Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Anteris to develop new heart valve

ASX-listed Anteris Technologies has announced that it has entered an agreement with v2vmedtech to partner with physicians to develop a heart valve repair device for minimally invasive treatment of mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation, The condition — also known as a leaky valve – represents a market expected to be worth $4.1 billion by 2028, said Anteris. It is based on unmet needs within mitral and tricuspid valve repairs, according to Anteris, and complements its product portfolio by entering a market adjacent to transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR), which it remains focussed on through its DurAVR TAVR system. It described the mitral and tricuspid valve repair markets as “underpenetrated with few competitors” with many patients not receiving treatment due to current technology limitations. “This strategic partnership allows us to tap into our core capabilities of innovation and existing network of physician advisors while broadening our portfolio and entering additional market segments where we can expect significant long-term growth,” said CEO Wayne Paterson.

First Graphene prepares for green cement trials in June

A First Graphene-led consortium, including Breedon Cement, Morgan Sindall Construction and The University of Manchester, is working towards one of the world’s largest-scale trials of graphene in green cement. The trial received an Innovate UK grant worth £190,034, and will see graphene added to a cement production line with minimal changes to the existing plant. Approximately 2,000 tonnes of graphene-enhanced cement will be produced at Breedon in June, marked for use in real world demonstrations, according to a statement from First Graphene on Wednesday. Performance as a binder in mortar and concrete systems will be analysed to assess performance improvements, prior to use in real-world demonstrations by Morgan Sindall, a British construction and regeneration group. Data from Breedon and Frist Graphene production sites has already been analysed by the University of Manchester and found graphene enhanced cement to both offset CO2 and demonstrate potential mechanical benefits, even at graphene loading levels less than 0.06 per cent.

Details released for Western Downs manufacturing conference

The Accelerate Manufacturing: Western Downs Manufacturing Conference will return to Dalby, Queensland on May 17 this year. The Western Downs Regional Council the event will be free, with presentations from industry experts, offering observations on emerging industry trends and opportunities for manufacturers. Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said, “Manufacturing is one of our strong economy’s four major pillars, with 123 local manufacturing businesses employing more than 1,600 people and generating almost $700 million in sales annually.” Conference keynote presenter Michael Sharpe, Chairman of the AUKUS Forum, said manufacturing was a significant part of the Australian and Western Downs’ economies and the outlook was extremely positive. “In my experience the businesses which invest in new technologies and collaborates with adjacent industries are the ones which are growing and making more jobs,” said Sharpe. “I’d say businesses in the sector should come along and get together with other likeminded businesses who are trying to boost and demonstrate local industry and show what good looks like.” More info here.

CSIRO launches new education program

The nation’s science agency, CSIRO, has announced “an ambitious education program to equip students with skills to help to solve Australia’s future challenges” on Wednesday. The five-year, multimillion-dollar STEM Together encourages Year 5-10 students to build transferable skills such as innovation, problem solving and critical thinking, which will be important for their futures and that of the country, according to CSIRO. The program, backed by a partnership between CSIRO and the BHP Foundation, also aims to boost representation for student groups that have traditionally had lower participation rates in STEM, including students from regional schools, girls, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those from less advantaged areas. Nominations for the STEM Together Future Shapers program are open until May 2.

South Burnett Distillers wins silver at London Spirits comp

Small-batch craft distillery South Burnett Distillers has won a silver award for its Apinya gin at the London Spirits competition. According to South Burnett, it impressed judges with its grape-to-glass gin inspired by tropical Southeast Asia. Distiller Nick Pesudovs said he’d spent the last couple of years crafting top-quality grape-to-glass spirits from scratch. “The London Spirits Competition awards the world’s best spirits, and we’re honoured to be included in that list,” said Pesudovs.

Picture: credit Western Downs Regional Council