One Big Beautiful Bill Act Drives U.S. Construction Boom and Manufacturing Growth

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBBA) is reshaping the U.S. manufacturing and construction landscape by introducing significant tax incentives tied to capital investment, domestic production and research activity.

Courtesy: Photo by Scott Blake on Unsplash

Signed as part of President Donald Trump’s broader tax and spending agenda, the legislation is designed to stimulate U.S.-based manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on overseas production.

BBBA Incentives Expected to Accelerate U.S. Factory Construction

One of the most impactful provisions is the Qualified Production Property Deduction. Under this measure, companies that build new manufacturing facilities — or significantly expand existing ones — can deduct 100% of eligible capital expenditures, provided construction begins between January 20, 2025 and December 31, 2028. Projects must be placed into service by January 1, 2031.

This accelerated deduction dramatically improves project economics. Instead of spreading depreciation over decades, companies can deduct the full investment upfront, strengthening short-term cash flow and improving internal rates of return.

For the construction sector, this creates a narrow but powerful investment window. Industry analysts expect a surge in factory groundbreakings over the next three years as companies race to qualify.

For composites manufacturers and suppliers, the ripple effects could be substantial. Increased factory construction means higher demand for advanced building materials such as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar, composite panels, corrosion-resistant structures and lightweight structural components.

100% Bonus Depreciation Strengthens Capital Spending and R&D

In addition to the production property deduction, the BBBA reinstates 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying capital expenditures. Traditionally, capital investments are depreciated over multiple years according to IRS schedules. Under the updated framework, companies can deduct the entire cost of machinery, tooling, and production equipment in the year it is placed in service.

This provision improves liquidity and encourages businesses to modernize production lines, automate facilities and invest in advanced manufacturing technologies.

For the composites industry, this could accelerate:

• Expansion of domestic composite fabrication plants
• Investment in automated layup and molding systems
• Increased capacity for thermoplastic and thermoset production
• Growth in aerospace, automotive and infrastructure supply chains

Beyond construction, R&D-related incentives embedded in the broader tax package are expected to encourage innovation in advanced materials. Composites firms developing lightweight, high-strength and sustainable materials stand to benefit from a more favorable tax treatment of research expenditures.

Strategic Timing for Composites Manufacturers

The timing window built into the legislation is critical. With eligibility tied to construction start dates and service deadlines, companies must act quickly to secure benefits.

Domestic firms considering U.S. expansion now have a tax-advantaged environment to do so. Likewise, international composites manufacturers evaluating North American production footprints may view the current period as an optimal entry point.

The legislation effectively compresses investment decisions into a three- to four-year horizon. That urgency is likely to generate elevated activity across engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) markets.

For suppliers of composite materials used in industrial flooring, bridge decks, wastewater facilities, reinforcement systems and structural retrofits, the anticipated uptick in manufacturing plant construction could translate into steady order growth through the end of the decade.

Broader Economic Implications

Courtesy: Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

The BBBA’s construction and capital expenditure provisions are not isolated measures; they are part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic industrial capacity.

If widely adopted, the incentives could:

• Expand U.S. manufacturing output
• Increase demand for skilled labor in construction and engineering
• Shorten supply chains for advanced materials
• Support long-term infrastructure modernization

For the composites industry, the law represents more than a short-term stimulus. It creates structural incentives for reshoring production and investing in advanced materials technologies — positioning the sector to play a central role in the next wave of U.S. industrial growth.

As companies evaluate investment pipelines for 2025–2029, the BBBA’s tax environment may prove decisive in determining where and when new manufacturing capacity is built.

Originally Reported by JEC Composites.

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Orion taps expanded U.S. manufacturing to produce stretch wrapper for the U.S. market

Orion Packaging Systems, a ProMach brand and a leading manufacturer of pallet stretch wrapping solutions, has announced the launch of the Orion Flex Legion semi-automatic stretch wrapper. This fully U.S.-designed and highly engineered machine expands Orion’s Flex line and reinforces the company’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, supply chain reliability, and long-term customer value, the company said.

The new Flex Legion system replaces Orion’s imported entry-level stretch wrapper, providing manufacturers with a 100-percent U.S.-built solution designed to deliver greater consistency in quality, more predictable lead times, and improved control over total cost of ownership. 

“Flex Legion reflects our focus on building equipment that customers can rely on – not just today, but over the long term,” said Pat Pownell, Director of Sales, at Orion. “Manufacturing this system in the United States enables us to respond faster to customer needs, ensure consistent build quality, and deliver an entry-level machine that performs at a level typically associated with more advanced systems.”

Orion Stretch Wrappers operates out of its Alexandria, Minnesota production facility, encompassing more than 250,000 square feet of dedicated production space between Brenton and Orion product lines. Within this facility, they leverage cross trained talent across the Brenton and Orion teams to support both production and aftermarket functions. They also have a dedicated Orion sales and engineering team focused exclusively on the Orion product line, enabling tight alignment between market demand, product development, and manufacturing execution. This structure has allowed Orion to internalize the full ownership of design, build quality and customer support.

“Bringing the Flex Legion’s design and production to our U.S. floor is about doing what’s right for the customer,” said Kelly Hawkinson, Director of Operations for Brenton and Orion, brands of ProMach. “It gives us greater control over quality, improves responsiveness, and shortens lead times. Just as importantly, it reduces exposure to tariff volatility and global supply chain disruption, allowing us to deliver greater cost predictability and long-term confidence in the total cost of ownership for our customers.”

While Flex Legion serves as Orion’s entry point into semi‑automatic automation, it is engineered with the same design philosophy and quality found across the Flex line. The Flex Legion comes with Allen-Bradley HMI operation that is paired with intuitive manual adjustment knobs for turntable speed, carriage travel, and film tension. Flex Legion is also equipped with a powered ‘InstaThread’ carriage capable of delivering uniform 200% film pre‑stretch, helping manufacturers achieve consistent load containment while reducing film consumption compared to friction‑based or core‑break systems commonly used in entry‑level applications.

The system’s semi‑automatic operation and intuitive controls make it well-suited for manufacturers transitioning from hand wrapping to automation. 

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Kumar Named to ACMA Emerging Leaders Program for 2026

BYLINE: Tina M. Johnson

Newswise — Vipin Kumar, a composites manufacturing researcher at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been named one of 21 rising professionals nationwide for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Program of the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA).

The competitive, year-long program develops future leaders in the composites industry through professional development, industry engagement and advocacy training, preparing participants to help shape the future of advanced manufacturing in the United States.

“Vipin translates cutting-edge research into solutions that industry can use. His selection for the ACMA Emerging Leaders Program reflects both his exceptional technical expertise and his growing influence as a leader in advanced manufacturing,” said Yarom Polsky, director of ORNL’s Manufacturing Science Division. “This recognition underscores ORNL’s commitment to developing leaders who will advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.”

Kumar’s work at DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at ORNL focuses on developing innovative composite manufacturing techniques using large-scale polymer additive manufacturing, along with traditional and advanced manufacturing processes. He also investigates how carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composites respond to direct lightning strikes and is designing novel materials to mitigate damage, improving safety and resilience for applications such as aerospace.

Kumar has published more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings and holds three granted patents, with 12 additional patents pending. He received a 2023 R&D 100 Award and the 2023 CAMX Combined Strength Award for his contributions to ORNL’s additive manufacturing-compression molding process, a significant advancement in high-throughput thermoplastic composite production. He also received the 2022 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the 2021 Young Professionals Emerging Leadership Award from the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering.

The MDF is supported by DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office and acts as a nationwide consortium of collaborators focused on innovating, inspiring and catalyzing the transformation of U.S. manufacturing.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. — Tina M. Johnson

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U.S. Manufacturing Boost as Agencies Order 525 New Flyer Buses

New Flyer has received an order from NJ TRANSIT for 375 Xcelsior 40-foot, clean-diesel buses. This order is part of a larger, previously announced multi-phase fleet replacement program, with orders placed in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

The original contract, awarded in the first quarter of 2024, included a base order of 550 Xcelsior 40-foot, buses to be delivered in three distinct lots, along with options for an additional 750 units. With this newly announced order, NJ TRANSIT has now completed the full base order of 550 buses, leaving all 750 option buses available for future procurement.

“The Xcelsior buses included in this contract deliver dependable, cost-effective performance while improving safety and accessibility for passengers,” said Chris Stoddart, president, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “Built for durability and long service life, these new buses will help NJ TRANSIT continue providing the reliable, essential transportation services that keep communities and economies moving every day.”

With this additional portion of the contract, NJ TRANSIT can continue replacing aging buses without compromising service. Building and deploying these replacement vehicles strengthens domestic manufacturing, secures good local jobs, and ensures taxpayers get maximum utility from their investment in public transit.

“This additional order underscores NJ TRANSIT’s unwavering commitment to our customers and to delivering the safe, reliable service they depend on every day,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “Modernizing our bus fleet is a critical investment in our riders, our employees, and the communities we serve. These new buses move us closer to our goal of a fully modernized bus fleet by 2031—improving reliability, accessibility, and comfort while ensuring we can continue meeting the needs of hundreds of thousands of daily trips across New Jersey.”

New Flyer also announced that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA / Metro) has exercised options for 75 Xcelsior hybrid-electric 40-foot buses and 25 Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric forty-foot buses. The options are being exercised from New Flyer’s Q4 backlog.

The purchase will be supported by federal, state, and local funding as well as funds awarded through FTA’s Low- or No-Emission grant program. The new buses will replace end-of-life vehicles and provide Metro customers with a modernized, efficient passenger experience, while also delivering on the agency’s five-year Strategic Transformation Plan.

“New Flyer is committed to continuing our decades-long relationship with Metro, providing buses that deliver strong value, reliability, and performance,” said Chris Stoddart. “As Metro phases out aging buses, New Flyer’s Buy America-compliant, advanced hybrid and battery-electric vehicles will boost the efficiency, power, and overall service quality of its transit system while fueling good manufacturing jobs and economic opportunity across the United States.”

“These new hybrid and battery-electric buses allow us to replace aging vehicles, improve the customer experience, and continue modernizing our fleet while reducing emissions across the region,” said Randy Clarke, WMATA general manager and CEO. “Partnering with New Flyer helps ensure we’re delivering safe, dependable service and demonstrating good financial stewardship.”

In addition, New Flyer confirmed that the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is exercising options for 19 60-foot and 31 40-foot Xcelsior compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. This order was included in NFI’s fourth quarter 2025 firm backlog.

Valued at approximately $56 million, the options are part of two five-year contracts with RTC, supported by local and FTA funds, and meet Buy America requirements supporting manufacturing jobs in the U.S. The low-emission buses in this order will replace end-of-life vehicles, ensuring efficient, safe, clean, and sustainable transit for the region’s 64 million annual riders.

“For more than three decades, New Flyer and RTC have partnered to deliver efficient and reliable transportation options tailored to the community’s evolving needs, delivering over 900 buses to date, with more than 500 utilizing low-emission CNG propulsion,” said Stoddart.

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John Deere Expands Operations, Set to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing

Deere & Company’s stocks have been trading up by 13.32 percent due to rising demand for precision agriculture technology.

• North Carolina factory, costing $70M, will shift excavator production from Japan, boosting local employment by over 150 job opportunities.

• The Indiana distribution center is poised to employ 150 workers, aligning with John Deere’s ongoing U.S. operational expansion.

• Interim CFO, Ryan Campbell, reappointed, providing stability amid leadership changes as the company gears up for robust growth.

• Industrial sector shows promise with upcoming earnings announcements where Deere aligns with strong S&P 500 performance.

Live Update At 14:32:33 EST: On Thursday, February 19, 2026 Deere & Company stock [NYSE: DE] is trending up by 13.32%! Discover the key drivers behind this movement as well as our expert analysis in the detailed breakdown below.

Quick Financial Overview

In recent times, John Deere has made significant financial strides, reflecting in its robust earnings report. With the stock trading at around $672.69 recently, its financial health appears solid. A closer examination of their financial statements reveals an impressive EBIT margin of 81 and EBITDAMARGIN of 85.8, indicating strong operational efficiency. Importantly, revenue per share is maintaining a healthy level of $165.15346 with pragmatic cost-control measures.

The company’s leverage ratio of 4.1 suggests a prudent balance between debt and equity, ensuring financial agility. As John Deere ventures into this new chapter of expanding facilities, their strong profitability metrics, bolstered by a pretax profit margin of 17.7%, affirms investor confidence.

This expansion dovetailing with their impressive EBIT of $2.19 billion underlines a strategic push to enhance market position amid changing industrial landscapes. As industrial sectors lead in S&P 500’s earnings, Deere’s proactive manufacturing advancements typify a strategic alignment with these positive trends. This affirms investor sentiments, envisioning favorable price movement in the longer horizon.

Local Expansion Bolsters Investor Confidence

Amidst the backdrop of financial growth, John Deere’s strategic expansion into local territories stands as a stellar move. The Indiana distribution center and North Carolina factory are more than just bricks and mortar; they embody a vision to shift gears in localized manufacturing and distribution. With the North Carolina facility transferring production from overseas, it’s a tangible indicator of the firm commitment to boosting domestic capabilities.

But what does this mean for investors? Simply put, a focus on domestic manufacturing typically implies better control over supply chains, cost efficiencies, and possibly even faster time-to-market solutions. As John Deere’s facilities spring to life, investors are likely to read this as a signal of enhanced operational leverage and potential for upward ticks in share values.

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The Indiana plant creating 150 jobs is also more than an employment statistic; it’s a direct dividend of local economic growth fueled by corporate expansionism. For investors keen on socio-economic impacts, this paints John Deere as a brand deeply entrenched in national development narratives.

Market Reaction and Potential Impact

The buzz around these facility openings isn’t just a corporate feat but a market muscle movement too. How markets respond is a tale worth telling. Currently, Deere’s stock displays a promising uptick in trading sessions. This momentum dovetails with recent announcements of sector-wide industrial performance influencing S&P 500 most favorably.

Investors keenly note that John’s reliability in maintaining robust profit margins hints at potential stock price bolstering in the coming trading rounds. The timing of these facilities also aligns with anticipated earnings reports from several big-league entities, including Walmart and Wayfair. Such strategic alignment incites projections of Deere’s amplified market stability in an intensely competitive landscape.

As upcoming earnings are poised to reveal broader industrial sector performance, John Deere’s alignment with top performers likely reassures stakeholders of its competitiveness. With interim CFO Ryan Campbell steering the financial helm, continuity is assured amidst an ebb and flow of market tides.

Conclusion

Underlining the growth narrative, John Deere’s expanded U.S. footprint speaks volumes of both strategic vision and market confidence. As new facilities gear up for opening, they symbolize a commitment to innovation and operational excellence. The ripple effects are myriad: job creation meets market optimism, all echoing through the trading floors.

Within this intricate dance of expansion and market performance, John Deere weaves a tale of promise. Traders considering their stakes should perceptively note the forward-looking strategies unfolding in the heart of America’s industrial narrative. Embracing domestic operations heralds a nuanced understanding of positioning within both the U.S. economy and the global industrial framework.

As millionaire penny stock trader and teacher Tim Sykes, says, “Be patient, don’t force trades, and let the perfect setups come to you.” This advice is particularly relevant for those navigating the dynamic landscape of industrial growth. John Deere’s narrative aligns with the whispers of market winds, painted in shades of growth, opportunity, and strategic strength. The anticipation builds – would this dance of corporate prowess and market agility compose a symphony of increased shareholder value in times ahead? As the ticker symbols sway, so does the promise of a brighter market horizon.

This is stock news, not investment advice. Timothy Sykes News delivers real-time stock market news focused on key catalysts driving short-term price movements. Our content is tailored for active traders and investors seeking to capitalize on rapid price fluctuations, particularly in volatile sectors like penny stocks. Readers come to us for detailed coverage on earnings reports, mergers, FDA approvals, new contracts, and unusual trading volumes that can trigger significant short-term price action. Some users utilize our news to explain sudden stock movements, while others rely on it for diligent research into potential investment opportunities.

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US Manufacturing Defies Gravity: Industrial Output Surges as Philly Fed Index Hits Five-Month High

The United States manufacturing sector, long written off by skeptics as a casualty of high interest rates and global trade volatility, has roared back to life in early 2026. Fresh data released this week shows that manufacturing output rose by a surprising 0.7% in January, more than doubling consensus estimates of 0.3%. This surge in production was further validated by the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index, which leaped to 16.3 in February—a five-month high that suggests the industrial heartland is entering a “second gear” of expansion.

These figures have sent a jolt through financial markets, effectively recalibrating the narrative for the broader US economy. Instead of the “soft landing” many economists predicted for 2026, the data points toward a “no-landing” scenario: a situation where the economy continues to accelerate despite the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rates remaining between 3.50% and 3.75%. The resilience of the factory floor is now the primary driver of a revised economic outlook that prioritizes domestic production over globalized supply chains.

A High-Tech Rebirth on the Factory Floor

The 0.7% rise in January manufacturing output was spearheaded by a 0.8% increase in durable goods production, marking the strongest monthly performance for the sector in nearly a year. This growth was not evenly distributed but was concentrated in high-tech machinery and electronics, fueled by a massive infrastructure build-out for artificial intelligence. Domestic factories are now operating at a capacity utilization rate of 76.2%, as companies scramble to meet a sudden influx of new orders for data center hardware and advanced electronics.

This manufacturing renaissance is largely being credited to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) of 2025, which introduced 100% bonus depreciation and aggressive incentives for domestic modernization. The timeline of this recovery began in late 2025, when supply chains finally stabilized following years of post-pandemic fluctuations. By the time January 2026 arrived, the combination of policy incentives and a surge in AI-related demand created a perfect storm for industrial growth.

The Philadelphia Fed’s February reading of 16.3 provided the psychological “all-clear” for the sector. While the headline number was robust, sub-indices revealed a complex internal dynamic: the future activity index spiked to 42.8, indicating extreme optimism for the coming six months. However, the employment index dipped slightly to -1.3, suggesting that manufacturers are increasingly leaning on automation and “low-hire” strategies to boost output rather than traditional labor expansion.

Winners and Losers in the New Industrial Era

Industrial giants like Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) have emerged as clear winners in this environment. Caterpillar reported a record $51 billion backlog in early 2026, driven primarily by its Power and Energy segment. The company’s large-scale generators are in high demand for AI data centers, offsetting a projected $2.6 billion headwind from current trade tariffs. Similarly, GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) has capitalized on the trend, forecasting double-digit revenue growth for 2026 as it pivots toward high-margin aftermarket services for an aging global airline fleet.

The automotive sector is also seeing a dramatic reshuffling. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) recently announced plans to boost its F-Series production by 50,000 units in 2026, pivoting away from pure electric vehicles (EVs) to focus on more profitable hybrid and gas-powered trucks. Meanwhile, General Motors (NYSE: GM) is aggressively moving production of its popular SUV models from Mexico to plants in Tennessee and Kansas. This move is designed to mitigate the impact of the 2025 tariff regime and align with the “Made in America” incentives that are currently driving the 0.7% output rise.

However, not all players are faring equally. Smaller manufacturers that lack the capital to automate are struggling with a “Prices Paid” index that hit 38.9 in February, signaling persistent inflationary pressure on raw materials. While Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) has seen its stock rally 27% year-to-date due to a recovery in construction demand, it must still navigate over $1.2 billion in annual tariff costs. The “winners” in 2026 are those with the scale to reshore production and the technology to maintain margins in a high-cost environment.

The Macro Significance: “Higher for Longer” Returns

The resilience of US manufacturing has profound implications for the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory. Entering 2026, many traders were betting on a series of rate cuts beginning in March. Those expectations have now evaporated. With manufacturing output surging and the “no-landing” scenario gaining traction, the Fed is likely to maintain its current interest rate levels well into the third quarter of 2026. The “Prices Paid” component of the Philly Fed report suggests that inflation remains stickier than the central bank’s 2% target, particularly as the 2025 tariff regime raises the cost of imported components.

Historically, such a sharp rise in the Philly Fed Index has been a precursor to sustained economic heat. Comparing this to the mid-1990s expansion, economists note that the current cycle is unique because it is being driven by a structural shift—reshoring—rather than just a cyclical rebound. This trend has ripple effects on competitors in Europe and Asia, who are seeing a “capital flight” toward the US as manufacturers seek to benefit from the OBBBA incentives and proximity to the world’s largest consumer market.

Furthermore, the policy shift toward protectionism and domestic subsidies represents a departure from decades of globalized trade. This “new normal” means that manufacturing is no longer the “swing” sector of the economy that suffers first during rate hikes; instead, it has become a resilient pillar bolstered by national security interests and the race for AI supremacy.

What Lies Ahead: Strategic Pivots and Market Risks

In the short term, investors should prepare for a period of market volatility as the reality of “higher for longer” interest rates sinks in. While the manufacturing data is positive for growth, it complicates the valuation of growth stocks that depend on cheap capital. Companies will likely continue their strategic pivots toward automation; we can expect to see increased capital expenditures (CAPEX) in robotics and AI-integrated assembly lines as firms seek to bypass the stagnant labor market reflected in the Philly Fed’s employment sub-index.

The long-term outlook remains bullish for the “re-industrialization” of America, but challenges remain. If the Fed is forced to keep rates at 3.75% or higher through 2027 to combat “tariff-flation,” the cost of servicing industrial debt could begin to eat into the very CAPEX that is driving current growth. A potential scenario involves a “bifurcated recovery,” where tech-enabled industrial leaders thrive while traditional, debt-laden manufacturers are squeezed out.

Summary and Investor Outlook

The January and February data for 2026 has confirmed that US manufacturing is undergoing a structural transformation. The 0.7% rise in output and the 16.3 Philly Fed reading are not just statistical anomalies; they are the results of a concerted policy shift toward reshoring and a technological revolution in the form of AI infrastructure.

Key Takeaways for Investors:

• The “No-Landing” is Real: Strong industrial data suggests the US economy is not cooling as fast as expected, which will delay Federal Reserve rate cuts.
• Reshoring is the Driver: Watch companies like General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) as they move production back to the US to capture tax incentives and avoid tariffs.
• Watch the Margin: With the “Prices Paid” index rising, focus on companies with high pricing power and advanced automation capabilities.

Moving forward, the market will be hyper-focused on the March industrial production report and the Fed’s July meeting. For now, the factory floor is once again the engine of American economic exceptionalism, proving that even in a high-interest-rate environment, the “Made in the USA” label is staging a formidable comeback.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

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NexWafe and Talon PV Announce a Strategic Partnership and Wafer Supply Agreement to Advance Next-Generation TOPCon Solar Manufacturing in the United States

FREIBURG, Germany and HOUSTON, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NexWafe GmbH (“NexWafe”), a German solar technology company pioneering a proprietary direct gas-to-wafer manufacturing method to produce high-efficiency, low-oxygen monocrystalline silicon wafers fully compatible with existing high-volume cell production lines, and Talon PV, a U.S.-based manufacturer of high-performance N-type solar cells, today announced the signing of a supply agreement establishing a strategic partnership for the supply of NexWafe’s EpiNex® silicon wafers to support Talon’s U.S. TOPCon solar cell manufacturing operations.

Under the agreement, NexWafe and Talon anticipate wafer supply volumes initially through 2032, representing a cumulative total of approximately 7 gigawatts of advanced silicon wafers to support Talon’s planned U.S. cell production. The partnership is subject to the execution of definitive long-term supply documentation and the completion of customary technical qualification and investment conditions.

The partnership aligns Talon’s planned 4.8 GW TOPCon cell manufacturing facility in Baytown, Texas with NexWafe’s EpiNex® wafer platform, initially produced from NexWafe’s pilot-scale operations in Bitterfeld, Germany. Over time, the collaboration supports a pathway toward future multi-gigawatt manufacturing expansion in the United States through NexWafe-led partnerships with established industry players. Together, the companies aim to strengthen domestic content in solar products, reduce reliance on imported silicon-based components, and advance a resilient Western-aligned supply chain for next-generation photovoltaics.

“We are pleased to establish this partnership with NexWafe as we advance Talon’s U.S. manufacturing roadmap,” said Adam Tesanovich, CEO and Co-Founder of Talon PV. “NexWafe’s innovative EpiNex wafer technology offers an exciting opportunity to further enhance TOPCon performance while building a strong domestic and Western-aligned supply chain.”

Talon PV is establishing a TOPCon pilot line at Fraunhofer ISE, and the initial EpiNex wafer qualification work will be conducted at Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, Germany.

Beyond supply, NexWafe and Talon plan to collaborate closely on technical development and qualification efforts to further improve TOPCon cell performance using NexWafe’s EpiNex® substrates. The partnership will focus on advanced wafer material quality, ultra-low oxygen content, and next-generation junction engineering approaches to enable higher efficiency and long-term reliability in N-type solar cells.

“This agreement with Talon PV represents an important step toward building a next-generation wafer-to-cell ecosystem spanning Germany and the United States,” said Davor Sutija, PhD, CEO of NexWafe. “NexWafe is committed to enabling high-efficiency solar manufacturing through advanced substrates, and we look forward to working with Talon to qualify EpiNex wafers and further push the performance frontier for TOPCon solar cells.”

About NexWafe

NexWafe is a German deep-tech company developing advanced direct gas-to-wafer solar wafer manufacturing technology, with a strong focus on space applications alongside high-performance terrestrial use cases. Founded in 2015, NexWafe enables next-generation solar manufacturing with high material efficiency, low energy consumption, and performance characteristics suited for demanding environments.

About Talon PV

Founded in 2013, Talon PV is a U.S.-based high-tech manufacturer specializing in N-type photovoltaic (PV) cell production, dedicated to advancing high-efficiency cell technology. Talon places a strong emphasis on research and development, intellectual property innovation, and the deployment of state-of-the-art American and Western equipment to achieve industry-leading cell performance.

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SOURCE Talon PV

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Coty Transitions Manufacturing to US: A Strategic Move to Avoid Tariffs

Coty restructures its production in Barcelona. The American cosmetics company will move the fragrances of the mass market category, which includes Adidas, David Beckham or Vera Wang, as well as the mist to its plant in the North American country, pressured by the tariffs imposed by the government of Donald Trump.

 

According to El Economista, the company is also studying the transfer of entry-level products from the prestige division in order to optimize its manufacturing capacity in the United States. The Barcelona plant, located in the city of Granollers, is the largest plant in its entire network. Coty markets the Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss and Gucci brands.

 

To mitigate the tariff impact, the organization has launched a contingency plan with price adjustments and a project to cut costs in order to protect the group’s profitability. Coty estimates the impact of the tariffs at $33 million. The company went into the red in the first half of the current fiscal year.

 

Company sources explain that the Granollers factory remains a “fundamental pillar” and that total production volumes have increased compared to the previous year.

 

 

Coty will transfer the production of the ‘mass market’ line and products such as ‘mist’

 

 

Coty sold 2.6% less in the first six months of the current fiscal year, period ending December 31, 2025, to reach a turnover of $3,341.4 million. After entering into losses in the first quarter, in the second quarter of the year the company was in the red at $116.2 million, while in the same period of 2024 the company posted a profit of $30.6 million.

 

On a half-yearly basis, Coty posted a loss of $42.2 million, while in the same period of 2024 it posted a loss of $121.3 million.

 

Adjusted gross operating profit (ebitda), meanwhile, fell by 15%, but remained positive at $330.2 million in the second quarter of 2025.

 

The last few months have also been marked by the exit of Gucci from Coty’s licensing portfolio, following the sale of the beauty catalog of the luxury group Kering to the giant L’Oréal.

 

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US factory output hits one-year high as manufacturing sector recovers

US factory production increased by the most in nearly a year in January, offering hope for a manufacturing sector that has been squeezed by import tariffs and high interest rates.

Manufacturing output rose 0.6 per cent last month, the largest gain since February 2025, after being unchanged in December, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

Economists had earlier forecast production for the sector, which accounts for 10.1 per cent of the economy, would rise 0.4 per cent. Output in December was previously reported to have risen 0.2 per cent.

Production at factories advanced by 2.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in January.

Manufacturing has been hobbled by President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which business leaders say have raised costs for factories and consumers.

Trump has defended his punitive import duties as necessary to restore a long-declining domestic industrial base. The manufacturing sector lost more than 80,000 jobs last year.

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Japan’s $36 Billion U.S. Investments: A New Era in Energy and Manufacturing

In a major economic development, President Donald Trump’s administration has unveiled three significant projects totaling $36 billion, all financed by Japan. These ventures mark the first wave of investments under Japan’s $550 billion commitment to the United States as part of a trade agreement that reduced tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%.

Among the projects is a $2.1 billion deepwater crude oil export facility in Texas, expected to generate up to $30 billion annually in exports. An $800 million industrial diamonds plant is set for Georgia, aimed at meeting the entire U.S. demand for synthetic diamond grit used in advanced manufacturing. The centerpiece, however, is a $33 billion natural gas-fired power plant in Ohio, slated to become the world’s largest of its kind by capacity.

The announcement follows recent discussions between U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Japan’s economic minister, Ryosei Akazawa. While the projects promise significant benefits, key issues, including financial specifics and tariff implications, remain under negotiation as both nations navigate this landmark collaboration.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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