Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Provaris Energy progresses tank project restart

Green hydrogen developer Provaris Energy has submitted an offer to lenders for the acquisition of the ‘production cell’ which was producing a a compressed hydrogen prototype tank for the company. The cell at the Prodtex Industri AS Fiskå Facility in Norway, in the hands of administrators, includes essential material, robotic and laser welding equipment to complete and test the prototype tank. Acquisition of the production cell would eliminate the need for costly relocation and expedite the completion of the prototype tank which is destined for Provaris’s ocean going hydrogen carrier vessels (pictured).

Degree apprenticeships launched for SA defence industry

BAE Systems Australia Manufacturing Engineering Manager Tom Johnson joined South Australian Deputy Premier Susan Close to launch the mechanical engineering degree apprenticeship program with Flinders University. Degree apprenticeships combine higher education degrees with paid industry experience, enabling students to secure their place in one of more than 11,000 defence industry roles required in SA over the next 20 years. Tom started his career at our company as a technical apprentice in 2009 and since then has worked closely with Flinders University and submarine builder ASC to design and develop the program which gives apprentices experience and a degree in a skill area of high demand.

Hazer Group receives payment for BC project

Hydrogen technology company Hazer Group has received its first payment for engineering services provided by Hazer to advance FortisBC Energy’s British Columbia, Canada project. Hazer and FortisBC are developing a hydrogen production facility in BC based on Hazer’s technology and with a design capacity of up to 2,500 tonnes per annum of clean hydrogen. Expected total payment under the service agreement is anticipated to be more than $1.8 million. Hazer CEO Glenn Corrie said: “This commercial progress demonstrates our business model maturity. This is one of many recent milestones that is progressing the commercialisation of the Hazer process and supporting our growth strategy globally.”

Lithium Australia raises cash to progress battery recycling

Lithium ion battery materials group Lithium Australia has completed its Share Purchase Plan with applications totalling $952,625. The SPP follows share placements with The Lind Partners for an initial investment of $1.8 million and total funding of up to $7.5 million. Lithium Australia CEO and Managing Director, Simon Linge said: “Proceeds raised will accelerate the momentum achieved in the battery recycling division, as evidenced by the recent signing of an exclusive recycling agreement with leading EV manufacturer BYD Auto.”

QEM raises cash for vanadium project

Energy and vanadium pentoxide producer QEM has announced a renounceable rights issue to raise $3 million., underwritten to $1.6 million. The directors of the company will participate in the offer as well as major shareholder David Fitch through sub-underwriting. The funds will be used to complete test work and optimise flow sheets for entry into a pre-feasibility study, progress Julia Creek vanadium project studies and for working capital.

Amplia secures fast track designation for pancreatic cancer drug

Pharmaceutical developer Amplia Therapeutics has announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation to Amplia’s Focal Adhesion Kinase inhibitor, narmafotinib, for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Previously designated as an orphan drug, Fast Track Designation is available to drugs that may provide an advantage over current therapies in the treatment of serious conditions. It is designed to speed the development of these drugs to enable patients to receive them sooner.

Research shows new way to get smoke taint out of wine

University of Adelaide researchers have evaluated a new method to remediate smoke tainted wine, incurring less damage to the final product, according to the university. Smoke-derived compounds can build up in grape pulp and skins, leading to unpleasant characteristics after fermentation. This is currently addressed by adsorbents like activated carbon, which can also remove desirable colours, aromas and flavours. Professor Kerry Wilkinson and team used molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) tailored to specifically bind smoke taint compounds to remove them. “The need for methods that address smoke taint in wine has increased as the impact of bushfires on wine regions around the world grows,” said Wilkinson. The team experimented with adding the MIPs both during and after fermentation, either directly or in muslin bags, as well as with or without stirring. They found the addition of MIPs during fermentation gave the best wine chemical and sensory outcomes.

VAILO wins a pair of Good Design awards

Lighting manufacturer VAILO claimed two Australian Good Design Awards for its Zenith Gen-V PC Amber Floodlight, recognising excellence in design and innovation, the company announced this week. The awards were announced in Sydney on Friday. PC Amber received a Good Design Award Winner Accolade in both the Engineering Design and Product Design categories. The VAILO 1000W Zenith Gen-V PC Amber Luminaire was designed for outdoor area lighting, focusing on effective illumination while minimising disruption to  nocturnal wildlife, with the judges citing the light balanced “human usability with  ecological sensitivity.” VAILO founder and CEO Aaron Hickmann said. “We’re very proud of this light, and we are continuously researching new ways to  develop our products for the Australian lifestyle and create less of an environmental  footprint.”

Tindo teams up with AC Solar Warehouse

Australia’s only maker of solar panels, Tindo, has announced that its new Walara Series Solar Panels will be available from AC Solar Warehouse. According to a statement from Tindo, AC Solar’s “extensive distribution network” will “expand the reach of Tindo’s advanced, Australian-made solar technology, making sustainable energy solutions more accessible nationwide.” The Walara Series features n-type and bi-facial cell technologies for the first time in locally-made solar panels, and “is designed to minimise energy loss and maximise efficiency, addressing Australia’s varied and challenging climate.” Tindo CEO Richard Petterson added: “This partnership is a crucial step in scaling our latest innovations and fostering growth within the Australian solar industry.”

Laronix grows team

Bionic voice device company Laronix has named Certified Practising Speech Pathologist Paloma Chehade as a new member of its sales and clinical engagement team. “Paloma is a highly qualified clinician in the laryngectomy sector. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success, aligning with our focused efforts to support laryngectomy patients with our breakthrough solutions,” the company announced on Linkedin. “Paloma has many years of experience helping laryngectomy patients achieve excellent voice outcomes and worked effectively with clinicians and innovation teams.”

ARA hosts delegation for Berlin InnoTrans

This week the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) led a trade delegation of more than 160 representatives to the world’s largest rail industry trade show, InnoTrans. The delegation from 86 Australian and New Zealand organisations, including passenger and rail freight operators, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, made the trip to “showcase the latest innovations and developments in rail from around the globe.” ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie said the Australian rail industry is experiencing a once-in-a-generation investment pipeline of $155 billion to 2037 as new projects are delivered to support future transport needs.

Detmold an employer of choice 

Packaging business the Detmold Group has been recognised as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards (ABA) 2024. According to a statement from the company, the award recognises organisations that “develop leading workplaces which maximise the full potential of their workforce through established policies  and practices that demonstrate effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.” Detmold Group has been selected as a national Employer of Choice seven times. General Manager for People and Culture, Kathleen Johnson, said, “By prioritising the safety and well-being of our team members and providing opportunities for  both personal and professional development, we cultivate an environment where everyone can thrive.”

New figures show size of local fabricated metal sector

Market research firm IBISWorld has updated calculations for its Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing in Australia report, finding the industry worth $6.1 billion in revenues, made of of 4,645 businesses, and currently “navigating a complex landscape of mixed, fluctuating demand from downstream markets.” The sector is estimated to have grown at an annualised 1.0 per cent over the five years through 2023-24, including a predicted 2.9 per cent drop in the final year. It is predicted to grow over the next five years. The three top companies were given as ASSA ABLOY Australia Pacific, Thales Australia and Flowserve Australia. 

Picture: Provaris Energy/H2Neo 26,000 cubic metre compressed H2 carrier