Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, August 4 – August 8, 2025

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

5) v2food buys up US company Daring Foods for undisclosed amount

Plant protein business v2food has announced a strategic partnership with multinational food and biotechnology company Ajinomoto, as well as the acquisition of US plant-based chicken company Daring Foods.

According to a statement from Sydney-based v2food on Thursday, the partnership with 100-plus-year-old, Japan-based Ajinomoto will combine v2food’s protein technology and manufacturing with its partner’s century of food science expertise. The Japanese company has operations in Africa and Asia.

4) Alcoa partners with Japanese firms to explore gallium production in Western Australia

Alcoa of Australia has signed a joint development agreement with Japan Australia Gallium Associates to explore establishing gallium production at one of its Western Australian alumina refineries, according to an announcement on Sunday.

The partnership with Japan Australia Gallium Associates, a joint venture between Sojitz Corporation and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, aims to develop alternative supply chains for the critical mineral currently dominated by Chinese production.

3) Laronix selected in Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First program

Bionic voice company Laronix, which featured on this year’s Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers list, has been selected among the new cohort for the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First program.

According to an update on Google Australia’s blog on Thursday, the program is “designed to help Australian startups building AI and machine learning solutions grow rapidly and responsibly”.

2) Monash Ventures Pre-Seed Fund invests $2.25 million in three biotech spinouts

Monash University has officially launched its pre-seed fund, with an announcement of co-investments totalling $2.25 million made in spinout companies Myostellar, FytonBio, and Remagine Labs.

The funding for the three companies is through the $15 million Monash Ventures Pre-Seed Fund, a participant in the Breakthrough Victoria’s $100 million University Innovation Platform (BVUIP.)

1) Australian Vanadium secures planning approval for Western Australian processing hub

Australian Vanadium has achieved a key regulatory milestone with planning approval for its vanadium processing facility at Tenindewa, approximately 65 kilometres east of Geraldton, according to an announcement on Sunday.

The Western Australian Planning Commission approved the development application for the processing plant, which forms a central component of the company’s integrated vanadium supply chain strategy across Western Australia.

Chief executive Graham Arvidson said the approval represents a landmark moment for the company’s vision of a fully integrated vanadium value chain.

Picture: credit Australian Vanadium