Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Liontown Resources produces first lithium Battery Materials producer Liontown Resources has produced its first lithium spodumene concentrate at Kathleen Valley in Western Australia, following the commissioning of the wet plant and end-to-end operation of the value chain. The milestone marks the start of production ramp-up to nameplate throughput of 3Mtpa, currently expected by the end…

Baxter Healthcare pharmaceuticals expands in WA

Construction works are complete on a new world-class pharmaceutical compounding centre in Perth which will manufacture lifesaving medicines and help to diversify Western Australia’s economy. The facility will be one of the most technologically advanced compounding centres in Australia and has been supported by the state government’s Investment Attraction Fund. The new Baxter Healthcare facility…

iLaunch Trailblazer’s fast track commercialisation grants

In a boost for the Australian space industry, the iLAuNCH Trailblazer has announced a further $1 million in funding to accelerate university research towards commercialisation. Part of the $180 million Trailblazer program, the iLAuNCH Accelerator’s Fast Track fund provides seed funding for proof-of-concept demonstrator technologies with long-term commercial prospects. Fast Track will provide funding pathways…

Alcoa buys Alumina Ltd, takes over bauxite and aluminium assets

Alcoa Corporation has announced the completion of its acquisition of Alumina Limited, taking control of the AWAC joint venture whose assets comprise bauxite mines and alumina and aluminium refineries in Australia, Brazil, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Guinea. The takeover increases Alcoa’s economic interest in its core business and simplifys governance by acquiring the minority partner…