News

The Italian energy company Heliopolis, headquartered in Milan and operating offices in Timișoara and Bucharest, has unveiled plans for a large-scale hybrid photovoltaic and battery storage project in southeastern Romania, with a total capacity exceeding 400 MW and nearly 1,000 MWh of energy storage. The development comprises four hybrid plants with a combined installed capacity of 307 MWp of photovoltaic power and 224 MW / 976 MWh of battery storage. 

Logic Robotics, a provider of autonomous, data-driven logistics technologies, has launched its new “Logic Pallet,” calling it the world’s first mobile robot engineered specifically for multifacility operations and built to elevate logistics and material-handling performance across industries. The Logic Pallet is intended to automate and standardize the movement of goods both within and between sites, enabling true end-to-end automation and supporting a fully autonomous, data-driven, and sustainable global supply chain.

Ford and Renault Group have announced a major strategic alliance aimed at expanding Ford’s electric vehicle lineup in Europe and boosting the competitiveness of both companies in the region’s rapidly transforming automotive market. At the heart of the partnership is an agreement to co-develop two new Ford-branded electric vehicles. 

The energy price index eased 0.4% in November, driven by a 4.3% decline in European natural gas prices, partly offset by a 4.7% increase in Australian coal prices.

The non-energy price index rose 0.7%. Food prices were up 2.4%, while beverages fell 1.6% and raw materials declined 1.1%.

EU new car registrations grew by 1.4% in the first ten months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, marking the fourth month of consecutive growth. However, overall volumes remain well below pre-pandemic levels. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) reached a 16.4% YTD market share, though still short of the pace required for the transition. Hybrid-electric vehicles remain the most popular choice, with plug-in hybrids continuing to expand their share.

Hyundai Motor Group has signed its third memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Michelin, strengthening their ongoing collaboration to accelerate tire innovations that will shape the future of mobility. This new agreement builds on earlier MOUs established in 2017 and 2022. The partnership aims to meet the rapidly changing needs of electric and autonomous vehicles, including higher load requirements, enhanced driving dynamics, and improved sustainability.

UBTECH has officially launched mass production and delivery of its first several hundred full-scale industrial humanoid robots, the Walker S2. These units will be rolled out in stages across frontline industrial scenarios. By building a closed-loop commercial model—spanning technology development, real-world implementation, delivery, and iterative improvement—UBTECH has established the capabilities needed to rapidly respond to market demands, efficiently meet customer orders, and set a replicable standard for deploying humanoid robots at scale. 

Neways, a global leader in mission-critical technologies for the semiconductor, defense & mobility, and connectivity markets, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Nová Dubnica, Slovakia. This strategic expansion strengthens Neways’ global production network and supports increasing regional demand in key high-tech sectors. The advanced 22,000 m² facility—featuring a 2,250 m² high-grade cleanroom—is specifically designed to meet the needs of rapidly growing semiconductor and defense customers, including ASML, Saab, Rheinmetall, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and VDL.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Sumitomo Chemical Group to establish a joint venture dedicated to producing Glass Core, a key material for next-generation semiconductor package substrates. The partnership aims to overcome current technological constraints in package substrates amid growing demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC). 

BASF has announced plans to construct a cutting-edge Electronic Grade Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH EG) facility in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The new plant will produce ultra-pure chemicals essential for wafer cleaning, etching, and other precision processes in semiconductor manufacturing. This investment will strengthen the European semiconductor supply chain by ensuring a reliable local source of high-purity materials for advanced chip production.

The energy price index fell 3.7% in October, driven by a 5.1% decline in crude oil prices, partially offset by a 7.5% rise in U.S. natural gas prices.

The non-energy price index changed little, though its components moved in different directions: food prices edged down 0.8%, beverages fell 5.6%, and raw materials eased 1.2%.

NVIDIA and Hyundai Motor Group are expanding their collaboration to accelerate innovation in autonomous vehicles, smart factories, and robotics through a new NVIDIA Blackwell-powered AI factory. Building on their strategic alliance, the two companies are entering a new phase — moving beyond software adoption to jointly develop core physical AI technologies. Their collaboration will span AI development for mobility solutions, next-generation smart factories, and on-device semiconductor advancements that strengthen Hyundai Motor Group’s long-term capabilities.

Schaeffler and Neura Robotics, a high-tech leader in cognitive robotics, have established a pioneering technology partnership. The collaboration focuses on developing and supplying key components—such as advanced actuators—for humanoid robots. In addition, Schaeffler plans to deploy Neura’s humanoid robots across its global production network, integrating a mid-four-digit number of units into its operations by 2035. Schaeffler is also working with other leading manufacturers in this field.

The October 2025 World Bank Commodity Markets Outlook reports that global commodity prices have declined below 2024 levels, driven by subdued economic activity, persistent trade tensions, policy uncertainty, and weather-related supply shocks. Energy prices, particularly oil, have fallen sharply, pulling down the overall commodity price index.

Molex, a global leader in electronic connectivity innovation, has entered into an agreement to acquire Smiths Interconnect, a subsidiary of Smiths Group plc, based in the United Kingdom. Smiths Interconnect is a renowned provider of high-reliability connectivity solutions serving the aerospace and defense, medical, semiconductor test, and industrial markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Smiths Group will receive a cash consideration, subject to standard adjustments for working capital, cash, and debt.