Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Hazer Group to receive $9.45 million R&D tax incentive

Technology development company the Hazer Group has announced approval has been received of its FY2022 R&D tax incentive refund from the federal government of $9.45 million. The company, which is constructing a commercial demonstration plant in Western Australia to demonstrate the Hazer process for producing hydrogen from biomass, expects the refund to be received shortly. Hazer Chief Executive Officer Glenn Corrie said: “The substantial R&D tax incentive refund is representative of the scale of the investment we are making into advancing our technology development in Hazer technology. These proceeds, in addition to our recent ARENA milestone funding, further strengthens our cash position enabling us to accelerate the development of our innovative and proprietary technology and graphitic carbon technology.”

Atomo Diagnostics announces new test sale to South Africa

Rapid medical diagnostic test manufacturer Atomo Diagnostics announced it had secured a ‘take or pay’ agreement with long term partner Viatris for its HIV self-tests (pictured) for the South African private market. Viatris has committed to purchasi9ng a minimum quantity of tests each year for five years with a total value of $1.9 million. The new agreement is separate to sales to South Africa for the public health market. Atomo CEO John Kelly said there was improved pricing relative to other markets and strong demand in South Africa for its tests. Kelly said: “In this post-Covid environment we are seeing as return to growth in HIV testing and the emergence of ‘consumer initiated testing’ as a key driver of growth in the diagnostic market.”

Acrow Formwork acquires Heinrich Plant Hire assets

Engineered formwork, scaffolding and screen systems provider Acrow Formwork and Construction Services has acquired the screen assets of Heinrich Plant Hire and announced strong growth in its secured hire contracts. The purchase, for $11.5 million, cover the south-east Queensland area. Acrow Managing Director Steven Boland said the assets and contracts purchased complement crow’s existing businesses, providing additional product to the company’s ‘already strong’ market position. Heinrich screen systems would be rolled out nationally. Boland said secured hire contract wins for nine months to 31 March had increased by 34 percent, exceeding growth in the first six months of that period. March saw hire contract wins of $6.8 million, including its first jumpform contract in Western Australia.

Potatoes make gravy for PureFoods Tasmania

PureFood Tasmania through its Daly Potato division achieved $311,000 in revenue in March, 2023 following the launch of its new Potato & Gravy product. Potato & Gravy, sold in 100 per cent recyclable packaging, was ranged in Coles Supermarkets in Victoria and Tasmania in March, with Woolworths in Queensland and Tasmania following in April. Managing Director Michael Cooper said: “The result is testament to the nutritional value, rich flavour and price point of our Potato & Gravy product. The consumer is looking for good value healthy food and it does not get any better than farm fresh Tasmanian potatoes.”

Construction ends on Australia’s largest solar farm

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited Australia’s largest solar farm, in the Western Downs region, to mark the end of construction on the mega project. Totalling over 1 million solar panels, the 400 megawatt Western Downs Green Power Hub has the capacity to power the equivalent of 235,000 Queensland homes and is connected to the Queensland SuperGrid by a new 275 kilovolt line built by Powerlink. State-owned CleanCo Queensland has signed a power purchase agreement with owners Neoen for 80 per cent of power generated at the site. The completion of panel installation will allow the final testing and commissioning phase of the project to begin to get it to full capacity. CleanCo customers with agreements underpinned by the Western Downs Green Power Hub include Coles, Wesfarmers, Scentre Group, and BHP.

Bluescope accepting applications for accelerator program

Bluescope has announced that applications are open for the company’s BlueScopeX Global Accelerator Program for “Future Material/Material Future”. The accelerator is a six-week program, which the steel company says involves “mentoring, building, testing and trialling real solutions, working towards the opportunity for investment or commercial partnerships” and offers a $US 100,000 prize to the winner. The theme is “Buildings of the Future”. Companies are being sought with technology in the fields of robotics (non-repetitive) and artificial intelligence, sustainable and smart building solutions, integrated building solutions; and customer-experience solutions. Ten companies will be selected, with applications closing April 20 and the program beginning May 1. “There’s zero cost to participate and zero equity taken in exchange for participating” added Bluescope. More information can be seen here.

Cloud Ground Control launches new micro-modem

Cloud Ground Control, developed by Advanced Navigation, has announced the launch of its cellular micro-modem CGConnect. According to a statement from Advanced Navigation on Thursday, CGConnect uses 4G and 5G networks and links any uncrewed vehicle to Cloud Ground Control’s cloud-based drone fleet management platform, enabling live-streaming, command and control from a web browser. Cloud Ground Control is a software-as-a-service platform that supports multi-user and multi-vehicle operations, with applications in robotic enterprises “with a myriad of robotic fleets for emergency, security, construction, asset inspection, agriculture and environmental purposes.” According to the statement, the new product, sized similar to a credit card and weighing 55 grams, offers instant access to features including real-time telemetry, cloud storage, video and payload data, all from a browser.

Picture: MTP Connect/Atomo Diagnostics