Energy Price Relief Plan aids manufacturers – claim
The federal government claims it is delivering on cheaper energy for Australian manufacturers, with new figures showing a 1.5 percent decrease instead of the forecast 32.9 percent increase in energy prices. The figure was released by the government the day after the latest Australian Energy Market Operator Quarterly Energy Dynamics report confirmed that electricity prices in Q2 2023 were down 60 percent compared to the same quarter last year under the former Liberal government, according to the government. The ABS’ estimate of the change in electricity supply costs for manufacturing over January to March 2023 has been reduced by almost 35 ppts, from an expected increase of 32.9 percent to a 1.5 percent decline in prices over this period. Initial data for the June quarter confirms that index has remained stable at this lower level – increasing by only three percent.
US officials visit Tritium HQ in Brisbane
Electric vehicle charger manufacturer Tritium welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (pictured with Jane Hunter) to the company’s headquarters and R&D facility in Brisbane, Australia. The officials joined Tritium executives for a tour of the facility and discussion on the importance of bilateral economic partnerships between the United States and Australia. Tritium CEO Jane Hunter said: “The e-mobility transition requires not only collaboration between the public and private sectors, but also partnerships between nations that share a commitment to a more sustainable future. We’re greatly appreciative to Secretary Blinken and Ambassador Kennedy for their interest in Tritium as we continue to build a business that has a significant footprint in both the US and Australia and fulfill our purpose of enabling clean energy around the world.” Tritium was established in Brisbane more than 20 years ago and has offices in Amsterdam and Los Angeles, opening its largest production facility in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2022.
Next Science reports strong sales growth
Wound care technology company Next Science has reported record cash receipts in the second quarter FY23 as sales of its antimicrobial products took off. The company, which is commercialising a range of products including Bactisure wound wash and BlastX anti-microbial wound gel saw 2QFY23 product sales rise 27 percent on the previous corresponding period and 71 percent year on year to US$5.6 million. Direct channel sales rose 50 percent to US$3.4 million, boosting 1HFY23 sales by 92 percent to $10 million. The company’s products attack the biofilms that encase and protect bacteria. New CEO I.V. Hall said he was excited by the prospects for the business and the opportunities in wound care and surgical markets.
LBT Innovations developing new pharmaceutical analysis product
Microbiology diagnostic equipment manufacturer LBT Innovations has progressed the development of a new analysis tool aimed at the pharmaceutical sector. The new equipment is based on the company’s APAS Independence laboratory instrument, an imaging, interpretation, sorting and reporting machine that automatically examines culture plates for the presence of bacterial colonies. During the latest quarter LBT delivered the first APAS PharmaQC machine to pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca for real-world data collection and to support further product development. According to the company, the project has progressed on schedule and the company will begin a preliminary testing phase before entering formal validation. The launch of the APAS PharmaQC is due during 2023.
SA Governor visits Detmold’s bag-testing facility
The Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson has toured surgical face mask manufacturer The Detmold Group’s new LaunchPad laboratory, which includes an Australian-first dedicated bag testing facility. The R&D laboratory in Brompton, Adelaide, is part of the recently-completed LaunchPad facility which tests paper and board repulpability and medical mask functional effectiveness. According to The Detmold Group, its’ LaunchPad laboratory is elevating product capability testing to new standards in Australia, focusing on innovation, new product development and developing more sustainable products for local and international markets. Co-CEO Sascha Detmold Cox said the $500,000 LaunchPad facility was the first and only dedicated bag-testing facility in Australia and one of only a few laboratories able to test coated paper/board packaging for the ability to pulp materials for recycling. The repulpability testing capabilities have been developed by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).
The Australian and United Kingdom (UK) governments have announced a joint initiative during the during the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation Meeting in Goa, India. According to a statement from the federal department of energy, the two nations “will provide funding for Australian and British companies to work together on research, development or demonstration projects on renewable hydrogen.” The statement included no mention of the size of funding, though said the new program would be launched in October and “will build on a clean energy partnership between Australia and the UK developed in 2021.” The focus will be on renewable hydrogen and its applications to decarbonise industry and transport.
Picture: Tritium
