Struggling cocoa crop may hurt chocolate manufacturers

Supply remains scarce due to heavy rains and the spread of black pod disease in West Africa, according to a recent CoBank report.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Feb. 8, 2024

GM, LG Chem ink $19B cathode material supply deal

The South Korea-based chemical maker will supply the automaker with enough CAM to power five million EVs.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 7, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Manufacturing Dive

Check out five of our biggest stories of 2024 so far, led by new investment in U.S. manufacturing against a fast-changing landscape.

By Manufacturing Dive staff

Novo Holdings to buy contract drugmaker Catalent for $16.5B

In a related deal, Novo Nordisk will buy three Catalent factories as it works to expand production of its obesity and diabetes medicines.

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 5, 2024

Stardust Power to build lithium refinery in Oklahoma

The company plans to turn the facility into a hub for its domestic supply chain.

By Kate Magill • Jan. 22, 2024

Battery recycling could cut dependence on China for rare earths

Circularity strategies like battery reuse could help the U.S. meet up to 40% of rare earth needs, says a new study in Nature Geoscience.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 17, 2024

4 food manufacturing trends for 2024

Producers should prepare for continued supply disruptions and a tight labor market this year, experts say.

By Erin X. Wong • Jan. 9, 2024

Manufacturing ended the year in a lull, but optimism up for 2024: PMI

The industry could enter growth mode as early as March, economists say. 

By Kate Magill • Jan. 3, 2024

Manufacturers call out downstream effects of reshoring

Snarled supply chains led many companies to shift production closer to consumers. Such strategies can have unintended consequences.

By Suman Bhattacharyya • Dec. 22, 2023

How to avoid the next sriracha shortage

Smaller producers are snatching up market space left by supply constraints of Huy Fong Food’s popular spicy condiment. 

By Erin X. Wong • Dec. 20, 2023

Lockheed Martin sues supplier over ‘massive’ price hike

Howmet Aerospace, which sells the titanium materials used for the aerospace company’s F-35 jet, disputed the allegations and called the lawsuit meritless.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 14, 2023

Nearshoring apparel: Inside DXL’s pivot to Central America

The clothing maker is one of many eyeing the region, but economic and policy barriers could stand in the way of greater investment.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 12, 2023

New IRA guidance limits battery components made in China

The long-awaited proposed guidelines clarify how the law’s “foreign entity of concern” requirements will impact automakers’ ability to qualify for EV tax credits.

By Kate Magill • Dec. 1, 2023

Manufacturing down again in November amid low orders: PMI

The industry isn't expected to see major gains in demand or employment through the end of the year. 

By Kate Magill • Dec. 1, 2023

Cost, availability of raw materials is biggest barrier to US battery manufacturing: report

The Inflation Reduction Act boosted domestic production of lithium-ion batteries, but the availability of components could drop below demand by 2025. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 29, 2023

Toyota, Redwood Materials expand deal to source recycled battery materials

The automaker will use aging Prius models to help feed its growing electric vehicle production in North Carolina.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 28, 2023

How the US is leveraging its spending power to strengthen manufacturing supply chains

Procurement tactics like creating demand signals and convening key industry players are critical tools in the government's playbook, a White House advisor told Supply Chain Dive.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 28, 2023

EV sales are rising. So why are automakers nervous?

Slower sales growth, lower prices and growing inventories have spooked EV manufacturers, leading some to reconsider their plans and finances.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 17, 2023

Volvo acquires Proterra’s EV battery business

The automaker purchased the electric bus maker's battery segment three months after the startup declared bankruptcy.

By Joelle Anselmo • Nov. 15, 2023

Exxon to mine lithium in Arkansas for EVs

The oil giant aims to supply the mineral to more than one million vehicles a year by 2030.

By Kate Magill • Nov. 14, 2023

Chocolate contains ‘concerning’ amounts of lead and cadmium, Consumer Reports finds

The nonprofit found troublesome amounts of the heavy metals in 16 out of 48 products tested and called out Hershey to take action.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 10, 2023

EPA considers reevaluating vinyl chloride, as PVC remains common in certain packaging

Spurred in part by the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, environmental groups are urging the agency to review the chemical’s safety. 

By April Reese • Nov. 9, 2023

Milk producers sour over carton shortage

Dairy suppliers and others cite packaging manufacturer Pactiv Evergreen as the supply problem’s source. Competing producers are trying to fill the gap.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 8, 2023

Why Inflation Reduction Act subsidies should differentiate between critical mineral mining and process

While the U.S. is limited in its domestic mining abilities for critical minerals like lithium and graphite, it has the potential for increased processing capacity.

By John DeMaio • Nov. 7, 2023

Work stops at $500M US-backed battery plant

Owner Li-Cycle Holdings paused construction at the Rochester, New York, hub due to escalating costs and is reviewing its future plans.

By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 31, 2023

Sugar shortage isn’t causing spike in Halloween candy prices: Wells Fargo analyst

Despite constrained global supplies, experts don’t believe it will affect U.S. confection manufacturers ahead of the holidays.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 25, 2023