Incitec chair Brian Kruger resigns

Fertiliser and explosives company Incitec Pivot announced on Monday morning that Brian Kruger has stepped down as Chairman and non-executive director, effective immediately, citing personal reasons.   Kruger had been a director at Incitec since June 2017 and Chairman since July 2019.  The company nominated delivery of sustained earnings for shareholders through COVID-19 and geopolitical instability…

Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility seeks proposals for first projects

The NSW government’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF), currently under construction at Bradfield City Centre, is seeking proposals for its first projects. The AMRF is scheduled to open in its first stage mid-next year, and aims to be the centre of “an advanced manufacturing ecosystem”  within the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. According to its website, those…

Liquid metal research shows new way to cut emissions in chemical industry

Australian researchers are pursuing low-temperature, liquid metal-based catalysts as a way to make the chemical industry less emissions-intensive. In a paper published in Nature Nanotechnology on Friday, the team of Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Dr Junma Tang and Dr Arifur Rahim showed how nickel and tin could be dissolved in a gallium-based liquid metal to access…

Sedgman awarded lead contract to develop critical minerals common user facility in Townsville

CIMIC Group subsidiary Sedgman has been appointed Managing Contractor for a critical minerals processing facility in Townsville, the state-owned Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF). In a statement on Thursday, the state government said it would work closely with Sedgman to develop the detailed design and construction program for the facility, which it intends to…

Defence lobby group calls for design of new AUKUS rifle

Private sector operated Weapons Research Establishment has invited innovators to contribute to the design and manufacture of a new, cutting-edge AUKUS rifle through an open innovation challenge. The AUKUS Rifle Challenge represents a unique opportunity for researchers, engineers, and manufacturers to contribute to the development of cutting-edge firearms that can enhance the effectiveness of armed…