Good morning, MFG's.

Europe is making a significant financial commitment to its battery manufacturing future. A new €852 million investment is set to fund six key projects, part of a major push to strengthen the continent's domestic supply chain for the green transition.

This massive funding injection is a clear move to reduce dependence on Asian imports for the critical auto sector. But will this investment be enough to truly level the playing field and allow Europe to own its industrial future in clean energy?

In today’s MFG recap:

• The EU's €852M bet on battery manufacturing

• A new 'China Shock 2.0' warning for US tech

• A solar billionaire's next manufacturing act

• 3D printing slashes submarine part lead times

EU's €852M Battery Bet

MFG NOW: The European Commission is injecting €852 million into six advanced EV battery manufacturing projects across Europe. The funding, sourced from the EU's Innovation Fund, aims to strengthen domestic production and accelerate the continent's green transition.

Unpacked:

• This funding is a strategic necessity to reduce Europe’s reliance on Asian battery imports, securing supply chains for its critical auto industry as part of a broader €3bn EU initiative.

• Six projects in France, Germany, Sweden, and Poland will receive funds, including Verkor’s advanced gigafactory, collectively adding an annual production capacity of 56 GWh.

• The investment directly supports the bloc's Industrial Action Plan, a roadmap designed to bolster the competitiveness and technological leadership of the European automotive sector.

Bottom line: This major investment moves Europe beyond policy and into building a tangible, domestic manufacturing ecosystem for clean energy. It signals to global markets that the EU is committed to owning its industrial future and controlling its green transition supply chain.

Warning of 'China Shock 2.0'

MFG NOW: MIT economist David Autor is sounding the alarm on a “China Shock 2.0.” He argues the U.S. faces a new, more serious manufacturing threat focused on advanced technology sectors, not the low-skill industries of the past.

Unpacked:

• The new competitive battleground has shifted from commodity goods to advanced sectors where the U.S. still leads, including semiconductors, EVs, aviation, AI, and robotics.

• The term references the original 'China shock,' which led to the loss of 2.4 million total U.S. jobs by 2011 and left deep economic scars on manufacturing communities.

• Beyond the economic fallout, the initial shock also created significant political consequences, driving ideological polarization in trade-exposed areas that continues to influence policy today.

Bottom line: Losing America's edge in high-tech manufacturing could damage the nation's entire innovation ecosystem and economic leadership. The challenge highlights the urgent need to invest in future-focused industries rather than trying to reclaim the jobs of the past.

Solar Billionaire's Next Act

MFG NOW: Dean Solon, the founder of solar equipment giant Shoals, is launching a new U.S. manufacturing venture called Create Energy. The company aims to produce an integrated suite of solar and battery equipment designed to streamline installation and boost long-term value.

Unpacked:

• Create Energy’s core concept is to sell a complete system where components like solar modules and trackers are pre-wired to snap together, dramatically simplifying on-site work and reducing future maintenance needs.

• Instead of competing on price alone, the company is targeting long-term asset owners and big power companies by focusing on high-quality, American-made systems built to last for decades, a strategy the self-made billionaire successfully used with his previous company.

• The venture faces significant headwinds from tariffs on Chinese-made manufacturing equipment, which Solon calls the best available, and the fact the U.S. still lacks enough production of solar cells to supply its own panel assembly factories.

Bottom line: Solon's bet on integrated, high-quality systems over commoditized parts could signal a market shift toward valuing total project efficiency over individual component cost. This approach may unlock new opportunities for manufacturers and installers who can deliver greater value and reliability, even in a turbulent economic climate.

MFG NOW: Australian firm AML3D is helping the U.S. Navy slash supply chain delays by 3D-printing critical submarine components, drastically cutting production timelines.

Unpacked:

• The firm is printing Copper-Nickel tailpieces for Virginia-Class submarines, reducing the production lead time from a lengthy 17 months to just five weeks.

• AML3D’s proprietary Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) technology enables larger builds at lower costs and reduces material waste by a massive 90% compared to traditional machining.

• This effort directly supports the Pentagon's push for defense reshoring, as the Department of Defense aims to install 100 additive manufacturing systems by 2030.

Bottom line: Additive manufacturing is demonstrating its power to solve real-world supply chain vulnerabilities for mission-critical hardware. This approach provides a clear model for strengthening domestic production and ensuring military readiness.

The Shortlist

AMFG launches its Sentinel AI PDF analysis tool, designed to streamline workflows in the additive manufacturing sector.

Parter closed a $5.5M seed round to expand its platform, which uses AI agents to unify and analyze disparate data sources for hardware manufacturers.

Intel is reportedly considering a major strategy change for its foundry division by potentially halting the marketing of its advanced 18A chip process to new external customers.