Government orders review of review of defence purchases

By Peter Roberts The federal government has announced a Defence Strategic Review, with $44.6 billion in annual spending up for review or, in the government’s own words, even abandoned. With the new government facing an increasingly complicated defence environment, the review will also cover defence force structure and where defence assets and personnel are best…

Henkel to make polyurethane adhesives in Victoria to serve demand for engineered timber in construction

German chemical company Henkel has announced that it will begin producing its Loctite brand of polyurethane adhesives in Australia, citing increased interest in engineered timber for construction. Henkel said it would start production of Purbond at Kilsyth, Victoria in the second half of 2023, which would open “many opportunities for us to help our customers…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Flinders develops new wave energy system A prototype system for harnessing power from ocean waves designed by Flinders University researchers delivers a robust generator made from recycled material that promises to help address small-scale local energy requirements and environmental pollution issues with further R&D, according to the university. The ‘green machine’, designed around a wave-driven triboelectric…

Orica expands with buy of digital orebody Intelligence business

Explosives and mining technology company Orica is to expand its interests in orebody intelligence with the purchase of underground geospatial systems manufacturer Axis Mining Technology for $260 million in cash. With Orica already a leader in digital explosives technologies at minesites, the addition of Axis orebody characterisation capabilities strengthens the company’s digital solutions vertically. Orica…

Reaching for the stars with new space collaboration

Reach Robotics and the University of Sydney’s School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (AMME) are to develop space manufacturing and service capabilities under a new collaboration. They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop solutions to complex space control challenges in the field of on-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing (OSAM). Reach Robotics…