Hungary Builds With LEGO
Later this year, the LEGO Group will begin a $136 million expansion at its Nyíregyháza, Hungary site, two hours northeast of Budapest. By adding over 320,000 sq. ft. of production space this investment aims to meet growing demand. In addition, the company will add two new packaging halls, a new warehouse, administration building and car park. “The LEGO Group has a strong history of operations in Nyíregyháza, celebrating 15 years of production this year. This investment is one of several strategic expansions in our supply chain network, setting us up for long-term growth so we may continue to delight more children and fans around the world,” said LEGO Group CEO Carsten Rasmussen. Of the announced $136 million, over $11 million is funded by the state, according to the company’s release. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2025, adding 300 new jobs.
After 15 years, LEGO is expanding its Hungary manufacturing plant.
Photo courtesy of LEGO Group
Fleets Go Electric
Mercedes-Benz Trucks launched its new heavy-duty electric truck in October 2023 as the company aims to replace a majority of diesel trucks for freight transport. The eActros 600, named for its high battery capacity of over 600 kilowatt hours, has the ability to travel more than 1,000 kilometers (or about 621 miles) on a single charge while carrying a maximum of 44 tons. Most Mercedes-Benz European customers travel under 500 kilometers and have prescribed driver breaks, and significant charging can take place in 30 minutes. In comparison to diesel transportation for customers in Europe, the eActros 600 has resulted in 80% CO2 savings over the entire product life. Sales for eActros begin this year, while series production aims to begin at the end of 2024.
The eActros carries a payload of 22 tons with standard trailer.
Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Bring On the Biofuel
In an October 2023 signing ceremony held in Seoul, South Korea, oil refiner GS Caltex and trading company Posco International Corporation announced their new $193 million bio feedstock refinery joint venture. The JV project will be located in Kalimantan, Indonesia’s share of Borneo, occupying over 322,000 sq. ft. with the capacity to process 500,000 tons of bio feedstock and cooking oil per year. In processing palm oil and waste produced at the plant, both companies aim to increase their competitiveness and domestic supply chain of biofuel. This facility will service future biofuel production technology endeavors planned for GS Caltex. Construction on the facility will begin in 2024 with operations expected to begin by mid-2025.
In October, GS Caltex CEO Hur Sae-hong (left) and Posco International Corp. Vice Chairman Jeong Tak announced a new JV for a bio refinery plant in Indonesia.
Photo courtesy of GS Caltex
Germany Nets Vetter Investment
Life sciences company Vetter announced a $244 million investment to expand production capabilities at its Ravensburg, Germany, HQ site. The project brings a new production building featuring several new commercial aseptic filling lines, cleanrooms, increased lab and cool storage space and various warehousing. “Our new production building signifies our ongoing dedication to support the needs of our customers concerning their complex injectable drug products with regards to packaging systems, specific process requirements and batch sizes. This is just one of several investments we are currently undertaking to manage our sustainable growth,” said Vetter Managing Director Thomas Otto.
Photo courtesy of Vetter
Success Breeds Success in Selangor
China-based photovoltaics company LONGi Green Energy Technology is looking to expand its portfolio in Malaysia with a $380 million investment. The 140-acre Serendah Module Plant, located in the western Malaysia state of Selangor, aims to tap into the fast-growing PV sector while meeting green energy production goals. This project is projected to create 2,000 new jobs in the region. As the company has experienced success with its Kuching and Bintulu Malaysian facilities, this investment is a natural next step to cementing its footprint in west Malaysia.
Malaysia’s growing solar industry brings new manufacturing investment.
Photo: Getty Images
Countries Committing to Nuclear Power
These countries have the most nuclear power plants currently under construction.* The World Nuclear Association said in August that nuclear energy now provides about 10% of the world’s electricity from about 440 power reactors and accounted for 26% of low-carbon power in 2020. Nuclear is the world’s second largest source of low-carbon power (26% of the total in 2020).
Data Source: World Nuclear Association
* Excluding plants whose construction is currently paused
