Toyota Woven City completes its first phase in Japan. Micron expands in Singapore. FORCIT will make more TNT in Pori, Finland. GE Healthcare expands in Cork, Ireland. Spain’s Repsol establishes a new methanol plant in Tarragona. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan comments on prospects for African economic development.
Anyone who recalls the legendary around-the-world journey of the solar-powered Solar Impulse aircraft recounted in this space a decade ago will have reason to look to the skies again this year. H55, the Switzerland-based electric aviation spinoff from the Solar Impulse team, las launched a cross-country tour of the United States to demonstrate its Bristell B23 Energic, the first fully electric two-seater aircraft to be certified under Part 23 regulations, at major aviation hubs throughout the United States, beginning with the 51st Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, last week.
“We pioneered electric aviation with Solar Impulse, crossing the U.S. in 2016 during our flight around the world,” said H55 Co-Founder and Executive Chairman André Borschberg in late March. “Now we’re back — not with a prototype, but with an aircraft to be commercialized, with deliveries starting a next year. The B23 Energic is bringing electric flight to pilot training and general aviation.”
In addition to Switzerland, the company also is ramping up operations in Quebec, part of an electric innovation landscape explored in the Quebec Spotlight in the May 2025 issue of Site Selection.
A selection of graphs from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce paints a picture of worker shortages, quit rates and other relevant math problems.
Yokogawa Innovation Switzerland looks to advance biotech R&D in Allschwil, near Basel.
Photo courtesy of Yokagawa
The London office of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in March published the “Japanese Corporate Innovation in Europe” directory, consisting of over 60 Japanese companies with technology scouting hubs in Europe. “The report explores the significant opportunities for European tech firms to work with the growing number of Japanese companies based in Europe,” said Intralink, which worked with JETRO on the report. “These companies are looking to partner with European innovators to address key challenges facing corporate Japan, from meeting climate obligations, to the rising demand for AI and automation.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Photo by JF Savaria – OSA courtesy of Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
“Étrangement satisfaisant” by COLEGRAM was one of the video works illuminating the façades of Édifice WILDER | Espace Danse, UQAM’s Pavillon Président-Kennedy and the wall adjacent to Saint-Laurent metro station during the recently concluded LUMINO event held in February and March in downtown Montreal, Quebec. Created and produced by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, LUMINO was conceived to bring warmth, color and light to the last of the winter nights.
