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2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
10 notable factory cancellations or openings in 2025
This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter. Major U.S. manufacturing construction projects are in flux this year. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 16 clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing projects worth $8 billion were canceled, according to environmental group E2. In May, that total grew to $15.5 billion and the loss of 12,000 potential jobs. The Trump administration has stated it wants to pause the disbursement of grants, loans and tax credits for clean energy projects and shift support to fossil fuels and nuclear power. To this end, the president's recently passed tax law restricts clean energy credits offered by the Inflation Reduction Act. Amidst the news of new initiatives being canceled, existing projects at further stages are continuing to completion, expansion and launch. Here are some of the biggest highlights of manufacturing investments that were announced or put on hold so far in 2025. AESC The EV battery cell maker has paused the construction of its $1.6 billion plant in South Carolina. The construction began in 2023 but has now been put on hold due to changes in policy and the resulting market uncertainty, according to a company statement. AESC said it 'fully intends to meet our commitments' and specified that the project hasn't been canceled. However, no timeline or future plans were revealed. Bosch Bosch has halted plans to build a $200 million hydrogen fuel cell production facility in South Carolina. Originally slated for completion by 2026, the project aimed to produce fuel cells for Class 8 trucks and was expected to generate over 350 jobs. The company attributed this suspension to 'significant changes' in the industry and said it would 'continue to re-evaluate the investment for local fuel cell manufacturing when regional market demand increases.' Ford and SK On BlueOval SK Battery, a joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and SK On, is preparing to begin production in 2025. The $11 billion EV battery production project will construct facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee. The project received a $9.6 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan late last year, in addition to a $500 million grant from the state of Tennessee. Freyr Battery/T1 Energy Freyr, now rebranded as T1 Energy, canceled plans to build a $2.5 billion battery cell manufacturing plant in Georgia. The facility was slated to have created 700-plus jobs. The company has now shifted its focus to solar cell manufacturing after acquiring Trina Solar's 5-gigawatt solar module manufacturing facility and moving its global headquarters closer to this site. In addition, T1 has announced a new 5-GW solar cell manufacturing facility that's expected to begin construction in 2025 and production in the first half of 2026. The project is said to create up to 1,800 jobs with an investment of $850 million. Hyundai In March, Hyundai officially opened an electric and hybrid vehicle production facility in Georgia. With a $12.6 billion initial investment and commitment of an additional $21 billion investment from 2025 to 2028, it marks the largest economic investment project in the state's history. Hyundai announced that the facility has a production capacity of 500,000 vehicles annually and would create 8,500 jobs by 2031. Intel Intel has delayed the construction of its $28 billion Ohio One semiconductor production campus, which consists of two plants. The company received $1.5 billion in CHIPS funding for the project, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs. The campus was supposed to be ready by the end of 2026, but the timeline has now been pushed back to 2030 and 2031 for the two plants, respectively. JetZero The aircraft maker is planning to build a $4.7 billion plant in North Carolina. The company aims to begin construction next year, and the first commercial aircraft is expected to be ready by the end of the decade. The project is expected to create 14,500 jobs, which is the highest number in the state's history. Kore Power The company is no longer moving forward with a previously announced $1.2 billion battery cell plant in Arizona. The plant was expected to begin production this year, but now the site has been listed for sale and the founder and CEO has stepped down. The project was expected to have 6 GWh of initial capacity, eventually rising to 12 GWh, and create 3,000 jobs. However, the company claims it never received funds from an $850 million conditional DOE loan. Texas Instruments The semiconductor manufacturer has announced a $60 billion investment in seven fabrication plants across Texas and Utah. One of the Texas sites has received $40 billion for four fabs one of which is slated to begin production this year. Once ready, all the fabs combined are expected to produce hundreds of millions of chips daily for leading companies like Apple, Ford and Nvidia. The overall project is also slated to create 60,000 new jobs. TSMC Late last year, TSMC began high-volume semiconductor production at its first Arizona fab. This year, the company finished construction of the second fab and is expected to begin operations by 2028. Work has also begun on the third fab, which is slated to be ready by 2030. The company also announced an additional $100 billion investment with 'three new fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and a major R&D team center.' This brings the company's total planned investment in the region to $165 billion so far. All of these projects combined are expected to create 40,000 construction jobs, with many more tech roles in the future. Recommended Reading Major factory construction projects to watch in 2025
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What plastic, paper and metal commodity experts are watching with tariffs
This story was originally published on Waste Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Waste Dive newsletter. Editor's note: This story is part of a series highlighting takeaways from a July 23 virtual event hosted by Packaging Dive, Supply Chain Dive, Manufacturing Dive and Trucking Dive. Register here to watch the replay on demand. It's normal for commodity markets to ebb and flow due to a variety of domestic and global factors, but recent tariff impacts and changes in the U.S. economy in 2025 have thrown a new wrench in markets for virgin and recycled aluminum, plastic and fiber commodities. Experts in plastics, paper and metals offered an overview of these factors during the 'Supply Chain Outlook: Trends and Risks to Watch in 2025' event on Wednesday. The Trump administration's tariffs have resulted in market uncertainty, and that's playing out in different ways depending on the commodity, speakers said. These were some key takeaways from the event: Varied trade exposure, but also opportunities for US plastic manufacturing In the plastics industry, tariff exposure varies by sector. For example, plastic resins face less uncertainty compared with the machinery and molds sectors, said Perc Pineda, chief economist at the Plastics Industry Association. 'By and large, the plastics industry's exposure to trade is only about 20%,' he said, noting that there's currently 'a lot' of U.S. plastics production capacity and low utilization. 'If there is a need for import substitution because tariff rates are so high it's cost prohibitive, I am confident that domestic manufacturing could actually step in,' he said. The United States is a net importer of recycled plastics materials, he said. At the same time, domestic virgin resin production has increased by 5% year over year, which he sees as a sign that such production could help backfill demand if recycled commodities become harder to source due to tariffs. In June, virgin resin prices rose by 0.3%, which he sees as a sign that higher tariffs haven't automatically translated to higher inflation. However, the U.S. imports about 70% of the machinery it needs for plastic production, plus around half of needed molds, leading the industry to call for certain tariff exemptions in these sectors, he said. The industry is monitoring the situation, but likely won't see the true effects of such tariffs for several months. 'I know things are evolving, but I am hopeful, because I don't think the economy can continue with a scenario like this, when there's so much uncertainty. It has long-term effects, and the knock-on effects on the economy are going to be broad and wide.' Section 232 tariffs continue to impact steel and aluminum can manufacturing Section 232 aluminum and steel tariffs, which have been in place since 2018, went from 25% to 50% earlier this year. That has increased costs for aluminum and steel cans used for food, beverages and other items. The Can Manufacturers Institute and other groups are calling for specific tariff exemptions on aluminum imported from Canada, as well as on tin plate typically used to make steel cans, said CMI President Scott Breen. The industry prides itself on its recycled content use, Breen said. The average aluminum beverage can is made of about 71% recycled content, 'but that does mean that 29% is virgin or new aluminum, and most of that virgin aluminum is imported,' mainly from Canada, he said. For steel cans, nearly 80% of tin plate is imported, and 'we would love to purchase more domestic tin plate, but it's just not produced at the levels we need,' he said. Since 2018, nine of the 12 tin plate lines available in the U.S. have shut down, he said. Breen said continued tariffs will likely lead to increased food prices, citing a study from the Consumer Brands Association estimating a 9% to to 15% increase in the cost of canned goods. Broader economic trends, not tariffs, driving US fiber trade for now Meanwhile, broader changes in the global economy are making more of an impact on the fiber industry than tariffs specifically are, said Terry Webber, vice president of industry affairs for the American Forest & Paper Association. Paper is 'a commodity that tracks pretty closely to general economic performances. There's more economic activity, there's more paper and paper-based packaging consumed,' he said. The U.S. exports about 6 million tons of packaging papers globally. However, about 70% of the nation's external fiber trade is with Canada and Mexico, 'so as long as that trading relationship continues, that's going to cover the lion's share of the business we do,' he said. U.S. exports of recovered fiber to global markets have been declining in recent years, and the U.S. has focused on domestic investments meant to expand manufacturing that uses recycled fiber, namely OCC and mixed paper, he said. He estimated that AF&PA companies have announced about $7 billion in recent investments, 'so we're seeing a long-term positive trend in U.S. mill consumption that's helping to offset some of those changes that we're seeing in global trade flows.' At the same time, the U.S. has seen multiple notable mill closures in the first half of 2025. Webber attributed that activity to the industry adjusting its output to market demands. 'As capacity is coming offline, we're making investments in new capacity' while making the overall supply chains more efficient, he said. Webber noted AF&PA is tracking possible tariff impacts on equipment, which is typically imported from regions like Europe. 'It would be unfortunate if the spending and investment that our companies are conducting becomes subject to tariffs," he said. Recommended Reading ISRI says its rebrand to ReMA reflects the recycling industry's modern values 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
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
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How the semiconductor industry is grappling with cybersecurity threats
This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter. Cybersecurity has become imperative for chipmakers looking to protect their facilities and operations from rising threats. Otherwise, they are at risk of losing tens of millions of dollars from security incidents. A single 12-inch wafer used in high-end applications — such as artificial intelligence, high performance computing, or automotive chips — can be worth upwards of $20,000. If production is interrupted during critical stages, like photolithography or plasma etching, thousands of wafers may be damaged. This can result in significant losses from wasted materials, extended downtime, delayed shipments and diminished customer confidence. On Aug. 3, 2018, a WannaCry variant affected Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., disrupting both computer systems and manufacturing tools at multiple facilities in Taiwan. Several fabrication plants were forced to halt production and it took three days to recover approximately 80% of the affected equipment. In a 2018 report, TSMC says the virus led to nearly $84 million in losses for the third quarter. While some in the industry have disputed his views, TSMC's CEO C.C. Wei said at the time he didn't expect any hacking and 'this was purely our negligence.' At the time, a company spokesperson told Bank Info Security 'this tool arrived at our facility with a virus already on it.' The key lesson from this incident extended well beyond strengthening cybersecurity through technologies and processes. It underscored how critical security guidelines and successful implementation are across the chipmaking ecosystem. In the years that followed, semiconductor fabs systematically enhanced their cybersecurity posture through a three-stage, inside-out approach: securing operational environments, inspecting inbound devices and reinforcing supply chain cybersecurity. Further incidents have happened in the years since and the industry has made a coordinated effort, led by a consortium, to bolster its work through initiatives such as a new security standard. A growing issue Terence Liu, CEO of Taiwan-based cybersecurity firm TXOne Networks, has had a tough job over the past decade. As a key provider for TSMC, TXOne purpose-built its software and hardware to protect critical infrastructure in more than a dozen countries. Initial efforts focused on safeguarding internal operations. This included protecting critical production systems through network segmentation, endpoint protection and virtual patching to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities. Liu said that as these internal measures matured, 'the focus expanded to securing what enters the fab environment,' adding that 'strict inspection and validation processes were established for incoming equipment and devices, particularly those introduced by employees, contractors, or integration partners.' This step helped reduce the risk of inadvertently introducing threats into highly sensitive production areas. Sources say companies came to recognize that effective cybersecurity must extend to the broader supply chain. Suppliers are now expected to demonstrate stronger security practices. This often involves completing structured questionnaires and undergoing external vulnerability scans to validate the maturity of their internal cybersecurity controls. At the same time, there is growing awareness that securing the semiconductor industry requires collective action across the entire value chain, including manufacturers, equipment vendors and software providers. Several major semiconductor firms have taken the lead in forming communities under the influential organization SEMI, formerly known as the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International. A notable example of this collaboration is the Taiwan Semiconductor Cybersecurity Committee, chaired by TSMC. One notable outcome is the development of the SEMI E187 fab equipment cybersecurity specification. This landmark standard is tailored to the unique characteristics of semiconductor manufacturing environments, where equipment lifecycles often span decades and operational continuity is critical. The standard has evolved into a key purchasing requirement for many leading manufacturers and is now enforced throughout their supply chains. The supply chain enforcement is real and growing, with E187 certification now a baseline expectation for OEMs supplying to global fabs. TSMC's contract now mandates it, and official reference guides firmly embed it into procurement criteria. Certification bodies, such as Bureau Veritas and Intertek, offer formal assessment services and structured paths toward compliance. Companies such as Gallant, Control, and Delta have already qualified, signaling the existence of structured, scalable compliance paths, not just voluntary guidance. Looking ahead What began as a regional initiative has quickly grown into a global movement. James Tu, TSMC's head of corporate information security, outlined a vision to extend this cybersecurity uplift across the entire global semiconductor ecosystem during a talk at Semicon West in 2023. Tu plays a key role at Semi's Taiwan Cybersecurity Committee. 'Let us work together to enhance global supply chain security by influencing our own suppliers and partnering with SEMI,' he said. Tu stressed the need to influence TSMC's suppliers, collaborate with SEMI, and support the committee's members to create a ripple effect that boosts supply chain security broadly. This vision ultimately led to the formation of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Cybersecurity Consortium, a global group dedicated to advancing cyber resilience across the semiconductor supply chain. SMCC aims to unite chipmakers, equipment firms, cybersecurity vendors and nonprofits to safeguard semiconductor production from rising cyber threats. Its working groups focus on building implementation frameworks, aligning with global regulations and strengthening supply chain resilience. SMCC also monitors regulations such as the European Union's Cyber Resilience Act. In the past, each semiconductor fab required suppliers to complete its own cybersecurity questionnaire, which placed a heavy burden on suppliers who had to respond to numerous, varying assessments. SMCC consolidated expert input and developed a unified cybersecurity assessment questionnaire, serving as a standardized baseline for self-assessment and continuous improvement. This reduced the time and effort required from suppliers. SMCC also published the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 Semiconductor Profile. During a February 2023 NIST workshop, then-Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly applauded NIST's work to update the framework. She and CISA had been pushing for the technology community to focus on 'product safety' and 'the idea that software and hardware must be secure by design and secure by default'. She said the framework had been useful to companies seeking out a clear and actionable foundation for implementation — especially one that aligns with globally recognized best practices. This comes as the sector still faces a wave of cyber threats, with attackers targeting critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and production systems. Advanced persistent threats, ransomware and firmware-level attacks are becoming more sophisticated, often backed by nation-state actors. Experts say that what distinguishes the semiconductor industry in its cybersecurity transformation is the ability to combine deep technical expertise with a collaborative, long-term plan that involves shared responsibility. While not every industry operates with the semiconductor industry's high level of complexity or automation, the principles are broadly applicable: Cybersecurity is no longer optional. It's a foundational element of operational resilience and business trust. As TXOne Networks' Liu likes to emphasize, 'strong [operational technology] security not only protects production but also safeguards long-term competitiveness.' Recommended Reading Cyberattacks in manufacturing: What's driving the trend?
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cleveland-Cliffs looks to sell idle steel plants to data center developers
This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs is looking to sell its idle mills and certain assets to potential buyers, including data center developers, in an effort to reduce its overall debt and rightsize operations, EVP and CFO Celso Goncalves said in an earnings call Monday. The company is in talks with advisor JPMorgan, exploring the potential sale of certain 'non-core' operating assets worth billions of dollars, Goncalves said. It is also hearing from buyers interested in its recently idled mills in Riverdale, Illinois, as well as Steelton and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. 'These sites…are all uniquely positioned geographically and have what data center developers are looking for — access to power and water with the infrastructure already in place,' Goncalves said. If any of the sales are successful, he said the proceeds will go toward debt reduction. Dive Insight: Cleveland-Cliffs, one of the largest producers of flat-rolled steel, has been in downsizing mode in response to weak automotive production and rising prices. Between March and May, it fully or partially idled six facilities, resulting in layoffs affecting 2,000 workers across Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The company is expecting these changes to result in annual cost savings of about $310 million, according to an investor presentation. It is not expecting these changes to hurt steel production output. 'We are laser-focused on cost-cutting and steel sales, and that's the way we will continue to execute going forward,' President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said on the earnings call. In the second quarter, Cleveland-Cliffs reported revenue of $4.9 billion, driven by record-high steel shipments, higher pricing and lower costs. The results are up from Q1 and the same period last year. The steelmaker also recorded a net loss of $470 million, which included a one-time cost of $323 million related to its recent plant idlings. Looking ahead, Cleveland-Cliffs is expecting steel sales prices to remain favorable as slab prices decline. A third-party slab contract is set to expire in less than five months, which should allow the company to shift sales to higher-margin opportunities. The company is also expecting raw material costs to continue improving, citing a $15 per ton decrease in costs compared to Q1. On the call, the CEO lauded the Trump administration's Section 232 steel tariffs, which increased from 25% to 50% on June 4, and have played a key role in addressing issues with foreign competitors. 'They receive direct subsidies from their governments, and they do not have to comply with the stringent environmental standards and laws we have in place in the United States,' Goncalves said. Additionally, he pressured Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates to spur U.S. consumers to buy more cars, and for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to bolster the country's steel industry with stronger trade protections. 'The United States remains the most desirable market for steel,' Goncalves said. Recommended Reading Cleveland-Cliffs to lay off 950 workers in Illinois, Pennsylvania Sign in to access your portfolio
India.com
19-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for employees of this company as it plans to cut over 5,000 jobs; not Ratan Tata's TCS, Narayana Murthy's Infosys, Microsoft or Google, Wipro, it is…
Intel, one of the world's largest chipmaking companies, plans to lay off more than 5,000 employees in the United States as part of an ongoing restructuring initiative aimed at reviving its struggling business. According to Manufacturing Dive, which cited updated Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings, the layoffs will primarily affect employees in California, Oregon, Arizona, and Texas. Based on the California WARN filings, the job cuts in Santa Clara and Folsom have nearly doubled, totalling 1,935 employees. Layoffs began on July 11 in Folsom and July 15 in Santa Clara.
