Manufacturing news briefs - stories you might have missed

HyImpulse rocket arrives to be readied for launch

Rocket range manager Southern Launch has announced that the German HyImpulseTech SR75 rocket has arrived in Ceduna, South Australia where it is being assembled and readied for launch (pictured) from the Koonibba Test Range. The single stage SR75 rocket uses propulsion technology which combines paraffin wax (candle wax) and liquid oxygen to create a hybrid rocket, with the Australian launch its first. According to Southern Launch: “The HyImpulse team have unpackedand assembled the rocket in our specialised preparation facilities at the Ceduna airport. Next step is to transport the rocket to ready for launch.”

ASM gets North American support for rare earths project

Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) has received a non-binding and conditional Letter of Interest (LoI) from Canada’s official export credit agency, Export Development Canada (EDC) supporting a direct lending debt funding package of up to A$400 million for its rare earths and critical project at Dubbo in NSW. this LoI is additional to a $200 million Letter of Support received from EFA and the recently announced LoI from US EXIM for US$600 million. ASM said Noth American interest in the project, whicvh will supply ASM’s rare earths metals production facility in Korea, came from the strong policy alignment between Australia and North America. EDC’s LoI includes potential equipment and services supply from Canadian companies for the execution phase of the Dubbo Project.

KBR to support amphibious fleet at Garden Island

Engineering company KBR has been selected as the industry partner to deliver a sovereign sustainment capability to the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Amphibious and Replenishment Ship fleet. This is Capability Life Cycle Management (CLCM) sustainment programmes include the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra, Landing Ship Dock HMAS Choules and Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Ships HMAS Supply and Stalwart. A workforce of around 100 employees will be based at Fleet Base East at Garden Island Defence Precinct in Sydney will support the fleet for five years under a $130 million contract, supported by Australian based companies including Babcock Australasia, Atlantic & Peninsula and Goal Group.

Fortescue part of Oman green hydrogen project consortium

A consortium between sustainable infrastructure investor Actis and metals and energy company Fortescue has been awarded the rights to develop, build, own and operate a large green hydrogen project in Oman. At a signing ceremony in Muscat on Monday, Hydrogen Oman SPC (Hydrom), an independent entity founded by the Omani government to orchestrate and deliver the nation’s green hydrogen strategy, announced the consortium was a winning bidder in the second round of a green hydrogen tender process. This provides Actis and Fortescue with exclusive rights to a high quality site, allocated to the development of a future project. The project is currently in feasibility stage and “expected to involve construction of up to c.4.5GW of wind and solar renewable energy resources that will power electrolyzers with the potential to produce up to 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year”, according to a statement from Fortescue.

TAFE Gippsland awarded $960,000 for upgrades

The federal government has announced a $960,000 grant for TAFE campuses across Gippsland under the TAFE Technology Fund. According to a statement from skills minister Brendan O’Connor on Monday, the funding will be used “to replace key pieces of specialist equipment and introduce Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (EV) resources.” Supported will be the delivery of EV automotive training at TAFE Gippsland across regional campuses at Bairnsdale, Warragul, Leongatha, Port of Sale and Yallourn. The project is part of the $21.8 million tranche 2 of the TAFE Technology Fund. “If we want to provide greater opportunity in the regions for secure and rewarding employment, we must be able to skill and reskill our workforce,” said O’Connor.

ClearVue appoints new North American President

Building materials company ClearVue Technologies has announced the appointment of Charles (Chuck) Mowrey as ClearVue President and CEO (North America). According to a statement from the company on Monday, Mowrey will transfer to the new role on May 1, having previously served as a Non-Executive board member since May 1, 2023, and will continue to serve on the board as an Executive Director. Mowrey was formerly the CEO of US-based contract glazier 8G Solutions “and brings many decades of experience in the commercial glass and glazing industries”, said ClearVue. Non-executive Chairman Victor Rosenberg said, “We are thrilled to welcome an individual of Chuck’s exceptional caliber to spearhead ClearVue’s operations in North America and support Global CEO Martin Deil in worldwide expansion and scaling.”

Mesoblast Chair steps down from role

Cellular medicine company Mesoblast announced on Tuesday that Joseph R. Swedish has chosen to transition from the Chair role, remaining on the board until completion of his term at the AGM later this year. Jane Bell was unanimously appointed to the role of non-executive Chair, effective on Tuesday. The board said Swedish as chair saw Mesoblast “emerge from a challenging period to the point of potential first product commercialisation.” CEO Dr Silviu Itescu added: “I am grateful for Joe’s leadership as Chair… I welcome Jane who brings to the Board deep finance, commercial and healthcare skills and look forward to working together to bring our important products to patients.”

Picture: KBR’s Nic Maan with Amphibious Combat and Sealift System Program Office Director Captain Glen Price (supplied)