Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, June 23 – June 27, 2025

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

5) DroneShield announces record-breaking order worth $61.6 million

Counter-drone business DroneShield has announced three standalone follow-on contracts, worth a total of $61.6, representing “the biggest single order” in its history and topping its entire revenue of $57.5 million for 2024.

According to a statement from the company on Wednesday, the contracts were from its privately owned in-country European reseller, to be distributed to a European military customer, and are for handheld detection and counterdrone systems and associated accessories.

Delivery of all equipment is expected “throughout Q3 2025, with cash payment expected in Q3 and Q4 2025.”

4) Zeotech gets backing for Australia’s first metakaolin production facility

Emerging mineral processing technology company Zeotech has completed its preliminary feasibility study for Australia’s first metakaolin production facility for low-carbon concrete.

The study delivered what the company described as a compelling business case for its AusPozz project, which would establish a manufacturing facility at the Port of Bundaberg in Queensland.

The project showed a net present value of $406 million after-tax and an internal rate of return of 42 per cent after-tax. Initial capital costs were estimated at $115 million, with a payback period of 2.1 years.

3) QLD manufacturing gets gov funding boost

The Queensland Government is injecting nearly $600 million to boost its industries and regional and rural areas as part of its latest budget.

The state is targeting manufacturing with close to an $80 million investment in a new Transforming Queensland Manufacturing program, opening new pathways for export, “and enabling reshoring and onshoring by Queensland manufacturers,” the state government said in a statement.

It will also provides an additional $10 million for a promised Manufacturing Hub in Toowoomba as well as another hub on the Sunshine Coast to boost the state’s regional manufacturing capabilities.

2) Whiteley opens $25 million Human Therapeutics Plant at Tomago

Whiteley Corporation, a family-owned maker of cleaning and disinfection products, has officially opened its new $25 million purpose-built Human Therapeutics Plant at Tomago, NSW.

According to a statement from the company last week, the event at Whiteley’s first-of-its-kind plant was attended by over 100 guests, including NSW Port Stephens MP Kate Washington (pictured on right.)

The site will manufacture alcohol-based hand rubs and over-the-counter medicines for the ANZ market and is expected to create 30 new jobs “across research, manufacturing, compliance and operations” once fully operational.

1) Sale process for collapsed Whyalla steelworks gets underway

The sale process for the Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia and associated mining operations — previously held by GFG Alliance — has formally opened, with “strong early interest from global steelmakers and consortia” according to the federal and South Australian governments.

The steelworks were forced into administration by the SA government in February, with KordaMentha appointed as administrators, with unpaid debts since reported as totalling over $1.3 billion.

Picture: credit GFG Alliance