Arctic panels to insulate the Territory

Northern Territory insulation manufacturer Arctic Solutions has developed a novel range of insulating panels designed for the unique climatic and weather requirements of tropical regions.

The solution is set to displace fully imported material via a co-invested project from the Northern Territory’s (NT) Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF).

The NT-developed panels, used in cool rooms and controlled climate environments, will also satisfy cyclone standards and in time, be further developed for broader applications across the agriculture and fishing sectors.

The panels came out of a project backed by the Territory Government and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), and brought together production machinery company MDI Systems, engineering service provider Rapid Engineering NT, and James Cook University.

As a result of the co-invested project, Arctic Installations estimates an additional $15 million of revenue will be generated over the initial five years, while also creating 25 new jobs.

The project will assist Arctic Installations to reach the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) stage, commission a new plant, subject several prototype panels to structural and cyclone testing, and launch a new locally manufactured product by the end of 2023.

Arctic Installations is investing $500,000 in the project, with an additional $1.4 million in-kind contribution and a further $500,000 in co-funding from the AMEF.

Managing Director of Arctic Installations Gary Burns said: “It’s deeply satisfying to bring together a number of Northern Territory entities to solve a market need and develop a superior product that has applications far beyond our shores,

“In fact, we have just secured our first export deal with ETO energy in Dili which is a great endorsement of what we can do.

“Going off-shore opens up various opportunities within our region north of Australia and with further research and marketing we would like to aim further afield.”

Northern Territory Minister for Advanced Manufacturing Nicole Manison, said advanced manufacturing was the way of the future for the Northern Territory economy.

Mansion said: “AMEF is accelerating the Territory’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and capacity, and we are seeing projects and industries coming alive right across the Territory from the Red Centre to the Top End.

“Arctic Solutions will be manufacturing and commercialising bespoke roofing panels which would have otherwise been sourced from interstate, establishing a local supply chain, supporting Territory businesses and creating local jobs.”

AMGC’s Director for the Northern Territory Charmaine Phillips said the AMEF program had proven that there were world-leading manufacturing ideas in the Territory, and with the right support and funding can lead to commercial outcomes,

Picture: AMGC