Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Memphasys commits to equine fertility study

Reproductive technology company Memphasys has committed to a three-year equine fertility study, aimed at positioning its Felix laboratory instrument for sperm separation as a leading solution for the equine reproduction sector. The company expects commercial outcomes within 12 months from the trial, to be conducted in conjunction with the University of Newcastle and EquiBreedUK. Memphasys will collaborate with two Australian thoroughbred stud farms, Arrowfield Stud and Vinery Stud. The company said it anticipates Felix would be ready for use and global distribution in nonthoroughbred equine applications within 12 months, targeting over 4,000 horse breeders.

Coca-Cola goes renewable

Coca-Cola Europacific Partner’s Australia (CCEP) will meet its target to use 100 per cent renewable electricity across its Australian operations by January 1, 2025 – one year ahead of schedule. This will make CCEP Australia one of the first FMCG players in the country to achieve the RE100 commitment and is a major milestone on the company’s journey towards net zero. Thanks to the signing of a new Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) brokered by global renewable energy player, ENGIE, CCEP Australia has secured the remaining energy needed to fulfil its commitment. Under the agreement CCEP will purchase the remaining credits from the newly built Wellington North Solar Farm. The site spans over approximately 970 hectares, utilising more than 1.2 million solar panels and has the has the capacity to generate 925,000-Megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electricity per year.

Borumba Pumped Hydro Project gains funding

Nearly $190 million of packages have been awarded by Queensland Hydro for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project, in a major step forward for the 2,000 MW renewable energy project in Queensland. Water2Wire JV will be responsible for leading the engineering and design for the Borumba Project’s seven proposed dams which involve six new dams to form a new upper reservoir, and one new dam wall and spillway immediately downstream from the existing Borumba Dam. The PHES Designer package was awarded to AFRY-Aurecon JV, while a contract totalling approximately $111 million to Australian-owned engineering and construction company Decmil to design and construct two temporary workers camps.

1414 Degrees raises cash

Energy technologies developer 1414 Degrees (14D) has secured investment to drive national and international opportunities for sales of its SiBox thermal energy storage system and working capital. Up to $4.7 million will be available from US institutional investor, Lind Global Fund II, LP. Proceeds from the investment will assist industry placement of the company’s SiBox technology, development of the Aurora Precinct grid scale battery in South Australia and the company’s general working capital requirements.

Report examines pathways for engineers into renewable energy careers

Engineers Australia released its final Making a Clean Transition report this week, providing what it says is clear advice to employers, workers, government and training providers for transitioning engineers from thermal industries to the renewable energy sector. Engineers, with their problem-solving mindsets and deep technical expertise, are the key to driving the net zero transformation, according to the professional body. However, its research — conducted in partnership with Mott MacDonald — confirms that “while many engineers will transition smoothly to the growing clean energy sector, others need more support.” Engineers Australia Chief Engineer Bernadette Foley said “We have a generational opportunity to shape a workforce that can lead the world in clean energy. Investing in our engineers and providing them with the tools to succeed will be key to a sustainable and prosperous future.” The report can be accessed here.

Additive Manufacturing CRC application moves to Stage 2

The team behind the proposed Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre team has announced that its CRC Round 25 application has been approved by federal minister Ed Husic to progress to Stage 2. AMCRC is one of six applicants selected by the CRC Advisory Committee to advance, alongside Augmenting Ability CRC, Care Economy CRC, CRC for Retirement Income Solutions, Minerals to Megawatts CRC, and SMART CRC. “We extend our gratitude to all our partners and supporters—without your collective commitment and contributions, reaching this milestone wouldn’t have been possible” the AMCRC said in a statement on Thursday,” its message on Linkedin reads. “The Stage 2 application process closes on 29 October 2024. While we’ve made great progress on key requirements, there’s still work ahead to finalise our submission.”

Ai Group welcomes UAE Free Trade Agreement

Employer organisation the Australian Industry Group this week welcomed a new free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Ai Group’s Chief Executive Innes Willox said the deal with Australia’s largest trading partner in the Middle East should be good news for importers and should provide greater access for Australian companies to a rapidly expanding economic market. “The potential for an agreement has been under discussion for many years and the Federal Government should be credited with completing the deal,” said Willox. “The UAE is already a $9.3 billion customer for our goods, particularly alumina, meat and oil seeds, so this is particularly good news for our farmers and miners and those who service them… Modern and comprehensive rules covering investment, IP and digital trade will ensure that the relationship grows beyond the existing goods and education exports. This will provide Australian companies – particularly in industrial and energy-related sectors – with a secure entry point in the region.”

FWPA R&D head to retire

Head of Research and Development at Forest and Wood Products Australia, Dr Chris Lafferty, will retire at the end of June 2025, the not-for-profit company has announced. Lafferty has been at the organisation for 23 years, joining the then-Forest and Wood Products Research & Development Corporation in 2002. FWPA said Lafferty has been an invaluable team member and dedicated his significant skills and experience to advancing research and development to benefit members and key stakeholders across the entire forest and wood products value chain. “This is an appropriate time for both parties to make this transition”, said FWPA in a statement. “It will provide a succession plan for FWPA that will support the organisation’s future while allowing Chris to pursue new interests and challenges.” Recruitment for a replacement will begin “in the coming weeks, aimed at securing a suitable candidate by the end of 2024.”

New “Bio Innovation Corridor” with India announced

La Trobe University and India’s Biotechnology Industry Research Association Council (BIRAC) have signed a letter of intent to establish a Bio Innovation Corridor in support of research and innovation. The corridor “will open access and provide landing pad opportunities to entrepreneurs, startups and researchers from both countries” according to a statement from La Trobe, enabling it and BIRAC to scale up and foster collaboration with knowledge-based technologies and ideas leveraging biotechnology, with applications in agtech, food tech, medtech, and for human health and wellness purposes. La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said, “It is part of our vision to develop an ecosystem of research and innovation through co-location opportunities, including at our University City of the Future at our Melbourne campus in Bundoora and our four Victorian regional campuses. “Here, promising start ups, entrepreneurs and corporates from India can establish their R&D, innovation, product development and commercialisation facilities in conjunction with La Trobe through a range of innovative business partnership models.”

LEO satellite benefits in mining, ag recognised 

A new report released by the federal government this week has described the potential benefits that Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in connectivity across two industries. Analysis of Low Earth Orbit satellites: implications for Australia’s agriculture and mining sectors, (linked) found Australia “an attractive market for LEO satellites… expected to see increased improvements in the productivity and efficiency of their operations through digital technologies supported by improved connectivity” a statement on the federal department of infrastructure’s website reads. While it identified room for growth in the use of digital technologies by agricultural businesses, it was also necessary to addressing challenges such as digital skills and costs in improved take-up

ATSE urges investment in QLD tech workforce to support new industries

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) released its vision for Queensland under the next government on Wednesday, ahead of the state election on October 26. To grow and capitalise on the progress in renewable, digital and manufacturing innovations, ATSE recommends five actions: invest in digital skills in the regions; implement policies which incentivise efficient energy solutions; develop a state-wide sustainable water management plan; bolster adoption of emerging technologies; and develop an integrated population and land use plan. Kylie Walker, CEO of ATSE, said the Queensland government only invests 0.07 per cent of gross state product on developing new innovations, and this needs to change. “We call on all candidates in the Queensland election to engage with the innovation sector to build a more prosperous future for all Queenslanders and lock in the gains the state has made in developing pioneering new industries,” said Walker.

Picture: Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Prof Theo Farrell and Michelle Wade, Victorian Commissioner to South Asia (credit La Trobe University)