Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

WA offers new Defence Ready Initiative grants

The Western Australian government has opened applications for the latest round of Defence Ready Initiative grants to support local businesses in the defence sector. The purpose of the $200,000 investment is to assist small and medium enterprises enhance their capability, capacity and competitiveness to enter or expand their business in the Defence supply chain. The government will assist businesses with grants of up to 50 per cent of their total costs, up to a maximum of $20,000. Funding can be used for planning and business advice, to improve internal business infrastructure and systems, train employees, or buy and upgrade essential equipment. Businesses can also use funding to cover expenses associated with meeting essential pre-qualification requirements for supply chain entry, including those related to meet Defence security standards. Previous recipients include a Perth-based satellite communications antenna firm, which, after receiving a grant, was able to obtain defence security accreditation and enter the supply chain for Australian defence contracts.

Adherium CEO Rick Legleiter resigns

Rick Legleiter has resigned as CEO of digital healthcare company Adherium, giving six months notice to allow for a transition to new leadership. Legleiter joined the company at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and has led a go to market strategy as well as next generation product launches. The company’s sensors, app and data platform allow patients to manage chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, while doctors can manage their patients remotely. Adherium Chairman Lou Panaccio thanked Legleiter for his professionalism and contribution to the company. “Rick became CEO during the global lockdown due to Covid-19, a particularly challenging time, and has helped the company through an important transformational stage and key funding round.”

Immuron achieves record Travelan sales

Biopharmaceutical company Immuron has revealed record half year sales of its gastrointestinal and digestive immune health supplement Travelan. Total sales in H1, FY24 were $2.4 million, up $1.8 million on the previous corresponding period. Sales are now 51 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels as international travel recovers. Sales of Tarelan in the United States, where the product is under test for use by the US Army for personnel stationed overseas, were $481,920. Travelan is also sold online through Amazon

ClearVue signs collaboration deal on Zero Window

Building materials company ClearVue Technologies has announced a new Collaboration Agreement with US vacuum insulated glazing supplier LuxWall to develop and commercialise what it says will be “the world’s first window combining ClearVue’s photovoltaic solar glazing and LuxWall’s advanced vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) products and technologies”. The product will focus on assisting the construction sector with net zero energy consumption goals. According to a statement from ClearVue on Wednesday, the ‘Zero Window’ “is expected to be the most energy-efficient and energy-generating window on the market, appealing to progressive architects as well as helping the construction sector meet sustainability targets.” A prototype will be demonstrated at the AIA24 Conference on Architecture and Design in Washington DC, USA in June.

$1 million awarded through Tasmania’s Waste Data Readiness Grant Program

The Tasmanian government announced approximately $1 million of grants for the state’s smaller waste operators to help them report waste data from July, 2024, through the Waste Data Readiness Grant Program. “The grant program, made available through the Circular Economy Fund, is to assist smaller resource recovery operators with the cost of modifying business systems and infrastructure to support a better understanding of waste streams state-wide,” said environment minister Roger Jaensch. “This assistance means smaller resource recovery operators like Waratah-Wynyard Council will be able to gain a better understanding of waste streams coming through their centres, which will support future recycling and reuse in Tasmania’s developing circular economy.” The successful applicants are Circular Head Council, Huon Valley Council, JHRC Group, Kentish Council, Kingborough Waste Services, King Island Council, Latrobe Council, Meander Valley Council, Northern Midlands Council, Spectran Environmental Management and Waratah Wynyard Council.

BioPak cups win at the 2024 WorldStar Packaging Awards

Sustainable packaging company BioPak announced on Monday that their Aqueous BioCups have won the 2024 WorldStar Award in the Packaging Materials and Components category. Aqueous BioCups are made with FSC-certified paper sourced from responsibly managed plantations, lined with aqueous technology utilising a unique water-based dispersion coating, which is applied like paint and absorbed into the paper fibres of the cup, and significantly reduces the amount of material needed “while still providing the same leak and grease-proof benefits as other coatings like traditional PE plastic.” Gary Smith, CEO at BioPak (pictured), said “It is both humbling and encouraging to be acknowledged by the World Packaging Organisation and the Worldstar Packaging Awards, the most prestigious global packaging accolade. This recognition drives us to continually think outside the box and bring innovative solutions to market.”