Wondering whether the latest U.S. approach to industrial
policy is the best path? The Babbage Forum, a network of
leading international figures from engineering, economics
and operations management organized by the University of
Cambridge, this spring released 10 reports covering
industrial innovation policymaking in China, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Sweden, the UK and
the United States.
Swedish engineered polymer maker Trelleborg Group in May announced this
new manufacturing facility in Vietnam for mainly marine solutions, such
as marine construction, infrastructure, and fenders. The company said
the investment is part of a larger restructuring project concentrating
manufacturing in these product areas in Vietnam and China. In the
Netherlands and Singapore, Sales & Design Engineering Excellence Centers
are being established for tunnel seals and marine offshore
infrastructure, such as offshore wind power. “Vietnam is centrally
located in Asia with access to a well-educated workforce and good supply
chains in the form of global shipping routes,” said Peter Nilsson,
president and CEO of Trelleborg Group. The facility will be built in Ba
Ria Vung Tau, near Ho Chi Minh City. It will meet future demands for
both efficient production processes and sustainability, including solar
panels, and effective water and wastewater systems. Production in the
new facility will start in 2026. The facility will be Trelleborg’s
second facility in Vietnam. At the end of 2023, Trelleborg will
inaugurate a new manufacturing facility for sealing solutions in the
country. Trelleborg employs more than 16,700 in 40 countries.
Concurrent with last week’s announcement it would build its first U.S.
BEV at its plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, Toyota said it will invest an
additional $2.1 billion in its new North Carolina battery manufacturing
plant. Toyota’s significant investment in our state, now nearly $6
billion, is terrific news and more evidence that North Carolina is a
leader in the clean energy economy,” said North Carolina Governor Roy
Cooper. The facility will be Toyota’s hub for developing and producing
lithium-ion batteries. Production at the Liberty plant is slated to
begin in 2025 with six battery production lines, four for hybrid
electric vehicles and two for BEVs. “The future is bright at Toyota
North Carolina,” said Sean Suggs, president, Toyota Battery
Manufacturing, North Carolina. “With this proactive infrastructure
investment, we will be able to quickly support future expansion
opportunities to meet growing customer need.”
This photo was made in November in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
(USVI) as U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant
Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor visited
the USVI and Puerto Rico to highlight efforts to bolster coastal and
climate resilience in the U.S. territories. They were joined by Fish &
Wildlife Service staff and scientists at Sandy Point National Wildlife
Refuge to learn about their work to advance sea turtle management and
recovery at the refuge. “The visit culminated in the incredible
experience of releasing newborn turtles who had hatched that morning but
had not made it out of their nest,” a Dept. of Interior release stated.
