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U.S. steel and aluminum producers are expanding operations to meet demand from automotive, industrial, and data center projects. Entergy will supply power to Hyundai Steel-Posco's plant in Louisiana, Alcoa is investing $65 million to expand its Norwegian smelter, and FabArc Steel Supply has broken ground on a new headquarters in Alabama.
Following California's finalization of SB 54 regulations on May 1, CalRecycle released multiple guidance documents on May 11 to help producers understand compliance requirements. The guidance includes a producer identification flowchart, definitions of covered materials (single-use plastic packaging and food service ware), exclusion categories (such as reusable packaging, medical device packaging, etc.), and the submission process for exclusion notifications for food and agricultural packaging. Producers must complete registration or submit data by June 1, and the Circular Action Alliance's draft plan is due to be submitted on June 15.
Ford Motor's Long Beach Electric Vehicle Development Center (EVDC), established about a year ago, is leading the development of an affordable electric pickup and a universal electric vehicle (UEV) platform. The center draws on the 14 rules of Lockheed's 'Skunk Works' to accelerate R&D through rapid iteration and cross-departmental collaboration, with the first mid-size electric pickup set to begin production at the Louisville, Kentucky, plant in 2027. The center employs about 350 staff, is equipped with advanced testing facilities, and uses AI to boost development efficiency, though in-vehicle AI applications are still being advanced cautiously.
CitroTech and Hexion announced in April the formation of the joint venture HexiTech, each holding a 50% stake, which will combine CitroTech's flame-retardant intellectual property with Hexion's production and commercial capabilities to develop and sell a new generation of fire-resistant wood products. Hexion will also provide CitroTech with a loan facility of up to $6 million. The technology aims to overcome the limitations of borate-treated wood, and its products, made from grains, fruits, and vegetables, have received EPA Safer Choice certification.
Rocky Mountain Steel officially commenced operations at its new plant in Pueblo, Colorado, and delivered the first batch of long rails to Union Pacific Railroad, marking the launch of the $1.2 billion project and the start of a seven-year contract.
Dow Chemical announced senior leadership changes: current Chief Operating Officer Karen Carter will become CEO on July 1, 2025, succeeding Jim Fitterling, who has led the company since 2018. Carter has been with Dow for over 30 years and previously headed its largest business unit, Packaging & Specialty Plastics.
More than a month has passed since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned most tariffs imposed by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, but manufacturers still face multiple uncertainties in recovering paid tariffs, including unclear procedures, legal risks, and future policy changes. This article reviews the different strategies adopted by companies, expert opinions, and the latest data.
Inlyte Energy and Ervin Industries announced an agreement on March 24 to collaborate on developing new iron powder formulations. If successful, the partnership will help improve Inlyte's battery performance, expand its U.S. supplier base, and reduce reliance on overseas materials. Both parties will invest resources to advance the project, with Inlyte planning to begin commercial delivery of domestically produced sodium battery systems by 2027.
Adam Farris, Toyota's director of international trade and supply chain, said at the CTA Innovation House event on Wednesday that the company is preparing for the U.S. federal government's review of the USMCA, scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026. Lena Moulckers, Toyota's director of supplier policy outreach, noted that tariffs affect all key supply chain participants, especially auto parts suppliers who are often overlooked. Toyota has collected feedback through supplier clinics and emphasized that the USMCA provides a stable framework for the North American auto industry. Leila Afas, Toyota's vice president of global public policy and strategy, warned that without the USMCA, supply chains would fragment and investment would freeze, and called for the review to focus on rules such as regional value content, avoiding excessively high thresholds that could harm industry competitiveness.
Global manufacturing is transitioning from digital experimentation to large-scale deployment, with Agentic AI emerging as a core trend in 2026. This article reviews the insights gained from the volatility of 2025, analyzes the evolution of AI from prediction and generation to autonomous action, emphasizes the importance of integrated platforms, data unification, and workforce skill upgrades, and points out that the integration of sustainability and profitability will be a key path for manufacturing enterprises to build resilience.