Ecobat sells German and Austrian battery recycling operations to Clarios

Battery recycling firm Ecobat has agreed to sell its battery recycling and specialty lead operations in Germany and Austria to energy storage company Clarios. 

The transaction includes Ecobat’s facilities in Freiberg and Braubach, Germany, as well as the Arnoldstein operation in Austria.

“We are pleased to announce the sale of our German and Austrian operations,” said Tom Slabe, President and CEO of Ecobat. “Upon completion, this transaction—along with the previously announced divestitures of France, Italy, and Battery Distribution—will enable Ecobat to concentrate its efforts on core recycling operations, as well as our global lithium-ion battery business. Ecobat will continue to pursue additional opportunities to maximize value for shareholders beyond these transactions.”

The transaction is expected to close by early 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

Source: Ecobat

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Noveon to supply GM with American-made rare earth magnets

Noveon Magnetics has announced a multi-year supply agreement to deliver rare earth magnets to General Motors. Production has begun and initial magnet deliveries started in July 2025, according to Noveon. The agreement supports a wide range of GM vehicle components, with an explicit focus on the company’s full-size SUVs and trucks.

Noveon says it is the only operational manufacturer of sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) rare earth magnets in the United States and provides a domestic, vertically integrated supply chain for critical magnet needs. Its EcoFlux process allows for increased resource efficiency and integration of recycled materials into the magnet manufacturing chain.

Applications listed for Noveon’s magnets include electric vehicles, wind turbines, industrial robots, general motors, pumps, and military systems. The company says its magnets deliver high performance and meet a full range of commercial demand requirements.

“Working with domestic manufacturers like Noveon allows us to increase the resiliency of our supply chain while supporting American jobs and strengthening our industry and economic security,” said Jeff Morrison, General Motors global chief procurement officer. “Noveon’s magnets will support our most popular vehicles and help continue to deliver a leading portfolio of choice for our customers.”

SEE ALSO: A closer look at rare earth permanent magnets

Source: Noveon Magnetics

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Orion installs 90 EV charging stations for Boston public schools

Orion Energy Systems, a provider of energy-efficient LED lighting, EV charging stations and maintenance services, has installed 90 EV charging stations and related infrastructure in the Boston public school system as part of multiple contracts valued at $6.5 million.

In the most recent deployments, Orion’s Voltrek division is installing 51 DC fast charging stations and related infrastructure at the Boston Public Schools’ Freeport Bus Yard and Paris Street facility. The units feature an above-ground mounting method with Jersey barriers.

The deployment is a continuation of recurring work by Orion and Voltrek for Boston Public Schools, which plans to electrify 100% of the district’s 750 school buses. The Freeport Bus Yard and Paris Street installations follow Voltrek’s previous turnkey installations to support the deployment of 20 electric school buses at the Readville Bus Yard and 19 buses at the Freeport Way Yard.

Orion’s electrification and maintenance engagements range from multiple-location deployments in municipalities to rollouts of electric van charging capabilities in school districts to 13 charging stations for the Lower Pioneer Valley School Educational Cooperative serving the Greater Springfield, Massachusetts area.

“We are seeing continued demand for Orion/Voltrek’s demonstrated ability to provide turnkey solutions for EV charging, infrastructure and maintenance,” said Orion Chief Executive Officer Sally Washlow.

Source: Orion Energy Systems

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Korean researchers develop artificial polymer nanolayers to improve zinc battery stability

Researchers at Chungnam National University in South Korea have developed a new zinc-bonded polyacrylic acid (ZHP) layer that prevents dendrite growth and stabilizes the anode in zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are gaining attention as a safer and more affordable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, previous protective coatings developed to prevent side reactions and sharp dendrite formation during charging and discharging were often too thick or difficult to manufacture, limiting their real-world use.

The research team, led by Associate Professor Woo-Jin Song from the Department of Organic Materials Engineering at Chungnam National University, has designed a new ultra-thin selective-ion transport layer (SITL) that is effective and easy to produce.

The SITL is based on polyacrylic acid (PAA), which can prevent direct contact between the zinc anode and water-based electrolyte, inhibiting corrosion. Its hydrophilicity also improves ion transfer between the electrolytes and the anode, promoting uniform distribution of zinc-ions and enhancing battery performance.

Bare PAA tends to dissolve in water-based electrolytes, reducing cycling performance. To prevent this, the researchers applied oxygen plasma treatment to zinc-anode, which enhanced adhesion between PAA the layer and the anode surface. The PAA was deposited on the treated zinc-anode using the cost-effective and scalable spin-coating technique, resulting in a nanoscale PAA coating. The PAA-coated anode was then heated on a hot plate, forming the zinc-bonded PAA ZHP layer.

In full cells, the ZHP coated zinc anode retained 95% of its capacity after 500 cycles. In pouch cells, the anode demonstrated stable cycling for over 300 cycles.

“In this study, we developed a nanoscale zinc-bonded polyacrylic acid (Zn–PAA) protective layer for zinc anodes via oxygen plasma treatment,” said Dr. Song. “Unlike conventional thick and complex coatings, our approach offers a simpler fabrication process and is scalable for large-area applications.”

Source: Chungnam National University

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DPD tests electric Terberg tug at UK delivery hub

European parcel delivery firm DPD has tested the YT203-EV electric tug from Dutch firm Terburg at its hub in Oldbury, UK.

DPD runs a fleet of more than 50 tugs to perform all trailer movements across its five centralized sorting hubs in Oldbury, Smethwick and Hinckley in the UK. The company is keen to understand how the electric vehicle could help as part of a move to a more sustainable HGV fleet in the longer term.

The model tested was fitted with two 78 kWh batteries and comprehensive regenerative braking. The YT203-EV can be charged at standard DC charging stations.

The Royal Terberg Group specializes in the development, production and modification of special transport vehicles and systems for port terminals, logistics and waste collection. The YT203-EV offers performance similar to that of a diesel engine, while delivering the potential for more sustainable shunting as well as a better working environment for drivers, according to the company.

“Clearly there are major advantages to the EV version in terms of emissions and the working environment for our drivers, but it was also really good to understand how the vehicles operate in a real-world scenario, including how they can be charged effectively during the day to maximise working hours,” said Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability at DPDgroup UK.

Source: DPD

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Heraeus Electronics to host workshop on cermet thick film technology for advanced electronics

Heraeus Electronics has announced it will host a two-day technical workshop focused on cermet thick film technology on September 17 and 18, 2025, at its Application Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The company says that its thick film materials have expanded from use in traditional hybrid circuits to include pastes for passive components and inks for low-temperature printed electronics, as well as other specialty applications.

Cermet thick film technology is a method of manufacturing resistive and passive components by printing a ceramic-metal paste onto a substrate and firing it, producing highly stable and reliable parts used in demanding electronic applications. EV applications include inverters, BMS and hybrid control circuits, where reliable resistors and passive components are essential for performance and safety. It plays a behind-the-scenes role in ensuring stability, durability and precise electrical control.

The workshop will cover Heraeus Electronics’ latest materials and manufacturing technologies related to thick film circuits and components. These sessions are designed to deliver in-depth technical content and practical demonstrations, providing engineers and operations professionals with exposure to recent advances intended to improve performance and efficiency in electronics manufacturing.

The agenda includes expert-led sessions, hands-on demonstrations and in-lab activities utilizing the company’s equipment. Attendees will also participate in a factory tour to observe Heraeus Electronics’ manufacturing processes. The workshop targets professionals seeking to deepen their technical understanding and direct application of these materials in advanced electronic systems.

Space is limited to maintain an interactive format. Registration includes two nights of lodging, lunches, dinner on the first evening, and a comprehensive course workbook. To learn more or to register for the event, visit: https://www.heraeus-electronics.com/en/het-LP/2025-interactive-thick-film-workshop-conshi-Fall/

 

Source: Heraeus Electronics

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Webinar: Enhanced EV charging interoperability testing using real charging data

Enhancing EV charger interoperability is essential for a seamless charging experience. However, achieving reliable compatibility across a diverse mix of vehicles, charging standards, and infrastructure vendors remains a technical challenge. This presentation will demonstrate how real-world charging data can be leveraged to replicate authentic test scenarios, enabling engineers to validate interoperability more effectively. By replaying charging sessions that capture the complexities of actual use cases, developers can identify issues earlier, improve reliability, and accelerate the certification process.

Join this webinar at our September Virtual Conference on EV Engineering, presented by dSPACE, to learn how real-world charging data can be replayed to uncover issues, improve testing accuracy, and accelerate certification. Whether you are an OEM, charging station manufacturer, or involved in testing and certification, this webinar offers valuable knowledge on enhancing EV charging system performance and supporting the transition to a more robust and user-friendly charging ecosystem.

September 18, 2025, 8:45 am EDT
Register now—it’s free!

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See the complete session list for the Virtual Conference on EV Engineering here.

Broadcast live from September 15 to 18, 2025, the conference content will encompass the entire EV engineering supply chain and ecosystem, including motor and power electronics design and manufacturing, cell development, battery systems, testing, powertrains, thermal management, circuit protection, wire and cable, EMI/EMC and more.

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