Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, September 1 – September 5, 2025

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

5) Gilmour Space says satellite operating successfully following June SpaceX launch

Following the maiden test flight of the company’s Eris rocket in late-July, Gilmour Space Technologies has announced the successful in-orbit operation of its 100-kilogram satellite platform, ElaraSat MMS-1 (Multi-Mission Satellite-1.)

According to a statement from Gilmour on Wednesday, it has completed platform commissioning, verified that satellite bus systems are operating as expected, and demonstrated reliable S-band communications and X-band downlink from ElaraSat.

4) Enzymatic plastic recycler Samsara Eco opens new Jerrabomberra plant

Recycling technology company Samsara Eco has opened a new factory, located in southeastern NSW, going from “bench research through to pilot, demonstration, and now our first plant” in four years.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company said the new headquarters at Jerrabomberra houses its proprietary processing technology, branded EosEco. Capacity at the new plant was not shared, but the company said the opening would “exponentially increase” its ability to produce recycled materials such as recycled nylon 6,6 and polyester.

3) Downer begins recruitment campaign for 200 frontline and 100 professional roles ahead of Torbanlea train manufacture

Engineering company Downer, which is leading delivery of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP), has made “major construction milestones” with its Torbanlea factory build.

In a statement on Monday, Downer said wall cladding was nearing completion and installation of specialist equipment is underway, as is a large-scale recruitment campaign ahead of the manufacture of 65 six-car passenger trains

The company is seeking to hire for roughly 200 frontline and 100 professional roles. (Available positions can be seen here.)

2) Modular Photonics signs licensing agreement with SCHOTT on breakthrough optical chip material

Australian glass microchip fabrication business Modular Photonics has signed a strategic license agreement with German multinational SCHOTT on Aldente Glass.

According to a statement from Modular Photonics on Thursday, its Aldente Glass is a breakthrough material, “engineered for ultra-low optical loss in photonic chips and ultrafast laser inscription” and delivering “a major leap forward in optical chip innovation.”

“This investment signals our deep commitment to advancing photonic chip fabrication — with a glass purpose-designed to enable ultra-low loss performance via laser inscription,”  said Modular Photonics CEO, Michael Withford.

1) Nutromics raises $7.5 million as it weighs up potential factory locations

Wearable biosensor-based diagnostics company Nutromics has raised $7.5 million in an “acceleration round” led by an unnamed Australian life sciences investor.

In a statement on Tuesday, Nutromics said the funds brought the total amount of investment in the company to $60 million, as it progresses commercialisation of its lab-on-a-patch platform, integrating “DNA-based biosensors with microneedles and advanced analytics” for drug monitoring.

Its first commercial focus for the invention is vancomycin, which it describes as “a potent and critical, yet difficult-to-dose antibiotic,” pursuing FDA approval in 2028. After this, the company intends to expand into broader clinical areas including sepsis, cardiology, triage and beyond.

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