Iceland’s atNorth Heads Slightly South to Finland
iceland-based data center developer atNorth has shared plans for a new $2.2 billion data center project in Salo, Finland. Located in southwestern Finland, Salo was identified as a strong location for critical infrastructure with customers with demanding requirements for connectivity, in addition to proximity to Finland’s capital city Helsinki and its digital talent pool. The company’s 70-acre site will welcome an up to 230-megawatt data center that will connect through the Fingrid substation. “FIN05 is an opportunity to develop critical digital infrastructure while working with the region to create lasting local value,” said atNorth CEO Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson. “We are exploring how local energy partnerships, flexibility solutions and heat reuse can contribute to the wider energy system and community.”
“I am determined to make it easier for international investors to do business in every corner of the United Kingdom to deliver good jobs and opportunity in every postcode … By rewarding investment and innovation, reducing unnecessary regulation, improving access to finance, and building the skills base business needs, I want to make our cities and towns in the United Kingdom some of the most attractive places in the world to invest.”
— British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, September 2026, during a breakfast roundtable in New York City with executives from major U.S. companies to promote American investment in the U.K.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will receive up to $253 million from the Japanese government to support the project.
Photo: Getty Images
Shipbuilding Capacity Expands In Japan
M itsubishi Heavy Industries will invest more than $633 million to construct a new hull block manufacturing facility in Shimonoseki City, Japan. The company plans to build on a newly acquired artificial island in the region, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Construction of the hull block facility will begin in 2027 with operations slated to launch in 2030. As the Japanese government looks to advance a stable supply of ships, hull blocks have been designated as specified critical products under the Economic Security Promotion Act. The site will enable Mitsubishi to expand its shipbuilding capacity and transfer some activity over from its existing Shimonoseki Shipyard Enoura Plant to strengthen its production system.
The new beverage manufacturing facility in Almaty has created 230 new jobs.
Photo courtesy of Carlsberg Group
Beverage Cravings Satisfied
In the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, Carlsberg Kazakhstan has opened doors to a new $344 million beverage manufacturing facility. The plant will be producing under license PepsiCo beverage brands for customers in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, deepening a partnership between Carlsberg Group and PepsiCo. The facility welcomed five production lines in phase one, capable of producing up to 1 billion liters of beverages annually. Manufacturing PepsiCo beverages here will enable Carlsberg Group to increase regional capacity while shortening supply routes and responsiveness to market demand across Central Asia. As operations scale, the company will look to build a local supply chain to source key materials.
Infineon’s backend manufacturing site in Thailand provides access to key customer markets and complements other ongoing frontend manufacturing expansions.
Photo courtesy of Infineon Technologies
Backend Manufacturing Begins
In October, Infineon Technologies opened its new backend manufacturing campus in Bangkok, Thailand. The site is fitted out with advanced cleanroom, assembly and test capabilities and will cover the full spectrum of semiconductor backend processes, in addition to wafer testing. Strategic positioning in Southeast Asia enables Infineon to better serve growing semiconductor demands. Currently home to a single module, the facility will add up to 1,000 employees once production fully ramps up. If needed, this Bangkok facility can expand to support up to four more modules.
Air Liquide’s new air separation unit is expected to become operational in 2028.
Photo: Getty Images
Critical Gas Supply Comes to New South Wales
France-based industrial gas manufacturer Air Liquide plans to introduce a new air separation unit in Australia. The $32 million project will take place at the company’s existing Fairfield Facility in the suburb of Yennora within New South Wales. Air Liquide aims to enhance local supply chain reliability for industrial and medical gases in the country, as the new facility will focus on nitrogen and oxygen production. These operations will directly support the food and beverage, healthcare, mining and advanced manufacturing industries. “Expanding our air gas capacity demonstrates Air Liquide’s long-term commitment to fueling the growth of Australian industries with essential gases they depend on every day,” said Air Liquide Pacific Managing Director Tim Kehoe.
