Manufacturing news briefs - stories you might have missed

Critical minerals prospectus showcases 55 projects

The federal government has launched a new digital Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus, showcasing more than 55 investment-ready projects to potential investors and buyers from around the world. The digital Prospectus features an interactive online map, shining a spotlight on all of the investment ready projects. The tool can be customised to navigate a range of available government support, including potential funding for Australian critical minerals projects. The government is incentivising investment in critical minerals projects through a $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility and the recently announced $7 billion Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive.

Quantum Australia seeks CEO

In April 2024 the Australian government awarded the University of Sydney $18.4 million to establish Quantum Australia (QA). QA, which aims to help grow the quantum industry and quantum ecosystem in Australia, is now seeking applications to fill the role of chief executive officer. The new CEO will provide strategic and operational management to the organisation. The CEO is responsible for establishing and leading the implementation, operationalisation, and delivery of QA’s strategic plan and vision. The role of QA will be to provide networking and awareness for the quantum sector, ensuring that different commercial and institutional research players have an ecosystem-wide understanding of progress that is being made across the sector.

More students in VET training – NCVER

The latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reveals a substantial increase in the number of students undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in 2023. The Total VET students and courses 2023 report shows 5.1 million students took part in some form of nationally recognised training in 2023, a 10.8 percent increase on 2022. Most – 3.5 million people – studied stand-alone subjects, over 2.1 million studied full qualifications, and 230,000 studied short courses. Most of the growth in 2023 was in stand-alone subjects, with a 14.0 percent increase on 2022 and 46.6 percent increase on 2020. The most popular subjects were cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, basic emergency life support, preparing to work safely in the construction industry, and responsible service of alcohol.

Ayres to host Future Made in Australia event in the Hunter

The Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia Senator Tim Ayres will host a forum in Newcastle, NSW on Friday to discuss bringing manufacturing and good jobs to the Hunter region with the federal government’s Future Made in Australian plan. The $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia package is committed to using Australia’s transition to net zero emissions to return manufacturing to regional Australia. The Hunter offshore wind area has been identified to establish Australia’s offshore wind industry. Senator Ayres, along with the Hon Pat Conroy MP and Sharon Claydon MP will be at the University of Newcastle to speak with Hunter businesses, unions, and community groups to discuss how the government’s investments can provide the greatest possible benefits for the Hunter.

Tivan raises cash for critical mineral projects

Fluorite producer Tivan has raised $1.5 million through an entitlement offer to help fund the next phase of advancement of the Company’s priority resources projects. Recent capital raisings have been limited to institutional and sophisticated investors. Tivan Executive Chairman Grant Wilson said a shortfall in subscriptions from shareholders provides management with maximum flexibility in further strengthening its balance sheet to support development, ‘most notably the Speewah Fluorite Project’ in Western Australia.

Gelion announces energy density improvement

Anglo-Australian battery company Gelion has announced the achievement of “a significant milestone” in the development of its lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery technology. In a statement this week, the company said it had reached energy density of 402 Wh/Kg in a 12 Ah cell comprised of its GEN 3 Li-S technology, saying that this is 60-70 per cent higher than current lithium-ion batteries (approximately 200-250 Wh/kg). This meant a single Gelion GEN 3 cell is more than 60 per cent lighter than a typical lithium-ion battery of the same energy. CEO John Wood said it “provides compelling evidence [of]… the potential to not only engineer batteries with excellent safety capabilities coupled with economical and sustainable manufacture, but also provides the exceptional energy for weight performance”.

Reducing manufacturing waste through cicrularity

Monash University researchers have found that manufacturing businesses who adopt circular economy (CE) strategies and practices can reduce manufacturing waste by 65 per cent. According to the university, manufacturers contribute nearly 13 million tonnes of waste nationwide, with the industry responsible for 39 per cent of the state’s total waste in Victoria. As part of a three-year project, a team of researchers led by Primary Chief Investigator Professor Amrik Sohal from the Department of Management interviewed 25 leading CE businesses to learn more about the most successful practices. One participant, high-end furniture business Jardan, told researchers they reduced their manufacturing waste by 65 per cent by adopting CE strategies.

Collie mills gets approval

Green Steel of WA’s proposed Collie steel mill has been granted Works Approval by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the company announced this week. Working with partners GHD and with support from the state government, “our Works Approval application was granted in under 5 months from submission, a great achievement for a project of this size (perhaps even a record!)” the company announced on Linkedin. “To grant a Works Approval, the Department must be satisfied that the plant and controls sufficiently prevent, control, abate and mitigate pollution or environmental harm, under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act).”

VAILO lights up Tolmer Speedway

Bordertown, South Australia’s Tolmer Speedway has undergone a major, $3 million-plus redevelopment, funded by the Tatiara District Council, South Australian Government, Tolmer Speedway Club and local and state business donations. Upgrades included the removal of the old track, widening and reshaping of the new track (pictured), a new wall and catch fence, a new underground service, and an upgrade of switchboards, signal lights and track lighting. VAILO provided the lighting system, “installing its cutting-edge luminaires” it said, and developing “a custom design for the track to achieve an average of more than 600 horizontal lux using 56 of its Zenith Gen V fittings across 14 outer and two inner track poles.” VAILO CEO and founder Aaron Hickmann said, “Speedway is huge in the USA, and as a sports lighting company, we’ve seen increasing interest in speedway here in Australia over the past year. “We look forward to working on more speedway projects and seeing this exciting motorsport continue to grow.”

Weld Australia member survey finds local content requirements a non-negotiable

Industry body Weld Australia has released the results of its 2024 Member Survey, saying they demonstrate the welding and fabrication industry facing chronic work shortages, along with cost challenges amid rising prices of energy, materials and labour. CEO Geoff Crittenden said costs were “making it nearly impossible for companies to invest in the technology and skills necessary”. The survey found half of welding workshops operating at 80 per cent capacity or below, with seven in ten members indicating they have the capacity for additional work. The overwhelming concern across the industry is the lack of a steady pipeline of projects, with 75 per cent of respondents citing a lack of work as their primary challenge. “The solution lies in enforceable local content requirements,” said Crittenden. “Government-backed initiatives must prioritise Australian-made steel and fabrication in renewable energy projects and other infrastructure developments. This would provide the long-term security our industry needs to invest in advanced technologies, productivity improvements, and workforce development, ensuring Australia remains competitive on a global scale.”

AIS Water CEO releases new leadership book

Elena Gosse, the Russian-born CEO of pool supplies manufacturer AIS Water, has announced her debut book, titled Leadership Sh!t Show. According to a statement from the first-time author, the book “takes readers on a compelling journey of resilience, transformation and personal and professional empowerment, offering a fresh perspective on leadership” and its title comes from her unintentional mispronunciation of the word “leadership” resulting from her Russian accent. The statement continues: “In this candid and insightful book, Elena shares her hard-won lessons and personal insights to help empower readers to laugh in the face of adversity and turn every stumble into a step forward toward authentic leadership. The book serves as a blueprint for anyone ready to embark on a journey of lifelong growth, whether an established leader, an emerging entrepreneur, or someone overcoming personal challenges.” The Amazon listing is linked here.

Picture: Tolmer Speedway (credit VAILO)