Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Robert Iervasi joins SPC Global board

SPC Global has announced the appointment of Robert Iervasi to its board, describing Iervasi as “a well-known executive in the FMCG industry [who] brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the SPC Global team.” Iervasi was previously Group CEO at Asahi Beverages, and “played a pivotal role in the integration of Carlton & United Breweries in 2020”. Hussein Rifai, Chair of SPC Global, said, “[Iervasi’s] remarkable track record of leadership and his extensive experience in the food and beverage industry will undoubtedly enhance our strategic direction and contribute to the ongoing success of our organisation.”

ECS Botanics secures a $24 million offtake agreement

ECS Botanics Holdings has secured a binding offtake agreement to supply medicinal cannabis dried flower over the next five years to Perth-based medicinal cannabis company MediCann Health, ECS said in an ASX announcement. Under the agreement, it will supply $24 million of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis dried flower to MediCann, beginning January 2024. Both ECS and Medicann expect the volumes ordered under the agreement to exceed the minimum annual volumes. ECS Managing Director, Nan-Maree Schoerie, said “This agreement not only reinforces our dedication to meeting the growing demand for affordable, accessible, and effective medicinal cannabis products but also marks another milestone following our June 2023 agreements, totalling $11.9 million.”

First Graphene attracts Middle East investment support

First Graphene has announced that it has signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Abu Dhabi-headquartered integrated services provider EMDAD Group. The MOU involves collaborative development and a proposal to fund, design, build and commission a small-scale, hydrodynamic cavitation reactor using FG’s Kainos Technology. The proposal will ultimately lead to the commissioning of a reactor for converting petroleum feedstock from oil producers to battery grade graphite, graphene and hydrogen, it said. FGR acquired patents to Kainos in October 2021,  following a successful partnership with UK-based research and development group, Kainos Innovation. Since acquiring the patents, FG has been pursuing commercialisation through the oil and gas sector. Managing Director Michael Bell said, “Having a strategic partner like EMDAD come on board with a scope to develop and trial a pilot reactor will allow FGR to flex its IP muscle and provide a strong demonstration of the opportunity oil producers have to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Babcock joins BAE Systems in AUKUS n-submarine work

International defence company Babcock has joined BAE Systems in new contracts developing the AUKUS nuclear submarine planned to be purchased by Australia and constructed in Adelaide. On the weekend BAE Systems was awarded £3.95 billion of funding, with Babcock now signing a five-year contract with the Ministry of Defence to provide input into the detailed design for the new ‘Ship Submersible Nuclear AUKUS’ (SSN-A) submarines. Babcock’s contract scope includes applying its extensive experience of complex submarine in-service support and maintenance, to build this into the design to maximise the submarines’ availability throughout its service life. Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “Babcock plays a critical role in submarine programmes, supporting submarine availability in the UK and internationally. We look forward to providing ongoing support to help deliver capability for the Royal Australian Navy under the AUKUS agreement.”

QPM Energy northern hub approved by federal government

Queensland Pacific Metals Energy has received federal government approval to construct a gas pipeline and compression facility and develop its Northern Hub, 43km north of the Moranbah Project in Queensland. State government and indigenous approvals have already been received for the project which will collect waste gas from the area’s coal mines and utilise the waste gas. The gas will be connected to the existing North Queensland Gas Pipeline for distribution.

ClearVue Technologies solar glass passes test

ClearVue Technologies’ Gen-2 PV IGU solar energy generating clear glass has been tested by the Singapore Building and Construction Authority, confirming its significant energy savings. The tests showed a 22.8 percent reduction in cooling load and 7.5 percent overall energy savings after accounting for the glass’s energy generation capacity. Used in conjunction with the company’s spandrel solution, energy savings of 71 percent ‘can be achieved’, according to the company. The tests by the authority’s Skylab facility compared the Perth company’s glass and spandrel solution with Singapore’s Greenmark Platinum Certified double glazed low-e windows. Various tropical weather conditions were tested including south west monsoon weather to evaluate energy savings from ClearVue’s triple-glazed technology. ClearVue Chief Executive Officer Martin Dell said: “The BCA Skylab results validate CleareVue PV as an outstanding integrated product that delivers strong thermal and energy outcomes.”

Picture: credit ECS Botanics