Sripath Technologies is marking 20 years of supplying specialised asphalt additives and modifier technologies to the global road construction and maintenance sector, with a focus on performance and cost efficiency. The company’s portfolio includes products such as rejuvenators and polymer modifiers designed to improve rutting resistance, fatigue life and workability, while enabling higher reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) contents. Its long-term commercial track record signals growing confidence in engineered additives as a route to more durable, lower‑carbon pavements without major changes to existing plant or laying practices.

US battery recycler Aqua Metals has signed a term sheet to acquire Utah-based energy storage systems provider Lion Energy, aiming to control the full battery lifecycle from manufacturing and deployment to grid-interactive storage and end-of-life recovery. The deal would combine Aqua Metals’ recycled battery materials, including future supply of up to 1,000 tonnes per year of nickel carbonate to Westwin Elements from 2027, with Lion’s systems, software and manufacturing capability. Shares in Aqua Metals fell 6.9% on the announcement, leaving the company valued at $12.8 million.

Advanced Magnet Lab (AML) is scaling a wire-like manufacturing process for permanent magnets, enabling samarium nitride and manganese-bismuth compositions that are poorly suited to conventional press-and-sinter NdFeB routes dominated by China. Operating at pilot scale and targeting roughly 100 tonnes per year rather than 10,000-tonne megaprojects, AML is qualifying MnBi magnets with motor OEMs and ramping NdFeB output for defence and specialty uses, with samarium nitride furthest advanced. OEMs are reportedly paying US$10–20/kg premiums for diversified, traceable supply, while magnet-making equipment faces 14–20 month lead times.