Ten production-technology developments from the past week across batteries, semiconductors, ceramics, catalysis and chemicals — summarised for process and scale-up engineers, with links to the original sources.

Batteries

A solid-state cell line built by converting a lithium-ion line
Greater Bay Technology began series production of all-solid-state pouch cells in Nansha, China, with 1 GWh of initial capacity in a 4 GWh plant. Electrode making, stacking and formation stay on conventional equipment; the main change is filling a liquid electrolyte precursor that is cured inside the cell under dry, oxygen-free conditions — a route that limits new capital for the electrolyte step.
Source: electrive, 14 October 2026 — GBT begins series production of solid-state battery cells

Industrial synthetic graphite from biomass residues
Imerys started industrial-scale production of synthetic graphite made from biomass residues in Bodio, Switzerland, using a catalyst-free process powered by low-carbon electricity and targeting a cradle-to-gate footprint below 0.1 kg CO₂e per kg. For anode supply chains, it adds a regional synthetic-graphite source with a much lower carbon footprint.
Source: Chemical Engineering, 12 October 2026 — Imerys launches industrial-scale production of bio-based synthetic graphite

Semiconductors

Two new 300 mm fabs planned in New York
GlobalFoundries was selected to operate two new 300 mm fabs at its Malta, New York site under a U.S.–Japan initiative of up to $21 billion, with the first fab expected online in 2029 and about 900,000 wafers per year per fab at full output. Tokyo Electron is named as equipment and technology partner — a signal of more demand for process materials and equipment in the U.S.
Source: GlobalFoundries, 14 October 2026 — GlobalFoundries selected to operate two new semiconductor fabs in New York

300 mm fab equipment spending outlook raised
SEMI expects global 300 mm front-end equipment spending of $149 billion in 2026 (up 31%) rising to $227 billion in 2029, with 20 new fabs or lines starting construction in 2026 and 23 starting operation in 2027. Suppliers of wafer-processing chemicals, slurries and ceramics for tools should expect sustained volume growth.
Source: SEMI, 13 October 2026 — Global 300mm fab equipment spending to reach $227 billion in 2029

Ceramics

Murata considers bringing MLCC expansion forward
Murata is reported to be weighing additional investment in multilayer ceramic capacitor capacity, and earlier timing, as AI-server demand accelerates; the amount, sites and schedule are expected before its late-October results. MLCC capacity growth translates directly into demand for dielectric powders, slurries and tape-casting lines.
Source: DIGITIMES (subscription), 15 October 2026 — Murata eyes earlier MLCC expansion as AI server demand surges

Catalysis

Large-scale ethenolysis plant commissioned
Verbio commissioned an ethenolysis plant in Bitterfeld, Germany, converting rapeseed methyl ester by olefin metathesis into 1-decene and 9-DAME, with up to 60,000 tonnes per year of bio-based chemicals and catalysts supplied by its own subsidiary. It is a notable commercial-scale application of metathesis catalysis to renewable feedstocks.
Source: Chemical Engineering, 9 October 2026 — Verbio commissions large-scale ethenolysis plant in Bitterfeld

Inorganic chemicals and hydrogen

Electric-driven syngas compression for green ammonia
Everllence will supply a parallel two-compressor synthesis-gas train with an electric motor drive for AM Green’s conversion of a gas-based ammonia complex in Kakinada, India, to green ammonia; the unit serves 1,500 tonnes per day, with delivery in late 2027. Electric drives replace steam turbines because green ammonia plants generate far less process steam.
Source: Chemical Engineering, 15 October 2026 — Everllence to supply compressor train for green ammonia project in India

Central assembly hub for electrolyzer cells
thyssenkrupp nucera will consolidate assembly of alkaline water-electrolysis cells in a new hub near Porto, Portugal, with construction starting this winter and assembly from 2028. Centralised cell assembly is a step from project-by-project builds toward series manufacturing of electrolyzers.
Source: Chemical Engineering, 7 October 2026 — thyssenkrupp nucera to open central electrolyzer cell assembly hub in Portugal

Chemicals

Wood-based chemicals biorefinery inaugurated
UPM inaugurated its €1.37 billion biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, with 220,000 tonnes per year of capacity for industrial sugars, lignin and lignin-derived chemicals from beechwood residues; enzymatic hydrolysis has reached stable operation. Lignin-based fillers are a new raw-material option for formulators of rubber and coatings.
Source: Chemical Engineering, 16 October 2026 — UPM inaugurates Leuna biorefinery

Recycled content built into a single PET pellet
Plastipak opened a PET material centre in Verbania, Italy (investment above €25 million), producing a resin that carries 30% recycled content within a single pellet. Pre-blended recycled content reduces the feeding and blending variation converters face when mixing virgin and recycled resins.
Source: Chemical Engineering, 16 October 2026 — Plastipak opens PET resin manufacturing center in Verbania

Summaries are TheBulkLab’s own and are for general information. All rights in the linked articles belong to their publishers.