Advanced Magnet Lab has secured a US$2 million, two-year Defense Logistics Agency contract to qualify domestically produced high‑grade sintered NdFeB PM‑Wire magnets, including defence‑grade compositions such as N48SH and N35EH. The Florida firm will develop alloying, supply chain management and advanced manufacturing routes to scale permanent magnet production using its PM‑Wire process, which is designed to fit existing magnet‑making lines. AML is also progressing SmFeN, MnBi, anisotropic NdFeB and (Mischmetal‑Nd)FeB magnets, working with Phoenix Tailings, Ionic Rare Earths and Momentum to reduce critical rare earth content and improve material traceability.

SSAB is investing SEK 3.3 billion over four years in a new quenching and tempering (Q&T) line at its Oxelösund plant to expand production of advanced wear and protection steels, including Hardox 500 Tuf and Armox grades. The Q&T line will be integrated within SSAB’s strategic capex programme and is intended to support higher volumes of ultra-high-strength plate for mining buckets, truck bodies and armour applications. For mine operators and OEMs, this signals increased availability of abrasion-resistant and ballistic-grade steels for lighter, longer-life equipment.

Recticel has commissioned a PIR insulation recycling plant in Wevelgem, Belgium, designed to process up to 4,000 tonnes per year of post‑industrial PIR board offcuts and scrap into recycled polyol feedstock. The recovered polyol, used to manufacture new PIR boards, is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by 30–50% compared with virgin polyol, while reducing primary raw material demand. Boards incorporating the recycled content will be supplied from all Recticel plants, including UK facilities, giving specifiers a lower‑carbon option without changing product families.