Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Hexagon plans huge WA ‘blue’ hydrogen with CCS

Hexagon Energy Materials has reported on its plans to develop a massive ‘blue’ hydrogen plus carbon capture and storage production hub in Western Australia’s north west. The company has progressed plans to produce as much as 800,000 tonnes of hydrogen a year from natural gas feedstock for transportation to WA domestic markets via pipeline and export overseas. Hexygon told investors it planned in 2022 to contract natural gas supplies, lease one of two sites being investigated from DevelopmentWA, and contract solar power supply and CCS treatment services from a third party. CO2 would be injected into a depleted hydrocarbon well and export is envisaged to be via shipment of ammonia. Blue hydrogen should not be confused with green hydrogen made from solar and wind powered electrolysis of water. It production is controversial as CCS facilities have been problematic around the world in capturing and sequestering CO2, including in WQA’s north west.

Tritium appoints Glen Casey COO

DC electric fast charger manufacturer Tritium DCFC Limited has appointed Glen Casey (pictured) as the Company’s new Chief Operating Officer With more than two decades of executive experience across automotive, energy and engineering manufacturing, Casey will step into this role after serving as Tritium’s interim director of global operations since May 2021. Prior to joining Tritium, Casey held senior leadership roles in manufacturing businesses including Philips, Imperial Chemical Industries and Nylex Limited, where he was involved in major transformations and operational improvement in Australia, Asia and Europe. As CEO and managing director of Nylex Casey oversaw more than forty manufacturing facilities, over 6,000 employees and sales in excess of $1 billion. In his role as COO, he will oversee company-wide operational performance, global supply and product distribution and customer support services. Casey holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Swinburne University of Technology. Casey said: “I believe the future of transportation is electric, and Tritium has uniquely positioned itself for sustainable, global expansion and ascendancy.”

Fortescue links up with Airbus for green hydrogen

Green hydrogen company Fortescue Future Industries and Airbus have joined forces to create a working alliance to help enable the aviation industry to decarbonise through zero-emissions green hydrogen. The two signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, Franceto jointly study challenges around green hydrogen regulations, infrastructure and global supply chains – from the production of green hydrogen through to its delivery to airports and transfer onto aircraft. According to the MoU, FFI will provide cost outlook and technology drivers on the various elements of the supply chain and will build infrastructure deployment scenarios for the supply of green hydrogen to targeted airports. Airbus will provide characteristics on fleet energy usage, scenarios for hydrogen demand in aviation, refuelling specifications and aviation regulatory framework. FFI and Airbus have a shared ambition to leverage their respective expertise to support the entry-into-service of a green hydrogen-based aircraft by 2035.

Calix receives regulatory approval for crop protection

Industrial technology developer Calix has received regulatory approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for the sale of its crop protection product Booster-Mag – the firsdt registration ever of a magnesium hydroxide insecticide. BoosterMag, the culmination of six years of product development, is a non-lethal insecticide for the suppression of two-spotted mite in tomatoes and cucurbits and can now be sold and used safely by farmers. Large scale field trials show regular application on foliage can reduce the use of conventional pesticides without compromising crop yield or quality. BoosterMag will be made at Calix’s Baccus March, Victoria facility. development has been supported by the federal government’s Manufacturing Modernisation Fund and the AusIndustry accelerated commercialisation programme.

Picture: Glen Casey

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Picture: Glen Casey

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