Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Atomo Diagnostics to raise cash for HIV test marketing

Rapid HIV test manufacturer Atomo Diagnostics will raise capital through a share purchase plan aiming to raise $2.75 million. This follows Atomo receiving commitments of $1.25 million via a share placement at $0.036 per share. The company, which is commercialising a handheld self-test device, is ensured a minimum of $2.25 million via a committed shortfall placement. Funds raised will be used to accelerate sales, marketing and business development and new product registration activities with a focus on the US market. The company recently announced approval for Lumos Diagnostics’ FedbriDx test which utilises Atomo’s Pascal technology platform.

Dr Leanna Read wins industry-research collaboration award

Carina Biotech Chair Dr Leanna Read (pictured) has received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Industry-Research Collaboration at the Collaborate Innovate 2023 conference for her contributions to scientific research and collaboration. Dr Read was the first woman to hold the role of Chief Scientist for South Australia, and has made invaluable contributions to science, research and industry collaboration. Dr Read founded a successful company, TGR BioSciences Pty Ltd and currently chairs TekCyte Pty Ltd, Health Translation SA and the SA Agtech Advisory Group, and is a board member of Biosensis Pty Ltd and Uniseed Venture Capital. Carina Biotech is developing chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies to treat solid cancers – using a patient’s immune system to fight their cancer.

Tivan signs port agreement in Wyndham, WA

Mining group Tivan has signed a heads of agreement with the operator of the Port of Wyndham in Western Australia, Cambridge Gulf Ltd (CGL). The two companies will collaborate on opportunities arising from Tivan’s Speewah Vanadium-titanium-iron project in the Kimberley region, 100km from Wyndham. Vanadium is utilised in vanadium redox flow batteries and titanium is increasingly in demand in aerospace sectors. CGL will support the project, providing import and export services and logistical services, and will consider sites in Whyndam that could be suitable for Tivan’s operations. CEO of Cambridge Gulf Tony Chafer said: “The project will enable CGL to expand our port and logistics teams and substantially increase the level of local indigenous participation in the workforce.” Tivan is also progressing development of its Mount Peake vanadium-titanium-iron project project in the Northern Territory.

KBR launches Reconciliation Action Plan to honour Indigenous communities

Technology and engineering group KBR has launched an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which reflects the company’s commitment to fostering innovation while honouring the principles of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The Innovate RAP sets out our strategic vision and specific actions aimed at creating meaningful relationships, opportunities, and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and embeds reconciliation into its business practices. The plan’s three elements cover Cultural Awareness and Respect, Employment and Economic Opportunities, and community engagement. KBR’s National Indigenous Engagement Manager Todd Phillips said: “This plan serves as a roadmap for our organisation to drive tangible actions and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.”

NCVER launches No Frills 2023: Skilling Australia’s current and future workforce

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has released the official discussion paper for the 32nd National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Research Conference ‘No Frills’. The paper explores this year’s conference theme, Skilling Australia’s current and future workforce, with a focus on the VET sector’s resilience and capacity to adapt to unexpected events quickly and efficiently. NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker said: “In recent years, the VET sector has faced rapid socioeconomic, demographic and technological change. Following unexpected events such as COVID-19, the sector quickly adapted by upskilling workplaces, registered training organisations, and VET trainers in digital and remote working methods.” This year’s conference will explore why resilience is needed for the VET sector and Australia’s future workforce, and how the sector can continue to respond to skills demands during times of disruption and rapid change.

Elexon Electronics wins at Moreton Bay awards

Elexon Electronics announced last week that it won an Excellence in Innovation Award at the Moreton Bay Innovation & Business Awards. According to a statement, Elexon submitted a compelling application for the Innovation Award, “showcasing the remarkable achievements in the area of electronics design and R&D of its dedicated team over the years.” Elexon said the award affirmed an expansionary trajectory, citing the upcoming Mill Technological Park an Petrie as a potential new home. “We are committed to fostering growth in the Moreton Bay region and have reached a point where our current premises no longer suffice,” said Frank Faller, the company’s CEO. 

ReNu announces new refuelling strategy, brand

ReNu Energy has announced its subsidiary Countrywide Hydrogen has a new refuelling strategy and refuelling brand: H2Co Energy. This announcements follow last month’s selection of Plug Power as the preferred supplier of five-megawatt PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysers and Fabrum Solutions as the preferred contractor for hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS). The stations are planned for Countrywide’s proposed Tasmanian sites at Brighton (Hobart), Western Junction (Launceston) and Heybridge (Burnie). The strategy to be the operator of the HRS conveys their intention “to target a low hydrogen fuel cost through customers purchasing green hydrogen directly from Countrywide Hydrogen rather than via third-party resellers,” said Countrywide Hydrogen. 

EQ Resources to commission new sorter at tungsten mine

EQ Resources, the 100 per cent owner of the Mt Carbine Tungsten Mine near Cairns, has announced installation of its third TOMRA XRT ore sorter. The company said over 12 month of operating and sorting the low-grade stockpile it has seen an average 10-12 per cent mass yield from the feed to concentrate and has optimised the processing parameters to maximise tungsten recoveries. TOMRA technicians are expected to arrive on site this week for commissioning, with the new sorter to be put in place of the original Pilot XRT sorter, which will undergo refurbishment works in the coming weeks. CEO Kevin MacNeill said: “… we’re really seeing the effect of the upgraded XRT Sorter concentrates in our plant and look forward to bringing on the new machine while we give our initial pilot sorter, TOMRA 1, a refurb and then bring it back into production once we finish the additional engineering required”.

Picture: Dr Leanna Read