The future of manufacturing is garbage
A while ago I blogged about Viridi, a clever bunch that is developing a way to salvage grape sugar, tartaric acid and antioxidants from wine waste.
Simplot, McCain, Lion and others to complete renewable process heat feasibility studies by year’s end
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $460,500 in funding for a study on the use of renewable energy to generate process heat, which it says represents the largest component of energy use within manufacturing.
Canberra threatens exporters as statistics show Australia’s minerals dependence
Analysis by Peter Roberts This week saw the extraordinary spectacle of an Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, threatening exporters and telling them to cut back on exports. For Morrison to warn alumina producers Rio Tinto and Alcoa to cut back on exports to the United States was strange enough, but the reason for it was…
Australian rocket launch site given major project status
The South Australian government has granted major project status to a venture which aims to become Australia’s first commercial rocket launch site. Southern Launch is aiming for its Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex “to get off the ground in 2020”.
Boardrooms need to get serious about innovation – AICD
Comment by Peter Roberts Australia’s business boardrooms need to get serious about innovation, with few recognising the urgent need to prioritise innovation, acording to a new report from the Australian Institute for Company Directors (AICD). Given the current realities of Australian manufacturing, this is a comment that should be taken on board even more urgently…
Australian crane innovator teams up with QUT robotics experts on two-year project
A two-year project linking an award-winning crane load management manufacturer and robotics experts at Queensland University of Technology has been announced.
First hi-tech X-ray tube rolls off the line in Adelaide
By Andrew Spence Australian hi-tech company Micro-X has rolled out the first of its lightweight mobile X-ray carts fitted with its own in-house designed and manufactured X- ray tube. The X-ray tubes are the world’s first to be electronically controlled and contain a unique carbon nanotube emitter designed by Micro-X in collaboration with South Australian…
Defence short-lists two for armoured vehicle buy
Defence ministers have announced that two armoured personnel carriers have been short-listed to replace the army’s armoured personnel carriers. Defence minister Linda Reynolds and defence industry minister Melissa Price named Hanwha Defense Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia, beating out two other contenders. LAND 400 Phase 3 programme will replace existing M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers with…
Former Electrolux site on the way to hosting new aluminium products factory
A development application has been lodged for the recently-purchased former Electrolux site in Orange, with the company behind it saying around 25 jobs will be created through a new aluminium extrusion operation. According to a statement from Orange City Council, the DA is for “a set of concrete footings to support the equipment required”…
Skykraft awarded $1 million to build nano-sattelites
UNSW Canberra spin-off company Skykraft has been awarded a $1 million grant to accelerate design and manufacture of small satellite systems. The grant from the ACT government will begin design and manufacture of a SmallSat constellation to provide global air traffic management capabilities. Skykraft managing director, James Prior said this ‘early definition work’ established a…