Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

What were the five biggest stories this week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading.

AUSTRALIA’S PLACE IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR WORLD: AN INTRODUCTION TO SEMICONDUCTORS

On day one of Australia’s place in the semiconductor world, we presented an introduction to the subject, aimed at a reader with no prior knowledge of semiconductors. It was part one of a four-part feature by Steven Duvall and Glenn Downey.

The purposes of this feature are to broaden and deepen the understanding of semiconductors and their significance for our economy, jobs, productivity and security, and to identify and describe significant roles that Australia could play in the global semiconductor industry with significant benefit to the nation’s economy, jobs, productivity and security.

AUSTRALIA’S PLACE IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR WORLD – SERIES INTRODUCTION

@AuManufacturing launched our newest two-week editorial series, examining Australia’s participation in perhaps the most advanced manufacturing sector of them all. By Brent Balinski.

From being rarely mentioned until not long ago, chips have earned an unusual amount of attention in recent years, and from people outside of the electronics industry.

Those within it have also had an interesting time trying to ensure supply of this key intermediate good, and have spent a great deal of extra effort redesigning products to make do with whatever they can get.

PILBARA MINERALS GRANT TO MOVE UP THE LITHIUM VALUE CHAIN

Western Australian lithium producer Pilbara Minerals secured a 10-year debt facility from the federal government to support the expansion of its Pilgangoora operation underpinning its moves further down the battery materials supply chain.

The facility, provided through the Export Finance Australia (EFA) and Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) agencies, will support construction of P680 Project expansion at the Pilbara, WA operation.

EFA has approved finance of the US$ equivalent of $125 million, whilst NAIF has agreed to provide up to $125 million in funding.

ANSELL RESPONDS TO FORCED LABOUR ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A SUPPLIER

International surgical and industrial glove manufacturer Ansell was forced to respond to allegations of forced labour made by employees of one of the company’s third-party suppliers.

The company, which has faced similar allegations in recent years, said it was deeply concerned by reports of forced labour at supplier Brightway Group.

However Ansell has taken no action to terminate Brightway’s contracts to supply the company with gloves.

AUSTRALIA’S PLACE IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR WORLD: THE CURRENT “STATE OF THE WORLD”

In the second day of our Australia’s place in the semiconductor world editorial series, Glenn Downey and Steven Duvall provided part two of their four-part feature. Here is a look at what certain nations are doing to respond to the challenges of the era.

The article continues their four-part series on semiconductors and their significance for our economy, jobs, productivity and security.

Picture credit: TSMC