Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Meiban, Planet Innovation announce partnership

Medtech business Planet Innovation (PI) and Singapore-based contract manufacturer Meiban Group have announced a new “strategic alliance” aimed at delivering “comprehensive Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services” spanning early-stage innovation through to high-volume manufacturing. According to a statement from PI on Thursday, the alliance will enable clients to “seamlessly transition from PI’s innovation, design, and early-stage manufacturing capabilities, located in Australia and the United States, to Meiban’s world-class, automated mass-manufacturing operations in Singapore and Malaysia”, where Meiban run 18 sites. Stuart Elliott, Co-founder and CEO of PI said it combines his company's “innovation expertise with Meiban’s high-volume manufacturing excellence to create one of the most powerful and integrated CDMO offerings in the healthtech sector… It also provides our clients with the choice to manufacture in the USA, Asia, or Australia, depending on their strategic and commercial needs.”

Unemployment rise shows weak private sector labour market: Ai Group

Employer representative the Australian Industry Group said Thursday's June labour market data, showing a rise in unemployment to its highest level since the pandemic, “points to the impact that our weak private sector is having”. The unemployment rate rose to 4.3 per cent, seasonally adjusted, in June, with an additional 33,600 people looking for work. It was the highest unemployment rate since November 2021. Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group said: “During 2024, approximately four in five new jobs created in Australia were in these government-supported sectors… this level of dependence on the taxpayer for job creation is plainly unsustainable. With the private market sector accounting for two-thirds of employment in Australia, it was inevitable that its sustained weakness would eventually spill over to the broader labour market. It appears this problem is now coming home to roost.”

Titomic appoints new VP for US O and G 

Cold spray additive manufacturing business Titomic this week announced the appointment of Sharon Abercia as Vice President for Oil and Gas markets, “commencing immediately.” According to an ASX statement, Abercia brings over 30 years of experience in the sector, and will be based in Houston, Texas. Titomic is currently undergoing certification by DNV for the Oil & Gas industry, with its solutions already qualified and in active use by leading global oil and gas companies. Jim Simpson, its CEO and Managing Director, said “[Abercia's] deep experience and relationships across the oil and gas ecosystem will help accelerate our deployment into key operations, ensuring our technology is aligned to customer needs and able to  solve the most pressing challenges in asset maintenance and lifecycle management.” 

Aircraft manufacturing and repair market report released

The Aircraft Manufacturing and Repair Services industry's revenue is expected to have fallen at an annualised 2.0 per cent over the five years through 2024-25 to $4.0 billion, according to a new report by IBISWorld. Rising operational costs and fixed-price defence contracts have eroded profitability. The industry is “undergoing a structural transformation”, with a surge in “defence investment, revitalised commercial aviation and rapid innovation in sustainable technologies” driving an industrywide shift. A record $55.7 billion defence budget for 2024-25 and the AUKUS partnership have reoriented the industry towards high-value component production and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services. A domestic shift from full-scale aircraft assembly to specialisation reflected international trends, supporting sovereign capability and job creation, while a resurgence in commercial aviation post-pandemic has bolstered demand for aircraft parts and MRO services.

RMIT invents way to use wastewater's contamination for green hydrogen

Research led by RMIT University has developed an experimental invention turning wastewater’s high contaminant load into an advantage for making green hydrogen. Lead researcher, Associate Professor Nasir Mahmood, from RMIT’s School of Science, said the team found a way to capture platinum, chromium and nickel other metals in the water and then put these elements to work to enhance green hydrogen production. The invention comes in the form of electrodes, key in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Electrodes are made with an absorbent carbon surface that attracts metals from wastewater to form catalysts that are stable and efficient at conducting electricity, helping to speed up the water splitting. The materials used to produce the special carbon surface are made from agricultural waste – another cost-effective aspect of the innovation that contributes to a growing circular economy. “The catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process,” Mahmood said. “The metals interact with other elements in the wastewater to boost the electrochemical reactions needed for splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen.

Licella secures investment from Diamond Edge Ventures

Chemical recycling company Licella Holdings has announced strategic funding from Diamond Edge Ventures (DEV), the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG), under a Business and Capital Alliance Agreement. The value of the investment was not disclosed in a statement from Licella on Friday, which said the funding will support  development of Licella’s owned and led commercial projects, including Project Swift—a proposed regional biorefinery in Queensland, that will convert sugarcane residues into low carbon liquid fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)—and the Altona Project, Licella’s advanced recycling facility proposed for Victoria. It added that the alliance also provides strategic support, access to global networks, and potential pathways to co-develop projects with MCG business units. Dr Len Humphreys, CEO of Licella, said: “Their support further validates the performance and scalability of our Cat-HTR platform and reflects growing global demand for scalable, low carbon solutions. DEV’s deep industry insight and connection to Mitsubishi Chemical Group aligns strongly with our commercial projects and global strategy.”

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