PROPELLING CLEAN FLIGHT
Hydrogen-electric aircraft manufacturer ZeroAvia plans to introduce a new Hydrogen Center of Excellence in Scotland aimed to drive a variety of manufacturing operations focused on powertrain production and testing. The company will construct the facility near the Glasgow International Airport within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland. The site will also double as a primary advanced high temperature PEM fuel cell stacks and supporting systems production facility in order to meet current and rising global demands. “Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia with strong aerospace and engineering skills, a burgeoning hydrogen sector and a clear aviation strategy with potential for early adoption of zero-emission flights,” said ZeroAvia Founder and Chief Executive Val Miftakhov. “The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age, with entirely new propulsion systems set to power the next era of aviation — cleaner flights, better economics and better experiences for all.” The hydrogen fuel cell production facility will support electric motor manufacturing operations at the company’s site in Everett, Washington. ZeroAvia’s project is supported by a $12 million Regional Selective Assistance grant from the Scottish Enterprise, following $70 million in equity investments from the Scottish National Investment Bank and the UK National Wealth Fund during a Series C funding round.
Photo courtesy of Emirates Global Aluminium
A STURDY U.S. SUPPLY
A transformative $4 billion investment is heading into Tulsa, Oklahoma, in order to establish Emirates Global Aluminium’s (EGA) first manufacturing plant in the U.S. since 1980. “The United States has been an important market for EGA for several decades, and we know there is strong demand for our high-quality metal ‘made in America,’ ” said Emirates Global Aluminium CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban. “EGA has the skills, technology and capital to start rebuilding this great American industry, and in Oklahoma I am confident we will secure the right conditions to do so.” The company will construct its new manufacturing facility on an over 350-acre site at the Tulsa Port of Inola industrial park. Once operational, EGA will produce billets, sheet ingots, high-purity aluminum and foundry alloys. Aluminum produced in the state will be used for sectors such as aerospace and defense, automotive and food and beverage. The facility will be the largest of its kind in the nation, creating 1,000 new jobs.
Photo courtesy of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India
FULL SPEED AHEAD IN GUJARAT
Last week, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) announced a $111 million expansion of its Vithalapur motorcycle production facility, located in the Ahmedabad district of the western state of Gujarat. Project details include the addition of a fourth production line which will carry an annual capacity of 650,000 units. The Vithalapur plant, one our four HMSI facilities in India, will represent Honda’s largest motorcycle assembly plant globally once complete in 2027. “Honda has long been investing and expanding its production capacity in India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, to bring joy to its customers. Twenty-five years on, with much support, HMSI has reached the milestone of 70 million units of cumulative production,” said HMSI President and CEO Tsutsumu Otani. “With the additional investment in our fourth plant, Honda will continue to deliver attractive products and services to its customers around the world who have higher expectations and trust in the company and further solidify its Indian motorcycle business.” Expansion will grow the plant’s production capacity from 1.96 million units to 2.61 million units per year, creating 1,800 new jobs in the region.
Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore
