Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

ACOR welcomes container deposit scheme expansion

The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) has welcomed new commitments by New South Wales and South Australia to include glass wine and spirit bottles in container deposit schemes (CDS) from 2027. ACOR said in a statement on Wednesday that it has long supported the move, and that these bottles are highly recyclable, valuable, and well-suited to CDS. “Expanding CDS to glass wine and spirit bottles is a smart step,” said ACOR CEO Suzanne Toumbourou. “It delivers high-quality glass for bottle-to-bottle recycling, cutting emissions, saving energy and strengthening Australia’s circular economy.” ACOR said it supports further expansion of CDS to more beverage types, including juice concentrates, cordials and larger containers of beverages already in the scheme, where it strengthens recycling outcomes and provides consumer clarity.

Green Steel executes PPA

Green Steel of WA, which intends to open a steel recycling mill at Collie next year, has executed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Term Sheet with Tonic Renewables for the supply of renewable energy to power the planned mill. According to an update from the company, the new partnership “secures a pathway for up to 134,000 MWh per year of clean energy from Tonic’s Binningup Solar and Battery facility — a critical step in ensuring Australia’s first new steel mill in more than 30 years will also be one of the cleanest and most efficient.” It added that the agreement is “one of several exciting renewable energy supply agreements we have in the pipeline, building a strong, diversified foundation for WA’s green steel future.”

Nissan Casting wins industry award

The Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP) has been recognised with the prestigious 2025 Excellence in Manufacturing Award by the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce, the company announced this week. The award recognises NCAP's “outstanding contribution to manufacturing excellence and its significant economic and community benefits to the Greater Dandenong region” according to a statement from Nissan. The plant's General Manager, Markus Spindler and Toolroom and GK Manager, Carlos Pereira Da Silva, accepted the award on behalf of the entire NCAP team at the Chamber’s annual Business Awards Gala Dinner. Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, said: “NCAP demonstrates that Australian manufacturing can compete on the world stage. The plant's evolution from traditional ICE components to cutting-edge EV and e-POWER technology shows how Australian innovation and expertise are helping drive the future of sustainable mobility.”

Goulburn meatworks fined over stink

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Southern Meats $30,000 following community complaints in April about strong, unpleasant odours. According to a statement from the EPA on Tuesday, the odours are believed to have been caused “by a failure in part of the abattoir's wastewater treatment system, which led to untreated water discharging into an onsite dam.” EPA Director Regulatory Operations, Steve Orr, said no community should be exposed to such intense and offensive odours, and the abattoir has been held to account. “Residents should be able to open their windows or step outside without being hit with the stench of decaying waste,” Orr said. “After receiving around nine complaints from the community, our officers conducted odour surveys across the affected areas and were able to clearly trace the foul smells back to the abattoir on Mazamet Road.” Besides the $30,000 penalty, Southern Meats has been issued with a Prevention Notice requiring improved measures to prevent similar issues in the future.

$10 million in grants available for wine and cider makers

The federal government has announced $30 million worth of new funding for wine and cider industry producers, extending the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Program for another three years. Applications opened on Monday for the first of three $10 million rounds, with grants up to $100,000 available to help support “upgrading facilities, boosting workforce capability, and business expansion.” The program encourages agritourism by supporting sales at cellar doors, attracting visitors and tourism dollars to wine regions. The current round closes on October 31. More information is available here.

Parwan chip maker fined

Potato chip maker Rairendev Golden Fries has been fined $9,880 by EPA Victoria after a wastewater ponds used in the manufacture of chips overflowed onto neighbouring properties. The Aerodrome Rd, Parwan facility is a major production base for chips and fries products sold under the Golden Fries brand. A report on June 27 was investigated by EPA officers, finding that a wastewater pond had overflowed, “resulting in a large volume of odorous wastewater, in excess of 1,000 litres, pooling on the neighbouring property.” EPA South West Regional Manager Martha-Rose Loughnane said the fine came after other regulatory action had already been taken against the company and further action would be coming if non-compliant activity continued. “Golden Fries in Parwan received EPA remedial notices earlier this year regarding proper waste disposal,” said Loughnane. “Continued non-compliance with EPA regulations will result in escalating regulatory action.”

QUT robotics leader wins at Eurekas

QUT Centre for Robotics Director Professor Michael Milford has won a Eureka Prize for his outstanding mentoring of researchers.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prize highlights the nation’s most significant science achievements. Milford was among 19 scientists and teams recognised at the awards event on Wednesday. Milford’s award was underpinned by many testimonials that described his impact as life-and career-changing, with his mentees winning major grants, awards and leadership positions. According to a statement from QUT, the roboticist has reached thousands around the world through both one-on-one mentoring and his highly successful video and podcast series Hacking Academia. “My own amazing mentors were absolutely critical in guiding me through the formative stages of my career,” Milford said. “As I progressed in my field, I both fell in love with mentoring and, as an increasingly senior leader, continued to grow in appreciation for how vital mentorship is in professional research and scientific careers. Milford was previously a finalist in the Eureka Awards in 2016 in the category of Outstanding Early Career Researcher.

GMG closes bought deal public offering

Brisbane-based nanomaterials business Graphene Manufacturing Group has announced the closing of its previously announced “bought deal” public offering for gross proceeds of C$6.9 million (approximately $7.6 million). which includes the full exercise of the over-allotment option. According to a statement on Thursday, GMG sold 7,666,667 units at a price of C$0.90 per unit, consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used “to fund ongoing operations including, but not limited to, commercial development, product development and working capital”, it said.

Picture: credit Nissan Australia