NSW TAFE review announced
The NSW government has announced a review of the state’s $2.3 billion TAFE system, headed by businessman David Gonski and Western Sydney University Chancellor Peter Shergold, which will report back by July.
PPK turnaround continues with modest loss
Mining products and services group PPK has continued its turnaround cutting its losses from $1 million the previous corresponding period to only $50,000 in the first half of the financial year. The maker of Rambor and PPK Mining Equipment boosted revenues 11 per cent to $22.05 million in the half, withd a $3 million EBITDA…
Lithium Australia advances towards patent protection
Chemicals technology group Lithium Australia has achieved further steps in the progress of gaining patent protection for its LieNA process for extracting lithium from its ores.
Soldiers to train in use of Australian-developed metal 3D printers under new trial
A 12-month trial between the Australian Army, Charles Darwin University and 3D printer manufacturer SPEE3D has been launched, and will provide training to soldiers for “3D printing in the field.”
We won’t have fusion generators in five years. But the holy grail of clean energy may still be on its way
Recent reports from scientists pursuing a new kind of nuclear fusion technology are encouraging, but we are still some distance away from the “holy grail of clean energy”.
Weak markets, coronavirus hit BlueScope profits
International steelmaker and value-added products group BlueScope steel’s profits have plunged as a hit from weaker market conditions was compounded by the effects of the coronavirus. The company, which has extensive operations in China, Asean, the United States and Australia, reported net profit after tax down 70 per cent in the first half to $185.8…
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you may have missed
Phoslock wins Rio contract Large-scale water treatment company Phoslock has won a $2 million contract to clean up one of Rio de Janiero’s main drinking water reservoirs. The company, which does most of its business in highly-polluted Chinese waterways, will bind and remove phosphorous from the reservoir operated by utility Cia Estadual de Águas e…
Electricity market transforming apace but security a worry: Energy Security Board
The transformation of the national electricity market has “progressed at a remarkable pace and scale” over the last year as it moves towards renewables, but security is a critical issue, according to the Energy Security Board.
Carbon fibre composites – reuse, repair or recycle?
Fibre-strengthened materials are not easy to recycle, but should this even be the goal? Brent Balinski spoke to Dr Anastassija (Stacey) Konash from Swinburne University’s Factory of the Future.
Australia and the circular economy – a chance to make your voice heard
Boomerang Labs is surveying entrepreneurs, as well as corporations, governments and other large organisations to take a snapshot of the Circular Economy landscape in Australia at present. They will gather this data for a Report ‘Australia and the Circular Economy: The Current Landscape and Opportunities Ahead’. They hope to replicate this each year to track progress.…