NASA’s Orion spacecraft programme is driving demand for advanced alloys, with aluminium‑lithium in the crew module to cut mass, titanium for primary structural members, and nickel‑based superalloys in engines to withstand extreme thermal loads. These specifications exemplify how deep-space missions are tightening requirements on fatigue life, high‑temperature creep resistance and weldability in lightweight alloys. For miners and metallurgical suppliers, the mix of Al‑Li, titanium and high‑nickel feedstocks signals sustained demand for high‑purity ores and tightly controlled processing routes.

Geothermal Engineering Ltd has begun commercial-scale production of zero‑carbon lithium carbonate at its United Downs geothermal power plant in Cornwall, using Watson‑Marlow 630 and Qdos peristaltic pumps for reagent dosing. The pumps provide sealed, low‑maintenance chemical transfer with precise flow control, supporting closed‑loop extraction from hot brines and reducing operator exposure to corrosive fluids. For process engineers, the choice of peristaltic technology signals a preference for accurate metering and simplified containment over more complex diaphragm or centrifugal dosing systems in geothermal lithium circuits.

JCB will from June 2026 offer selected tracked excavators – the 140X, 145XR, 150X, 220X and 245XR – factory‑specified to run on 100% FAME B100 biodiesel derived from recycled vegetable oils, supplied by Syntech Biofuel and compliant with BS EN 14214 and ISCC certification. Machines ordered with a B100 pack and dealer B100 enhanced service contract retain full JCB warranty, and can be converted back to conventional diesel before resale to protect residual values. JCB claims up to 93% greenhouse gas reduction versus standard diesel with no performance loss, giving contractors an immediate low‑carbon option for heavy earthworks plant.