CSIRO has launched a new R&D grant program, offering mining and manufacturing SMEs (fewer than 200 employees) specialising in graphite between $10,000 and $50,000 per project as well as access to facilities and expertise. In a statement on Friday, the nation’s scientific agency said the grant opportunity’s focus is on “accelerat[ing] the growth of the…
Nominations opened on Thursday for Round 17 of Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants, which offer between $100,000 and $3 million in matched funding for short-term (up to three-year) collaborative projects led by an industry partner. An update on the industry department’s website explains that support is open to all sectors, though there is a…
The federal government has announced new contracts through its Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) program to Advanced Design Technology (ADT) and Penten, with a combined value of over $8 million. A statement from defence industry minister Pat Conroy on Thursday asserts that the contracts will provide the two companies with “critical financial support” as they…
Khuda foundation donates $100 million for girls in STEM A donation of $100 million from the Khuda Family Foundation will fund a 20-year program to create a pathway for girls from Western Sydney to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and careers. The University of Sydney said in a statement on Wednesday that…
Industry association the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has blamed factors including “poor policy, cheap imports, government over-taxing businesses and crippling union agreements” for Dandenong-based architectural glassmaker Oceania Glass falling into administration this week. In a statement on Wednesday, following news of Oceania’s collapse on Monday, SEMMA said it was “shocked” at another manufacturer…
Clinical stage biotechnology company Vaxxas, which is commercialising a needle-free vaccine delivery platform, has added three new expert advisors to its product development and strategy team. In a statement on Thursday morning (Australian time), the company said Dr Emilio Emini, Dr Nathalie Garcon, and Professor Paul Young will join Vaxxas as consultants to provide regulatory…
The Australian Workers’ Union has said “understandable concern” among members had followed the voluntary administration of Dandenong’s Oceania Glass, and raised a perceived lack of support for domestic glass manufacturing. In a statement on Wednesday, the union said its priority is currently “to gather comprehensive insights and secure explanations” from management and administrators of the…
Biome Australia Limited (ASX: BIO) has secured a co-investment partnership with Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA). This collaboration, backed by $50 million in federal funding through the Department of Education’s Trailblazer Program, is set to turbocharge the development of Biome’s cutting-edge probiotic strain, Lactobacillius plantarum BMB18. Biome’s partnership with FaBA isn’t just about funding—it’s…
Australia’s Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing industry is scrubbing up nicely, with revenue expected to hit a sparkling $3.3 billion by 2025. That’s right—our love for bubbles, disinfectants and eco-friendly suds has fuelled a steady growth of 3.4 per cent annually over the past five years, according to a new IBISWorld report. Post-pandemic, it’s clear…
Oceania Glass, a leading Australian architectural glass manufacturer based in Dandenong, Victoria, has entered voluntary administration as of February 4. Grant Thornton Australia partners Lisa Gibb, Said Jahani and Matt Byrnes have been appointed as Joint and Several Voluntary Administrators to oversee the process. Specialising in float glass, coated glass and laminated glass, Oceania Glass…