EPA Victoria has granted a development licence to Viva Energy Refining to upgrade its Corio refinery to produce ultra-low sulphur petrol. The decision comes after several months of consultation with the local community and government and is part of the Federal Government’s $250 million Refinery Upgrades Program, the state EPA said on Tuesday. In assessing the application, EPA considered issues including noise emissions during construction and while in operation, impacts to human and environmental health and management of waste by products. “EPA Victoria is satisfied the upgrade can be achieved while protecting human and environmental health,” it announced. “Australia’s fuel quality standards currently allow up to 150 parts per million of sulphur in regular unleaded petrol, and 50 parts per million of sulphur in premium unleaded petrol. The Viva upgrade will see petrol produced at ten parts per million of sulphur.”
AusBiotech weighs in on RNA discussion
Life sciences industry body AusBiotech has urged policy makers to take a national approach to capability mapping and introduce targeted initiatives in its response to the federal government’s discussion paper, Understanding our RNA potential. AusBiotech made four key recommendations in its submission, including undertaking national capabilities mapping to appropriately prepare for the RNA future and track progress; build, diversify and address gaps in access to capital across the industry by introducing a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program modelled on the USA, implement agreed regulatory guidance materials and harmonise globally, where it makes sense, and consider a targeted tax amendment in the multinational tax regime in order to make Australia globally attractive. “Locally, investment has recently been seen through multinational partnerships being penned with Sanofi and Moderna; the establishment of the NSW RNA Pilot facility; and further industry investment taking place across the country,” it said. “However, Australia is underprepared to capitalise on the opportunities RNA can deliver as there is currently no clear visibility of the capabilities within the country in order to appropriately and proactively prepare for Australia’s RNA future, and to track its progress.”
Gilmour Space announces partnership with EOS
Australian launch services company and manufacturer, Gilmour Space Technologies, has selected EOS as its additive manufacturing partner as it moves from R&D and prototyping to launch and manufacturing. In a statement on Tuesday, Gilmour said it is “months away from attempting Australia’s first sovereign orbital launch from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport”, with plans to increase its launch cadence in the coming years. “We are excited to work with EOS and Additive Australia to enhance the in-house manufacturing capability for our Australian-made orbital launch vehicles and satellites,” said David Doyle, Program Manager for Launch Vehicles at Gilmour Space. “It is really quite amazing to see the rapid innovation from organisations like Gilmour Space,” added Terrance Oh, Senior Vice President, EOS Asia Pacific. “Metal additive manufacturing allows for generative design and fast production, and now we are seeing the rules for developing space launch vehicles rewritten. We are thrilled to play a part of Gilmour Space’s ride to deliver satellites to low Earth Orbit.”
Picture: credit R.M. Williams/Linkedin
