In the European research project ReSoURCE, experts from nine different companies and institutes are working together to develop sustainable solutions for the recycling of refractory materials. The German project partners are primarily providing laser know-how.

At the Rath plant in Lower Austria, two new vacuum nitriding furnaces, used to produce silicon carbide plates and bricks, are now being operated with electricity. The result: CO₂ emissions are around 70 % lower.

The production of silicon carbide is energy-intensive and produces large amounts of by-products. Researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS have developed an environmentally friendly recycling process to turn these back into high-quality silicon carbide.

In the European research project ReSoURCE, experts from nine different companies and institutes are working together to develop sustainable solutions for the recycling of refractory materials. The German project partners are primarily providing laser know-how.

The term Industry 4.0 was coined more than ten years ago. High time to review the current state of digital networking in industry. A Fraunhofer study commissioned by VDMA and ZVEI points the way to Manufacturing-X.

Not all the secrets of this supposedly everyday material have been revealed. Just recently, American scientists created a new material in the form of glass that is five times lighter and four times stronger than steel.

Tesla, with its large factories spread around the globe, is an embodiment of efficiency in automobile production. What chances do traditional manufacturers have? Do they have to follow the example of the challenger in order not to give way?

More than half of the steel produced in the first half of 2023 will come from China. The EU as a whole is the third-largest steel producer - far behind China and just behind India - with Germany in 7th place.