Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Construction of battery gigafactory accelerates Energy Renaissance is pressing ahead with construction of Renaissance One, the company’s lithium battery production plant in Tomago, NSW. The company said work at the site (pictured) was picking up pace, with development partner ATB Morton now erecting steelwork. “Over the next few weeks the facility will start to take…

Wagners, USQ reimagine rectangular composite profile production

A Cooperative Research Centre-backed project has allowed Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies to develop a new way to make composite structures, saving time in the production of high-performing construction materials. The $10 million collaborative project began in 2019 and teamed Wagners CFT up with University of Southern Queensland and Allnex Composites. The team has developed a…

Packaging awards honour sustainability excellence

Leading businesses were celebrated this week for their work towards improving packaging sustainability as part of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s (APCO) Annual Awards ceremony. Businesses including Kellogg, Nestlé, Coles, BioPak, and CHEP were among the big winners, each taking home multiple accolades. In total, 22 awards were handed out to businesses in industry sectors…

DEWC uses AI to detect RF signals

Electronic Warfare and surveillance technology company DEWC Systems has partnered with the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) to explore AI and machine learning to detect radio frequency (RF) signals. AIML, part if the University of Adelaide, and DEWC will detect and classify RF signals in complex environments as part of their Miniaturised Orbital Electronic…

Federal government awards $44 million to six recycling and clean energy manufacturers

Pact Group, Toshiba International and 1414 Degrees were among six companies awarded a combined $44 million under the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative on Thursday. The round of funding was for companies in the Recycling and Clean Energy sector, one of six identified as “National Manufacturing Priorities” by the government. Assistance between $1 million and…

Missing blue/green distinction in hydrogen means missing methane danger: researchers

Research from the Australian National University has found that the nation’s lack of distinction between so-called “blue” and “green” hydrogen could lead to a new industry that just adds to greenhouse gas emissions. Australia’s hydrogen strategy discusses “clean hydrogen” but does not separate green (from renewable energy-powered electrolysis) and blue (derived from coal or natural…