-State Batteries
    Microvast announced a breakthrough in true all-solid-state battery technology, promising improved safety, higher energy density, and longer lifespans for next-generation batteries.

  • EIA’s Energy Market Insights
    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provided updates on shifting energy trends, highlighting the growth of renewables, declining coal dependency, and evolving market conditions.

  • Clean Energy Manufacturing Revolution in the U.S.
    The U.S. clean energy sector is undergoing a manufacturing boom, with billions being poured into facilities for batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines. This growth underscores the nation’s commitment to becoming a global leader in clean energy production.

  • Origis Energy Secures $1+ Billion Investment
    Origis Energy received over $1 billion in strategic investment from Brookfield and Antin, aiming to accelerate solar and energy storage projects across the U.S.

Manufacturing

  • NVIDIA Unveils Omniverse for Industrial Robot Digital Twins
    NVIDIA revealed its “Mega Omniverse Blueprint,” a platform designed to create digital twins for industrial robots, enabling real-time simulation and optimization of manufacturing processes.

  • Pentagon Blacklists Chinese Firms
    The Department of Defense has blacklisted several Chinese firms, including major EV battery manufacturers, citing national security concerns. This move could reshape supply chains and fuel further decoupling from Chinese suppliers.

  • Major Factory Construction Projects to Watch in 2025
    Tesla, Hyundai, LG, and Samsung are leading the charge with significant factory construction projects this year, emphasizing the global push for domestic production of EVs, batteries, and semiconductors.

  • Anduril Raises $1.5 Billion for Defense Technology
    Defense tech company Anduril Industries raised $1.5 billion to support its mission of modernizing defense systems, reinforcing the U.S. as a leader in cutting-edge military technologies.

  • Biden Finalizes Crackdown on Chinese Vehicles
    The Biden administration finalized new regulations aimed at reducing Chinese automakers’ footprint in the U.S., a move that could benefit domestic and allied manufacturers.

Distribution

  • Albertsons to Ramp Up Distribution Center Automation
    Albertsons announced plans to increase automation across its distribution centers, focusing on efficiency and adapting to changing consumer demands.

Recycling

  • Blue Whale Materials Receives $55M DOE Award
    Blue Whale Materials secured $55 million from the Department of Energy to expand its lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Bartlesville, OK. This initiative supports a sustainable domestic supply chain for critical materials.

Other

  • H-1B Visa Overhaul Takes Effect
    New H-1B visa regulations, which aim to modernize eligibility requirements and provide more flexibility for F-1 students, officially take effect this week.

  • VC-Backed IPOs Make a Comeback
    Venture-backed IPOs saw a strong resurgence in Q4 2024, signaling renewed investor confidence in growth-stage startups.