News

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.

Robotize, the creator of the GoPal Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) series, has teamed up with Nord Modules, a leader in modular transfer solutions, to introduce their first joint innovation: the GoPal P35 AMR, powered by the Nord Quick Mover 260 module. This strategic collaboration combines Robotize’s advanced AMR technology with Nord Modules’ intelligent, plug-and-play transfer systems—delivering a seamless, high-performance solution that redefines intralogistics automation.

Chemical and materials leader Dow and automotive scrap recycler Gruppo Fiori have developed a groundbreaking process to recycle polyurethane (PU) foam from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs)—a feat that challenges long-standing industry limitations. The partners announced significant progress in a jointly developed technology that recovers polyurethane waste without the need for vehicle disassembly, combining Dow’s materials science expertise with Gruppo Fiori’s advanced recycling ecosystem to open new pathways for automotive circularity.

Star Assembly, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG, has expanded its manufacturing operations and officially commenced the assembly of electric drive units for the all-new, fully electric Mercedes-Benz GLC. The addition of electric vehicle component production reinforces the strategic importance of the Sebeș plant within Mercedes-Benz’s global production network and long-term business strategy. Sebeș becomes the second facility worldwide to supply Mercedes-Benz vehicle plants with electric drive units. 

The non-energy price index increased nearly 1%, with food up 0.4%, beverages largely unchanged, and raw materials gaining 0.5%.

Fertilizer prices fell 4.4%, metal prices rose 2.9%, and precious metals surged 9.3%.

TLT Manufacturing has unveiled four new production facilities at the High-Tech Hill technology park in Vilnius, Lithuania, marking what it calls a major milestone for strengthening Europe’s manufacturing resilience and safeguarding intellectual property. The expansion includes a 33,000 m² PCB plant — Europe’s first newly built PCB factory in 20 years — designed for complex multilayer boards, equipped with an in-house innovation lab, and featuring advanced processes such as vertical continuous plating.

Scanfil and Stäubli Robotics have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at driving innovation in industrial automation. Leveraging its manufacturing expertise, Scanfil’s Suzhou facility will produce controllers tailored for Stäubli’s 4-axis robots. Together, the two companies will deliver robust, cutting-edge solutions for customers worldwide.

Siemens AG has officially started work on its new Technology Campus in Erlangen, a flagship project within the company’s Made for Germany initiative, which aims to boost Germany’s industrial competitiveness. Representing an investment of €500 million, the campus will serve as a model for the industrial metaverse and focus on advancing power electronics, automation, and digitalisation.

Sonair raised $6 million to accelerate the rollout of world’s first safe 3D ultrasonic sensor for robots. Their target is the global expansion of its ADAR (Acoustic Detection And Ranging) sensor, a 3D ultrasonic technology that enables safe human-machine collaboration by providing robots with a real-time, comprehensive view of their surroundings. The funds will support Sonair's efforts to scale and deploy its ADAR sensor to manufacturers across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Romania’s electric vehicle (EV) market recorded remarkable growth in August 2025, with new registrations rising by 89 percent compared to the same month last year, according to fresh data from LEKTRI.CO, a leading player in the country’s e-mobility sector. The figures highlight how predictability and fair pricing continue to drive consumer choices, even in the absence of government subsidies such as the RABLA program.

Valeo, a global leader in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and Capgemini announced a strategic collaboration focused on the testing and validation of a new, fully integrated ADAS solution up to Level 2+. With this initiative, the two companies aim to address a critical challenge in modern mobility: enhancing vehicle safety to help reduce accidents, improve driver support, and accelerate the path toward autonomous driving.