Go local: how to keep the power on when disaster hits
To make the system more resilient, we need to ensure a local area can maintain power even when power is cut off elsewhere. This is feasible with microgrids.
Profiles of success: waste whisperer to begin machine manufacturing
Natural Evolution’s expertise in turning green bananas and other produce into nutritious powders has seen it move into consulting and, soon, machinery exports. Brent Balinski spoke to founder Rob Watkins.
Austal launches first of two 118 metre ferries
Austal Australia, the Australian operation of Perth international ship builder Austal Ltd, had launched the first of two 118 metre high-speed trimaran ferries under construction. Th vessel, to be known as #BajamarExpress (pictured). is being built for Fred Olsen.SA of the Canary Islands at the company’s Henderson yard south of Perth. It is the 394th…
Lynas forced to refute contamination claims
Rare earths producer Lynas Corporation has been forced to go public to refute claims by anti-company activists in Malaysia that it was misleading the public. Lynas, which is mired in controversy about radioactive wastes from its Malaysian processing operations, reacted to claims from Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas (SMSL). The group said Lynas misled investors by…
Ansell beefs up supply chain with Malaysian purchase
Global surgical and protective glove manufacturer Ansell has moved to shore up its supply chain with the purchase of 50 per cent of Malaysian latex glove manufacturer, Careplus Group for $13.4 million. The joint venture essentially adds the current Ansell supplier of nitrile powder-free examination gloves with annual sales of $56 million and a factory…
Strategic Elements progresses printable electronics
Perth company Strategic Elements has demonstrated its nanocube data storage device (pictured) to a major printed electronics conference in Finland involving 50 companies in the field of printable electronics. The company’s Sydney product engineers, at its subsidiary Australian Advanved Materials, have been working with the University of New South Wales, CSIRO and VTT Finland to…
Plant and other meat and protein alternatives set to shine
The food sector will see continuing growth in alternative, processed protein foods such as plant-based meats and other alternatives, according to a major report from AgriFutures Australia. AgriFutures, the successor to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), estimates that additional opportunities for the protein sector will total more than $19.9 billion by 2030,…
Wine exports soar with Australia pipping France in China market
At least one area of value-adding exports are booming – premium wines. Figures from Wine Australia showed the total value of Australian wine exports grew by three per cent to $2.91 billion in the 12 months to December 2019. The good news is that exports of higher valued wines – those above $10 per litre…
Fail Safe Braking on fast growth path
Specialist braking systems manufacturer Advanced Braking Systems is on a fast growth path, notching up sales of $4.3 million for the December half year, 32 per cent up on the corresponding period in the prior year. The Perth company boosted margins and achieved an EBITDA of $317,000 compared to a small loss the prior year.…
Queensland’s Black Sky to test rocket motors
Rocket launch provider, Black Sky Aerospace and UK company Raptor Aerospace will conduct an international rocket motor test and sounding rocket launch campaign in Queensland’s outback. The campaign will begin later this month at the Beyond the Blue Aerospace sub-orbital launch facility at Goondiwindi, with Raptor testing and space qualifying their launch vehicles and systems.…