Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 8

Week of: February 17, 2025

Introduction

This week’s industrial tech landscape saw major corporate moves, funding rounds, and policy discussions affecting key industries.

Anglo American announced the sale of its nickel business for $500 million, while Hyundai is preparing to unveil a solid-state battery that could impact the EV sector. The U.S. government is considering whether to keep U.S. Steel independent, and China’s leading EV manufacturers are investing in humanoid robots for automation.

In the energy sector, Toyota has redirected a $1.5 billion battery order to LG’s Lansing plant, Valar Atomics secured $19 million to develop off-grid nuclear solutions, and Microsoft is adjusting its climate strategy in response to AI’s increasing energy demands. Meanwhile, AI-driven supply chain solutions are gaining traction, with Unilever implementing automation in its ice cream production and FedEx’s freight spinoff sparking industry-wide discussions.

These developments reflect ongoing shifts in materials, energy, manufacturing, supply chains, productization, and recycling, highlighting the current state of industrial innovation.

Materials

• Anglo American Sells Nickel Business for $500M
  The mining giant is divesting its nickel operations as part of a broader strategic shift. Read more

• How to Grow a Laser on Silicon
  A new technique enables the integration of lasers on silicon, improving photonic computing and chip manufacturing. Read more

• Terra CO2 Raises $82M for Sustainable Cement Deployment
  The funding will accelerate the commercial adoption of an eco-friendly cement alternative. Read more

• Trump Admin Considers Keeping U.S. Steel Independent
  The administration is reviewing measures to prevent a foreign acquisition of U.S. Steel. Read more

• Karman+ Raises $20M for Asteroid Mining
  The startup is developing autonomous spacecraft to extract resources from asteroids. Read more

Energy

• Hyundai May Reveal Solid-State Battery in March
  Hyundai is preparing to showcase a next-generation battery that could transform EV performance. Read more

• ACT-ion Raises $7.5M in Pre-Series A
  The startup is working on innovative battery chemistry for long-duration energy storage. Read more

• Accure Battery Intelligence Raises $16M in Series B
  The company’s AI-powered platform helps extend battery life and optimize energy usage. Read more

• Electricity Companies Invest in Grid Optimization Startups
  Utilities are backing startups that improve grid efficiency and maximize energy throughput. Read more

• Microsoft Adjusts Climate Investments as AI Increases Emissions
  Microsoft is shifting its climate initiatives to address the rising power demands of AI computing. Read more

• Diamondback Energy Expands in Permian Oilfield with $4.08B Deal
  The deal strengthens Diamondback’s presence in one of the largest U.S. oil basins. Read more

• Toyota Redirects $1.5B Battery Order to LG’s Lansing Plant
  The shift supports U.S. battery manufacturing and reduces reliance on offshore production. Read more

• Valar Atomics Raises $19M for Off-Grid Nuclear Development
  The company is working on nuclear power solutions for remote energy needs. Read more

Manufacturing

• Isuzu Establishes U.S. Production Base in South Carolina
  The automaker is setting up its first major production site in the U.S. Read more

• China’s EV Giants Bet Big on Humanoid Robots
  Leading automakers in China are investing in humanoid robots for manufacturing and automation. Read more

• Ford Cuts Manager Stock Bonuses to Reduce Costs
  The automaker is adjusting executive compensation to align with financial performance. Read more

Supply Chain & Logistics

• Auto Hauler Exchange Raises $5M for Vehicle Transport Marketplace
  The company is developing a digital marketplace to streamline vehicle transportation. Read more

• How AI is Transforming Unilever’s Ice Cream Supply Chain
  AI-driven automation is improving supply chain efficiencies at Unilever. Read more

• Competitors Weigh in on FedEx Spinoff
  The logistics industry reacts to FedEx’s restructuring plan. Read more

• Hydrogen-Powered Trucks Face Market Challenges
  The hydrogen trucking industry is struggling with high costs and infrastructure hurdles. Read more

Productization

• Qualcomm Says Software-Defined Vehicles Are Reshaping the Industry
  The company is pushing SDVs as a major innovation in automotive design. Read more

• OpenAI Rejects Elon Musk’s Takeover Offer
  Leadership at OpenAI is resisting external influence as the company’s valuation rises. Read more

• AI Data Center With Up to 3 Gigawatts Planned for South Korea
  A massive data center project is in the works to support AI computing demand. Read more

Recycling

• Trump’s Tariffs Drive Demand for Circular Economy Solutions
  U.S. companies are accelerating investments in domestic recycling programs. Read more

• Currents Expands Platform with Midtronics’ Battery Diagnostic Tools
  The integration enhances vehicle battery diagnostics and sustainability efforts. Read more

Other Industry Developments

• Foxconn Open to Buying a Stake in Nissan
  The electronics giant signals interest in deeper automotive partnerships. Read more

• State Department Cancels $400M Tesla Armored Vehicle Contract
  The government scraps plans to purchase vehicles from Elon Musk’s company. Read more

• Western Companies Embrace ‘Anything But China’ Strategy
  A growing number of businesses are shifting production away from China. Read more

About the Fountainhead Fund

The Fountainhead Fund is a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in the most promising startups and technologies in the industrial sector. From cutting-edge advancements in materials to transformative energy solutions, we actively seek opportunities to fund and support the innovations that are shaping the future of industry.

www.fountainheadfund.com

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