Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

DXN in biggest data centre sale

Modular data centre manufacturer DXN has signed a contract to supply four cable landing stations for the East Micronesia Cable System. The contracts, worth $5.7 million, is DXN’s largest contract to date. The contracts are for telecommunications operators in the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru and Kiribati and are funded through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, the United States and Japan. DXN has now secured $8.7 million in modular manufacturing sales which will be delivered over CY24 and into CY25.

Trajan forecasts profits of up to $10.2 million for the half year

Analytical technology company Trajan Scientific and Medical has told investors that demand for components and consumables was returning to normal after a period of de-stocking by customers. Trajan said: “The Company has been ramping up global production in response to this demand, with recent months demonstrating approximately 10 percent uplift in output. It is however, not yet at the level required to address the growing order book demand.” However the manufacturer of analytical and life sciences products (pictured) and devices has experienced an unexpected softening of demand in the pharmaceutical sector for its specialised automation platforms and capital equipment. Consolidated Full Year Net Revenue is likely to be between $154.0 million and $157.0 million with core nEBITDA in H2 is expected to be $8.8 million to $10.2 million, the mid-point representing a 48 percent lift over H1.

Kimberly-Clark’s Kleenex tissue mill achieves zero waste

Kimberly-Clark Australia‘s Mill in Millicent, South Australia, has achieved zero waste, diverting 100 percent of waste from landfill through a series of reuse and recycling efforts. As a producer of Kleenex and Viva products, the mill manufactures 85,000 tonnes of products annually. Last year, the company reached a 98 percent waste reduction milestone, and now, with a partnership with Waste ResourceCo, the final two percent is being repurposed into energy. The mill’s current focus is on reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 percent by 2030, having already achieved over 30 percent in reduction efforts. It is also exploring electrification, direct access to renewable energy sources, and collaborative ventures in green hydrogen generation.

BAE Systems aids SMEs to achieve digital literacy

BAE Systems Australia is supporting local SMEs to adopt digital technologies that will drive future shipbuilding. Adelaide-based SMEs MyModular, Century Engineering, MG Engineering, Novafast International, Axiom and Hobart-based CBG Systems – have signed up to the ‘Connected Supplier’ project to improve digital literacy and improve business performance. Project activities have taken place at the Line Zero – Factory of the Future facility developed by BAE Systems Maritime Australia and Flinders University. The SMEs have taken part in workshops, site visits, attended defence and cyber security briefings and been provided with one-on-one support from subject-matter experts in Industry 4.0. The project has been led by defence research agency DMTC as part of an initiative established through a $4 million South Australian government grant.

Orica’s strong half year result

Explosives and mining technology group Orica reported a Statutory Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $337.5 million for the first half of this year, up from $122.6 million in 1H23. EBIT of $353.7 million was up 10 per cent on the previous corresponding period. Earnings increased in all segments attributable to strong customer demand, increased earnings from advanced technology offerings and continued commercial discipline. The Melbourne company completed acquisitions of Terra Insights and Cyanco in the half. CEO Sanjeev Gandhi said: “Our core blasting business continued to strengthen this half, supported by strong customer demand as well as increased earnings from high margin premium products and technology. Our Digital Solutions segment has also delivered solid growth, with strong demand across products and services.

University researchers to develop mega-sized hydrogen storage systems

A team of University of Melbourne researchers will work with industry partners to develop mega-scale liquid hydrogen storage systems and infrastructure for energy export terminals and vessels. The project has been made possible through a $3.1 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Hydrogen R&D funding round. The project aims to develop technology allowing the construction of liquified hydrogen storage facilities with an unprecedented capacity of up to 200,000 m3. To be successful, this will require innovations that incorporate full containment and zero evaporation (‘boil-off’) measures. The researchers will work with industry partners including including GenH2 Discover Hydrogen, Energy Evolution LLC, Omni Tanker Pty Ltd, ETA Space LLC, McDermott’s CB&I and Rotork Australia Pty Ltd.

The Pure Food Co takes out Eldercare award

Nutrition technology company The Pure Food Co has taken out the Innovation of the Year category at the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards in Singapore. According to a statement from the company, it was founded in 2013 to nourish the world’s seniors,  and was recognised for at the awards for “the development of a nutritional system to improve the health of aged care residents and
hospital patients in Australia, New Zealand and now France.” As well as food, the company also provides “wrap around support and training for staff”. Co-Founder and Co-Director Sam Bridgewater, who started the company after his step-father became ill and couldn’t find meals he wanted to eat – slowing his recovery – said the award recognised the years spent developing simple food programs which people could enjoy while also improving their health outcomes. “Our texture modified foods include 41 per cent more protein than comparable meals and 60 per cent more energy,” Bridgewater said.

IFM researcher wins ARC industry fellowship

Deakin University Institute for Frontier Materials researcher Dr Faezeh Makhlooghi Azad was one of 50 researchers across the country announced as Australian Research Council (ARC) Early Career Industry Fellows this week. Makhlooghi was awarded $487,791.00 for her project with Proton Systems on designing innovative, eco-friendly materials for renewable energy storage. The researcher said she was honoured and excited to receive the early career industry fellowship, adding that while today’s batteries provide an efficient way to store energy from renewable sources, there were still limitations for current energy storage technologies, such as faltering under ultra-high-power inputs. “This project is focused on the development of proton batteries, a promising new technology that merges the strengths of both batteries and capacitors,” she said. “This research is paving the way towards more reliable and efficient energy storage systems that can better support the fluctuating nature of renewable energy and meet modern energy demands.”

Eco Detection hiring

Picture: Trajan Scientific and Medical