Latest news with #AlexGrant
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Duchy, London EC2: ‘The small plates concept, once so edgy, shows no sign of relenting' – restaurant review
I felt a compulsion to go to Duchy, in east London, because I had dined at its predecessor, Leroy, in 2018, as well as its genesis, Ellory, in 2015. These three different restaurants share DNA. Yes, 10 years have passed, but very little in the pared-back, pan-European anchovies-on-a-plate-for-£12 dining scene has moved on. No-frills decor, bare-brick walls, earnest small plates, staff with statement moustaches despite it not being remotely near Movember. We all know the drill for such places. There will be those exemplary anchovies on some sort of crostini, asparagus because it's in season, some beans, maybe green, perhaps white, fancy French cheese and a tart of the day for afters. While Ellory merged into Leroy via a move from London Fields to Shoreditch, Leroy has become Duchy, it seems, via a simple change of the sign above the door. Front-of-house Alex Grant and chef Simon Shand met at Leroy and have now made this restaurant their own. In pop music terms, visiting Duchy is like going to see Bucks Fizz at Butlin's and the only remaining member is David Van Day, and you're pretty sure he was actually in Dollar, but hey, it's fine, whatever, because they're now cranking through Making Your Mind Up anyway. Still, clearly this 'things on plates, served sporadically' concept isn't broken, and Duchy don't need to fix it, because by 5pm on a Tuesday night, this new/old restaurant is filling up nicely, and by the time we leave two hours later, it's absolutely heaving. The UK restaurant world is patently nowhere near the end of its 'three ravioli dressed in olive oil and a scattering of podded peas' era, of 'Hey, guys, can I start you off with some comté gougères' and 'Yes, we are playing Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense'. There has, admittedly, been a surge of 'authentic French' restaurants in the capital recently – 74 Duke, French Society, Marjorie's, Joséphine – where beret-wearing British restaurateurs seem to be draping onions around their necks and serving up hearty soups, souffles, trotters and Paris-Brests, and very nice they are, too. But this thing that Ellory, then Leroy and now Duchy does, and which was once so edgy, shows no sign of relenting. Two anchovies on two crostini dotted with marjoram leaves arrive for £5, followed by a pile of rather soft, chunkily cut panisse – polenta fries – enrobed in a thick grating of meule des Alpes from Savoie. A vitello tonnato with the veal served tartare-style is topped with what are reportedly shoestring fries, but have tangled into what looks like a deep-fried potato rösti. A highlight is a bowl of al dente Italian flat beans served cold in some type of vinaigrette, and with the pleasing addition of fresh almonds, blobs of rather pungent gorgonzola and a few slices of loquat. Surely loquats are just kumquats with aspirations of grandeur, you might be thinking. Well, you would be very wrong: loquats are bigger, more like a sharp pear in flavour and wholly suitable for matching with a stinky, oozy Italian cheese and some crunchy veg. A bowl of fresh spaghetti with sage is as memorable as the chorus of Britain's last Eurovision entry, and I am truly puzzled by what appears to be Duchy's signature dish: some very damp smoked trout on a bowl of vivid green spätzle that have been cooked until mushy. Thank heavens for the final main course, then, poulet au vin jaune, served on a silky buttery pomme purée with a scattering of outstanding morels. Delicious, although there is always a moment, when I have been fooled again into sharing a plate of chicken and mash, that I think, 'Surely sharing mash and gravy is the type of thing you should only need to do in a national emergency and you're huddling around a brazier with other survivors. Why am I paying £28 for this pleasure?' But, as I say, we are too far down this route to back out now; those brick walls that make conversations bounce around deafeningly, the slice of perfectly fine apricot tart with creme fraiche for afters, the £130 bill without drinks for an adequate, perfectly of-its-ilk, London small-plates dinner. Stop Making Sense is reaching its final track as we pay up, and I'm not entirely sure if the food world ever truly started making sense. Duchy 18 Phipp Street, London EC2, 07874 310612. Open Tues-Sat, lunch noon-2pm, dinner 5.30-9.45pm. From about £40 a head à la carte, plus drinks and service
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Magrathea launches new electrolyser to advance production technology and scale operations
Magrathea, a technology company specialising in magnesium production from seawater, has launched its new magnesium chloride electrolyser at its pilot facility in Oakland, California, US. This development marks a step towards scaling the company's operations and providing a US-based critical minerals supply chain. The company's new electrolyser is designed to optimise the production of magnesium metal by splitting magnesium salts using electricity. Magrathea's technology is set to significantly reduce both the carbon footprint and operating costs of future commercial plants. Over the coming months, Magrathea will collect and process data, aiming to minimise electricity usage, recycle energy and refine the dehydration process, which presents the largest cost-saving potential in magnesium metal production. The gathered data and processing insights are also expected to facilitate the permitting processes for new facilities due to the technology's environmental benefits. Magrathea's advancements in magnesium production technology come at a crucial time, as Russia and China currently dominate 90% of the global primary magnesium supply, with no significant producer in any NATO country. The company's pilot plant in California has the capacity to produce 4,000 pounds of magnesium annually at full capacity and demonstrates competitive operating costs. The technology is carbon-neutral, producing zero CO₂ equivalent/kg of magnesium, compared with more than 40kg of CO₂ equivalent with the current Chinese process. This attribute is expected to aid in streamlining future facility permitting. Magrathea CEO Alex Grant said: 'Magnesium is one of the most important critical materials, but NATO countries face a dire shortage of non-China supply. Western nations must view this supply crisis as a national security emergency. 'At our core, Magrathea's innovative technology revitalises a proven process with our own twist for considerable efficiency improvement and expense reduction. We expect to reduce the technology's operating expenses to make it cost-competitive with alternative production methods that exist today, including in China.' With plans to scale up production to two million pounds of magnesium per year by 2027, Magrathea aims to meet the demands of various industries including aerospace and defence. The company has already secured agreements with more than 25 companies including ten linked to the US defence industry, an offtake agreement with a global automaker and a resource supply agreement with Cargill. Additionally, Magrathea's production of chloride co-products opens further market opportunities. The company's scale-up efforts are supported by Sedgman Novopro, an engineering operator with mining and mineral processing expertise. Backed by credible investors such as the US Department of Defense and leaders from companies such as Glencore and Tesla, Magrathea is well-positioned to advance its magnesium production technology. "Magrathea launches new electrolyser to advance production technology and scale operations" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
U.S.-Based Magrathea Launches Next-Gen Magnesium Production Technology, Advances Plans to Scale
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Magrathea ('Magrathea' or the 'Company'), a technology company that produces magnesium metal from seawater, today announced the launch of its next-generation magnesium chloride electrolyzer, a machine that uses electricity to split magnesium salts to make magnesium metal, at its pilot facility in Oakland, California. This milestone is a crucial step to advance the technical and data framework for a future scaled plant. Additionally, the project strategically positions Magrathea's technology to provide American companies with access to U.S.-based critical mineral supply chains amid shifting trade policies and export controls. 'Magnesium is one of the most important critical materials, but NATO countries face a dire shortage of non-China supply,' Alex Grant, CEO of Magrathea, said. 'Western nations must view this supply crisis as a national security emergency.' 'At our core, Magrathea's innovative technology revitalizes a proven process with our own twist for considerable efficiency improvement and expense reduction,' Mr. Grant continued. 'We expect to reduce the technology's operating expenses to make it cost-competitive with alternative production methods that exist today, including in China. Magrathea is in conversations with several major defense, chemical and mining industrial players to form a strategic partnership to scale up our technology as the first new commercial-scale magnesium electrolyzer in the United States in the past 50 years.' Over the coming months, Magrathea will use data gathered from the pilot-scale electrolyzer to create a scalable technical model aimed at achieving the highest efficiencies from both environmental and economic perspectives. The Company will focus on obtaining process data, minimizing total electricity use, recycling energy in strategic ways and optimizing the dehydration process, which offers the biggest opportunity for cost reduction in the electrolytic magnesium metal production process. These technical efforts are expected to significantly reduce the carbon footprint and operating expenditure of future commercial plants. The data and key processing learnings are also expected to help streamline permitting processes for future facilities given the inherent environmental benefits of the technology. Magrathea and Magnesium Highlights The 'Gateway Metal': Magnesium unlocks a wide range of applications, such as stiffening aluminum in alloys, steel making, nuclear inputs, automotive, aerospace, and next-generation defense applications. Solving a National Security Emergency: Russia and China currently control 90% of the global primary magnesium supply with no significant producer in any NATO country. First Mover Advantage: Magrathea is the most advanced new producer of magnesium metal with significant intellectual property including patents and trade secrets. Existing Operations: Magrathea's operational pilot plant in California can produce 4,000 pounds of magnesium annually at full capacity. Low Operational Expense: Magrathea's technology demonstrates competitive operating costs, leveraging abundantly available seawater and renewable energy as feedstock. Carbon Neutral: Technology produces 0 kg CO2 eq./kg magnesium compared to over 40 kg CO2 eq./kg magnesium with the incumbent Chinese process, which is expected to further streamline permitting processes for future scaled facilities. Scalable to Meet Demand: Magrathea – in partnership with a strategic partner – plans to deploy its technology at a scaled facility by 2027 to produce up to 2 million pounds of magnesium per year, enough to support the equivalent production of thousands of Black Hawk helicopters annually. Significant Commercial Traction: Magrathea has signed agreements with more than 25 companies, including 10 connected to the U.S. defense industry, an offtake agreement with a global automaker, and a resource supply agreement with Cargill. Additional Market Opportunities: In addition to magnesium, Magrathea produces chloride co-products, which have a wide range of end-markets such as bleach, to unlock more value and improve project economics. Strong Engineering Partnership: Magrathea is collaborating with Sedgman Novopro, an engineering firm specialized in mining and mineral processing, to support its scale-up engineering and design program. Backed By Marquee Investors: Technology is backed by credible investors, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Capricorn, VoLo Earth, Exor Ventures, Sam Altman, and leaders at Glencore, Mitra Chem, Tesla, and many more. About Magrathea Magrathea is a technology company based in California that has developed a process for making magnesium metal from seawater and brines to help the West solve its magnesium shortage. Magnesium is essential for a wide range of applications such as stiffening aluminum in alloys, steel making, inputs for nuclear applications, automotive, aerospace, and next-generation defense applications. The company's technology is expected to be the largest primary production solution across NATO countries by 2030. For more information, please visit
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S.-Based Magrathea Launches Next-Gen Magnesium Production Technology, Advances Plans to Scale
Important step to build a scalable technical model and garner data to deploy technology commercially to support the manufacturing of virtually all of America's key defense platforms Implementing technical initiatives to further improve cost and environmental efficiencies of proven technology Technology enables American companies to secure a reliable critical mineral supply to counter trade policies and export controls SAN FRANCISCO, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Magrathea ("Magrathea" or the "Company"), a technology company that produces magnesium metal from seawater, today announced the launch of its next-generation magnesium chloride electrolyzer, a machine that uses electricity to split magnesium salts to make magnesium metal, at its pilot facility in Oakland, California. This milestone is a crucial step to advance the technical and data framework for a future scaled plant. Additionally, the project strategically positions Magrathea's technology to provide American companies with access to U.S.-based critical mineral supply chains amid shifting trade policies and export controls. "Magnesium is one of the most important critical materials, but NATO countries face a dire shortage of non-China supply," Alex Grant, CEO of Magrathea, said. "Western nations must view this supply crisis as a national security emergency." "At our core, Magrathea's innovative technology revitalizes a proven process with our own twist for considerable efficiency improvement and expense reduction," Mr. Grant continued. "We expect to reduce the technology's operating expenses to make it cost-competitive with alternative production methods that exist today, including in China. Magrathea is in conversations with several major defense, chemical and mining industrial players to form a strategic partnership to scale up our technology as the first new commercial-scale magnesium electrolyzer in the United States in the past 50 years." Over the coming months, Magrathea will use data gathered from the pilot-scale electrolyzer to create a scalable technical model aimed at achieving the highest efficiencies from both environmental and economic perspectives. The Company will focus on obtaining process data, minimizing total electricity use, recycling energy in strategic ways and optimizing the dehydration process, which offers the biggest opportunity for cost reduction in the electrolytic magnesium metal production process. These technical efforts are expected to significantly reduce the carbon footprint and operating expenditure of future commercial plants. The data and key processing learnings are also expected to help streamline permitting processes for future facilities given the inherent environmental benefits of the technology. Magrathea and Magnesium Highlights The "Gateway Metal": Magnesium unlocks a wide range of applications, such as stiffening aluminum in alloys, steel making, nuclear inputs, automotive, aerospace, and next-generation defense applications. Solving a National Security Emergency: Russia and China currently control 90% of the global primary magnesium supply with no significant producer in any NATO country. First Mover Advantage: Magrathea is the most advanced new producer of magnesium metal with significant intellectual property including patents and trade secrets. Existing Operations: Magrathea's operational pilot plant in California can produce 4,000 pounds of magnesium annually at full capacity. Low Operational Expense: Magrathea's technology demonstrates competitive operating costs, leveraging abundantly available seawater and renewable energy as feedstock. Carbon Neutral: Technology produces 0 kg CO2 eq./kg magnesium compared to over 40 kg CO2 eq./kg magnesium with the incumbent Chinese process, which is expected to further streamline permitting processes for future scaled facilities. Scalable to Meet Demand: Magrathea – in partnership with a strategic partner – plans to deploy its technology at a scaled facility by 2027 to produce up to 2 million pounds of magnesium per year, enough to support the equivalent production of thousands of Black Hawk helicopters annually. Significant Commercial Traction: Magrathea has signed agreements with more than 25 companies, including 10 connected to the U.S. defense industry, an offtake agreement with a global automaker, and a resource supply agreement with Cargill. Additional Market Opportunities: In addition to magnesium, Magrathea produces chloride co-products, which have a wide range of end-markets such as bleach, to unlock more value and improve project economics. Strong Engineering Partnership: Magrathea is collaborating with Sedgman Novopro, an engineering firm specialized in mining and mineral processing, to support its scale-up engineering and design program. Backed By Marquee Investors: Technology is backed by credible investors, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Capricorn, VoLo Earth, Exor Ventures, Sam Altman, and leaders at Glencore, Mitra Chem, Tesla, and many more. About Magrathea Magrathea is a technology company based in California that has developed a process for making magnesium metal from seawater and brines to help the West solve its magnesium shortage. Magnesium is essential for a wide range of applications such as stiffening aluminum in alloys, steel making, inputs for nuclear applications, automotive, aerospace, and next-generation defense applications. The company's technology is expected to be the largest primary production solution across NATO countries by 2030. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Mediamedia@
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New ‘Roo focusing on Sydney task
Alex Grant will temper the delight of his maiden Socceroos call-up to focus on helping Sydney FC securing a crucial A-League win over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday night. At 31, the experienced defender has achieved what he believes is an overdue reward for his consistent form by being named in Australia's squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia on Thursday night at Sydney's Allianz Stadium and China on Tuesday week in Hangzhou. 'Over the last three or four years, playing in Asia and playing to a good standard, I feel like it was probably a little unjust at times not to be involved in the past,' said Grant, who before joining the Sky Blues in the January-February transfer window has had a successful spell in South Korea with Pohang Steelers before a difficult stint in China with Tianjin Jinmen. 'I feel like I certainly deserved it with how I've performed over the last three of four years, and now that I'm back playing and in an environment where I'm wanted and enjoying my football, and putting in some good performances as well, I feel like I'm ready to step up.' Full Extended Squad: — Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) March 14, 2025 Grant can further his case for playing time against Indonesia with a strong performance for the Sky Blues against the Phoenix at Allianz Stadium. Seventh-placed Sydney needs a win to maintain the club's push for a top-six berth. 'The news over the last couple of days is great for myself personally but my main focus now is winning that game on Sunday. and that's going to be for all the boys,' said Grant, who scored in the Sky Blues' AFC Champions League Two quarter-final home win over South Korean club Jeonbuk Motors on Thursday night. 'Teams have struggled balancing between playing in Asia, and then bringing results back domestically, and we've really got to do that to cement our spot in the (A-League) top-six. 'We've just got to keep that momentum where it is and keep the positivity throughout the team. 'There are good vibes around the place at the moment, and we've got to keep it rolling. That's all we can do.' '
