Energy & Sustainability
Car2Car research project demonstrates feasibility of high-quality material loops on an industrial scale
BMW - Through the Car2Car research project, the BMW Group and its consortium partners have demonstrated that high-quality material loops are technically feasible in the automotive industry. Under expanded processing and sorting conditions, it was possible to increase the “Car2Car rate” from six to 51 percent.
Industry joins forces to speed up ship retrofits across Europe
Alfa Laval - A new European partnership is set on helping shipping companies navigate one of the industry’s biggest climate challenges: how to decarbonize the existing fleet quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. The new FIT-HORIZONS project is bringing together 19 leading maritime companies, researchers, universities, software developers, and technology providers from across Europe to develop an intelligent and flexible retrofit design environment for low- and zero-emission shipping.
Infineon and LS ELECTRIC collaborate to advance high-efficiency direct current power solutions for AI data centers
Infineon - Infineon Technologies and LS ELECTRIC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on high-efficiency direct current (DC) power infrastructure solutions for AI data centers and next-generation power grids.
Woosh, Borouge International, and BlueAlp demonstrate circular pathway for diaper plastics
Borouge International - Disposable baby diapers are one of the clearest examples of the linear economy: they are typically used once and sent to incineration or landfill with no material recovery, despite containing valuable polyolefin-based nonwovens and films. Based on consumption data, Cabrera and Garcia (2019) estimated that 6.73 million metric tons of disposable baby diapers were generated in the EU‑28 in 2017, highlighting the scale of this largely unrecovered waste stream across Europe.
The smarter E Europe 2026
Phoenix Contact - Phoenix Contact will be exhibiting again at this year’s edition of Europe’s largest energy industry platform, “The smarter E Europe”. The company will be showcasing solutions for a sustainable, cross-sector power supply in Munich, Germany, from June 23 to June 25, 2026, in line with the trade fair motto “Accelerating Integrated Energy Solutions”.
Fraunhofer ILT Develops Key Technologies for the Future Market of Fusion
Fraunhofer - By 2029, the German government will invest over €2 billion in fusion research, with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen already positioned as an early mover in this field. In collaborative research projects, it is researching and developing solutions for fusion power plants together with partners from industry and research.
Alfa Laval introduces ThinkCircularity: Closing the loop on plastic waste
Alfa Laval - Alfa Laval is turning circularity into action with the launch of ThinkCircularity, a take-back programme that recycles materials from its ThinkTop valve control units. The pilot project has been well received by customers and partners, and the company has already received its first returned products for recycling.
ArianeGroup and Alfa Laval partner to develop hydrogen distribution
ArianeGroup - On January 27th 2026, as part of the Hyvolution's trade show, ArianeGroup and Alfa Laval announce the signature of a co-development agreement for a liquid hydrogen trailer pump. Building on the objectives outlined in the memorandum of understanding signed on December 1rst, 2024, ArianeGroup and Alfa Laval have initiated a joint program to design, develop, test, and industrialize a pump specifically tailored for liquid hydrogen trailers.
Danfoss is elevating industrial heat pump potential
Danfoss - Industrial heat pumps play a central role in decarbonizing sectors such as Food & Beverage, Pulp & Paper, Chemicals, and Textiles — industries that rely on high-temperature water or steam for processes like drying, sterilization, and boiling. They also provide a strong path for decarbonizing district heating networks, where high supply temperatures are essential for reliability and efficiency.
Agfa inaugurates best-in-class facility for green hydrogen membranes
Agfa - Agfa, a global pioneer in membrane technology for green hydrogen production, has inaugurated it’s state-of-the-art facility for alkaline electrolyzer (AEL) membranes. With its new ZIRFON production site, the company is ready to meet market demand, confirming its intention to play a defining role in the scale-up of green hydrogen worldwide.
GE Vernova to deploy pioneering Direct Air Capture technology at Deep Sky Alpha in Canada
GE Vernova - GE Vernova and Deep Sky, the world’s first technology-agnostic carbon removal project developer, announced an agreement to deploy GE Vernova's Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology at Deep Sky Alpha in Alberta, Canada. GE Vernova's technology will be capable of capturing up to 1,500 tons of carbon per year. With operations scheduled to begin by late 2026, Alpha will deploy GE Vernova’s proprietary solid sorbent technology.
Linde Commissions World-Scale Helium Storage Cavern
Linde - Linde today announced it has commissioned one of the world’s largest helium storage caverns, further strengthening long-term reliability in this critical global market.The storage facility, located in Beaumont, Texas, has a capacity of more than three billion cubic feet. As one of only three helium salt caverns in the world, it has the capability to store and extract helium helping to balance natural supply and demand cycles.
De Dietrich and SFE Process join forces to market high-performance industrial processes using supercritical CO2
De Dietrich Process Systems - De Dietrich and SFE Process have announced a strategic partnership. Together, they are combining their expertise to offer manufacturers more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
JLR drives value from reuse initiatives to cut waste as it transforms its industrial operations for electrification
Industrial Productivity - JLR is reducing waste across its industrial operations in the UK and Europe through a £100m reuse, refurbishment, repurposing and recycling drive. As its electrification transformation progresses to the next stage, with the upcoming launch of Range Rover Electric, JLR’s industrial operations are readying themselves for the next generation of electric vehicles and undergoing a revamp across all facilities.
Nan Ya Plastics and Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals Launch Market Development Efforts Focused on Biomass-Based Plastic Products
Mitsui Chemicals - Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, and Nan Ya Plastics (NPC) today announced that they have embarked on efforts to develop the market for biomass-based plastic products. Under this initiative, NPC will procure biomass-based acetone produced by Mitsui Chemicals and use it to manufacture biomass-derived bisphenol A (BPA) in Taiwan.
JLR closes the loop with industry first breakthrough using recycled seat foam
Jaguar Land Rover - JLR has made a significant technical breakthrough in the closed‑loop recycling of polyurethane seat foam from its used vehicles by successfully reintegrating it back into the production of new seats. In collaboration with Dow’s MobilityScience material innovations and global leader in automotive seating Adient, this is the first time closed‑loop seat foam content has been successfully used in automotive production.
World's largest battery cell manufacturers report against harmonised sustainability performance expectations
Global Battery Alliance - Ten consortia, led by the world's leading battery cell manufacturers, successfully complete the largest pre-competitive effort to establish harmonised battery passports achieving a new milestone towards more transparent and sustainable battery value chains.
Climate-Friendly Electricity Derived from Ammonia
Fraunhofer - Using hydrogen to generate electricity does not cause any climate-damaging emissions. But storing and transporting the gas pose technical challenges. With this in mind, Fraunhofer researchers use ammonia, a hydrogen derivative that is easier to handle, as a starting material. Ammonia is cracked in a high-temperature fuel cell stack, and the hydrogen produced in this process is converted to electricity. The waste heat can be used as heat energy, for example.
BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation take collaboration to the next level to offer Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) options for passenger cars
BMW - BMW plans to launch its first-ever series production fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2028, thereby offering customers an additional all-electric powertrain option with zero local emissions in a BMW. The BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation are pooling their innovative strength and their technological capabilities to bring a new generation of fuel cell powertrain technology to the roads.
Imitation leather from industrial hemp: innovative and sustainable material for future car interiors
Volkswagen - Volkswagen has entered into a cooperation with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH from Darmstadt. The aim is to research and develop sustainable materials based on industrial hemp. These could be used as a sustainable surface material in Volkswagen models from 2028. The material made from 100% bio-based hemp uses residues of the regional hemp industry.
