Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed






AnteoTech asked for further information for Covid-19 test application

Surface chemical company AnteoTech has been asked by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration to supply further information on its EuGeni test reader and SARS CoV-2 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). The company is one of three Australian manufacturers of RDT tests awaiting approval to sell their tests locally. The TGA has asked for ‘the collation of additional clinical data, together with other aspects of information’, according to AnteoTech. The company recently concluded a prospective clinical trial at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital and the Burnet Institute. The current Omicron wave is impacting the timeline of the study.

Queensland’s Tritium debuts on NASDAQ exchange

Executives of the Queensland manufacturer of direct current fast chargers for electric vehicles Tritium DCFC Limited have rung the closing bell at Nasdaq in New York’s Times Square marking its listing on the technology stock exchange. The company began trading on Nasdaq on January 14 after its merger with Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation II. Tritium CEO Jane Hunter said: “The transport industry is being electrified, which means it is more important than ever for EV owners to have access to rapid, reliable charging infrastructure. We are proud to provide this networked infrastructure to our customers.” As a public company Tritium will rapidly expand its product range and global operations, including building additional factories in the US and a third as yet un-named location. Tritium was founded in 2001 by Dr David Finn, James Kennedy, and Dr Paul Sernia.

Lavo received $5 million funding from NSW government

Hydrogen energy storage developer LAVO will receive $5 million from the NSW government to expand prototyping, testing and pilot manufacturing for the LAVO Hydrogen Energy Storage System at Tomago in the Hunter Region of the state. The grant through the Regional Job Creation Fund will expand business opportunities, investment and job creation. Up to 250 local jobs will be created. Lavo CEO Alan Yu said it was an exciting opportunity to develop sustainable employment opportunities while helping to scale up the company’s hydrogen energy storage solutions. “With its proximity to broader NSW regional communities, Newcastle Airport and the Port of Newcastle, the region provides a unique opportunity for LAVO.” The company’s pilot production partners are Varley Group and Ampcontrol.

Osteopore looks to implant revenue recovery

Bone repair company Osteopore has reported revenue of $310,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021, 70 per cent up on the previous quarter. Margins rose from 62 per cent to 71 per cent compared to the previous corresponding period. The company, which makes bioresorbable polymer scaffold implants that dissolve over time, leaving healthy bone, experienced lower demand in South Korea and Vietnam. However it expects US and European markets to lead future growth, as implant activity returns to levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic. CEO, Goh Khoon Seng said: “We have a fully trained and dedicated sales team expected to drive growth in the near term, and are currently witnessing growing sales momentum as the effects of COVID-19 recede in the USA and Europe.” Osteopore is part of an $18.7 million development project in Singapore to develop new dental implant technology in Singapore, along with the Singapore National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS).

JAT and Pinnacle join to manufacture immune support products

China export group JAT and Melbourne’s Pinnacle Laboratories will jointly develop a range of immune support dairy products to be marketed worldwide by global dairy company Saputo. The two companies will develop a range of products to be marketed under the CocoSoul Moroka brand for global sale. JAT, the University of Sydney and RMIT have been researching and innovating in the immune support product area, supported by a federal government grant. An initial order for product worth $331,200 has been received, however Saputo is not obliged to make repeat orders.

Local EV sales jumped in 2021

The Electric Vehicle Council has released Australian EV sales for last year, which grew from 6,900 in 2020 to 24,078 in versus 2020, and from 0.78 per cent to 2.39 per cent of new vehicle sales over the period. According to the group, the numbers represent “Australia at the precipice of an EV economic boom – if the federal government plays its cards right this year” and builds on policy signals from the state government level. The Tesla Model 3 topped sales with 15,054 vehicles, followed by MG ZS (1,388) and Mitsubishi Outlander (592). “As a wealthy, car-loving, early-adapting nation, Australia should be an electric vehicle leader. If we were we could restart a thriving manufacturing industry supporting thousands of quality jobs,” said EV Council CEO Behyad Jafari.

Picture: Tritium DCFC

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