Read CMTA’s round-up of manufacturing-related news from June 2025. The articles below don’t reflect the views of the manufacturing industry or CMTA. They are a collection of the latest industry news from this past month.
Latest Industry News
New Fire Retardant Production Facility Opens in Northern California
Perimeter Solutions, a company known for making fire retardant, opened a state-of-the-art production facility at McClellan Park in Northern California. Their fire retardant is often deployed from aircraft during wildfires. This new plant signals a focus on Northern California’s wildfire preparedness and response.
Northrop Grumman to Expand Use of NVIDIA AI Technology for Space Solutions
CMTA board member company Northrop Grumman announced an expanded use of NVIDIA technology to advance spacecraft operations. The goal is to apply NVIDIA’s advanced AI tech for new and more complex missions, with quicker planning and lower operating costs. NVIDIA is based in Santa Clara, CA.
Read more from Northrop Grumman
CMTA Members Recognized by Newsweek as “America’s Greenest Companies”
Two CMTA member companies headquartered in California were recognized in Newsweek’s “America’s Greenest Companies” list for 2025. Congratulations to Amgen and The Clorox Company! Newsweek partners with Plant-A Insights and GIST Impact to determine and highlight U.S. companies committed to reducing their environmental impact in key areas like greenhouse gas emissions, water management, and waste reduction.
IBM Develops AI-Powered Tool to Identify PFAS
IBM, a company headquartered in San Francisco, announced the development and implementation of an AI-powered PFAS screening tool. The tool assists in identifying and eliminating fluorochemicals from research operations, according to a news release from IBM. While the screener cannot guarantee a product is PFAS-free, it reduces errors and suggests viable alternatives for “forever chemicals” if available.
Yuba College’s Manufacturing Team Receives National Recognition
A three-student manufacturing team from Yuba College in Marysville, CA made it to the top four in the nation in the Project MFG Advanced Manufacturing Competition. This prestigious tournament places students in real-world manufacturing work situations, highlighting their skills as the next generation of American manufacturers.
Read more from Lake County News
Manufacturing Industry Policy
Supreme Court Rules Fuel Producers Can Legally Challenge California Emission Standards
In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a group of fuel producers—including Valero Energy subsidiary, Diamond Alternative Energy, and other fuel industry trade groups—can move ahead with a legal challenge to California’s vehicle emissions standards. The lawsuit centers on a 2022 Environmental Protection Agency waiver.
Major CEQA Reform Included in State Budget
On June 30, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation promising changes to the 1970 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), with many housing advocates in support. The reforms will also exempt advanced manufacturing facilities in industrial areas, which some legislators hope will spur more electronics and semiconductor production throughout the state.