Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Ukraine asks for more Bushmasters, Hawkeis

Ukraine has made new calls for Australia to send more Bushmaster protected military vehicles to the war torn country, as well as some of the lighter weight Hawkeis. Government organisation Defense of Ukraine went on social media and said: “Our soldiers absolutely love Australian Bushmasters. But now they have a new crush: the Hawkei. These two would be a perfect match on the battlefield. We would truly appreciate their reunion in Ukraine, @AlboMP!” Australia has gifted Bushmasters to Ukraine, with both Bushmaster and Hawkei both made by French group Thales Australia in Bendigo, Victoria. Defense of Ukraine also released a photograph of a Bushmaster in service in Ukraine (pictured).

Luerssen Australia appoints new OPV project director

Naval shipbuilder Luerssen Australia has appointed David Miller as project director for the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel Program underway at the Henderson Marine Precinct in Perth. Prior to joining Luerssen Australia, Miller worked on defence projects including the design and build of the ANZAC Class Frigates and the re-design of a commercial tanker, now HMAS Sirius. Most recently Miller has been consulting within the defence sector and previously served as the Executive General Manager – Defence at Serco Asia Pacific. Luerssen is building 12 OPVs for the navy, the first two began construction in Adelaide in 2018, with the remaining vessels now being built in Perth. The OPVs will replace Armidale class vessels.

Anteris Technologies receives US utility patent

Anteris Technologies told the ASX on Wednesday that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a utility patent to the company for its novel DurAVR transcatheter heart valve (THV). DurAVR is described as a “first-in-class biomimetic valve uniquely designed to mimic the performance of a healthy human heart valve” and now has a patent number 11,622,853 attached to it, expiring September 30, 2042. Anteris said it was recognition it had achieved “a differentiated heart valve technology through its innovative single-piece, shaped-tissue design”. CEO Wayne Paterson added, “The patent signifies the extraordinary work by our team of engineers around the world responsible for the design of DurAVR THV. The granting of this patent enhances the broad IP protection of DurAVR , strengthening our competitive position in the TAVR field.”

Chemistry Australia announces industry award winners

Industry body Chemistry Australia named the winners of its first-ever Chemistry Australia Industry Awards at the Melbourne Arts Centre last week. According to Chemistry Australia, the awards “acknowledge the achievements of the sector’s best and brightest from the diverse range of businesses” across its membership and were  presented across five categories; Net Zero Transition, Circular Economy, Health, Safety & Environment, Young Leader, and Hall of Fame. Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF) won the Net Zero Transition Award, Dulux Paints and Coatings won the Circular Economy Award, Air Liquide Australia the Health, Safety and Environment Award, and Incitec Pivot’s Hannah Campbell was named the Young Leader Award winner. Ian Hansen, CEO of WesCEF, entered the Hall of Fame. More on the event and its winners can be seen here.

GMG achieves biggest sale of heat transfer products

Momentum is gathering on sales of its graphene-based heat management products to HVAC users, according to Brisbane-headquartered Graphene Manufacturing Group. GMG achieved its largest-ever single sale of Thermal-XR (TXR), worth $130,000 (including GST) “for a large Australian eco-friendly resort for the coating of nearly 200 air conditioners.” TXR is a coating used to improve the conductivity of corroded heat exchange surfaces and to maintain performance of new units at peak levels. In an update including news on discussions with potential distributors North America and Asia Pacific, requests for demonstrations in Thailand, and sales in Southeast Asia for the product, the company said it progressing towards commissioning a new coating blending plant in the second quarter of 2023 with capacity for 2,000 litres of TXR Restore coating per eight-hour shift,. Managing Director Craig Nicol said, “We are pleased to be able to begin producing our coatings for HVAC-R and other heat transfer applications in-house, as a significant step to becoming a globally recognised brand leader in Energy Saving products.”

Changes at Bubs’ board

Bubs Australia announced on Tuesday that Katrina Rathie has been elected Chair, replacing Dennis Lin, who will also leave his executive role. Rathie’s appointment is effective from close of business on April 6. The company said its non–executive directors, noting a recent deterioration in financial performance over the half year, considered the time “right for a change in leadership and to change the governance framework of the company to ensure that it aligns with ASX Corporate Governance Principles and best practice.” Rathie was appointed to the board as an independent Non–Executive Director in July 2021, and is described as having “deep experience in law, governance, the FMCG/infant formula industry and cross–border trade” between Australia, China and the United States. “As a mother of three and an Australian born woman of Chinese cultural heritage, it is an immense privilege for me to be chosen to serve as the Chair of the Board of an iconic Australian infant milk formula and baby food company with operations in Australia, China and the USA,” she added. 

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