A City Purpose-Built for Innovation
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced the completion of the initial phase of Toyota Woven City, which is the company’s test course for future mobility. The futuristic “city” is being constructed at a former Toyota manufacturing site in Susono City, located in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture. Phase one introduced buildings hosting co-creation activities for about 360 “inventors” that include Toyota, Toyota Group companies, external companies, startups and entrepreneurs who will be the first to live at the site, starting in late 2025. Phase two has moved forward with site preparations, which will allow for total population to reach 2,000 in years to come. “Woven City offers a unique environment equipped with the tools and services needed to tackle societal challenges and create future-focused value,” the company said in its press release. “Through collaboration among inventors and feedback from residents and visitors, Woven City aims to drive innovation and shape a better tomorrow.”
Micron Technology is growing its operations in Singapore with a new high-bandwidth memory plant to be located near current production facilities.
Photo courtesy of Micron
Micron Expands in Singapore
Micron Technology has begun construction on its latest High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) advanced packaging plant, which will be the first of its kind in Singapore. The new $7 billion site was strategically located near the company’s current operations in the country in order to strengthen Singapore’s semiconductor industry. “As AI adoption proliferates across industries, the demand for advanced memory and storage solutions will continue to increase robustly,” said Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. The facility is expected to become operational in 2026, creating 1,400 jobs with the potential to grow to 3,000 following future expansion. In line with the demands of AI growth, Micron already has plans for future expansion following the beginning of operations.
Limited TNT production capacity in Europe has sparked new explosives production facility investment in Finland.
Photo: Getty Images
Explosive Investment Meets Demand
Finland-based explosives company FORCIT plans to deliver a much-needed supply of trinitrotoluene (TNT) by constructing a new production facility in Pori, Finland. The company plans to invest $255 million in the site, meeting rising demands for ammunition as a result of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. “Investing in Finland is an investment in increasing the safety and security of not only Finland but also Europe as a whole,” said FORCIT CEO Joakim Westerlund. The project’s announcement is supported by the country’s defense administration, authorities and local communities. It is reported that TNT explosives produced at the plant will meet projected needs from 2028 to 2037 for the Finnish Defense Forces. State-owned private equity company Tesi is sorting out plans to additionally invest in the facility.
GE Healthcare plans growth at its contrast media manufacturing site in Cork, Ireland.
Photo courtesy of Business Wire and GE
Expansion Investment Injected in Ireland
GE Healthcare has returned to its contrast media fill-and-finish manufacturing site in Cork, Ireland, with a $138 million expansion on the books. The Carrigtohill site will help the company produce 25 million more patient doses per year of injectable diagnostic imaging agents used to visualize organs, blood vessels and tissues. Global demand for iodine-based contrast media is estimated to double within the next decade, creating the need for the new 32,000-sq.-ft.-plus facility. “This expansion strengthens our longstanding presence in Cork, where we have a highly skilled team, access to leading talent in the pharmaceutical industry, strong distribution links around the world and a great partnership with IDA Ireland,” said GE Healthcare Ireland Managing Director Eugene Barrett. “First doses from our new facility are expected by the end of 2027 and we are proud of the impact our site will continue to make for patients around the world.” The new site will feature a new filling line and autoclaves, multifunctional powder handling systems, solution preparation vessels and advanced automation systems.
“Africa faces serious challenges — from volatile global markets and high debt costs to infrastructure gaps. These challenges are also a chance to reshape the continent’s economic future. With bold reforms, investment and full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Africa can emerge stronger, more resilient, and more competitive.”
— UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan in “Economic Development in Africa Report 2024,” on why Africa should diversify its exports, promote intra-African trade, invest in transportation infrastructure and incentivize industrialization within the continent
Photo courtesy of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Repsol will convert waste from landfills into renewable methanol through a gasification process.
Photo courtesy of Repsol
New Solution For Waste
Spain-based energy company Repsol has plans to invest nearly $850 million to establish a renewable methanol plant in the port city of Tarragona in Spain’s Catalonia region. The Tarragona Ecoplant will be the first European plant to produce renewable and circular methanol from waste, using the most advanced waste valorization process. Its location was selected due to the region’s availability of infrastructure and Tarragona’s position as a central chemical hub. The company anticipates processing more than 400,000 tons of municipal solid waste per year at the facility, producing 240,000 tons of renewable fuels and circular products. The project not only provides solutions for reducing CO2 emissions within the transport sector but works to promote Europe’s circular economy. Repsol’s project is expected to begin operations in 2029, creating 340 direct jobs.
