manufacturing industry

An ASML executive has said the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant currently sells none of its machines in Europe, despite being headquartered in the Netherlands. The remark highlights Europe's limited semiconductor manufacturing capacity, with most chipmakers buying ASML's lithography systems based in Asia and the United States, raising fresh questions about Europe's push to build domestic chip production.

Singapore is increasing its investment in the semiconductor sector, according to a Financial Times report. The city-state has long been a key hub for chip manufacturing and packaging, and the move signals its intent to deepen that role amid global competition for semiconductor supply chains. The report is drawing attention from industry watchers tracking how countries position themselves in the global chip race.

Two of China's electric vehicle manufacturers have announced a deal, a sign that the country's crowded EV sector is beginning to consolidate. The New York Times reports the agreement comes as intensifying competition, price wars and overcapacity push China's auto industry toward mergers and consolidation.

Donald Trump has announced plans for a steel mill in Iowa, framing the project as a boost for American manufacturing and industrial jobs in the Midwest. The announcement is drawing attention from business observers and political commentators, with debate over whether the facility will materialise and what it would mean for the state's economy and the broader US steel industry.

Carmakers are heading into a period with few new model launches, as the industry's shift to electric vehicles disrupts traditional development cycles. Companies are retooling plants and reallocating budgets toward EV platforms, leaving gaps in upcoming lineups through 2027. Industry watchers say the pause could shake up sales rankings and give whichever manufacturer launches new combustion models first a temporary edge.

Commentary is circulating on how artificial intelligence is reshaping three distinct sectors: startups, manufacturing and defense. The discussion points to AI as a transformative force, changing how new companies are built, how factories operate and how militaries develop capabilities. Observers are weighing both the opportunities for innovation and the strategic implications as adoption accelerates across industries.

Bosch is arguing that long-haul trucks will not go fully electric, instead favoring hybrid powertrains combining combustion engines with electric support. The supplier's position reflects doubts about battery weight, charging infrastructure and range for heavy freight. The claim is drawing attention in the auto industry as manufacturers weigh how quickly to phase out diesel in commercial transport.

The Solar Energy Industries Association has released an outlook on US solar photovoltaic manufacturing, examining policy trends and the broader industry landscape with an emphasis on opportunities for European-American cooperation. The analysis highlights how US manufacturing policy is shaping investment and trade ties, and what it means for European partners looking to engage with the growing American solar supply chain.

Solar software company Aurora Solar has launched Aurora Solar Trust Signal, a quarterly tracker measuring homeowner trust in the solar industry. The company says it is the first tool of its kind in the sector, aiming to give installers and manufacturers regular data on how consumers perceive solar energy and what drives their confidence or skepticism when adopting it.

Medical device industry commentary highlights the regulatory challenges emerging as artificial intelligence moves from software applications into surgical robotics. The piece examines how existing approval frameworks, built for static devices, must adapt to AI-driven systems that learn and change over time. It reflects a broader debate among regulators, manufacturers and clinicians over how to ensure patient safety without slowing innovation in autonomous and semi-autonomous surgical technology.

A new market report projects steady growth for the robot dress packs sector through 2035, with demand driven largely by safety suits for collaborative robots. Dress packs protect robot cabling from wear and debris, and their adoption is expanding alongside the spread of cobots in manufacturing. The forecast is drawing attention from industry watchers tracking automation supply chains.

Democrat Pete Buttigieg has publicly criticized the Trump administration's rollback of fuel-economy standards, according to NPR. The former transportation secretary argued the move weakens efficiency rules that cut fuel costs for drivers and reduce emissions. The critique adds to ongoing political disputes over auto industry regulation, with manufacturers and environmental groups watching closely as emission and mileage requirements are loosened.

The gluten-free food sector is under the spotlight as consumer demand for gluten-free products continues to grow while regulators move to tighten standards around labeling and claims. Industry coverage highlights the tension between market growth driven by health-conscious shoppers and the need for clearer, more enforceable definitions of what qualifies as gluten-free, with manufacturers watching closely for compliance requirements.

Teradyne has introduced a new memory test system aimed at advanced chips. The announcement, reported by Investing.com, positions the semiconductor testing equipment maker to serve demand from manufacturers of high-end memory and logic devices. Details on specifications and customers were not disclosed, but the launch underscores intensifying investment in test equipment as chipmakers push into more advanced process nodes.

A new American National Standards Institute standard, ANSI/A3 R15.08-2-2023, has been published covering the integration of industrial mobile robots. The second part of the R15.08 series, it provides guidance for safely deploying autonomous mobile robots in industrial settings. The news matters to manufacturers, integrators and safety professionals as mobile robot adoption accelerates across factories and warehouses.

A new R15.08 Part 3 safety standard for industrial mobile robot users has been published. The standard, developed under the R15.08 series covering autonomous mobile robots, provides safety guidance specifically aimed at end users of industrial mobile robots, complementing earlier parts that addressed manufacturers and integration requirements.

Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products typically high in sugar, salt, fat and additives, made with little or no whole food. A Q&A explainer outlines what qualifies as ultra-processed, how the classification works, and why these foods are increasingly linked in research to obesity, heart disease and other health problems, as scientists and health agencies debate how to define and regulate them.

The European Union is considering measures to restrict or impose additional duties on imported electric vehicles, amid concerns that cheap foreign imports, particularly from China, are undercutting European carmakers. The debate touches on trade policy, industrial competitiveness and the EU's climate goals, and is being watched closely by automakers including Toyota and European manufacturers who could benefit from protectionist steps.

Organisers of glasstec, the international glass trade fair in Düsseldorf, have confirmed that Glass Technology Live will return at the 2026 edition. The special show is a fixture of the fair, presenting innovative glass applications and facade solutions from research and industry. Glass sector publications are reporting the announcement, with professionals in architecture and glass manufacturing following plans for the 2026 programme.

CNBC's Final Trade segment highlighted four names for investors: pharmaceutical giant AbbVie, chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices, private space company SpaceX, and industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation. The segment offers traders' picks on where to put money across healthcare, semiconductors, aerospace and industrials. The inclusion of SpaceX, a privately held company, points to continued investor interest in space-sector exposure.

The German government says Chinese automakers gain no unfair advantage from electric vehicle subsidy schemes, according to a report by Heise. The statement touches on the ongoing debate in Europe over state support for the EV industry and competition from Chinese manufacturers, which has already led to tariff discussions at EU level.

The China International Industry Fair 2026 will be held in Shanghai from October 12 to 16, 2026, with more than 3,000 exhibitors and 10 specialized industry shows. Organizers position it as one of the year's largest sourcing and technology business platforms, drawing manufacturers, suppliers and buyers from China and abroad to showcase industrial innovation and trade opportunities.

A U.S. National Industrial Report covering August 2026 has been published, offering data on the country's industrial real estate sector. The report tracks conditions in warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing properties across national markets. Industry observers use these monthly figures to gauge demand, rents, and vacancy trends in the logistics property market.

Semiconductor Engineering has released its latest roundup of technical papers from across the chip industry, dated Sept. 29. The compilation gathers recent research and engineering publications covering semiconductor design, manufacturing and packaging developments. The roundup serves as a regular digest for engineers and industry professionals tracking the latest technical literature in the semiconductor field.

Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology has outlined requirements for importing used technology production lines: the equipment must operate at a minimum of 85% efficiency with no more than 15% consumption relative to comparable new technology. The standards are intended to block obsolete machinery and ensure imported second-hand industrial lines meet modern energy and performance benchmarks.

Stanislav Kondrashov has published commentary examining Europe's progress in the critical raw materials sector, an area central to the EU's industrial and energy strategy. The piece looks at how European countries are seeking to secure supplies of minerals needed for batteries, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, as the bloc works to reduce dependence on external suppliers and accelerate domestic mining, processing and recycling capacity.