Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Treasury backs intervention to cut energy prices Treasury has taken the unusual step of backing ‘temporary and regularly reviewed’ market intervention to rein in high coal and gas prices. A statement from Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy read to a Senate estimates committee said price shocks “bring into scope government intervention”, though the government should not…

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Iluka progresses sovereign rare earths capability

By Peter Roberts Perth minerals producer Iluka Resources is pressing ahead with its plans to process rare earths on Australian shores, capturing more value-adding of these critical metals for the local economy. The company’s latest update shows that all primary environmental approvals have been secured for its project at Eneabba north of Perth. The company…

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GlaxoSmithKline to commercialise Cann Group cannabis medication

Medicinal cannabis producer Cann Group and global pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline are progressing negotiations relating to the commercialisation of Cann’s Satipharm CBD capsules. Cann Group, which operates a major cannabis growing and processing centre at Mildura, Victoria (pictured) announced it was in negotiation with GlaxoSmithKline’s Australian arm Haleon. The negotiations involve an exclusive agreement covering distribution…

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Calix awarded $947,000 for engineering and design study on demo-scale iron factory

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has announced $947,000 in funding to Calix, supporting an investigation into the feasibility of a hydrogen direct reduced iron (DRI) plant using the Australian company’s Zero Emissions Steel Technology (ZESTY) process. According to a statement from ARENA, the funding would assist a pre-FEED and FEED (Front End Engineering and Design)…

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$18 million awarded under first round of new aviation grant program

Grants totalling $18 million have been awarded to 12 projects under round one of the federal Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) program. The program commits $32.6 million to June 2024, with the remaining funding to be allocated in its second round. Projects supported in round one include drone deliveries for health centres, integrating a hydrogen…

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Transit Systems clocks up extensive e-bus experience

Urban transport operator Transit Systems has celebrated three years of running Australia’s largest battery electric bus network and depot, with over two million customers in New South Wales stepping on board. Battery electric buses operated by Transit Systems are in service across Sydney’s Inner West routes and school services, while the company also operates battery…

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