Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, April 29 – May 3, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading.

5) Applications open for Industry Growth Program, $6.9 million announced for four not-for-profits to assist IGP

A total of $6.9 million in grant funding was announced for four Industry Partner Organisations (IPO), alongside the opening of applications for the Industry Growth Program (IGP), on Thursday.

In an announcement from industry minister Ed Husic, the four not-for-profits sharing in the $6.9 million were named as MTPConnect, the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub, Food and Agribusiness Network Limited (FAN), and Hydrogen Mobility Australia. The call for IPO grants was made in February.

The grant funding is delivered over over two years in exchange for “expert, sector-specific advice to support the growth of Australian SMEs” according to Husic. The organisations will “complement the work of the Industry Growth Program Advisers”.

4) Space Machines Company-led project awarded $8.5 million through International Space Investment India Projects

Satellite manufacturer Space Machines Company has announced a joint Indian-Australian mission on space debris management, supported by an $8.5 million grant from the Australian government.

SMC, which bills itself an “in-space servicing firm”, announced “Space MAITRI” (मैत्री, or Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation) on Tuesday, saying the joint industry-led mission will “demonstrate progress towards space debris management and a sustainable space future.”

Space MAITRI is assisted by an $8.5 million grant from the Australian Space Agency, and is part of the International Space Investment India Projects program, building upon the concept of a broader 2018 ISI initiative.

3) Plastic recycler opens fourth factory at Melbourne

CRDC Australia has officially opened a new factory in the Melbourne suburb of Tottenham, where it is transforming end-of-life hard and soft plastics into “an Eco-Aggregate that improves concrete.”

“Following the US, Costa Rica, and South Africa, we are proud to be the fourth global location hosting this groundbreaking technology,” said Shane Ramsey, Managing Director of CRDC Australia, acknowledging the support of the state government and partner the Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP).

State environment minister Steve Dimopoulos said the government contributed $500,000 to the new $2.5 million factory.

2) Marles would let Austal fall into overseas hands – I would not

Defence Minister Richard Marles is comfortable with the possibility of Australia’s most successful locally owned defence manufacturer, Austal, falling to overseas ownership.

I, for one, am not.

Sure, having foreign owned companies manufacturing locally is a good thing, but not nearly as good as nurturing our own mini multi nationals, ultimately growing them to be globally competitive, writes Peter Roberts.

1) New $18.4 million Australian Centre for Quantum Growth

The federal government has selected the University of Sydney’s Quantum Australia to establish and run a new $18.4 million Australian Centre for Quantum Growth, according to Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic.

Promised in the government’s National Quantum Strategy, the centre will build connections across Australia’s booming quantum community.

Husic took to social media and said: “We’re determined to draw on our nation’s incredible quantum talent to help deliver a future made in Australia.”

Picture: Quantum Australia industry event 2024 presented by Sydney Quantum Academy