Why the $11 billion Australian medtech sector’s supply chain is at risk of another “COVID” shock

The medtech sector needs further investment in manufacturing to protect against further potential global shocks as medical supply chains in Australia have not recovered fully from the COVID-19 pandemic which caused havoc with patient care. By Dr Jack Richards.  In the face of threats like pandemics and shifting economic and geopolitical conditions, it’s imperative that…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

NIOA Group announces new Chief Growth Officer Defence contractor the NIOA Group has announced the appointment of a new Chief Growth Officer, defence industry executive Andrew Crickenberger, formerly Vice President of Strategy for L3Harris Technologies’  Aerojet Rocketdyne division. According to a statement, Crickenberger has a career spanning over three decades as a senior executive with multi-national defence companies.…

BluGlass makes $1.9 million through sale of specialist IP to European company

Semiconductor developer BluGlass has announced a US$1.28 million (approximately $1.93 million) payment from an unnamed European wafer developer for intellectual property rights relating to gallium nitride (GaN) growth techniques on wafers.  According to a statement from BluGlass on Thursday, it developed the specialised IP for the European client under a paid contract development program, which…

Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility announces inaugural board 

The new Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility, which aspires to be “a leading commercial viral vector contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO)”, has announced the appointment of its Chair and three board members. The VVMF, located at the Western Sydney suburb of Westmead, announced Sue MacLeman (pictured) as its Chair and Non-Executive Director on Thursday, following…

Capral to trial use of partially recycled aluminium

Leading aluminium extrusion manufacturer Capral Aluminium is to trial Aluminium Bahrain’s (Alba’s) EternAl-30 and EternAl-15 primary aluminium billets with 30 percent and 15 percent recycled content. Capral described the trial as a groundbreaking entry to the Australian aluminium market that promises to set new standards for carbon reductions and recycled content. Capral already sells its…

Collapse of plant protein manufacturer a concern – contribution from Food Frontier

Australian Plant Proteins’ voluntary administration highlights the lack of forward thinking by government, says Food Frontier CEO Dr Simon Eassom. In a regional area where employment and value-added industries are essential, it’s disappointing that a significant manufacturing plant has announced its potential closure after eight years of operations. Horsham based Australian Plant Proteins (APP) went…

Breakthrough Victoria invests in silicon chip company MILLIBEAM

Breakthrough Victoria is investing $3 million in fabless semiconductor company MILLIBEAM, aiming to accelerate the development and global adoption of millimetre wavelength (mmWave) radio chipsets for 5G/6G communications networks. The investment from Breakthrough Victoria will significantly bolster MILLIBEAM’s operations in Melbourne, with the company planning to hire an additional four specialised systems engineers and five…

Bosch opens co-working space to automotive business

The Australian campus of global manufacturer Bosch has opened its doors to Doftek, an innovative Victorian automotive technology company in a new co-working space. The co-location inaugurates of Bosch’s new ‘Multi-Functional Co-Working Space’ designed to support early-stage companies developing products and systems that align with Bosch’s core interests. Bosch has largely exited manufacturing at its…