Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

ERA celebrates recycling of electronics

In time for National Recycling Week Electrical Recycling Australia (ERA) has celebrated its achievements in recycling e-waste in South Australia. Backed by Bedford Industries, the company has in the the year to date notched up these statistics: 4,759 e-waste deliveries received; Daily average intake: 10,285 kilograms; and total e-waste processed: 2,242,292 kilograms. ERA said: “To put this into perspective, the amount of e-waste Electronic Recycling Australia has processed this year would fill Coopers Stadium’s pitch area to a height of about two metres. This mountain of e-waste includes a diverse range of items such as TVs, laptops, phones, modems, desktop computers, electronic games, printers, photocopiers, DVD players, and radios.”

Orbital Corporation to raise $2 million from investors

Defence drone engine manufacturer Orbital Corporation (Orbital UAV) has announced a fully underwritten one for eight renounceable pro rata entitlement offer to raise gross proceeds of approximately $2.0 million. Under the offer, eligible shareholders are entitled to acquire one new share for every eight existing fully paid ordinary shares in the company at a premium of approximately 22 percent to the company's previous closing price. Funds raised by the Perth company will go to expanding contracted production programs, driving product research and development into a new engine model and repatriating key supply chain componentry from international suppliers.

ACCC ‘concerned' at proposed takeover by Cleanaway

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has published a Statement of Issues outlining its preliminary competition concerns with Cleanaway Waste Management‘s proposed acquisition of the waste and recycling business of Citywide Service Solutions, a company owned by City of Melbourne Council. Citywide Waste offers collections services for municipal councils and commercial and industrial customers and operates the Dynon Road transfer station, which accepts large volumes of putrescible waste. “We are concerned that the acquisition will extend Cleanaway’s already strong position in Melbourne by expanding Cleanaway’s existing network of waste disposal facilities” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.

Weebit Nano raises $50 million from investors

ASX listed semiconductor company Weebit Nano has successfully raised $50 million via a share Placement to existing and new institutional investors from Australia and abroad. Weebit Nano is issuing approximately 16.7 million new fully paid ordinary shares at $3.00 per share. Funds raised by the Israeli/Australian company will be used to scale up commercialisation activities as part of new customer and partner engagements, to support working capital needs associated with further technology development, and to strengthen the company’s balance sheet. Weebit Nano CEO Coby Hanoch said: “With advanced discussions and negotiations progressing with multiple parties, and our goal to sign multiple foundry and customer agreements over the next 12 months.”

Recce Pharmaceuticals receives $6.8m R&D tax incentive

Anti-infective developer Recce Pharmaceuticals has announced a cash refund of $6.8 million Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive rebate from the Australian Taxation Office for the financial year ending 30 June 2024. The refund reflects R&D activities undertaken locally and overseas and was used to repay advances from Endpoints Capital reflecting R&D rebate credits for FY24. The advances Endpoints provide as part of their services, enable the Company to leverage its R&D benefits of the past, present and future R&D applicable expenditure. Recce CEO James Graham said: “By leveraging this rebate, we continue to push the boundaries of synthetic anti-infective development, positioning Recce to deliver meaningful advancements in infection treatment on a global scale.”

AIS installs new AlphaFit gear

Gymnasium equipment manufacturer AlphaFit and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) have announced a new partnership. According to a statement from the AIS on Thursday, it will see athletes training at the AIS “use the best in fitness equipment and flooring” made by the Australian-owned family business specialising in “gymnasium gear specifically made for the strength and conditioning and high-performance community.” AIS Performance Services Lead Ross Smith said: “A key requirement for our gym is that it’s functional for athletes and coaches across all Para and Able sports. AlphaFit is the only supplier in Australia that will custom build to our standards.” A recent upgrade to the weightlifting and strength area saw seven custom AlphaFit Power Cages with multi-grip chin up bars and a comprehensive selection of rig attachments installed. The cages have been configured to provide greater accessibility to Para athletes.

Buy local this Christmas, urges Australian Made

Australian Made is urging consumers to think local this festive season and purchase products carrying the green and gold kangaroo. Australian Made Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro said in a statement on Thursday that “It’s important Australians are conscious of their purchasing power this festive season. Australian-made products are not only made to some of the world’s highest manufacturing and safety standards, but they also have significant social, environmental, and ethical benefits. Every dollar spent on Australian Made goods has a direct impact on the makers and growers behind them.” Australian Made cited new figures from research firm Roy Morgan, predicting a “$69.7 billion boost in sales in the six-week peak season leading up to Christmas” for retailers, or an increase of 2.7 per cent on last year.

AnteoTech in $5 million raise

Surface chemistry specialist AnteoTech announced on Wednesday that it has received firm commitments totalling $3.5 million for new fully-paid ordinary shares under a placement, and will launch a one-for-10 entitlement offer at 2.0 cents per share, raising up to $5.0 million. AnteoTech said the offer will support commercial and development activities, specifically “the expansion of clean energy sales and marketing activities in Europe and the United States, as well as the optimisation and evaluation projects for customers in the electric vehicle and consumer electronics sectors.” Also supported would be development of Ultranode, which “will include progressing both the Generation 1 and Generation 2 versions of… AnteoTech’s proprietary high silicon anode.”

Review of ASBFEO announced

The federal government announced a review of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) on Wednesday, to be undertaken by Judy O’Connell. O’Connell is described as having extensive experience with the small business sector, previously as Commissioner at the Victorian Small Business Commission and as an Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Taxation Office. She will be supported by a secretariat within Treasury, and will report findings and recommendations to the Government in 2025. “With the ASBFEO approaching 10 years of operation, it is timely to undertake a broader review of whether the ASBFEO’s functions and operations are effective, efficient, and importantly, that they align with the needs of the small business community,” said minister for small business, Julie Collins, on Wednesday.

Geelong fertiliser factory to wind down

The Incitec Pivot factory in northern Geelong will close by the end of 2025, shedding 40 direct jobs and a similar number of contractors, the company said this week. Incitec made the announcement to the ASX on Monday as part of its full-year results, with the single super phosphate (SSP) fertiliser plant at Seabreeze Parade site to wind down following a review of the Geelong operations. “The review found we cannot continue to operate the Geelong SSP plant due to ongoing, unsustainable input costs and competition from cheaper imported products from countries with lower input and production costs,” Incitec’s fertiliser division president Scott Bowman, wrote to staff in an email cited by the Geelong Advertiser. “These factors combined have made the manufacturing of SSP no longer economically viable at Geelong.”