March 12, 2025 - Australian Manufacturing Forum

First-of-its-kind green hydrogen facility begins construction in South Australia

Manufacturing NewsBy Simran Gill March 12, 2025

Sparc Technologies commenced construction of a revolutionary green hydrogen pilot plant in South Australia on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for next-generation hydrogen production technology. The facility, located at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus, will employ photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) technology that produces hydrogen directly from water using only sunlight and a photocatalyst material…

Health sensor company WearOptimo announces expert advisory board

Manufacturing NewsBy Staff Reporter March 12, 2025

WearOptimo, a Brisbane heath technology company commercialising sticker-like sensors for monitoring biosignals, has announced its Advisory Board, made up of experts in biotechnology, healthcare, regulatory affairs, and venture investment. In a statement on Tuesday, the company said the six-member board was part of ambitions around its “Microwearable” hydration sensors and United States launch. The initial…

Australian steel manufacturers brace for impact as US rejects tariff exemption

Manufacturing NewsBy Simran Gill March 12, 2025

Australian steel and aluminium manufacturers faced a significant setback on Tuesday as the White House confirmed there would be no exemption from the 25 per cent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. “He considered it and considered against it. There will be no exemptions,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Australian media in…

Scientists shocked by water’s hidden electrical power

Manufacturing NewsBy Simran Gill March 12, 2025

Researchers have discovered that water generates an electrical charge up to 10 times greater than previously understood when moving across surfaces, according to findings published on Tuesday by RMIT University and the University of Melbourne. The research team observed that when water droplets become stuck on tiny bumps or rough spots, force builds up until…

Austal raises $200 million to expand US naval shipbuilding capacity

Manufacturing NewsBy Simran Gill March 12, 2025

Australian shipbuilder Austal announced a A$200 million institutional placement on Monday to fund expansion of its Alabama shipyard, positioning the company for growth in US defence contracts. The capital raising will partly finance the Final Assembly 2 (FA2) infrastructure project at Austal’s Mobile facility, a strategic site for the US Navy. The expansion includes a…

Unnamed patient becomes first outside of US to receive maglev artificial heart

Manufacturing NewsBy Staff Reporter March 12, 2025

The first Australian implant of a Total Artificial Heart (TAH) made by BiVACOR – founded by Australian inventor Dr Daniel Timms – was an “unmitigated clinical success”, according to the Artificial Heart Frontiers Program (AHFP.) The Artificial Heart Frontiers Program, led by Monash University, said on Wednesday that an unnamed Australian received the implant on…

Only three more sleeps until nominations close for Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers 2025

Manufacturing NewsBy Brent Balinski March 12, 2025

We are nearing the end of the nomination period for this year’s Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers, with Saturday the cut-off to make your case to join 2025’s prestigious list. If you entered last year or in 2023 and wonder if you can nominate a second (or third) time, let me assure you that you…

Daily Archives: March 12, 2025

First-of-its-kind green hydrogen facility begins construction in South Australia

Health sensor company WearOptimo announces expert advisory board

Australian steel manufacturers brace for impact as US rejects tariff exemption

Scientists shocked by water’s hidden electrical power

Austal raises $200 million to expand US naval shipbuilding capacity

Unnamed patient becomes first outside of US to receive maglev artificial heart

Only three more sleeps until nominations close for Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers 2025