Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Archer partners with IMEC on Biochip 

ASX-listed semiconductor developer Archer Materials has signed a contract to work with R&D organisation Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) on the product development of its biosensor. According to a statement from Archer, IMEC will trial the use of silicon-based devices such as ion-selective field effect transistors alongside Archer's graphene devices. If proven “to deliver comparable sensitivity to graphene, silicon will offer a faster and more scalable path to manufacturing, reducing barriers to clinical translation and commercial production”, it explained. Stage 1 project work is expected to be completed by November, with IMEC developing a full prototype “which will include readout electronics and disposable cartridges for use with handheld biosensor readers” after that. Dr Simon Ruffell, CEO of Archer, added, “The biosensor technology continues to demonstrate encouraging results in our testing. We  are now working to ensure that the device can be manufactured using well-established semiconductor processes.”

Hazer secures patent filings on graphite purification process

Chemical engineering company Hazer Group says it has secured national filings for a key patent family protecting its novel electrochemical purification process, which has potential to produce graphite exceeding 99.9 per cent in purity. According to a statement from the company, it purifies graphite produced via the Hazer Process — which also creates hydrogen from methane — without damaging the graphite’s unique morphology, and opens up potential high-value new applications. The patent has been filed in over 20 jurisdictions. CEO and Managing Director Glenn Corrie said: “With battery-grade graphite now within our sights, this patent and filings position Hazer to participate in one of the most strategically important critical mineral markets. Graphite’s value is increasing as supply tightens due to concentrated production, new trade measures, and strong demand from the battery and energy storage sectors.”

Foodmach appointed ANZ Partner for two material handling companies

Engineering business Foodmach Australia announced new partnerships with ACTIW Intralogistics and Joloda Hydraroll across Australia and New Zealand. According to a statement from Foodmach, it marks an increase in what it can offer in factory-to-freight automation, adding its partners' “One Shot Loading systems” for truck, trailer and containers. Finland's ACTIW was recently acquired by Joloda Hydraroll, based out of the UK. Foodmach CEO Rob Niggl said, “Their systems are a perfect complement to our end-to-end packaging automation solutions. With increasing demand for safer, faster and more efficient intralogistics, we can now offer customers full-line automation from pack to dock.”

Tall Emu wins at SaaS Awards

Australian CRM company Tall Emu has won the “Best SaaS Product for ERP” category at the 2025 SaaS Awards this week. The awards are organised by cloud awards body The Cloud Awards, and celebrate innovation in software-as-a-service companies. According to a statement from Tall Emu, judges praised it for for delivering “enterprise-level functionality at small business scale,” highlighting its AI-powered telephony, seamless integrations, and pragmatic, user-driven design.” Mike Nash, Founder and CEO of Tall Emu, said: “This win is a huge achievement for our team and customers. We’ve built a solution that solves real problems – without the cost or complexity of traditional ERP systems. Being recognised for this is a big validation of our approach.”

Advanced Navigation helps conquer Europe’s deepest underground mine

Autonomy company Advanced Navigation this week announced successful demonstration of a breakthrough in underground navigation, delivering high-precision positioning without reliance on fixed infrastructure or GNSS, in Europe’s deepest underground mine. According to the company, a Hybrid Navigation System, combining a Laser Velocity Sensor (LVS) with the Boreas D90 fibre-optic gyroscope (FOG) Inertial Navigation System (INS), achieved consistent sub-0.1 per cent navigation error across multiple runs, without relying on any fixed positioning infrastructure, pre-existing maps, or external aiding, at the mine in Pyhäjärvi, Finland. Joe Vandecar, Senior Product Manager at Advanced Navigation, said “Maintaining precision over a 22.9 [kilometre] subterranean course in Europe’s deepest underground mine demonstrates a level of performance that few systems in the world can rival without any prior intelligence of the environment. These results prove we’re one step closer to unlocking scalable underground autonomy.”

Australia’s first hydrogen field day to be held

The inaugural Hydrogen Transport and Power Field Day at Bell Bay, organised by Countrywide Hydrogen, will be held on Thursday. According to a statement from Countrywide Hydrogen, the event will bring together leading players in emissions reduction, sustainable equipment, and other parts of the hydrogen ecosystem. Managing Director Geoffrey Drucker said, “The first adopters of green hydrogen will come from heavy transport and logistics, as well as industrial heating and power generation. Tasmania is an ideal showcase state to demonstrate how hydrogen can tangibly reduce emissions by transitioning from fossil fuels.” The event is expected to host 75 key delegates.

Board changes at Bluescope

Steelmaker Bluescope announced “two significant changes” to the board on Thursday, with the retirement non-executive director, Ewen Crouch, and the appointment of US-based Cheri Phyfer as a non-executive director. In a statement to the ASX, the company's Chair, Jane McAloon, said “Ewen undertook a heavy workload for the Company as a member of the Board and several Committees. On behalf of the Board, employees and shareholders, we thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.” Crouch will retire from the board effective from the close of November's AGM. Phyfer's appointment will provide further US commercial experience, building products experience and networks, the company added. “Having held non-executive directorships with three overseas entities in recent years, Ms Phyfer brings experience in public and private enterprises and I’m sure will make a strong contribution,” said McAloon. “We look forward to all that Cheri can bring to BlueScope, particularly as we progress our ambitious growth plans in North  America.”

Picture: Advanced Navigation traversing down the Pyhäsalmi Mine in Pyhäjärvi, Finland (supplied)