Energy prices stabilise, begin to fall

The federal government has long promised that renewables will bring prices down, notwithstanding the recent period of global inflation – and today there is the first evidence that prices may doing just that. Today’s release of the draft Default Market Offer (DMO) shows the retail energy bill benchmark stabilising and trending downwards, according to Climate…

ARENA backs feasibility study on East Kimberley Clean Energy and Hydrogen Project

The federal government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced a $1,666,701 grant to Aboriginal Clean Energy Partnership (ACEP) to support Phase 1 of the feasibility study for the East Kimberley Clean Energy and Hydrogen Project. The total value of the Phase 1 study is $3,333,403, and according to ARENA represents “a key step in…

AML3D gains AS9100D accreditation

Wire arc additive manufacturing specialist AML3D has announced its attainment of AS9100D:2016, an aerospace standard Quality Management System accreditation. According to a statement from the company on Tuesday, the accreditation will enable it to manufacture flight and non-flight components, certified for the aviation, space and defence industries. The QMS covers quality assurance and risk management.…

Flinders researchers take on industrial dye waste with new photocatalysis method

A new study led by Flinders University has discovered what the university says is “a novel way to degrade and potentially remove toxic organic chemicals” such as azo dyes – synthetic dyes widely-used in industries such as textiles and food – using chemical photocatalysis powered by ultraviolet light. Professor Gunther Andersson, from the Flinders Institute…

Austin spruiks global order book momentum

Mining equipment manufacturer Austin Engineering has revealed it has been awarded purchase orders for significant previously anticipated programmes that will contribute to a growing order book for the current and subsequent financial years. Austin in Chile has been awarded the first tranche of purchase orders for OEM style truck trays worth circa $7 million to…

Austal Vietnam to construct passenger cargo vessel

Perth shipbuilder Austal has won a contract for the construction of a 71 metre passenger cargo ferry, which will be built at the company’s Vietnamese shipyard. Austal Vietnam will design and construct the roll-on roll-off vessel for The Degage Group of French Polynesia in a contract valued at between $30-$40 million. The steel monohull design,…

Ampcontrol moves to utilise renewable power

Electrical manufacturer Ampcontrol has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) linking electricity used by its NSW sites with renewable sources to offset operating emissions. The move to renewable electricity further aligns business operations to Ampcontrol strategy and sustainability goals, according to the company. Ampcontrol has signed a 10-year Agreement with energy provider Flow Power to…

Ten-council recycling trial gets on the road at Wyndham Vale

Construction of a section of road at Wyndham Vale, Victoria – incorporating consumer and industrial waste and part of a ten-council trial – is expected to be complete by the end of the month.  The section at Cambridge Crescent will use a total of 170 tonnes of asphalt including 600 kilograms of recycled plastic, such…

Work begins at Dandenong on new VLocity trains

Work has begun at Alstom’s Dandenong, Victoria factory on the latest order of 23 VLocity trains, which will bring regional passenger train and coach service V/Line’s fleet to 141. According to a statement from state public transport minister Gabrielle Williams – who visited the site on Monday – the trains will support demand on the…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Detpak wins national award for packaging design South Australian packaging manufacturer Detpak has received the APPMA Packaging Design Innovation Award for its Kerbside Recyclable Paper Bag for fresh potatoes. The APPMA (Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association) Awards of Excellence 2024 recognised Detpak, a subsidiary of the family-owned Detmold Group. Developed in association with potato…

Researchers open up critical minerals R&D for SMEs

Researchers at Australia’s leading science agencies are opening up opportunities for R&D into critical minerals opportunities through a new online course. The Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub, a collaboration between CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and ANSTO, is inviting SMEs in the critical minerals industry to apply for a 10-week online innovation accessibility. The free…

Sign up for our webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack

Only one day remains left to register your interest to join @AuManufacturing’s latest webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack. This webinar will explore why and how to audit your IT system, how to assess the cybersecurity readiness of your organisation and implement practical steps to protect your company from cyber attack The webinar…

Foodifox lockers deliver hot food to hungry students

Australian made Foodifox thermal food lockers have been installed at the University of NSW where they store hot meals ready for student pick up. The high tech lockers installed last week are allowing the more than 600 students dining at Goldstein Hall each day to access hot and fresh meals outside of core dining hours.…

Fortescue in world first use of ammonia as a marine fuel

Fortescue has become the first to demonstrate the use of ammonia, in combination with diesel in the combustion process, as a marine fuel. The demonstration, in the Port of Singapore, was achieved by the Singapore-flagged ammonia-powered vessel, the Fortescue Green Pioneer (pictured). Working with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), government agencies, research…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, March 11 – 15, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) DroneShield awarded $4.3 million order from unnamed US government customer Drone detection and countermeasure company DroneShield has announced a repeat order of $4.3 million from an undisclosed US government customer. According to a statement to the ASX…

Element 25 progresses battery precursor project

Manganese miner Element 25 has progressed its plans to construct a high-purity manganese sulphate (HPMSM) refinery in Louisiana USA to supply domestic HPMSM to the US electric vehicle battery industry. Basic engineering packages for sections of the plant which will produce pre-cathode material via a proprietary hydrometallurgical process are being generated by equipment vendors and…

Manufactor hub at Penrith opens for business

An industrial site at Penrith acquired by Aon Ari Property in December 2020 for the purpose of housing a collection of manufacturers has officially opened, with its owner pledging “to revolutionise how small manufacturers do business in Sydney”. In a statement from Aon Ari on Thursday, 12 tenants are already operating at the site, which…

BlueScope Australian steel components for tracking solar system

BlueScope Steel’s Orrcon Steel subsidiary will manufacture components for Nextracker solar trackers under an agreement announced today which will see the first local steel used in ACCIONA Energia’s 480MWp Aldoga Solar Farm to be built near Gladstone. The components for Nextracker’s smart solar tracker used on distributed generation and utility-scale solar farms will be produced…

Lockheed’s first Australian missiles to be assembled in 2024 – report

The first Australian produced Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles – well known for their use by Ukraine – will be produced at a facility in western Sydney by the end of 2024, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The article, which details US efforts to boost missile manufacturing by its…

Pair plan pectin production from food waste

Food ingredient company Pectin 360 says it is using homegrown technology to re-establish pectin production in Australia, something that hasn’t been possible in decades. Pectin is a vegan setting or gelling agent made from fruits and essential for products including jams and preserves, yoghurts, nutraceuticals and confectionery. It’s also currently an obstacle for some local…

Canberra loan backs Nolans rare earths project

The federal government has provided debt financing to the massive Nolans rare earths project, 135 kilometres from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Arafura Rare Earths announced that the federal government would provide conditions debt finance of US$533 million to catalyse the project’s remaining debt raising. As reported in @AuManufacturing, Arafura is advancing enabling works…

Ausco Modular’s Shenton College building scheduled for Term 3 completion

Continuing a recent string of modular construction-related announcements by state governments, Western Australia’s premier has visited a facility under construction at Shenton College. According to a statement from the WA government on Thursday, premier Roger Cook and education minister Dr Tony Buti inspected the $15 million double-storey building, manufactured at Kwinana by Ausco Modular workers. …

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

GPC Electronics expands at Penrith Printed circuit board and electronic systems manufacturer GPC Electronics is expanding its capacity with a new latest technology surface mount technology (SMT) manufacturing line. A team from industrial machinery company Hawker Richardson and GPC engineers have been setting up the new machines (pictured) at its Penrith, Sydney factory since delivery.…

Weld Australia launches two free safety training courses

Weld Australia will launch of two free online welder safety training courses in April: one for welders, and the second for welding engineers and supervisors. In a statement on Thursday, Weld Australia’s CEO Geoff Crittenden said that welding is a potentially dangerous process, undertaken across a wide range of locations and situations, and each has…

$230 million finance to speed lithium battery supply project

The federal government is has announced major backing for the Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in Western Australia which will produce lithium concentrate from later this year. It is expected to create around 900 jobs during construction and around 450 ongoing operational jobs. With $110 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and $120 million…

Secure your business against cyber attack – join our webinar March 19

Only a week left to register your interest to join @AuManufacturing’s latest webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack. With attacks increasing Australian manufacturers with legacy systems built up over time are not fully aware of what is on their IT and operational technology systems. Hear how to audit your systems, plan and train…

LBT Innovations PharmaQC device ‘commercially ready’

Laboratory automation manufacturer LBT Innovations has announced that its APAS PharmaQC automated pharmaceutical manufacturing quality control system was now commercially ready after an extensive period of R&D. Primary validation of the device has been completed and the technology formally released to pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca, a partner in the development. APAS PharmaQC provides automated imaging, analysis…

CSIRO and Swinburne launch Industry 4.0 Testlab

CSIRO and Swinburne are demonstrating the future of Australian manufacturing at a new Swinburne-CSIRO National Industry 4.0 Testlab which includes a world-first process for the additive manufacturing of carbon fibre composite materials. Today, the Testlab showcased its world-first fully automated industrial-scale production facility using a 3D-printing approach to composite component creation. Based at CSIRO’s Clayton…

Breaking the AI & CoPilot barrier at SOCO’s second annual industry event

(Sponsored article) SOCO, a leading digital transformation specialist and IT solutions  provider, is excited to announce its second annual industry event scheduled for Tuesday, 14 May 2023, at the Microsoft Sydney Office. Titled “Breaking down the hype around AI and CoPilot for  Manufacturers”, the event offers a unique opportunity for  manufacturing leaders to explore the…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

WOA sells Dirty Clean Food to Jay Albany Wide Open Agriculture is to sell its Dirty Clean Food business to its CEO Jay Albany through his holding company DCF Global. DCF aligns production, manufacturing and distribution to support and grow regenerative farming and regenerative farmers in Western Australia. The deal, work $1.5 million, will enable…

New funding secures International Graphite shares

Battery materials company International Graphite has reached an agreement with its major shareholder Comet Resources that resolves a looming issue with Comet’s shareholding in the company. International Graphite has agreed to loan Comet $1.5 million and Comet has granted International Graphite the right to appoint a majority of Directors to the Comet Board. The arrangements…

Treasury Wine prepared for unlocking exports to China

The maker of Penfolds Grange, Treasury Wine Estates has noted an interim draft determination by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce that would reopen the China market to Australian wine exports. The determination outlines a proposed removal of the current tariffs which have crippled what was once a $1.2 billion export trade with China – reducing…

CSIRO-led team claims printed solar cell record

CSIRO scientists have led an international team that set a new efficiency record for fully roll-to-roll printed solar cells. In a statement on Wednesday, CSIRO said the breakthrough result for flexible perovskite cells was published in Nature Communications (linked) and was achieved by a team including members from University of Cambridge, Monash University, the University…

Kimberly-Clark’s new DCI to speed distribution

Paper products manufacturer and importer Kimberly-Clark Australia (K-CA) has cut the ribbon on a state-of-the-art distribution centre in Ravenhall, Victoria (pictured). Spanning over 23,000 sq. metres, the new DC is the second largest in K-CA’s Australian network and is the first in a series of investments to deliver faster, more efficient services to customers. The…

Genevo Marine launches carbon fibre electric boat

Startup boatbuilder Genevo Marine has released plans for a luxury motor launch powered by batteries and an electric motor. The Genevo E8 is 8.2 metres long with a beam of 2.48 metres, and weighs 2,500kgs. The boat is powered by a 400kW electric motor linked to a 132kWh Lithium-ion battery. The vessel boasts a 1kW…

Raytheon opens defence Centre for Collaboration

Raytheon Australia has opened a new Centre for Collaboration in southeast Queensland, enabling opportunities for greater collaboration between the defence industry and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), according to the company. The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy (pictured) officially opened the centre, which marks 25 years of investment by Raytheon Australia in developing secure…

Micro-X reveals details of its in-ambulance CT scanner – video

Carbon fibre nanotube X-ray manufacturer Micro-X has released new video (below) and images of its lightweight in-ambulance CT scanner designed for early detection of stroke. The imager, developed under an $8 million contract with the Australian Stroke Alliance, shows how the company’s miniaturised X-ray emitters could bring mobile stroke diagnosis to the patient to reduce…

B-cycle battery recycling scheme to be reviewed

The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) has announced a review of B-cycle, Australia’s government authorised battery recycling scheme, in the wake of unforeseen pressures facing industry. The review has been brought forward from 2025 by the BSC Board as, while B-cycle is meeting many of its goals, the current national economic conditions are creating pressures for…

Production underway on Alstom’s X’Trapolis 2.0 trains

Production on Victoria’s 25 new six-car X’Trapolis 2.0 has begun at Alstom’s Ballarat factory, the state government has announced, ahead of entry into service on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines. According to a statement from public service minister Gabrielle Williams on Tuesday, the build is supporting up to 150 jobs directly in Ballarat, and…

Hawk to take flight with Australian e-motor this year

Monash University spin-out Kite Magnetics and Canadian wooden and composite kit aircraft company CKD Aero have unveiled the new Dakota e-Hawk (pictured), which they claim is “the world’s most cost-effective two-seat electric aircraft”. A statement this week from the two companies said the Dakota would be “first in a series of kit aircraft” made by…

Fleet Space’s Centauri satellite made voice capable in orbit

Nanosatellite manufacturer Fleet Space Technologies has demonstrated satellite-enabled Push-to-Talk (PTT) capabilities for the Australian Defence Force – Joint Capabilities Group as part of its ASCEND2LEO programme. The demonstration was enabled on its Centauri-4 satellite in-orbit via remotely delivered software derived from the ‘Beagle’ communications waveform, developed under projects funded by the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre.…

Gilmour Space’s satellite to ‘dragsail’ to Earth

Auckland, New Zealand based Frond Space Systems and Gold Coast rocket manufacturer Gilmour Space Technologies have signed a contract to supply a dragsail system for Gilmour Space’s MMS-1 satellite mission. Frond, which specialises in deployable space technology will provide a MICRO dragsail system, a lightweight and compact device that can be deployed at the end…

Volvo and Queensland green light building electric trucks in Queensland

Volvo trucks has announced it ‘can now be made reality’ for the company to manufacture battery electric trucks at its facility in Wacol, Queensland. The announcement came as the Queensland government released a Zero Emission Heavy Vehicle Network Map (State-Controlled Roads) where battery electric vehicles may travel in future as Australia decarbonises. Queensland is the…

Many not prepared for Cyber Attack – webinar March 19

Manufacturers have been subjected to a lot of fearmongering about the perils of cyber attack. But, according to Michael Murphy, Head of Operational Technology and Critical Infrastructure APAC at cyber security solutions, hardware and services company Fortinet: “The threat landscape is very real.” And many Australian companies are neither adequately protected nor do they have…

MicroTau selected for US Air Force trials of its fuel-saving sharkskin 

Sydney-based aerospace company MicroTau, which has designed specialised polymer riblet films for aircraft to increase fuel efficiency, has been selected by the United States’ Department of Defense (DoD) for flight testing of its product. According to a statement from the Australian company on Friday, it was selected in response to the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU)…

RECCE uses innovative method to bring forward R&D incentive

The federal government’s Research and Development (R&D) tax incentive may have highly restrictive rules and definitions which cut the number of companies eligible for assistance, but for early stage and start up companies it can be a godsend. Available to companies turning over less than $20 million – itself a bone of contention with innovative…

Carbonix drones fly ‘out of sight’ to survey power network

Drone manufacturer and solutions provider Carbonix has flown its drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS), completing a mission with SA Power Networks inspecting 150km of powerlines in remote South Australia. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved BVLoS mission paves the way for Carbonix’s drones to inspect South Australia’s vast electricity distribution network of…

Aurizon to trial battery-electric tender on freight train

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded a $9.4 million grant to Aurizon to support the development and trial of a retrofitted 1.8 megawatt-hour battery-electric tender (BET) to power diesel-electric locomotive. According to a statement from energy minister Chris Bowen on Friday, the country’s largest rail freight hauler will partner with Alta Battery Technology,…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Atomo Diagnostics sells HIV self tests Atomo Diagnostics has secured purchasing orders from Vitaris Healthcare for $970,000 worth of Newfoundland HIV self-tests, manufactured by Atmo under the Mylan brand. The kits, which are destined for a number of low and middle-income (LMIC) countries, will be manufactured during H2 FY24. Founder and CEO John Kelly said:…

Six companies share Recycling Modernisation Fund grants

Around 9,600 tonnes of material will be diverted from landfill every year thanks to the federal and Victorian governments investing $3.4 million for six new recycling projects in Melbourne and Ballarat through the Recycling Modernisation Fund. The new and upgraded facilities will employ 38 additional staff and will sort, process and recycle used plastics and…

Immuron booms on Travelan’s positive research result

Drug developer Immuron’s Travelan anti-diarrhoea oral antibody product set the company share price alight this morning following positive news from clinical trials in the United States. Travelan, which is made in Melbourne and on sale through Chemist Warehouse, is a non-absorbable, safe product which is composed of anti-bacterial antibodies that boost the gut immune system.…

ARENA awards $21.8 million to three WA EV projects

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced just over $21.8 million to three projects in Western Australia, which it says will accelerate the shift to electric vehicles in the state. The funding awarded was: $15.8 million to industrial freight provider Centurion to roll out 30 battery electric trucks and 15 dual port chargers at…

SKA radio telescope installs first antenna

One of the world’s largest science infrastructure projects, the billion dollar Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, is closer to fruition following the installation of the first antennas. These are part of more than 130,000 two-metre-tall, Christmas tree-shaped antennas (pictured) to be installed across 74 km of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia. When signals…

VAILO launches new PC amber luminaire

LED lighting manufacturer VAILO has announced the official launch of the PC amber variant of its Zenith Gen-V flagship luminaire. According to a fact sheet from the company, white LEDs “pose significant challenges in wildlife sensitive areas due to their blue-rich spectrum.” Phosphor Converted Amber LEDs “offer a promising solution by providing a spectrum closer…

MicroBioGen appoints new Deputy Head of Research

Industrial biotech company MicroBioGen, which breeds yeast strains for purposes including biofuels and baking, has announced Dr Heinrich Kroukamp as its new Deputy Head of Research. Kroukamp (pictured) has nearly a decade’s experience in working with and researching yeast, including as team lead for the metabolic engineering of yeast at All G Foods, and technology…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Austal delivers another LCS Shipbuilder Austal has announced that the future USS Kingsville Littoral Combat Ship has been delivered to the United States Navy – the 18th Independence-variant LCS built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. Austal Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said Kingsville was the penultimate delivery for the Independence-variant programme. “With the delivery…

Unions call for local content in offshore wind power

The federal government has declared a new offshore wind zone for electricity generation in the Southern Ocean off western Victoria with trade unions immediately calling for stronger local content rules. This, the third officially declared offshore wind zone in the country, will generate up to 2.8 GW of offshore wind energy, a fact welcomed by…

New CSIRO report weighs up national circularity performance

CSIRO has published a new analysis of Australia’s circular economy, finding that though things have improved, the nation lags the global average of “circularity” for material flows. Released on Wednesday, the Australian material flow analysis to progress to a circular economy report used data on economy-wide material flows for 2019. It found that Australia’s circularity…

Applications opened for grants between $200,000 and $2 million through Physical Sciences Fund

Applications are open for Round 5 of the NSW government’s Physical Sciences Fund, which offers grant funding of between $200,000 and $2 million to assist commercialisation of devices and systems. Preliminary applications were opened on Tuesday for the program, which is administered by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer and has been…

Engineers develop portable RAT test

UNSW Sydney biosensing engineers have developed technology to make portable RAT test strips just as accurate as PCR tests carried out in a laboratory. While lab-based PCR tests take two days to show the COVID-19 virus, the test strips offer rapid, on-the-spot disease detection. Senior researcher Professor Ewa Goldys, with UNSW’s Graduate School of Biomedical…

CEFC points the way to NRF effectiveness

By Peter Roberts Those questioning the effectiveness of the federal government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund need to look no further than the success of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation initiative. But don’t expect rapid results – the CEFC took a decade to pick up steam and only now is showing the power of catalytic…

Valiant Space in-orbit propulsion system launched

Valiant Space’s first propulsion system is now orbiting in space where it is a key part of the Optimus Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV) built by Space Machines Company (SMC). Valiant VS-1 thruster flew to space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 as part of the OSV and will be performing numerous orbit changing manoeuvres for SMC’s…

It is a matter of when, not if – sign up for our cyber security webinar

Manufacturers must prepare for a cyber attack as all companies are likely to face one, according to Julie Harrison, CEO and Managing Director of Harrison Manufacturing. One of the manufacturing leaders in conversation in our webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack – Harrison said: “We have the attitude that it is a when,…

Seeley to close Albury factory – blames Victorian gas ban

Air cooling and heating manufacturer Seeley International has announced is to close its Albury, NSW plant and consolidation of operations in Adelaide, blaming Victoria’s Gas Substitution Pathway for the loss of 125 jobs. The company manufactures Braemar gas appliances in Albury and air cooling systems in Adelaide, with a question mark having been thrown over…

Australian-made flexible solar cells part of satellite aboard SpaceX mission

CSIRO-developed printed flexible solar cells are travelling on Space Machines Company’s Optimus-1 private satellite, which flew  as cargo aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched on Tuesday (Australian time.) A statement from the national science agency following the launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California explained that it is exploring such solar cells as a…

Indigenous company’s unique building framing system

Indigenous construction company Warle Construction is addressing housing affordability and availability through a project commercialising its innovative house framing system. The project will establish new manufacturing capabilities and jobs in the Northern Territory while delivering affordable housing designed to withstand harsh climate conditions such as cyclones, according to a statement. Warle’s process makes use of…

Australian “road to space” now laid with Bowen Orbital Spaceport’s new licence

The Gilmour Space Technologies-operated spaceport in north Queensland has gained approval as an orbital launch facility, Gilmour announced on Tuesday morning. The Bowen Orbital Spaceport is the first granted its licence by federal industry minister Ed Husic under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 2018, the company said. Rocket manufacturer and launch services provider Gilmour…

Space Machines’ Optimus satellite launched on SpaceX rocket

Satellite manufacturer Space Machines Company has announced the successful launch this morning of Optimus, Australia’s largest-ever private satellite and the company’s first Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV). The foundation of the company’s future in-orbit satellite servicing opereations was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-10 mission. Following…

Fleet Space and Stanford to develop satellite mineral prospecting

Satellite manufacturer Fleet Space Technologies is to work with Stanford University’s Mineral-X programme to optimise mineral exploration drill targeting using the company’s constellation of nanosatellites now in orbit. Fleet Space has been named an industrial affiliate of the Mineral-X programme whose researchers combine deep expertise in geoscience, resource optimisation, and artificial intelligence (AI) aiming to…

New report highlights Victoria’s TCF manufacturing sector in circular economy transition

An upcoming report on Victoria’s textile, clothing and footwear manufacturing industry has calculated the sector as worth $960 million in economic value and a source of employment for 10,300 people. According to a statement from the Australian Fashion Council on Tuesday, Moving the Needle: The State of Play of Victoria’s Textile, Clothing & Footwear Manufacturing…

Zoetis buys site to increase veterinary vaccine production

Animal health company Zoetis has bought a 21-acre manufacturing site in Melbourne to significantly expand its operations and increase capabilities to manufacture vaccines for sheep, cattle, dogs, cats and horses. The company which produces 130 million doses of vaccines for companion animals and livestock in Australia each year, said the expansion would support development of…

Maryvale project awarded waste to energy licence

The Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) project has been awarded the first Energy from Waste licence from Recycling Victoria under the state’s Waste to Energy Scheme. The EfW facility will process non-recyclable municipal solid waste (MSW) that would otherwise go to landfill to generate energy for Opal Australian Paper’s Maryvale pulp and paper mill, cutting…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Legrand Group announces acquisition of New Zealand’s Mechanical Support Systems Electrical equipment company Legrand has announced its acquisition of Mechanical Support Systems (MSS), a New-Zealand based company that offers cable management solutions for the electrical and mechanical sectors. MSS’ services include cable containment manufacturing, supply, installation and design, as well as bespoke fabrication. “While we are…

Detmold launches new surgical mask range

Detmold Medical which began manufacturing face masks as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has launched a new range of Tri-Panel Respirators (pictured) and a Surgical Mask with Visor. According to the Adelaide company, which geared up to make 145 million masks during the pandemic, the new Australian made masks offer wearers extra protection, comfort…

Green ammonia company Jupiter Ionics raises $9 million

Jupiter Ionics — which is commercialising an emissions-free, electrolysis-based method to create ammonia — has announced a $9 million capital raise, with Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers, CIMIC Group, and Breakthrough Victoria joining original investors. The company said in a statement on Monday that funding will go towards “accelerating the scale up of a self-contained…

New site chosen for Calix’s Leilac low emission cement plant

Industrial technology company Calix has announced a new site for its Leilac-2 cement plant, which is commercialising new kiln technology enabling the capture of CO2 in process gases in the manufacture of cement and lime. The plant, supported by the EU, was forced to relocate from its original planned site at a HidelbergCement’s operational plant…

Sensing the West Forum to be held next Wednesday

Western Sydney University’s Parramatta campus will host the Sensing the West Forum next week, organised by the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) in collaboration with WSU, the Celestino Sydney Science Park Urban Living Lab and CSIRO. According to a statement from NSSN on Monday, the day-long event on March 13 will be opened by NSW…

Nestle to invest $32 million at Smithtown Milo factory

The Milo factory on NSW’s mid-north coast will see upgrades worth $32 million made before the year’s end, owner Nestle Australia has said. According to a statement from the company on Thursday, the Smithtown factory – which marked its centenary in 2021 – would benefit from new “state-of-the-art” technology that would support increased output. The…

Defence companies outperform in workforce gender pay gap

A study just released by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency of gender pay gaps in companies found that women in the workforce are still badly treated, in fact very badly treated. The median gender pay gap in 5,000 companies studied on a base salary measure was found to be 14.5 per cent, while on a…

Hear from these leaders at our webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack

Register your interest today to join @AuManufacturing for our webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack – on Tuesday March 19, 11.00am AEST. Learn how to plan for and respond to cyber security threats to your business from compromised credentials, external contractors or former employees, malicious actors and a lack of a complete understanding…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, February 26 – March 1, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Toyota Australia assembles first hydrogen-powered generator at Altona Toyota Australia has announced that mining services company Thiess will take delivery of the first locally-assembled EODev GEH2 hydrogen fuel cell stationary power generator. The announcement was made on…

New support for 12 Australian space projects

The federal government has announced new grants to support a series of local space projects to help grow Australia’s space industry. The 12 projects, which align with NASA’s Artemis mission, will share in more than $9 million in funding to help drive innovation and support cutting-edge Australian science. The Moon to Mars grants will assist…

$25.7 million awarded through Mid-Career Industry Fellowships

A total of $25.7 million in support for 25 Mid-Career Industry Fellowships through the Australian Research Council (ARC) has been announced, backing research with industry partners in projects including green hydrogen production, methane pyrolysis, quantum sensors and extracting rare earths from waste. According to ARC’s website, the fellowships support academic researchers “in establishing careers in…

$3 million awarded to five antimicrobial resistance-related projects

CUREator by Brandon BioCatalyst, a biotech incubator, has announced the allocation of $3 million to five life sciences projects through its third round. The projects are part of the Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) stream of CUREator, which was established in 2021. and sponsors projects ranging from discovery to clinical development stages. AMR is a growing…

Space Beacon launched to monitor satellite health

Autonomous robot developer ANT61 has had its Beacon device (pictured) that diagnoses and potentially fixes issues with satellites in orbit sent into space for the first time. The device was sent into orbit earlier this week from the Esrange Space Center in Sweden aboard a MAPHEUS 14 sounding rocket. ANT61 develops autonomous robots that use…

R&D companies should beware too much success

By Peter Roberts Australia has a modest R&D tax incentive programme which rewards innovative young companies with a tax refund based on their R&D spending. But those same small companies face a refund cliff should they grow too big – the scheme returns tax on the basis of R&D performed only up to a company…

Renewables set emissions downward

Australia’s emissions were lower in the September 2023 quarter than the same period in 2022, according to the quarterly update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory released today. Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are now 25.4 percent below June 2005 levels, the base year for Australia’s targets under the Paris Agreement. Total emissions were at 459.7…

Just one week until nominations close for Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers

There is only a week left to nominate for Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers, @AuManufacturing’s prestigious annual awards program and merit list, proudly sponsored by MYOB, the CSIRO, the NSW government’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility, and the Commonwealth Bank. The window to join the superstars of 2024 is rapidly closing, with no nominations to be accepted…

Toyota Australia assembles first hydrogen-powered generator at Altona

Toyota Australia has announced that mining services company Thiess will take delivery of the first locally-assembled EODev GEH2 hydrogen fuel cell stationary power generator.  The announcement was made on Thursday at Toyota’s Altona site – which hosted car assembly until October 2017 – by Toyota Australia’s President and CEO Matthew Callachor, marking completion of the…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Orbital expects new drone engine model production in FY24 Drone engine manufacturer Orbital Corporation (Orbital UAV) has reported a fall in revenues in athe first half of FY24 however directors revealed a new engine model could be manufactured as early as April, 2024. The Perth company reported a net loss of $425,000, down 76 percent…

New strategy to support defence industry

The federal government has today released a plan that defines the strategic rationale for a sovereign defence industrial base and aims to maximise support for Australian industry, including SMEs and its critical contribution to national security. The Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) outlines: Focus areas for the defence industrial base Procurement reforms including simplifying contracting…

Keysight takes $15 million stake in EMVision

US technology company Keysight Technologies has taken a strategic stake worth $15.28 million in medical imaging company EMVision. In a statement on Thursday, EMVision said the investment represented a significant milestone, and would accelerate commercialisation of the portable brain scanner emu, its first product. Keysight will be issued 7,454,231 new ordinary shares at $2.05 per…

The APP Group awarded manufacturing partner contract on NSW government school program

Plans are currently under way for over 30 new and upgraded schools under the new Manufacturing for Schools program, which the NSW government says will deliver cost and construction time savings of up to 20 per cent and 30 per cent. The new program employs “modern methods of construction” and links a network of industry…

Apprentices to build modular homes to ease shortages

A new Cairns, Queensland Rapid Accommodation and Apprenticeship Centre (RAAC) is to be a home for QBuild trades and apprentices where apprentices will build modular homes for the state’s north. Set to open in March, dozens of apprentices will make Cairns’ new rapid accommodation and apprenticeship centre their home – the facility will be used…

German rocket to be launched from outback launch pad

German rocket manufacturer HyImpulse has packed up their SR75 rocket ready for launch from South Australia in late April or early May 2024. Rocket launch facility developer Southern Launch is hosting HyImpulse at the Koonibba Test Range for the maiden launch of their SR75 single-stage rocket. Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp said: “HyImpulse are pioneering…

BioCina and NovaCina form strategic alliance

Microbial development and contract manufacturing companies Adelaide’s BioCina and Perth’s NovaCina have announced a strategic partnership to provide integrated drug substance and drug product solutions for the pharmaceutical sector. The two companies are buy-outs from the Pfizer pharmaceutical company and share the same investor – private investment firm Bridgewest Group – and will now collaborate…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

DroneShield moves to profit on increasing global tensions Drone countermeasure company DroneShield has confirmed it moved to profit in FY23 on the back of rising global tensions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The company reported record contracts and growing cash receipts which reached $73.5 million in FY23, five times the previous year. More than 68…

Mary O’Kane recommends more uni R&D – but that’s not the innovation answer

By Peter Roberts Much has been written about the Australian universities accord – final report from scientist and engineer Mary O’Kane (pictured). But from an industry innovation point of view her panel’s recommendations fall short of what is needed to kickstart Australia’s fading innovation – and I mean business innovation – performance. National R&D has…

Tasmanian government announces $5.25 million grant for Incat’s expansion

The Tasmanian government, which is seeking re-election on March 23, has said it will provide $5.25 million in matched funding to support an expansion by aluminium-bodied shipbuilder Incat.  “We are investing $5.25 million and Incat are investing $5.25 million into this expansion, which will support up to 500 new jobs over the next three years,…

UNSW-led team create methane from carbon dioxide and sunlight

UNSW Sydney chemical engineering researchers have developed a way to create synthetic methane from sunlight and carbon dioxide, which they say could lessen reliance on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to a statement from the university on Wednesday, the team’s process uses light and heat to induce a reaction which produces synthetic…

Register for our new webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack

The countdown is on to register to join @AuManufacturing for our latest webinar – Secure Your Business Against Cyber Attack – on Tuesday March 19, 11.00am AEST. There are very real cyber security threats to your business from compromised credentials, external contractors or former employees, malicious actors and a lack of a complete understanding of…

Building products group Adbri falls to foreign control

The directors of building products group Adbri have entered into a scheme implementation deed under which a consortium of global building supplies group CRH plc and local premixed concrete supplier Barro Group will acquire the company. The partners made a non-binding offer valuing cement and lime manufacturer Adbri at $2.1 billion. Barro Group already owns…

Seeley to expand air conditioning manufacturing

Heating and cooling systems manufacturer Seeley International is to expand its air cooling manufacturing operations in Adelaide focused on export to the California market. Group Managing Director Jon Seeley said the company would extend its Lonsdale facility and update equipment for the scale-up of its innovative Climate Wizard Hybrid model which integrates evaporative cooling, heating…

Driving the competitive edge that keeps SA’s manufacturing sector on the world stage

Sponsored article With goals to open ‘unparalleled opportunity’, the South Australian government’s Advanced Manufacturing Strategy is set to make the state’s manufacturing sector the global partner of choice. The South Australian Government recently set out its plan to leverage the state’s competitive advantages in manufacturing to drive ongoing economic transformation. The government’s Advanced Manufacturing Strategy aims to…

Pure Hydrogen sells electric bus, hydrogen heavy vehicles

Clean energy and mobility company Pure Hydrogen has announced the sale of a further battery electric vehicle for use by the NSW government and its successful entry into the North American market for hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy vehicles. The company’s majority owned Hdrive International has received a binding purchase order from Bourke, NSW based…

Mackay R&D site to get precision fermentation as part of $16 million upgrade

A $3.9 million investment between Queensland University of Technology and the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) Trailblazer program will add the ability to develop precision fermentation-based ingredients at the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant (MRBPP.) The plant was established over a decade ago at the Mackay Sugar factory, and has focussed since then on biorefining,…

Is there an alternative to 10,000 kilometres of new transmission lines? Yes – but you may not like it

By Magnus Söderberg, Griffith University and Phillip Wild, Griffith University Building transmission lines is often controversial. Farmers who agree to host new lines on their property may be paid, while other community members protest against the visual intrusion. Pushback against new lines has slowed development and forced the government to promise more consultation. It’s not…

“Largely untapped” synthetic biology industry could be worth $30 billion, 50,000 new jobs by 2040: report

Synthetic biology could be an industry worth $30 billion to the nation annually and create 50,000 new jobs by 2040, according to the new Synthetic Biology National Progress Report, with the greatest activity expected to be in food and agriculture, followed by health and medicine industries.  The report was written by CSIRO Futures, with support…

Stahl Metall to make cable assemblies for the Naval Strike Missile

Knoxfield, Melbourne manufacturer Stahl Metall has entered into a new contract with Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDAu) for the manufacture and delivery of Electrical Control systems and Cable and Harness Systems for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM). Kongsberg has linked with a number of local manufacturers as it moves to manufacture the msisile under Project SEA…

BHP gets serious about copper metal production

By Peter Roberts BHP might just be getting serious about fully exploiting its ability to refine and export copper on a large scale from its South Australian copper mines – however the company has considered major expansions previously and baulked at the cost. In 2012 BHP halted plans for a $30 billion expansion of its…

Work begins on $100 million Noumed pharmaceutical factory

Work has begun on a new $100 million pharmaceutical plant being built for Noumed Pharmaceutical at Salisbury in northern Adelaide in partnership with Terre Property Partners. The plant, supported by $20 million from the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy, is UK group Noumed Life Sciences’s first production plant in Australia. Noumed is an integrated generics…

Laserbond enters WA market through Gateway acquisition

Surface engineering technologies company Laserbond has entered the Western Australian engineering market with the purchase of 40 percent of Gateway Parts & Equipment for $10 million. Laserbond has the right to acquire further shares after three years to obtain 51 percent of the company, with any subsequent purchase necessitating the approval of Gateway shareholders. The…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

MGA Thermal’s blocks go a simulated decade  Thermal energy storage company MGA Thermal has announced successful simulation of ten years’ working life for its MGA Blocks. The Blocks are used to store and discharge heat, use a purpose-designed miscibility gap alloy, and are being rapidly cycled to help inform customers what to expect from storage,…

Liberty seeks green hydrogen for Whyalla steel works

Steel maker GFG Alliance has signed a new agreement with the South Australian government seeking the supply of green hydrogen from a 250MW electrolyser under construction to feed the company’s Whyalla steel works. GFG has also entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with energy company Santos for potential long term natural gas supply to…

NSW government announces $275 million in net zero manufacturing grants

The NSW government has announced $275 million in Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative grants, which it says will help small businesses and others “take advantage of the transformation of our energy grid”. According to a statement from the government on Monday, the grants will be across three programs: Renewable manufacturing: increasing capacity to make the components…

Quasar selected for Catalyst Accelerator

Australian satellite communications business Quasar Satellite Technologies is among seven companies selected to participate in the 13th Catalyst Accelerator, a program run by the US Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV). Quasar has developed a technology based on CSIRO’s phased array research and is able to communicate with thousands of nanosatellites through one…

EOS joint venture takes technology to Middle East

Defence and communications manufacturer Electro Optic Systems has moved into the Middle East, inking a MOU leading to a joint venture with a local manufacturer to penetrate the region’s markets with its its remote weapons stations. The region is already the biggest customer for the RWS with ‘a Middle East customer’ placing an order worth…

RMIT 3D prints super strength titanium structures

A 3D printed ‘metamaterial’ boasting levels of strength for weight that have not been manufacturable could change how we make everything from medical implants to aircraft or rocket parts. RMIT University researchers created the new metamaterial – a term used to describe an artificial material with unique properties not observed in nature – from common…

Lava Blue to move to small scale HPA production

Battery minerals company Lava Blue is to expand its Predictive Research into Speciality Materials (PRiSM) centre which it is developing along with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The centre is developing a process for production of high purity alumina (HPA) from sapphire bearing kaolin clay deposits in North West Queensland. HPA is the essential…

Natural helium resource beckons for Gold Hydrogen

Natural hydrogen developer Gold Hydrogen has confirmed the presence of large reserves of helium gas underground on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Gold Hydrogen has confirmed the presence of helium in drilling of its Ramsay Project at up to 6.8 percent helium concentration in raw gas. Reserves are estimated at 96 billion cubic feet…

Government focus on defence innovation – Thistlethwaite

The Assistant Minister for defence Matt Thistlethwaite has spruiked the government’s response to the Defence Strategic Review in the field of defence innovation, including through joint work with AUKUS partners the US and the UK. The DSR found that more support is needed for innovation, faster acquisition and better links between Defence and industry to…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, February 19 – February 23, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Gilmour Space raises $55m, Eris rocket heads for space The historic launch of an Australian developed and manufactured rocket is closer with Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies closing a $55 million Series D capital raise ahead of…

Manufacturing profits briefs – stories you might have missed

Calix grows on revenue and margin gains in water businesses Industrial technology company Calix has reported a gross profit up 126 percent on the previous corresponding period to $12.2 million on revenue and other income up 28 percent to $16.3 million for the half year ended December 31, 2023. Growth was driven by revenue and…

Federal government approves Yanco Delta

The 1,500 megawatt Yanco Delta Wind Farm project has been approved and will be one of the country’s largest clean energy projects, the federal government has announced. The project is 10 kilometres north-west of Jerilderie on a 33,000-hectare site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River Local Government Area. The wind farm in the state’s South…

Gekko Systems launch updated online gold analyser

Ballarat, Victoria mining equipment manufacturer Gekko Systems has launched the OLGA Mk3 in process data and analysis instrumentation system which it said will deliver higher yields in gold processing plants Gekko Systems General Manager – Global Sales & Solutions Nigel Grigg said the OLGA online gold analyser was a flagship product for Gekko’s real-time data…

Desalination to unlock copper, green hydrogen and steel riches

The South Australian government and the private sector have funded studies, planning and negotiations to lead to a final investment decision on the Northern Water project servicing BHP’s copper mines and refineries and the burgeoning green hydrogen and steel industries. If progressed, Northern Water would see construction of a 260 megalitre a day desalination plant…

What makes an apprentice – apprentice profiles from NCVER

The latest report released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that the profile of a young person who is likely to undertake an apprenticeship over university remains largely unchanged since 2007. The impact of increasing university participation on the characteristics of apprentices report found that students who are more likely…

RAN orders two more evolved-cape class patrol boats from Austal

Perth shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a contract extension for the construction of two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy. The $157 million contract follows the procurement announcement made by the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA) on 23 November 2023 and brings the total number of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats being delivered…

K-Tig goes into administration

Automated welding manufacturer K-TIG has gone into administration, with Korda Mentha appointed as administrators. No reason was given for the move. Administrators have been appointed to K-TIG as well as a subsidiary Keyhole TIG Pty Ltd. The appointment does not extend to Keyhole TIG (USA) Inc. and Keyhole TIG (UK) Ltd which are continuing to…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Diraq opens commercial laboratory in Sydney Silicon-based quantum computing company Diraq opened its new commercial laboratory, located UNSW’s campus at Sydney, on Tuesday. The company, which announced a successful Series A-2 capital raise of $29 million (US$15m) last week, said the lab is “a critical step” in its plans “to leverage today’s semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure…

PVH solar tracker launches AxoneDuo Infinity

Solar tracker manufacturer PVH has unveiled the AxoneDuo Infinity tracker designed to maximise energy generation and suit Australian conditions. The latest innovation is set to transform Australia’s solar efficiency by offering adaptability across unique Australian conditions, including diverse configurations and unique terrain requirements, according to the Sydney company. Australia is expected to hit 50 percent…

Queensland’s Battery Industry Strategy aims to lead nation

The Queensland government has released an ambitious $570 million Queensland Battery Industry Strategy aiming to spur nation leading investment in renewable energy to create clean economy jobs. The strategy supports battery industry innovation, commercialisation, investment, supply-chain growth, and will promote Queensland nationally and internationally, according to a statement. It estimates that Queensland’s battery industry could…

CSIRO, Standards Australia release new tool for understanding standards on hydrogen projects

CSIRO and Standards Australia have launched HyStandards, an interactive tool designed to provide the relevant Australian and international standards for hydrogen projects to industry users.   CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission leader, Dr Patrick Hartley, said HyStandards allowed users to choose from five different scenarios which then display a list of applicable standards.  The scenarios are electrolyser…

RMIT-led team says their metal-ion “water batteries” are catching up to lead acid, lithium ion

An international team led by RMIT University is developing what they describe as recyclable “water batteries” that address the safety problems of lithium ion-based energy storage. Lithium-ion is the dominant type of battery chemistry – powering many household devices, vehicles and more – due to its technological maturity, but also presents safety concerns due to…

Samsara, lululemon debut results of nylon recycling R&D

Enzymatic recycling startup Samsara Eco and sportswear company lululemon have debuted the first results of a partnership announced in May last year: samples of a long-sleeve top made of recovered nylon 6,6.  In a statement on Wednesday, Samsara said the Swiftly Tech Long-Sleeve Top was both a world first and “a key milestone that brings…

Norweld expands to new Perth facility

Premium 4WD aluminium tray and canopy manufacturer Norweld has invested $5 million in a new 2,573sqm purpose-built facility in Wangara, Perth to meet demand from recreational and fleet customers. Once at full capacity the facility will employ 30 local staff and triple Norweld’s previous output capabilities in Western Australia, including servicing customers as far north…

iLaunch Trailblazer to develop composite structures for space

The iLAuNCH (Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics) Trailblazer project will apply the design flexibility and speed of additive manufacturing technology to develop large-scale carbon composite structures for rockets. Launch vehicles will require scalable production of low weight and high strength structures and components that can withstand the extreme loads, vibrations and shocks…

Orica expands with mining chemicals buy

Chemicals and explosives manufacturer Orica is to acquire 100 per cent of the common stock of Cyanco Intermediate 4 Corp. (Cyanco) (the Acquisition) from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (Cerberus) for US$640 million. The acquisition of Cyanco, a US-based leader in the manufacture and distribution of sodium cyanide primarily serving the gold mining…

CRC project aims to deliver composite “rudder flipper” for Ocius

A new R&D project led by marine company Ocius Technology and supported by the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC will optimise the use of wave energy, according to the ACM CRC. The project links Ocius with the University of New South Wales and will focus on wave energy for propulsion, harnessing energy for underwater flippers for…

Ampcontrol announces shared Destiny with offshore wind developer

Electrical engineering business Ampcontrol has announced that it is partnering with offshore wind developer, Star of the South, on the proposed Destiny Wind wind farm off the Hunter coast. An area covering 1,854 square kilometres off NSW’s Hunter region was declared suitable for offshore wind development by the federal government in July last year. It…

Rio Tinto doubles down to produce renewable aluminium

Miner and aluminium producer Rio Tinto has doubled down on its moves to decarbonise the aluminium production chain announcing a second and Australia’s largest renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) to supply its Gladstone operations in Queensland. The company has agreed to buy the majority of electricity from Windlab’s planned 1.4GW Bungaban wind energy project. The…

BlockTexx closes $7 million Series B

Textile recycling company BlockTexx has announced completion of a $7 million Series B round. BlockTexx said in a statement that funding came from existing investors and fashion innovation platform, Fashion for Good. Return investors include Artesian and seed investors Mike and Sue Gregg. The company is scaling up its novel chemical process, which is able…

Grant aids Townsville manufacturer NEM Group

Townsville manufacturer NEM Equipment Hire has been awarded $833,000 through the Made in Queensland programme to buy equipment to drive growth and create 20 new jobs over five years. The Queensland government manufacturing grant will enable the defence and agricultural steel fabricator to purchase a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Beamline machine that will expand manufacturing…

Queensland to build 400 low emission buses

The Queensland government has launched a new plan to deliver hundreds of locally made zero emission buses through direct government procurement. The new zero-emission buses will replace aging diesel buses in operation on the Translink network, with more than 400 buses locally manufactured, dependent on a competitive procurement process. The commitment builds on the Government’s…

Defence companies welcome plans for a larger navy fleet

Defence companies have quickly moved to welcome federal government plans for an enlarged Royal Australian Navy surface fleet at a cost of $11.1 billion over 10 years. Raytheon Australia Managing Director Michael Ward said the planned fleet wiould provide Australia with a much more potent naval capability encompassing significantly enhanced vertically launched strike and air…

Bigger fleet, more firepower, jobs for decades – just add dollars!

By Peter Roberts It is amazing what a little cold hard cash – an extra $11 billion bringing the total to $38 billion over 10 years to be exact – can do. The federal government has tried to work wonders by piling the cash into the defence budget to achieve three of what seemed like…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

a2 Milk Company grows despite decline in China market The a2 Milk Company, which pioneered the use of a2 proteins in milk as a healthy alternative, has reported positive results for 1H24. Revenue was up 3.7 percent to $812.1 million and EBITDA profit up five percent to $113.2 million despite a double-digit decline in the…

MRFF awards $50 million to Australian team developing artificial heart

The federal government has announced $50 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to assist development and commercialisation of an Australian inventor’s total artificial heart, which uses a rotor rather than pulsation to move blood through a patient’s body. According to a statement on Tuesday from federal health minister Mark Butler, the grant to…

PARKD to begin $4.3 million works at car storage facility 

Prebricated building solutions business PARKD has announced that it will proceed with Stage 2 of its design and construction contract with John Hughes Automotive Group, for a multi-level car storage facility supporting a  VW service centre in Victoria Park, Perth.  According to a statement on Tuesday from the ASX-listed PARKD, Stage 2 services involve “supply,…

Seven Group makes $1.2bn offer for Boral

Seven Group Holdings (SGH) has made a $1.2 billion offer to move to full ownership of building products group Boral, adding to the Perth company’s diverse group of media and industrial companies. SGH currently holds 71.6 percent of Boral, with the offer pitched at 0.1116 SGH shares and $1.50 cash per Boral share – an…

Alpha HPA to produce first synthetic sapphire

Downstream mineral processor Alpha HPA has announced that its plans to construct Australia’s first growth facilities for synthetic sapphire used in high technology industries are advancing at Gladstone in Queensland. The company is commercialising sapphire production utilising the Austrian Ebner-Fametec sapphire growth technology utilising Alpha’s high purity alumina feedstock. Sapphire glass is ultra-pure glass used…

Cochlear sales boom as market share rises

Hearing implant manufacturer Cochlear has reported a 20 percent jump in sales for the half year ended December, 2023 to $1.1 billion, driven by strong growth in cochlear implants and sound processor software upgrades. Cochlear implant units increase by 14 percent as the company consolidated market share gains and strong growth in developed and emerging…

Grants up to $100,000 announced for “renewables and low emission” project feasibility studies

The federal government has opened a new round of the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII), offering grants of up to $100,000 to startup and SME companies targeting “renewables and low emission practices”. In a statement from industry minister Ed Husic on Monday, companies were invited to submit their “innovative proposals for ideas that address…

Pilbara hydrogen hub gets $140m government backing

The federal and Western Australian governments have finalised a $140 million agreement to support construction of a hydrogen hub in the Pilbara in Western Australia. The Pilbara Hydrogen Hub is planned as a major centre for hydrogen production and export, with the potential to become an international gateway to Australian-made green steel and iron. The…

Gilmour Space raises $55m, Eris rocket heads for space

The historic launch of an Australian developed and manufactured rocket is closer with Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies closing a $55 million Series D capital raise ahead of the company’s maiden orbital launch later this year. Led by Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) with Blackbird, Main Sequence and Australian superannuation funds HostPlus and HESTA, the capital…

Innovate to Grow opens for WA agrifood companies

Applications have opened for Western Australian agrifood companies under the CSIRO’s free ten-week program for SMEs and startups, Innovate to Grow. The round is being delivered with support from the state government’s department of primary industries, with the first workshop to take place on April 11. It will offer participants collaboration opportunities with mentors from…

Hazer completes $9 million raise

Chemical engineering company Hazer Group announced on Monday that it has received binding commitments amounting to $9 million, before costs, under a placement.  The firm commitments for ordinary, fully-paid share came from “institutional, sophisticated and professional investors” and at an issue price of $0.50 per share, “together with a free attaching quoted HRZO class option…

‘Green’ or ‘blue’ hydrogen – what difference does it make? Not much for most Australians

By Mitchell Scovell, CSIRO and Andrea Walton, CSIRO Hydrogen can play a key role in Australia’s energy transition by giving us additional ways of storing and moving energy around. As the world shifts towards cleaner energy production, there’s a push to make hydrogen production cleaner as well. In Australia, low-emission hydrogen is produced in two…

Critical mineral nickel slump spurs government action

A slump in prices for the critical mineral nickel – used in battery manufacture – has brought action from the federal and Western Australian governments. In the past few days federal Resources Minister Madeleine King placed nickel on the Critical Minerals List, giving nickel companies opportunity to access billions of dollars in Commonwealth funding. And…

Singaporean rockets set for Arnhem space port launch

Spaceport operator and launch technology infrastructure company, Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Singaporean rocket company Equatorial Space Systems (ESS) to launch Dorado suborbital rockets at the Arnhem Space Centre. ESS has plans for rockets including orbital rockets and the MOU paves the way for a…

Queensland gets back in the venture capital game

By Peter Roberts The Queensland government is getting back in the venture capital game and directly investing in young – and inherently risky – businesses. State owned VCs have been on the nose since the failure of the Victorian Economic Development Corporation and subsequent abolition in 1993, its demise as much a result of the…

Carbon Revolution sales up, US listed shares down

By Peter Roberts Australian-born, US based automotive wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution has announced preliminary sales for the fiscal second-quarter ending December 2023 of a record US$14.8 million, exceeding previously announced guidance for the quarter of US$14.0M-US$14.5M. For the year ended December 31, 2023, revenue increased 42 percent to US$40.3 million. CEO of Carbon Revolution Jake…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, February 12 – February 16, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Legrand is competitive with local manufacture – why not others? In all the orgy of offshoring that has hollowed out Australian manufacturing in the past few decades, few have stopped to ask why do those companies that remain…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Orica the latest to create value from unused land Chemical and explosives business Orica has sold 66 hectares of unused industrial land at Deer Park in Melbourne to UniSuper for $260 million. The sale, stage 1 of a land sale process, netted a net profit after tax of $173 million for the Melbourne company. The…

Powering Australia industry growth centre announced

The federal government has awarded $14 million to Powering Australia Limited to establish the Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre to help Australian businesses manufacture renewable energy technologies. The Centre which stems from the Energy Storage CRC and Curtin University will fund activities and provide services to: help commercialise locally manufactured renewable energy technologies and ideas…

K-TIG confirms UK acquisition not going ahead

Automated welding company K-TIG has announced that an acquisition of UK’s Graham Engineering Limited (GEL) will not go ahead, blaming a challenging environment and GEL’s trading performance. In a short statement on Friday morning, the company confirmed that the planned acquisition – first shared by company in January last year, and aimed at gaining K-TIG…

BluGlass teams up with Applied Energetics 

ASX-listed compound semiconductor developer BluGlass has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with US defence and dual-use photonics company, Applied Energetics, with the two companies to work together on military and commercial applications.  In a statement on Friday, BluGlass said the work would leverage its high-performance gallium nitride (GaN) distributed feedback (DFB) lasers “in Applied…

Cleanaway’s strong profit growth on business reform

Cleanaway Waste Management has posted strong profit growth as its waste management services grow and the company reaps the benefits of its Blueprint 2030 restructuring platform. The company reported underlying EBIT profit of $173.9 million, up 25.7 percent on the previous corresponding period on revenue up 7.9 percent to $1.59 billion for the first half,…

Swift action needed to bolster defence industry – Robert Nioa

NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa has called for swift action to boost Australia’s defence industry so it could play a part in a future Indo-Pacific allied military force. Speaking to the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Queensland Nioa said decisive action was needed due to a ‘palpable’ escalation of geopolitical tensions. Nioa recently inked an…

German funding for solar methanol project for Port Augusta

Hamburg-based energy company Mabanaft has received a grant approval from the German Projektträger Jülich backing the construction of a new green methanol plant in Port Augusta, South Australia. Together with Australian renewable energy company Vast, Mabanaft is developing plans to build a demonstration plant with a capacity of around 7,500 tonnes of green methanol per…

Penfolds could be headed for China after March – Treasury Wine Estates

Treasury Wine Estates, the maker of Penfolds wine, is preparing to re-enter the Chinese market as soon as the market reopens as expected to Australian exports. The company, which reoriented itself towards luxury and premium wine brands to make up for the loss of profits from China, told investors that it expected China to release…

Syntara’s SNT-5505 moves ahead in clinical trials

Syntara has announced that a Phase 2 trial evaluating the combination treatment of its SNT-5505 with chemotherapy will go ahead for patients with a form of blood cancer. In a statement this week, the ASX-listed drug development company – formerly known as Pharmaxis – said that its SNT-5505 (previously known as PXS-5505) would be trialled…

Visy launches $50 million expansion at Laverton site

Visy has officially opened its upgraded glass recycling facility at Laverton, Victoria which recently doubled processing capacity to 200,000 tonnes per annum. According to a statement from state environment minister Steve Dimopoulos – who opened the facility on Thursday – the $50 million expansion includes delivering 20 new optical sorters for processing glass pieces as…

New data shows green shoots on R&D investment: Husic

The federal government has published the latest Science, Research and Innovation budget tables, and will spend $12.6 billion in the 2023 – 24 financial year, made up of $9.2 billion in direct R&D and $3.4 billion through the Research and Development Tax Incentive. According to a statement on Thursday from industry minister Ed Husic, the…

CSL’s earnings jump as blood plasma products boom

Biotechnology giant CSL has reported net profit after tax for the six months ended December 31 of $1.9 billion, up 20 percent on the previous corresponding period. Underlying net profit was $2.02, set on revenue up 11 percent to $8.05 billion. CSL CEO and Managing Director Dr Paul McKenzie said: “Our strong first half result…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Scott Basham resigns as Group CEO of HighCom Scott Basham, Group CEO of ASX-listed defence business HighCom Group — known as XTEK until November last year — has tendered his resignation to the board. “It’s been a tremendous privilege to lead and work with such a great group of people over that time all around…

Now Port Pirie plans to be a green iron production hub

Not content with Whyalla’s emergence as a green steel production hub, a second South Australian city – Port Pirie – has joined the race to become a green metals hub based on the state’s huge reserves of magnetite ore. While haematite from the Pilbara has been the source of most of Australia’s iron ore exports,…

UQ team develops potential prevention and cure for invasive fungal disease in plants

New research from a University of Queensland team published in Communications Biology shows a promising treatment for myrtle rust, using engineered RNA and applied to crops through an environmentally-friendly spray. According to a statement from UQ, Mitter Lab researchers Professor Neena Mitter, PhD candidate Rebecca Degnan and Dr Anne Sawyer found that both infection in…

ANSTO’s $13.9 million to advance critical minerals processing

Processing of rare earth elements will be a key area of focus for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Minerals unit following a $13.9 million funding allocation under the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub. The Minister for Resources and Minister Madeleine King announced the funding for a research project to accelerate the…

Nanodiamond textiles could cool clothing faster

Researchers from RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart textiles that can cool people down faster. The study found fabric made from cotton coated with nanodiamonds, using a method called electrospinning, showed a reduction of two to three degrees Celsius during the cooling down process compared to untreated cotton. They do this by drawing…

Nupress to make NSM missile components

The Nupress Group is the latest SME to be awarded a contract to supply components for the new KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile. Nupress is to partner with Kongsberg Defence Australia to deliver ‘First Class’ manufacturing with the supply of mechanical components for the NSM capability being delivered under Project SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy…

TRaCE, Virescent invest $1.6 million through Climate 10x accelerator program

The Trailblazer for Recycling & Clean Energy (TRaCE) and Virescent Ventures have announced that they will partner to invest $1.6 million in climate tech startups through UNSW Founders Climate 10x accelerator program.  The 10x program accepted its first intake last year, with a program running from August 2 until October 6, with a demo day…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Austal’s 18th LCS warship for the US Navy completes acceptance trials The future USS Kingsville constructed by Austal USA, part of the Perth-based shipbuilder Austal, has successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S. Navy. During acceptance trials, comprehensive testing is conducted on the ship’s major systems and equipment in order…

RWC to acquire Holman Industries for $160 million

Plumbing solutions company Reliance Worldwide Corporation has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Holman Industries for $160 million ($US 105 million), a seven times multiple on Holman’s EBITDA for the last 12 months.  Holman is a Perth-headquartered, family-owned manufacturer and distributor of branded plumbing and watering products, sold through retail and…

ClearVue achieves fire safe certification for solar glazing unit

Perth-based building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) company ClearVue Technologies has achieved fire safe certification for buildings over 18 metres tall and in high-risk environments, In a statement on Tuesday, the company said their solar glazing unit was certified under “stringent classifications for non-combustibility, little or no smoke propagation, and no flaming droplets” by TÜV SÜD under the…

Diraq raises $23m for quantum computing development

Sydney-based quantum computing startup Diraq has completed a Series A-2 capital raise of $29 million (US$15m) to advance the company’s R&D initiatives to realise the full potential of quantum computing. The funding for Diraq, a leader in quantum computing based on silicon quantum dots, was led by Paris-based specialist investor Quantonation with participation from John…

CSL shares plunge on medical trial disappointment

Biotechnology manufacturer CSL has failed to prove the efficacy of one of its most promising drugs under development – CSL112 (apolipoprotein A-I [human]). As recently as last year the Melbourne company was testing the drug in reducing the risk of follow on adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or…

$51 million for CRC-P industry research collaborations

The federal government has committed $51 million to support collaboration between industry and researchers under Round 15 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P). The 21 grants support industry-led projects with promising commercial potential that solve a wide range of community and economic challenges, from diagnosing life-threatening infections more quickly to innovative environmental recycling processes.…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Great Wrap launches compostable machine pallet wrap Stretch wrap business Great Wrap has launched a new machine pallet wrap (pictured) made from compostable biopolymers. The company took to social media and said: There has been a lot of research, trials, and material development happening behind the scenes to get it ready for launch. Pallet wrap…

BluGlass raises $4.3 million through placement, aims to raise another $9 million through SPP

ASX-listed compound semiconductor company BluGlass has received $4.3 million in commitments from institutional and sophisticated investors in what it describes as “a strongly supported share placement” at an issue price of $0.037 per share. According to an announcement from BluGlass on Monday, it is also undertaking a share purchase plan offer to enable eligible shareholders…

Calix near zero emissions steel set to be cost competitive

Low emission industrial technologies developer Calix has completed a front end engineering and design (FEED) study which found the company’s near zero emission ZESTY process was cost competitive with traditional high emissions iron making. Calix told investors that the study for a 30,000 tonne per annum Zero Emission Steel Technology (ZESTY) Hydrogen Direct Reduced Iron…

Ex-Arm chief announced as new Silicon Quantum Computing Chair

Sydney quantum computing hardware manufacturer Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) has announced the former CEO of Arm Holdings, Simon Segars, as the company’s new Chair, effective January 28. Segars was employee number 16 in 1991 when he joined Arm, a British-headquartered software and semiconductor design company which was founded the year before and which is now…

First battery graphite produced in WA

International Graphite has successful commissioned its new qualification-scale graphite micronising plant (pictured) at Collie, south of Perth which will produce graphite used in battery anodes. The 200tpa microniser is the largest in Australia and a milestone in the development of a domestic graphite industry, according to the company. International Graphite told investors: “It will be…

Legrand is competitive with local manufacture – why not others?

By Peter Roberts In all the orgy of offshoring that has hollowed out Australian manufacturing in the past few decades, few have stopped to ask why do those companies that remain local manufacturers remain here, when so many now source offshore? Palash Nandy, CEO of electrical equipment manufacturer Legrand Australia and New Zealand, has been…

Ghost Bat manufacture within 2-3 years – Boeing

Boeing Australia is planning to have the Australian production capability to move to commercial manufacture of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within two to three years. With funding of $400 million in funding for the production of three more prototype Ghost Bats at Boeing’s Melbourne factory announced on Friday, the company expressed…

Australian AI system developed for uncrewed vehicles

BAE Systems Australia and Trusted Autonomous Systems (TAS) have completed a four-year research and demonstration programme developing an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that could be used in uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV). The companies developed the TAGVIEW (Trusted Autonomous Ground Vehicles in Electronic Warfare) system which allows multiple UGVs to operate simultaneously to carry out…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, February 5 – February 9, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) AMSL Aero secures first customer for VTOL aircraft Australian zero emission aircraft manufacturer AMSL Aero has signed an order and received deposits for 10 of its Vertiia vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, with an option for 10 more.…

Finally, the Polly Waffle is back – but not as we know and love it

By Peter Roberts Finally the Polly Waffle – that strangely popular chocolate bar made of baked waffle filled with marshmallow – is back.. That’s the good news. Not so good is that Adelaide confectionery manufacturer Robern Menz, which bought the rights to the Polly Waffle from Nestle, is not returning to the market with a…

Hunter Cleantech Accelerator awarded $438,375 funding from NSW government

The University of Newcastle’s Hunter Cleantech Accelerator has been awarded $438,375 in funding through the NSW government’s Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund. The accelerator is operated through the university’s Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) and is “designed to build the capability and competitiveness of tech-enabled entrepreneurs” in the region, according to a statement from University of Newcastle…

BlueScope, Rio, BHP to test low emission electric steel smelting

BlueScope Steel and iron ore producers BHP and Rio Tinto have entered a partnership that could see the construction of a low emission Electric Smelting Facility (ESF) pilot plant which could cut carbon emissions in the steelmaking process by 80 percent. The ESF is capable of producing iron suitable for the basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS)…

Westpac business snapshot picks up on cautious optimism

A new quarterly survey by Westpac shows Australian businesses juggling reduced consumer demand and other challenges, though being “well positioned” at this early stage in the calendar year, according to the bank. “Progress on cost inflation is more than offsetting the decline in demand, meaning businesses have fared relatively well and have not yet had…

Ghost Bat UAV takes off with $400m funding

The federal government has pushed forward with plans to develop and field the MQ-28A Ghost Bat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which is seen as a companion for manned Royal Australian Air Force planes. The government said it has secured hundreds of highly skilled jobs while driving industry innovation with the allocation of an additional $399…

GoZero gets bank backing for bus electrification

Transport electrification group GoZero has received $80 million in asset finance facilities from the Commonwealth Bank which will fund the electrification of the bus fleets of Sydney independent schools. The schools, including Queenwood, Knox Grammar and Scots College, through GoZero’s charter business the NSBC Group, will have their diesel buses replaced by battery electric buses…

Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers — only four weeks left to nominate

There are now just four weeks left to nominate for Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers, this title’s prestigious annual awards program and merit list. We have plenty of profiles coming up from this year’s nominees, where you can learn how and why your peers innovate. This week we featured BlockTexx, with co-founder Graham Ross sharing…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Cochlear upgrades profit outlook on strong implant sales Hearing implant manufacturer Cochlear has upgraded earnings guidance following better than expected growth in revenue from bionic ear implant sales. The company told investors underlying net profit for FY24 was now expected to be between $385-400 million, a 26 to 31 percent increase on FY23. The upgrade…

Grants for improving SME energy efficiency

The federal government has announced a further $41 million in Energy Efficiency Grants (EEG) for Small and Medium Enterprises to improve energy efficiency, save on energy bills and lower emissions, taking the total size of the scheme to $62 million. The grants between $10,000 and $25,000 can be used to upgrade to more efficient equipment…

AUSROAD takes undisclosed stake in startup Jevons Robotics

Perth mining automation company Jevons Robotics has announced that Ausroad Manufacturing, a maker of specialist road maintenance and mine support vehicles, has become a strategic investor. In a statement on Tuesday, Jevons said that the pair were now poised to “embark on a series of collaborative projects in the coming years”. The size of the…

NeuRizer urea production snapped up by second buyer

Coal to fertiliser producer NeuRizer has secured a second customer for its one million tonne per annum urea plant under construction at the former Leigh Creek brown coal field in mid-north South Australia. The company told investors it had signed a Term Sheet with Samsung C&T Corporation to negotiate a 5-year Sales and Marketing Agreement…

Technicians offer to rebuild Taipan helicopters for Ukraine – reports

Engineers who once worked on Australia’s now grounded fleet of Taipan helicopters have volunteered to rebuild the aircraft for use by Ukraine rather than dispose of them by disassembly, according to media reports. Australia’s taipans have had a troubled history, never meeting defence performance criteria since their acquisition from 2007. However now they will be…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Titomic sells 3D print system to Volvo Machinery manufacturer Titomic has sold a D523 low-pressure cold spray additive manufacturing system to the Volvo Group of Sweden for a contract price of $90,865. The unit will be used in the company’s repair and remanufacture operations and ‘is a testament to the company’s growing recognition and credibility…

US boosts Technegas sales for Cyclopharm

Radiopharmaceutical manufacturer Cyclopharm has announced unaudited FY23 revenue up 14 percent to $28.9 million and increasing momentum in the roll out of its Technegas lung imaging technology in the United States. The US launch has resulted in 80 issued contracts to date, covering more than 280 individual institutions, of which six are at the final…

Prefab car park company makes commercial progress with Bluescope subsidiary

Construction technology company PARKD has announced entry into Binding Commercial Terms with Fielders Steel Roofing (a division of BlueScope Steel) for the licencing of PARKD’s Metal Deck Support System (MDSS) and intellectual property.  The news follows a successful 120-day due diligence term announced in September 2023. Western Australia-based PARKD is a developer of modular, multi-storey…

NATA announces speaker lineup for two-day Accreditation Matters 2024 conference

The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) has announced its initial speaker lineup for its Accreditation Matters 2024 event in June, headlined by a keynote from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and featuring presentations from the National Measurement Institute (NMI), Standards Australia (SA), CSIRO, and others. In a statement on Wednesday, NATA said the event…

New project targets growing satellite robotics industry

A new $2.3 million project led by University of Sydney, and supported by industry partners Abyss Solutions, ANT61, Space Machines Company, Sperospace and Spiral Blue, focusses on robotic satellite technologies for in-orbit repairs and maintenance. “With the number of satellites and spacecraft in orbit increasing rapidly, there’s a greater likelihood of malfunctions and collisions,” said…

Defence gets more helicopters, adds maintenance jobs

The federal government has ordered more training helicopters, speeded the delivery of Black Hawk helicopters and has beefed up the related maintenance effort in a move to boost the mobility of the Australian Army. The United States is expediting delivery of three extra Black Hawk helicopters in 2024, seeing a total of 12 aircraft on…

Altech makes progress with silicon battery prototypes

Silicon battery developer Altech Batteries has reported ‘excellent progress’ in the manufacture of prototype CERENERGY battery developed in joint venture with Germany’s Fraunhofer IKTS institute. Fraunhofer has developed a pilot plant in Hermsdorf, Germany which has been building two 60 kWh silicon battery pack prototypes designed for the grid storage market since 2023. The battery…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Gaia EnviroTech welcomes new investors in decarbonisation Gaia EnviroTech management and team has hosted key investors at its first board meeting following the recent equity investment in Gaia EnviroTech by RFC Ambrian Funds Management (RFM). Bioenergy decarbonisation developer Gaia EnviroTech was spun out of Ballarat, Victoria based Gekko Systems in 2023 in advance of capital…

Extel Technologies acquires Synergetics

Melbourne-headquartered product development and electronics engineering company Extel Technologies has announced the acquisition of Monterey, California-based contract electronics manufacturer Synergetics Manufacturing, following “several years of diligent efforts”. In a statement on Monday, Extel said the acquisition is a culmination of a long-time presence in California in pursuit of its US expansion plan and would add…

Defence manufacturers receive $3.4m in grants

The federal government is investing $3.4 million in 10 defence manufacturers in the latest round of the Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority programmes announced today. The new grants will provide 50 per cent matching grants to support the delivery of cutting-edge defence capabilities, creating more than 50 jobs and helping to drive…

Designs for lunar soil sampling device revealed

Australian freelancing marketplace Freelancer.com and space consortium ELO2 announced the phase one winners of a challenge to design a sampling device for Lunar soil, known as regolith. The ELO2 Big Dipper Lunar Regolith Acquisition Challenge was set up to identify designs of a Regolith Sample Acquisition Device, a crucial component of a proposed Australian lunar…

Federal government announces $35 million for new bioengineered cornea factory

A new factory for corneas will be established at University of Sydney, following a $35 million investment from the Medical Research Future Fund. According to a short statement from health minister Mark Butler on Tuesday, the facility will be able to “produce, store and ship bioengineered corneas across Australia and the world” and address the…

Non profits to join Industry Growth Program

The federal government has announced that not-for-profit industry organisations can now apply for grants to provide expert, sector-specific advice to startups and scaleups taking part in its $392.4 million Industry Growth Program. The programme, a replacement for the six Industry Growth Centres (IGCs), will now make available Industry Partner Organisation (IPO) grants of between $500,000…

Wind farm and battery to help power Olympic Dam

The decarbonisation of Australia’s mining and metals refining sector is picking up pace with BHP’s giant Olympic Dam copper mine and metals refinery in South Australia turning to solar power and battery energy storage. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is investing $99 million to boost to Neoen’s Goyder wind farm – which will provide electricity…

Birdon buys US shipyard to expand defence operations

Defence boat builder Birdon Group has announced that Birdon America Inc. has acquired Metal Shark Boats 32-acre shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. This acquisition brings a fully developed shipyard into the Port Macquarie, NSW maritime engineer’s portfolio of facilities allowing the company to expand its US shipbuilding and repair services, according to a statement.…

Dotz Nano to raise $12m for carbon capture technology

Australian listed, Israel based climate tech company Dotz Nano has entered into a funding agreement with Mercer Street Global Opportunity Fund, a US-based investment fund managed by Mercer Street Capital Partners to raise up to $12 million. The funds from the issue of convertible notes will be used primarily to accelerate the development of the…

Pacific Green plans battery storage park for Portland’s industrial zone

Renewable energy project company Pacific Green has proposed development of a 2.5 gigawatt hour grid-scale battery energy park in Portland, located near the Portland Aluminium smelter (pictured) and Portland Water Treatment Plant. According to a statement from Pacific Green on Monday, it will develop approximately 30 hectares for the proposed energy park. The park would…

Bradfield City Centre Master Plan released

The draft Bradfield City Centre Master Plan has been released for community feedback, establishing a framework for the new 114-hectare city and representing major progress in one of Australia’s biggest economic development projects, according to the NSW government. The city centre is predicted to create 20,000 direct jobs, position itself as the nation’s “premier hub…

German energy management company expands in Australia

Hamburg, Germany-headquartered energy management business 1KOMMA5°, has announced a new partnership with Australian renewable energy and air conditioning company Kozco Energy Group. According to 1KOMMA5° it grew revenues over 2,000 per cent over 2021 to 2023, and is aiming to develop “a global one-stop-shop” for private and commercial customers wanting to link energy producing and…

AMSL Aero secures first customer for VTOL aircraft

Australian zero emission aircraft manufacturer AMSL Aero has signed an order and received deposits for 10 of its Vertiia vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, with an option for 10 more. The order for the hydrogen powered airctaft is from the company’s first civil customer Aviation Logistics, paving the way for emission-free flying across Australia.…

New vehicle efficiency standards will save fleet operators cash

The federal government has announced a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard for Australia which it claims will ultimately save new car buyers $1,000 a year in fuel bills – and business users even more. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement that the United States has had a similar policy in place…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, January 29 – February 2, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Federal government to contribute $70 million for Townsville hydrogen hub The federal government has announced “up to $70 million” in funding to support development of the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub in Queensland, with construction expected to be…

Bodd sizes up potentially huge apparel markets

@AuManufacturing is on the hunt to identify and celebrate Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers. Here, Peter Roberts profiles one of 2023’s most innovative – 3D scanning manufacturer for the apparel sector, Bodd. In a back street off trendy Chapel Street Prahran in Melbourne what looks like a warehouse converted to a town house is the…

Synchron buys into German precision manufacturer

Australian/US brain-computer interface company Synchron has announced that it has taken an equity stake in Germany-based ACQUANDAS, a manufacturer of precision components for healthcare and other industries. No details were given about the size of the stake, but the company said its investment “strengthens our technology innovation and supply chain for our unique product offerings,…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

GME launches handheld UHF CB radio Australian-owned communications manufacturer GME has launched its Australian made XRS-660 Handheld UHF CB Radio (pictured.) The radio enables people to stay in touch, even in mobile phone black spot areas, with only 27 per cent of the Australian landmass covered by mobile phone reception. The XRS-660 is the first…

Australia can successfully manufacture for solar PV industry, says new report

A technoeconomic analysis of four stages in the solar photovoltaic supply chain in the new Silicon 2 Solar roadmap shows a credible case for Australia becoming a viable solar manufacturer, according to the report’s authors. Research on the new Silicon 2 Solar roadmap is led by a non for profit member body the Australian Photovoltaic…

Resources minister less than enthusiastic on green hydrogen

By Peter Roberts Anyone looking for the federal government to put emissions-producing exports behind it and focus on zero emissions exports of green hydrogen and ammonia would be disappointed at a major speech just delivered by Resources Minister Madeline King to Japanese industry leaders at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. In a long speech King…

BlueScope to invest $1.15 billion, retain sovereign steelmaking

The Chief Executive Australian Steel Products, BlueScope Steel Tania Archibald (pictured) has confirmed BlueScope will invest $1.15 billion to reline and upgrade its idled No. 6 Blast Furnace at Port Kembla. However at a media conference with Climate Change and Energy minister Chris Bowen, Archibald said the company remained committed to achieving net zero by…

Australian Vanadium merges with TMT Australia

Battery developer Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) and Technology Metals Australia have completed their merger, creating a stronger business developing a mine to battery value chain for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The merger also brings together the companies’ adjoining mining leases at Gabanintha, south of Meekatharra in Western Australia, where AVL plans mining which will…

JAG says robotic welding investment will create 15 new jobs

JAG Welding has been awarded $794,146 in grant funding by the Queensland government, which the company says will help it invest in installing a new robotic welding arm and software. According to a statement on Wednesday from state manufacturing minister Glenn Butcher, the project will create an estimated “15 new full-time jobs and up to…

First Hydrogen from gas produced in WA plant

Clean technology developer Hazer Group has announced the production of the first hydrogen and graphite at its commercial demonstration plant (CDP) in Perth. The plant at the Western Australian Water Board’s Woodman Point wastewater treatment plant will be ramped up during Q1, 2024 to achieve full production. Performance testing will focus on achieving continuous production…

Hydrogen Innovation Challenge launched

Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, an initiative within industry body the Smart Energy Council, has announced the launch of its Hydrogen Innovation Challenge. The challenge offers the winner free publicity in the council’s magazine, a showcase at its Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition in Sydney next month, and a 12-month membership with the organisation. Nominations opened…

NRF Corporation appoints Ivan Power as CEO 

The federal government’s signature manufacturing initiative, the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, is progressing with the appointment of an inaugural CEO and a new form for submitting proposals added to its website. The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation board was appointed in August last year, with a search for a CEO announced in October.  The board…

$1.9 million for Queensland businesses to scale-up

Twenty eight Queensland small businesses will share in $1.9 million to help them grow through the latest round of the state’s Business Growth Fund. Through the fund, eligible Queensland small businesses can access grants of up to $75,000 to purchase specialised equipment to accelerate growth, increase production and expand their workforce. Business Growth Fund recipients…

CSIRO, Swinburne to study steel, metals decarbonisation

CSIRO and Swinburne University of Technology have established a new partnership to tackle global decarbonisation through research into green steel and mineral processing research and development. The collaboration will build research capability to help industry investigate low-emission steel technologies to guide future demonstrations and industry development, according to CSIRO. The ‘Sustainable Mineral Processing and Green…

Zeolites to be trialed to curb methane emissions

Mineral processing technology company Zeotech is to proceed to an infield validation trial of its methane emissions control technologye at one of Cleanaway Waste Management’s landfills. Developed at Griffith University, the technology has achieved ‘very promising results’ during testing according to Zeotech. The test programme aims to develop zeolite-based technology (biofilter) to be deployed within…

New standards adopted for identifying products

Standards provider GS1 Australia has announced the release of new Australian Standards by Standards Australia, marking a pivotal milestone towards a more uniform Australia. These new standards incorporate the use of standard GS1 keys, which enable organisations to assign standard identifiers to products, components, documents, assets, and physical locations, according to an announcement. The keys…

Government announces $200 million for “clean, green Aussie made steel”

The federal government has announced $200 million in grant funding through the first round of the Powering the Regions Fund (PRF), awarded to upgrade steelmaking at BlueScope’s Port Kembla and Liberty Steel’s Whyalla sites. In a statement on Wednesday, the two grants were described as: $136.8 million to assist BlueScope with the reline and upgrade…

VSUN Energy completes first vanadium flow battery

VSUN Energy has completed the manufacture of its first vanadium flow battery (VFB, pictured) at its Western Australian facility with factory testing being undertaken in Q1, 2024. The company, owned by vanadium producer Australian Vanadium, said the prototype residential battery has 5kWH of power and 15kWh storage capacity and would then be installed in a…

Global trends challenging, exports down in 2023: Wine Australia

Exports were down 2 per cent by value to $1.9 billion and 3 per cent by volume to 607 million litres in the last calendar year, Wine Australia’s Australian Wine Export Report shows. The export figures, published by the federal agency on Wednesday, show an improvement versus the September quarter’s export report, though figures remain…

Minister denies Australian industry lagging on drones

Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite has rejected media criticism quoting military sources that defence urgently needs to add killer drones to its arsenal to give Australian forces a fighting chance on the modern battlefield. Responding on radio Thistlethwaite said: “The Australian Defence Force is investing in new drone technology and I’ve seen that firsthand.…

Norweld launches 4×4 tray after R&D effort

Aluminium 4WD tray and canopy manufacturer Norweld has unveiled a new generation tray design (pictured) – the result of a 2.5 year investment in research and development worth $750,000. The Elite tray launch comes after Norweld’s most successful year to date, the company in 2023 opening two new purpose-built facilities in Brisbane’s north and Perth,…

Tivan progresses critical mineral fluorite project

The board of mineral producer Tivan has resolved to progress the Speewah Fluorite Project and has begun a pre-feasibility study following the completion of an internal assessment. Located in north-west Western Australia Speewah is the largest, highest grade vanadium in titanomagnetite resource in the world as well as housing an inferred resource of 27.2 million…

Micro-X demonstrates micro-CT and passenger X-ray scanners

Cold cathode X-ray manufacturer Micro-X has demonstrated the micro-CT scanner for detecting strokes at the point of care, and passenger baggage scanner it is developing for the US Department of Homeland Security under a US$14 million contract. The Adelaide company said delivery of the first fully functional prototype of the CT baggage scanner from its…

Federal government to contribute $70 million for Townsville hydrogen hub

The federal government has announced “up to $70 million” in funding to support development of the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub in Queensland, with construction expected to be complete in 2026. In a statement on Tuesday, energy minister Chris Bowen said that “with its port, expertise in exports and access to Queensland’s abundant solar resources” the…

Defence to trial drones in Innovation Incubation Challenge

Aerial drones will be testsed as part of a federal government initiative aimed at supporting innovation and delivering capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). A total of 11 companies have signed contracts to provide a prototype of a drone, known as an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), for demonstration in April along with a production…

Hydrogen projects strike gold in SA and Brisbane

Green hydrogen projects from Lion Energy and Gold Hydrogen are powering ahead sited in the Port of Brisbane and in rural South Australia. Lion Energy has progressed its green hydrogen production and refuelling project in Brisbane and is now considering new joint venture partners for the project. Meanwhile Gold Hydrogen has struck naturally occurring hydrogen…

Prysmian expands to supply Telstra’s intercity fibre network

Italian-headquartered cable company Prysmian Group has said it expects to make new hires after an expansion at its factory on Sydney’s northern beaches to supply Telstra’s intercity fibre network. Prysmian was selected by Telstra in 2022 to provide fibre optical cable for Telstra InfraCo. The network will cover an estimated 14,000 kilometres, following the addition…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Viraleze shows efficacy in Covid-19 patients – Starpharma Starpharma’s Viraleze antiviral nasal spray has demonstrated antiviral efficacy in a placebo-controlled study in participants with Covid-19. Viraleze achieved a statistically significant reduction in SARS-CoV-2 viral load, in the cohort of participants aged 45 and over. Viral load in the nose was reduced by 80 percent less…

52 critical minerals projects ready to go

The federal government has released an Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus which showcases 52 high-quality, investment ready critical minerals projects. Projects ripe for funding include mining, processing and value adding opportunities across the critical minerals supply chain, according to the prospectus. Australia’s critical mineral resources are considered vital in the global shift to green technology such…

This is how far Grant Tinney is prepared to go for charity

Many industrial leaders and companies are active and generous in the charity space, but few are prepared to go as far as Grant Tinney, Founder, Chairman and CTO at STÄRKE Advanced Manufacturing Group. Tinney took to social media to celebrate one of his boldest achievements – helping create and participating in the 11th annual Marilyn…

Appointment backs Philmac’s US export push

Pipe fittings manufacturer Philmac has marked fast growth including in exports to the United States with the appointment of an executive with extensive experience building some of the world’s biggest brands Kris Powell (pictured) has been appointed as General Manager, Marketing and Export, overseeing global exports, identifying and pursuing new markets with a focus on…

Defence SA awards $900,000 for collaborative research

Six projects have received a total of nearly $900,000 in funding in the seventh round of the Defence Innovation Partnership’s Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) announced today. Aimed at supporting genuine collaboration across government, the university sector and industry, the CRF is a catalyst for defence-relevant research, development and innovation, according to Defence SA’s Acting Chief…

Leilac-2 low carbon cement facility to relocate

An experimental cement plant which many consider to be the best hope for the wholesale decarbonisation of cement production is to be relocated from its original planned site in Hannover, Germany. The Leilac-2 cement plant, which is commercialising new kiln technology from technology developer Calix enabling the capture of CO2 in the manufacture of cement…

EOS sells Slinger weapons systems in Europe

Defence and communications manufacturer Electro Optic Systems has sold its Slinger Counter-Drone weapon system (pictured) to Diehl Defence in Germany. The systems will be integrated by Diehl Defence onto lightweight 4×4 vehicles, providing a defensive capability capable of protecting critical asse4ts from drone attacks. Under the contract, which is valued at $15 million, EOS will…

Roy Green on his achievements, innovation and the future

Emeritus Professor Roy Green was named as AM in the Australia Day honours ‘for significant service to business, and to tertiary education in the fields of science, technology and innovation’. Here Roy talks with @AuManufacturing news. @AuManufacturing: Congratulations Roy on a much deserved honour. May I ask you for your response to being honoured by…

EOS Defence demonstrates capabilities to US-Saudi officials

Defence contractor Electro Optic Systems has demonstrated its anti-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capabilities in the recent Red Sands Live Fire Exercise 23.2 in the United States. Officials from the US and Saudi Arabia conducted the exercise to develop collaboration, enhance their military ties and develop strategies to counter UAS threats. EOS Defence Systems USA worked…

Moon to Mars technologies sought by space agency

The Australian Space Agency is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from companies and institutions seeking to discuss their niche Australian technology capabilities. Through its Moon to Mars initiative, the ASA is working closely with international partner agencies to identify Australian technology capabilities that could add value to international space exploration endeavours. The information from this…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, January 22 – 26, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Japanese made campervans entice Aussie grey nomads What do you do when you are an Australian company that has carved out a niche for itself manufacturing campervans in Japan for the Japanese market? Well, you export those…

Catherine Livingstone, Roy Green in Australia Day honours

The first CEO of bionic ear manufacturer Cochlear as a listed company Catherine Livingstone, and innovation and business academic Emeritus Professor Roy Green featured in this year’s Australia Day honours. Livingstone was awarded the highest honour, a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division for eminent service to business, particularly through…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Victorian employers fined more than $16 million for safety breaches WorkSafe Victoria has said it completed 153 successful health and safety prosecutions last year, reminding employees in the state they will face serious legal consequences if they put workers at risk. A total of $16,182,957 in fines was imposed by courts in 2023 for breaches…

Queensland grants bolster manufacture for agriculture

A Queensland government manufacturing grant has helped Rockhampton herbicide manufacturer, Cirrus Ag expand, create five new jobs and attract interstate customers. With the almost $1 million grant, Cirrus Ag have been able to purchase, install, commission and operate a leading-edge granule manufacturing plant including advanced software control systems. The Kawana company provides contract manufacturing services…

Memphasys progresses freeze-free semen transporter

Reproductive technology company Memphasys has announced findings from a trial at a stud farm of its semen storage and transport device in November, which will lead to further work on medium and operational improvements of the AI-Port product. In an ASX statement on Thursday, the company said the trial at the Hunter region, NSW site…

Lark Distilling reports rare drop in sales in challenging conditions

Tasmanian whiskey distiller Lark Distilling has reported a rare hiccup in sales in the quarter ended 31 December 2023. The company reported net sales revenue for the quarter was $4.2 million, down $1.1 million compared to the previous corresponding period. The rare drop in sales was driven by lower limited release product releases in domestic…

Archer’s strong position in quantum chip and Biochip developments

Microelectronics developer Archer Materials has begun the year in a strong position in its development of a room temperature quantum computing chip and a Biochip capable of detecting multiple diseases. The company told investors it ended Q2 FY24 with $21.5 million in cash and no debt, and reported progress on its two major projects. Executive…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Iluka reveals capital cost of rare earths refinery Perth minerals company Iluka Resources has revealed a $1.5 to $1.8 billion capital cost of Australia’s first integrated rare earths refinery for producing rare earths oxides at Eneabba in Western Australia. The estimate comes from Iluka and Fluor who are optimising the project and conducting FEED work.…

Rio to power Gladstone operations with solar

Rio Tinto will drive development of Australia’s largest solar power project near Gladstone, Queensland after agreeing to buy all electricity from the 1.1GW1 Upper Calliope Solar Farm to provide renewable power to Rio Tinto’s Gladstone operations. The agreement will bring more renewable power into one of Australia’s most important industrial hubs and marks another step…

Trailer maker says it’s investing $50 million upgrading Ballarat factory

Heavy-duty transport trailer business MaxiTrans said this week that work is underway transforming its Ballarat factory into a “modern manufacturing environment” through a $50 million investment, as it prepares to shut its Carole Park, Queensland site. In a statement on Monday, the company said transitioning of tipper products from Carole Park is “well underway” ahead…

ELA shares designs for upcoming HIF buildings at Arnhem spaceport

Commercial space launch company Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) has shared completed designs for its Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) buildings, each offering assembly, integration and testing facilities at ELA’s Arnhem Space Centre (ASC).  Each building at the Northern Territory site offers a 40-metre by 26-metre by 12-metre standard configuration and incorporating “advanced space mission specific features”…

Japan and Australia cooperate on undersea warfare

Australia and Japan have signed an agreement to enhance strategic capabilities in robotic and autonomous systems for undersea warfare. The research project between Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) is the first under a bilateral research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) arrangement signed in June, 2023. The…

Japanese made campervans entice Aussie grey nomads

What do you do when you are an Australian company that has carved out a niche for itself manufacturing campervans in Japan for the Japanese market? Well, you export those vans right back to the Australian market building on the strengths of your skilled Japanese workforce and suppliers and closeness to the source of the…

Breakthrough Victoria shells out $12 million for peanut allergy treatment developer Aravax

The Victorian government-funded Breakthrough Victoria has made a $12 million investment into Aravax, part of a $66 million funding round in the biotechnology company, which is developing a novel peanut allergy treatment. Aravax is a clinical-stage company developing PVX108, its immunotherapy product that uses synthetic peptides to mimic key parts of peanut proteins to retrain…

Guidelines released for livestock methane emissions reduction grants worth up to $3 million

Grant guidelines have been released for the next funding round of the Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock (MERiL) program. Between $1 million and $3 million is available per project under “Stage 3: Validation and Demonstration Round 2” of MERiL, with applications open from February 7 until March 20. Grants can cover up to 80 per…

Silex, Silicon Quantum Computing expand offtake agreement by $1.35 million

Silex Systems has announced an amendment to its 2019 offtake agreement with quantum technology business Silicon Quantum Computing, increasing SQC’s commitment for silicon products made from high-purity zero-spin silicon (ZS-Si) using Silex’s proprietary laser enrichment technology. According to a statement from Silex on Tuesday morning, the total value of the commitment has increased by $1.35…

Austin Engineering shows how business improvement can pay off

By Peter Roberts For those hesitating on embarking on a company improvement process hesitate no longer – Perth mining equipment manufacturer Austin Engineering has shown the massive benefits available from reorganising and streamlining operations and investing in new machinery and manufacturing processes. The company, which manufactures large dump truck bodies for the mining sector and…

AML3D’s coffers fill on US defence success

Wire arc metal additive manufacturing machinery manufacturer AML3D has reported the company’s second successive quarter of record quarterly cash receipts, reflecting the continuing strong momentum in the company’s US ‘Scale up’ strategy in the US defence sector. The strategy delivered over A$12 million of orders in CY2023 in support of the US Department of Defence,…

Lynas ramps up production at new Kalgoorlie processing facility

Commissioning has been completed and production ramp up is underway at Lynas Rare Earths new Kalgoorlie Rare Earths Processing Facility in Western Australia (pictured). Staff from the company’s Malaysian value-added metals production facility, which has been closed while capacity is increased to 10,500 tonnes of Neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) per annum, are in Kalgoorlie assisting…

Austal to build new Rottnest Island ferry

Perth shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a contract to construct a 32-metre catamaran for Rottnest Fast Ferries, based in Hillarys, Western Australia which will operate to the leisure destination island offshore of Perth. Collaborating with vessel designer Incat Crowther, Austal will begin construction of the aluminium catamaran at the company’s Philippines shipyard in the first…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Mesoblast secures FDA approval for heart disease treatment Biotechnology company Mesoblast has secured US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Revascor heart disease treatment. The FDA issued a rare pediatric disease (RPD) designation for Revascor following submission of results from a trial in 19 children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Revascor is…

Applications open for free ten-week CSIRO medtech innovation course

CSIRO has invited start-ups and SMEs working in digital health and medical technologies to apply for its upcoming Innovate to Grow program, which is held online, runs for ten weeks, and is free to successful applicants.. According to a statement from the organisation on Monday, the program is designed to assist companies operating in critical…

Uber Eats commits $13 million to sustainable packaging

Food delivery service Uber Eats has announced a multi-year partnership with environmental organisation Planet Ark designed to help Australian restaurants move towards more sustainable packaging. The company, which aims to transition restaurant merchants to reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging options by 2030, begins with consultation on a framework developed by the University of Technology Sydney’s…

Tech Council of Australia’s founding CEO to leave role in February

Tech Council of Australia CEO Kate Pounder will step down from her role on February 2. In a statement on Monday, the organisation praised the outgoing CEO (pictured) for her role in launching the TCA and raising its profile “as a critical industry body and raising the profile of the tech sector in Australia.” Pounder…

FBR to raise $12.6 million as it enters US market

Construction robotics company FBR has announced a capital raise worth approximately $12.6 million, following agreements on a demonstration program in the United States and joint venture option with a subsidiary of concrete block maker CRH. As reported by @AuManufacturing last week, the company – which makes the Hadrian X automated bricklaying robot (pictured) – FBR…

Government moves to boost gas supply – again

The federal government has turned – again – to its Gas Code of Conduct to boost availability and cut the cost of gas to consumers and industry. Energy minister Chris Bowen announced that 260 PJ of gas will be made available between now and 2033 through two new enforceable supply commitments with Esso and Woodside…

Entech in the van of electronics revival

By Peter Roberts The 1980s and 1990s were optimistic times for electronics manufacturing in Australia, with changing technologies allowing new companies to establish such as Entech Electronics in Adelaide, GPC Electronics in western Sydney and IntelliDesign in Brisbane. Like all manufacturing there have been ups and a lot of downs since then but the sector,…

Apprentice surge as Incat doubles Hobart workforce

Aluminium fast ferry manufacturer Incat Tasmania has welcomed 15 new apprentices to its Hobart shipyard, including the highest intake of female apprentices in the company’s history. Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said it had never been a more exciting time to join the company. Clifford said: “We are currently building the largest battery electric zero emission…

Birdon Group boats destined for Brazilian defence market

Defence boat builder Birdon Group has signed a contract with the Brazilian Army Commission in Washington for the supply of two Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) and services, including parts and training. The Port Macquarie, New South Wales company has previously supplied the Brazilian Army with three BEBs over recent years. The new BEBs will incorporate…

REDARC buys historic factory for defence technology push

Fast growing electronics manufacturer REDARC has purchased an historic Adelaide factory to house staff spearheading its move into the defence and space sectors. Owner Anthony Kittel has confirmed the company purchased the Lonsdale facility that formerly housed the once world-leading R&D operations of Sola International Holdings. Kittel took to social media and said: “Exciting times…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, January 15 – 19, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Ukraine war propels DroneShield to new records War brings no good to anyone but a few military contractors which boom during times of rising tensions – none more so than drone detection and countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield, writes…

Birdon Group vessel selected for US Marine Corps tests

The US Marine Corps has selected Port Macquarie maritime engineer Birdon Group‘s advanced Heavy Landing Craft – H260 design to be part of a test and evaluation exercise focused on the missions it envisions Marines executing in the future. The H-260, a long-range, shallow draft, independent vessel, shares a common lineage to Birdon’s proposed Heavy…

Bearhug aims to replace disposable pallet wrap

Bearhug has launched a range of reusable pallet wrap, aiming to replace some of the wrap used to wrap the five billion pallets in circulation globally. Alarmed by the kilos of wrap thrown out every day, founder and truck driver Tom Field and co-founder Max Higgins tackled the problem head on, developing the reusable Bearhug…

Pure Hydrogen prime mover exported to the US

Pure Hydrogen Corporation plans to pursue the North American export market following its first sale of the company’s Taurus hydrogen fuel cell powered prime mover (pictured). Pure Hydrogen subsidiary HDrive International has received a US$1.22 million purchase order from United States company Nutcher Hydrogen for a prime mover and a 54 seater bus, and has…

Hadrian X construction robot breaks into US market, could snare 300 orders

FBR and CRH Ventures have executed a Demonstration Program agreement to jointly construct up to ten houses in Florida in the United States with the Hadrian X construction robot. The houses, the first to be built in the US with the Perth built construction robot, could ultimately see up to 300 Hadrian X robots deployed…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Agrimin’s $1 million tax rebate Minerals business Agrimin has announced receipt of a tax refund worth $1.0 million under the Research and Development Tax Incentive program, related to R&D expenditure incurred for the Mackay Potash Project during the year ended June 30, 2023. The refund includes eligible overseas R&D expenditure. Debbie Morrow, Managing Director and…

Forcite Helmet Systems bought by GoPro

Smart technology developer GoPro Inc. has bought Forcite Helmet Systems, a pioneer in embedding technology into helmets including those used by motorcycle riders. The NASDAQ listed company GoPro intends to accelerate Forcite’s vision to provide a safer, more dynamic motorcycling experience through tech-enabled motorcycle helmets with the long-term goal of tech-enabling other categories of helmets…

Adelaide’s Allied to assemble laptops for Google

Allied Corporation will become the first company in Australia and only the 13th in the world to make Google Chromebook laptops, with Cleve Area School and Murray Bridge High School the first schools to use the new computers. “A very big day for us, as we welcomed Premier Peter Malinauskas and Minister Nick Champion to…

Federal government announces $70 million for Bell Bay through Regional Hydrogen Hubs program

The federal government has announced that it will spend $70 million towards development of Tasmania’s Bell Bay hydrogen hub, which will create a claimed 45,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen a year and about 740 jobs, and be completed “by early 2028”. According to a joint statement on Thursday morning from federal energy minister Chris Bowen…

Queensland to trial Australian made flow batteries

Queensland has announced trials of locally made flow batteries for community energy storage as part of a $179 million investment in the next stages of its local network connected batteries programme. The funding from the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, will see 12 new local network-connected batteries installed across the state in stages,…

Industree Group acts on PPE waste management

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturer Industree Group has launched Epicycle, a pioneering recycling programme designed to combat the growing menace of PPE waste at worksites. In collaboration with recycling innovator TerraCycle, the programme is built around custom-designed recycling boxes (pictured), tailored for safety glasses, safety gloves, and disposable respirators. TerraCycle ANZ General Manager Jean Bailliard…

Sparc Hydrogen explains solar catalytic water splitting

Green hydrogen technology developer Sparc Hydrogen has released a video (below) detailing their work with CSIRO demonstrating the company’s novel process of concentrated solar photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) as an alternative method for producing green hydrogen at industrial scale. Lead researcher at the company Professor Greg Metha said: “Photocatalysis uses the Sun’s energy incident on…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

WA offers new Defence Ready Initiative grants The Western Australian government has opened applications for the latest round of Defence Ready Initiative grants to support local businesses in the defence sector. The purpose of the $200,000 investment is to assist small and medium enterprises enhance their capability, capacity and competitiveness to enter or expand their…

Bogong satellite thruster tested in space

Boswell Technologies, satellite operator Skykraft and the Space Plasma, Power, and Propulsion (SP3) group at the Australian National University have successfully conducted a series of in-orbit tests of the novel Bogong satellite thruster. Two of the Bogong Thrusters have been launched into space aboard Skykraft satellites, with in-orbit testing successfully completed in November 2023 using…

Fusion loses rights to Brabham automotive name

Automotive manufacturer Fusion Capital has lost the right to use the iconic Brabham name on its BT62 track racing supercar (pictured). Manufactured in a corner of a bus factory in Adelaide, 100 BT62’s are being made, with the BT63 GT2 Concept a specially designed second model. The BT62 features a mid mounted, quad cam, longitudinal…

Demonstrator of Carnegie’s wave-to-energy system deployed off Fremantle coast

Wave energy technology developer Carnegie Clean Energy has announced that a scaled demonstrator version of MoorPower has been deployed at its testing grounds off Fremantle, Western Australia. MoorPower is a wave-to-energy system designed for use on aquaculture barges and vessels. Among the companies as part of the Blue Economy CRC-supported project are aquaculture companies Huon…

Manufacturer insolvencies rose in second half of 2023

New statistics from the Australian Securities & Investment Commission released halfway into the financial year show 243 manufacturing companies became insolvent during July – December 2023, compared to 235 and 84 for the same period in 2022 and 2021. In a statement from federal opposition industry spokeswoman Sussan Ley recapping recent collapses, the government’s “failed…

Ukraine war propels DroneShield to new records

By Peter Roberts War brings no good to anyone but a few military contractors which boom during times of rising tensions – none more so than drone detection and countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield. To say that the company is in the right place at the right time to prosper from technological change is a massive understatement…

Riviera welcomes record 52 new boat building apprentices

Coomera, Queensland luxury boatbuilder, Riviera has welcomed a record intake of 52 first apprentices including 12 females, adding to more than 400 tradespeople trained at the company over the past three decades. In total 27 are school based apprentices and 25 are full time apprentices. The motor yacht sector has been riding a significant economic…

Canberra and NSW invest in solar efficient housing

The New South Wales and federal governments have announced two programmes to fund energy-saving upgrades to social housing and to open up access to solar power for strata apartment dwellers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns released a $206 million funding package which could benefit 30,000 households across the state – programmes have…

Silex Systems in the running to enrich uranium for Small Modular Reactors

Sydney based Silex Systems is to compete in the United States to produce High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) – a higher grade of nuclear fuel that will be required to fuel next generation advanced reactors, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The company announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) had released the Request…

Extension granted for massive green hydrogen and ammonia project

Iron ore project developer Iron Road has extended its Strategic Framework Agreement with Amp Energy which aims to develop a massive green hydrogen and ammonia project alongside its operations at Cape Hardy in South Australia. The two companies have extended their agreement and associated exclusivity period by three months to 12 April 2024, to provide…

Stralis to showcase its hydrogen electric aircraft at Gold Coast conference

Green hydrogen-electric aircraft pioneer Stralis Aircraft will display its Beechcraft Bonanza hydrogen-electric ground test bed, otherwise known as ‘Clyde’, at the Regional Aviation Association of Australia Convention 2024 to be held in March in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The Bonanza A36 fuselage has been retrofitted with a hydrogen-electric propulsion system which completed high-power engine testing…

Two CRC bids combine to seek new manufacturing CRC funding

Two bids for new manufacturing related Cooperative Research Centres have agreed to merge their bid to increase opportunities for company involvement and the chance of securing CRC backing for their proposals. The SMCRC (Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre) and AMCRC (Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre) have decided to merge into a single, unified bid. This…

A prefab building revolution can help resolve both the climate and housing crises

By Ehsan Noroozinejad, Western Sydney University and Parisa Ziaesaeidi, Western Sydney University The world faces an increasing shortage of housing and an escalating climate emergency. These urgent global issues call for quick action and innovative solutions. The numbers show us how stark things are. Construction activities and building operations produce more than 40% of the…

BluGlass completes GaNWorks acquisition

ASX-listed compound semiconductor developer BluGlass has announced the completed acquisition of Silicon Valley-based contract manufacturer GaNWorks Foundry and successful installation and validation of gallium nitride (GaN) wafer processing equipment onsite. BluGlass announced the acquisition of its former manufacturing partner in December last year for $US 800,000, made up of $US 120,000 cash and $US 680,000…

Clearvue’s glazing technology to feature in Australian made windows

Clearvue, a Western Australian-headquartered developer of solar photovoltaic glazing technology for windows, has announced an agreement with Safety Glass, representing Clearvue’s first manufacturing and distribution deal in its home country. In a statement, the company called the three-year deal on its integrated glazing units a “significant new business step forward” for its technology, which sits…

Sydney start up begins spacesuit design effort

Sydney startup Metakosmos and UTS, Sydney will collaborate to optimise design for a future Australian astronaut spacesuit. UTS has been awarded a grant under the New South Wales (NSW) Space Research Network’s (SRN) Seed Project Program to collaborate with Metakosmos on the Digital Optimisation of Spacesuit form & fit. The SRN Seed Program supports early-stage…

Joint Australia-US defence work ramps up

By Peter Roberts Deepening technological involvement between the three AUKUS partner nations is a key aim of the AUKUS pact with joint work between Australia and the United States escalating over summer. Work is underway between the two nations on at least three areas – submarine development, hypersonics and the development of autonomous vehicle systems…

Holiday news briefs – stories you might have missed

Austal receives $1.3bn order from US Navy Shipbuilder Austal‘s US arm has received a $1.28 billion ‘undefinitised’ contract award (UCA) for the final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) from the United States Navy. The EMS is based on Austal’s proven Expeditionary Fast Transport ship (EPF) platform and will be manufactured in…

Alcoa to cease operations at Kwinana Alumina Refinery

Alcoa Corporation has announced plans to cease production in 2024 at its Kwinana Alumina Refinery in Western Australia, with the process beginning in the second quarter. The 60 year old facility has an annual nameplate production capacity of 2.2 million metric tons and has been operating at approximately 80 percent of its nameplate capacity since…

Tindo Solar plans $100m solar PV panel gigafactory

Australia’s only manufacturer of solar PV panels, Adelaide’s Tindo Solar has announced ambitious plans for a solar PV gigafactory which could produce a third of Australia’s demand for solar panels. The plan, which would be dependent on support from a state government and backing from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the $15 billion National…

$425 million hydrogen from biomass plant planned for SA

Greenhill Energy has announced a $425 million investment to construct Australia’s first large scale integrated waste-to-hydrogen processing facility on a 20 hectare site at Tailem Bend, on the Murray River in South Australia. The Riverbend Energy Hub plant will upcycle biomass and landfill waste and methane emissions into low-cost clean hydrogen, producing energy and high-value…

Adbri could be the latest to fall to overseas takeover

Veteran building products supplier Adbri could be the latest Australian manufacturer to fall to overseas control following an offer from a consortium of global building supplies group CRH plc and local premixed concrete supplier Barro Group. The partners have submitted a non-binding offer pitched at 9x EBITDA profit and a 41 percent premium to the…

Best of the year — the five most popular stories among readers for 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the year? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers revealed @AuManufacturing and the Australian Manufacturing Forum’s first quest to identify Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers ended in July, and a second iteration of the series kicked off last month. We learned…

Our new media kit is available now

With this year drawing to a close, it’s time to present @AuManufacturing‘s media kit for 2024. It presents updated figures after some magnificent growth in our web traffic and social media following over 2023, some new offerings for those interested in partnering with us commercially, and more. Thanks to Studio Riz for their always-excellent work…

Merry Australian made Christmas 2023

Merry Australian Made Christmas to all at our Australian Manufacturing Forum Linkedin group members and readers, partners and clients of @AuManufacturing news. 2023 is coming to a close, and at this time of year it is our tradition to salute Party Werks who are a proud supplier of quality Australian made tinsel. According to the…

More research cuts – national innovation in freefall

A $46.2 million cut to research commercialisation unveiled in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook undermines confidence with national investment in R&D, according to peak body in science and technology, Science & Technology Australia. The cut of $46.2 million over four years to Australia’s new research commercialisation fund – Australia’s Economic Accelerator – amounts to…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Cobram Estate now the US’s biggest producer of olive oil Cobram Estate Olives has likely become the largest olive oil producer in the United States following strong growth seen in the just completed 2023 Californian harvest season. The company saw the production of 3.2 million litres of olive oil, 89 percent higher than 29022’s harvest…

AVL’s vanadium electrolyte facility complete

Australian Vanadium Ltd‘s (AVL’s) vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility has been completed in Perth’s northern suburbs (pictured), furthering the development of Australian battery supply chains. Used in vanadium redox flow batteries considered suited to stationary facilities, the plant can produce up to 33MWh of high purity electrolyte per annum. AVL will now qualify its production with…

Australia’s N-subs approved, as Bechtel joins support consortium

US Congress has reportedly approved the transfer of three Virginia-class submarines – two existing vessels and one new vessel – to Australia, paving the way for nuclear powered submarines to join the RAN fleet. Both houses have now passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which authorises the transfer which will see Virginia submarines…

New research highlights importance of hands-on skills

A generational loss of crafts and hands-on skills sees Australia’s ability to sustain a manufacturing base under threat, according to a University of South Australia researcher. University of South Australia Professor of Culture and Creative Industries and Director of the Creative People, Products and Places Research Centre, Susan Luckman, said that craft skills in the…

Coal power stations can only be replaced by renewables – Bowen

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the government’s approach to focus on renewables, batteries and gas for Australia’s energy transition has been vindicated by the latest draft system plan from the Australian Energy Market Operator. Australia’s last coal fired power station will close five years earlier than expected by 2038, but the energy…

Babcock to deliver counter-threat capabilities for the ADF

Australia has extended a Counter Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) threats Prime Vendor contract between Babcock Australasia and the Commonwealth. The new three-year contract extension of approximately $37 million supports 132 different types of Counter CBRNE equipment, including explosive ordnance disposal equipment, unmanned ground vehicles and chemical detection systems. Babcock supports Defence to…

Employment outcomes improve for VET graduates

Two-thirds of students who completed a vocational qualification at certificate I or above had an improved employment outcome post-training, up 2.6 percentage points from the previous year. The report, VET student outcomes 2023, released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows: 50.6 percent of graduates who did not have a job…

Graphene helps make more hydrogen with less energy

First Graphene has announced results of a study by the Centre for Process Innovation UK showing improved performance in hydrogen production through graphene-based electrocatalysts. According to a statement from the Henderson, Western Australia-based company on Thursday, the analysis showed electrodes using the company’s graphene, functionalised through metal oxide doping, reduced the amount of power required…

AFESS successfully tested in Korea ahead of Australian assembly for LAND 8116

Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), Sydney’s HIFraser and Busan, South Korea-based DNB have announced the successful demonstration of fire and explosion suppression systems in testing for the Huntsman family of vehicles. In a statement from HDA on Wednesday on the latest round of testing for the LAND 8116 Phase 1 program, it said the trio successfully…

Lockheed Martin muscles up local defence

Lockheed Martin Australia’s supply of key defence equipment comes with extensive economic benefits, according to the Lockheed Martin Australia 2022 Economic Impact Report, produced by Deloitte Access Economics. LMA supplies the F-35 Joint Strike fighter, Sikorsky helicopters and Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft among others supports 3,422 jobs nationally, according to DE. Highlights from…

WA and Babcock deepen maritime defence operations

The Western Australian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Babcock Australasia to further develop its defence activities as well as workforce training and upskilling in the state. Babcock International sustains the entire UK submarine fleet, and Perth’s HMAS Stirling on Garden Island is the base for the current Collins class fleet, as…

BAE holds laser pipe scanning trials at shipyards

BAE Systems Australia has conducted successful trials at the Osborne Naval Shipyard and Henderson shipyard utilising laser scanning technology to create 3D models of pipes to be installed on the Hunter class frigates now under construction. The weeklong trials, which followed initial testing at the Line Zero – Factory of the Future facility in Adelaide’s…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Evolve Group expands production Brisbane-based product developer and manufacturer Evolve Group has announced “a major phase of growth” and an increase in capacity with three new machines. “Our production area is scaling up impressively with the addition of… a Yizumi UN260 A5 260 Ton and two Yizumi PAC350K 350 Ton machines, each featuring high-tech robotic…

Thales wins dry dock maintenance contract

The federal government has extended its partnership with Thales Australia to operate and maintain the Captain Cook Graving Dock in Sydney. The continued operation of the graving dock at Garden Island Defence Precinct is vital to the sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy fleet. Thales CEO Jeff Connolly welcomed the move. He said: “The Captain…

Net zero agriculture, plastic waste CRCs get the nod

Two Cooperative Research Centre bids, for the CRC for Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture and the Solving Plastic Waste CRC, have been awarded $87 million and $40 million in federal funding. In a statement on Tuesday, federal industry minister Ed Husic announced the funding through Round 24 of the CRC program. The program has been…

Haigh’s to build sweet $130m new factory

Luxury chocolate maker Haigh’s has announced plans to invest $130 million in a new factory at Salisbury in Adelaide’s norther suburbs, its single biggest ever investment, doubling production to 2,000 tonnes a year including new European influenced varieties. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas let the cat out of the bag on Facebook when he said:…

Titomic enters partnership with Stärke AMG

Two leading Australian manufacturers with complementary technologies and client lists have entered into a manufacturing partnership – metal additive manufacturing company Titomic and diverse, vertically integrated company Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group. Titomic is a leader in producing cold spray metal 3D printers, while Adelaide’s Stärke is involved with tooling production locally and in the United…

ACCC releases eight-point guide to avoid greenwashing

Following a sweep of questionable product claims and releasing draft guidance in July, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has published final guidance on avoiding misleading environmental marketing and advertising claims. The set of eight principles convey “ACCC’s view of good practice when making environmental claims”, and tell businesses of their obligations under consumer law,…

UniSA Precision Engineering Centre to open on Wednesday

The Precision Engineering Centre, a $10 million research hub at University of South Australia dedicated to fabricating optics devices, will hold an official opening on Wednesday. According to a statement from UniSA, the centre at its Mawson Lakes campus is unique in the Southern Hemisphere, and “will transform a range of industries”, including medical technology,…

Grants back quantum skills pipeline

Australian quantum students will participate in five cutting-edge research projects as part of the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program, a new scheme to be administered by CSIRO. These projects could help us understand the sub-atomic make up of life, as well as develop an understanding of algorithms and software on a future quantum internet. An…

$380 million REACH to launch at Deakin on Monday

The four-year, $380 million Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH), headquartered at Deakin University’s Future Economy Precinct, will be officially opened on Monday by federal assistant minister for education Anthony Chisholm. REACH is one of six hubs each receiving $50 million as part of the Trailblazer Universities Program, selected from 21 applications.  Other funding…

B-cycle reports near-doubling in battery recycling by Australians

The federal government-backed battery stewardship scheme B-cycle, founded by the Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), has announced what it says is an increase of more than 30 per cent in battery recycling and a quadrupling in public drop-off points since it began its work 18 months ago. In a statement on Monday, BSC said its annual…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, December 4 – 8, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Australian government, Hanwha sign IFV contract The federal government has signed contracts with Hanwha Defense Australia for 129 locally built Redback infantry fighting vehicles, to be built in Geelong for the Australian Army. Hanwha was announced as…

French energy company backs Vast’s concentrated solar power

Vast Solar’s rollout plans for concentrated solar power (CSP) plants have been given a boost with French energy company EDF Group committing $16.4 million (Euros 10 million) to develop new projects. Vast is developing a number of Australian projects, including the SM1 solar methanol plant at Port Augusta in South Australia, utilising heat and power…

Resuwood to soon begin “growing trees in a machine”

Belgian company Resuwood has shown off its Australian developed robotic machine production line that processes forest waste into solid wood that looks and acts like genuine hardwood. Conceived by Australian company 3RT and developed for manufacture by Melbourne’s Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions (BAMS), the production line has reached a new milestone, according to Resuwood. Resuwood…

Canberra backs Australian businesses to adopt AI

A new programme to support Australian businesses adopt and integrate Artificial Intelligence safely into their work practices has been launched by the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic. The Australian Government’s Responsible Artificial Intelligence Adopt Program will provide $17 million to establish up to five AI Adopt centres across Australia. The government is seeking…

Australian hull steel to be used for Aussie built N-subs

The federal government has moved to ensure Australian-made steel will be used in the construction of Australia’s conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines when they are built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, subject to a qualification process. The Australian Submarine Agency has entered into a contract with Australian steel manufacturer, Bisalloy Steels, for the qualification of Australian…

OPV project of concern summit held in Canberra

The Australian Government is acting to get the Defence acquisition projects back on track with the Projects of Concern process turning to the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessel contract. ​Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Luerssen Australia’s Chairman Tim Wagner and senior Defence and Luerssen Australia officials met at a Projects of Concern Summit in…

Roy Green appointed to CSIRO Board

Industry Minister Ed Husic has congratulated the newest appointee to the CSIRO Board, Emeritus Professor Roy Green. Green is well known for his writings in @AuManufacturing which can be read here, as well for numerous papers and publications internationally on innovation policy and management. Roy has had a distinguished career including as Dean of the…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Titomic sees success in mining services and US markets Metal additive manufacturing machine company Titomic has announced the sale of two D523 low-pressure cold spray additive manufacturing systems, worth $198,829. One sale, in Kalgoorlie Western Australia, marks the company’s entry into the region’s mining services sector, considered a promising growth area for the company. The…

Manufacturing Rail Collaboration Centre for the Pilbara

The Western Australian government has underpinned efforts to boost local freight railcar manufacturing with the establishment of a new Rail Collaboration Centre (RCC) in Karratha, with hubs located in Newman and Perth. Backed by $998,000 from the state, the new centre is to focus on collaboration, innovation and skills for building and servicing rail freight…

Neumann Space propulsion to be used on Spire satellite

Neumann Space today announced that they have signed an MOU with Spire to form a teaming relationship to collaborate on the integration of a Neumann Space propulsion system on-board one of the proven Spire satellite platforms for an In-Orbit Demonstration mission! This project will be supported by funding from the Australian Government. The agreement was…

US agrees to sell N-submarines to Australia

Republicans and Democrats have agreed to sell three Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the early 2030s according to reports. The agreement would see the sale added to the US Congress’s National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. Democratic congressman Joe Courtney said: “For the first time since the launch of the USS…

Dr Cori Stewart appointed to IISA board

The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic has announced three new appointments to the Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) Board. IISA plays an important role advising the government on science, innovation and research matters to support the delivery of government priorities, and works to facilitate greater collaboration between government, industry and the research…

Queensland to get 200 locally-made diesel buses

The Queensland government has named Scania Australia and Volvo Group Australia as the preferred builders for 200 new rail replacement buses. In a statement on Thursday morning, the government said an initial $133.8 million would be invested to make these buses locally, with Volgren to build 165 Euro 6 diesel buses on Volvo chassis and…

Twelve new CSIRO ON Accelerate ventures announced

Addressing global health challenges, championing sustainability through circularity, and advancing advanced manufacturing, are some of the innovative areas selected for the next stage of CSIRO’s ON Accelerate programme. The programme, which develops high-potential, research-based ventures for launch into the Australian market, will include 12 new deep-tech project teams who will be given the tools and…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

MBCRC announces new Research Director The Marine Bioproducts CRC (MBCRC) has announced the appointment of Dr Mike Patane as its new Research Director. According to MBCRC, Patane will be responsible for guiding and advancing the organisation’s research strategy and initiatives and driving innovation in the marine bioproducts industry, and brings a wealth of global experience…

Quasar launches digital multibeam satellite ground station

CSIRO related start-up company Quasar Satellite Technologies has launched its world first fully digital multibeam satellite ground stations. The stations will revolutionise the space industry, enabling government, defence and intelligence agencies, as well as private organisations, to establish a view of every satellite in orbit, according to a statement. To be unveiled at the Space…

Advanced Navigation to manufacture photonic chip

AI robotics and navigation technology manufacturer Advanced Navigation has been awarded a grant by the Australian Department of Defence to develop manufacturing capability for photonic chips. Australia does not have commercial manufacturing capability for photonic chips which contain circuits using light transmission and receival – a laser is a photonics device. Advanced Navigation is the…

Arkeus secures seed funding to scale optical radar manufacture

Defence manufacturer Arkeus will scale manufacturing of its hardware-enabled software platform for search, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The optical autonomy company raised $4.45 million in seed funding from technology investors Main Sequence, Beaten Zone Venture Partners and Salus Ventures. The funding will help Arkeus scale manufacturing and enhance the capabilities of its core product…

The big Xmas news – the great schnitzel wars of 2023

By Peter Roberts It is that time of the year when things slow down in the news world with this year’s prize so far going to the great schnitzel wars of 2023. The fuss started when a publican – well it had to be a publican – in Adelaide channeled predictions of $100 legs of…

WA government announces $1 million for new Rail Collaboration Centre in Karratha

The Western Australian government has announced a $998,000 funding package to establish a new Rail Collaboration Centre in Karratha, with hubs located in Newman and Perth, independently operated by the CORE Innovation Hub. According to a statement on Wednesday, the funding comes from the Local Manufacturing Investment Fund (LMIF), and “will support the assembly, manufacture,…

Brisbane company takes delivery of equipment to produce “turquoise hydrogen” and graphene

ASX-listed energy company Pure Hydrogen Corporation has confirmed that Turquoise Group has taken receipt of key production equipment from its development partner for a “turquoise hydrogen” commercial demonstration plant at Brisbane.   Pure Hydrogen holds a strategic, 40 per cent stake in Turquoise Group, which is developing its plant in collaboration with French technology startup Plenesys.…

Competition to name rover all over. Roo-ver it is

On the day one of the two teams competing to build Australia’s first lunar rover has unveiled their prototype design, the name of the eventual winner’s vehicle has been announced as Roo-ver. The Australian Space Agency made an invitation to individuals and schools to submit their naming suggestions in September. A shortlist of four names…

Avenira raises $5 million, with $2 million strategic investment from China’s Hebang

ASX-listed phosphate chemicals producer Avenira has announced the raise of approximately $4.8 million before costs through a placement of new, fully-paid ordinary shares. Avenira is developing a phosphate mine at Wonarah in the Northern Territory and a lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery cathode materials plant at Darwin’s Middle Arm precinct In a statement on Wednesday,…

Space Machines Company, Orbit Fab to partner on 2024 mission

Sydney-based istartup Space Machines Company has announced a partnership with refuelling company Orbit Fab — which the pair says combines their expertise “to advance in-space servicing” — with a planned launch aboard a SpaceX rocket next year. SMC has a stated goal of eventually offering “roadside assistance in space” for on-orbit infrastructure. In a statement…

Ocius Technology’s Bluebottle headed for NZ

Ocius Technology‘s Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel is to be trialed by the Royal New Zealand Navy. The company took to social media to confirm reports that the 6.8-metre, renewably-powered surveillance vessel was enroute to NZ where it will undergo trials. Last year the Royal Australian Navy contracted to acquire five Bluebottle USVs from Ocius, following…

Cyclopharm makes historic first US sale

Radiopharmaceutical manufacturer Cyclopharm has announced that Duke University Hospital in the United States has signed the first commercial contract for the use of its Technegas lung imaging system in the United States. Following the approval of Technegas by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in September, this agreement signifies a major milestone for…

ELO2 to unveil its moon rover candidate today

The ELO2 consortium will today unveil a prototype of what could be chosen as Australia’s first lunar rover. Led by EPE and Lunar Outpost Oceania, ELO2 is one of two consortia chosen by the Australian Space Agency to develop early-stage design concepts for a Moon rover. ELO2 Technical Director with Lunar Outpost Oceania Joseph Kenrick…

Livestock equipment maker expects to hire another six through automation

Leicht’s CIA, a Toowoomba-based manufacturer of livestock equipment, is investing in robotic welding and other technology with assistance from a Rural Economic Development Grant from the state government. Managing Director Mark Leicht said the company was implementing laser cutting and an automated welding robot to increase efficiency.  “Some of the equipment we will make with…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

AMSL appoints new CEO Passenger EVTOL maker AMSL Aero has announced that Max York is the company’s new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. York was described in a statement on Monday as an experienced commercial executive, military veteran and board director who will lead the company in partnership with co-founders Andrew Moore and Siobhan Lyndon as…

None of 11 QLD companies visited fully compliant in safety audits

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recently visited 11 businesses in Ipswich, Toowoomba, Logan, Mt Gravatt, and Robina, issuing 91 statutory compliance notices and finding that not one of the companies was fully compliant in its health and safety duties. A statement from WHSQ on Monday said the proactive audits were “aimed to ensure compliance with…

Carbon Revolution wins new wheel contract – but where will they be made

By Peter Roberts Carbon fibre road wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution‘s birthplace of Geelong, Victoria, or perhaps Mexico will manufacture a new wheel to be produced in a deal announced by the newly minted American-listed Carbon Revolution PLC. The company said it has been awarded a wheel development programme by a premium brand of a major…

New Insights from Old Factories – register now for Wednesday’s webinar

Sign up now for our webinar – New Insights from Old Factories – taking place tomorrow, Wednesday, 6th December at 10.00 (AEST) with manufacturing leaders discussing ways to seamlessly and affordably integrate your factory. For more information and to register for the webinar go here. @AuManufacturing and software solutions provider Fusion5 present Adam Amos, Director,…

Additive manufacturing to make freeform optics for space

A group of researchers and companies are using the iLAuNCH Trailblazer programme to develop and space qualify a new optical manufacturing process and materials for space flight applications and demonstrate it in a camera in space. The University of South Australia (UniSA) with SMR Australia and VPG Innovation, part of Stärke-AMG, will utilise an emerging…

Rio Tinto decarbonises bauxite processing

Rio Tinto has approved a new 12.4MW solar farm and 8.8MVa/2.1MWh of battery storage to provide renewable energy for the Amrun bauxite operations near Weipa in Queensland (pictured). The 12.4MW solar farm and battery storage are part of Rio Tinto’s global decarbonisation strategy and ongoing efforts to reduce emissions at its Pacific bauxite, alumina and…

Applications open for $18.5 million to establish new Australian Centre for Quantum Growth

The federal government has announced that funding of $18.5 million is available to set up an Australian Centre for Quantum Growth, part of efforts to see the nation does not “fritter away” a strong position in the early days of quantum technology commercialisation. Federal industry minister Ed Husic officially opened applications for the grant during…

Geelong’s Care Essentials wins top exporter award

Medical products manufacturer Care Essentials has won both the Regional Exporter category and the top award at the Australian Export Awards, held on Friday. Federal trade minister Don Farrell said the Geelong-based, family-owned company, “has grown significantly and now exports its flagship product, Cocoon Warming System and a range of other medical products like respirators,…

NSW MVP grant applications open

Applications have opened for the NSW government’s MVP Ventures Program, which offers grants of between $25,000 and $50,000 to startups and SMEs to help commercialise “highly innovative and new products or processes”. The round opened on Monday for the program, which has been allocated up to $3 million per annum to 2027 by the state…

New Insights from Old Factories – how DMTC helps companies digitise

Not for profit industry development group DMTC Ltd is pioneering an innovative programme that brings together half a dozen like minded defence manufacturers to implement ‘smart enough’ Industry 4.0 technologies to begin their digitisation journey. DMTC’s industry capability development programme leader Charlotte Morris said DMTC provides the SMEs with hardware and open source software to…

Surface Manufacturing CRC – webinar recording available to view

UniSA and Swinburne University have celebrated the success of a webinar in partnership with @AuManufacturing that provided insights to companies interested to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC). UniSA Industry Professor Colin Hall (pictured) gave an insightful talk on ‘Surface Engineering & Smart Manufacturing’ and their transformative impact…

AUKUS countries focus on space capabilities

The AUKUS partners Australia the United States and the United Kingdom have entered into an agreement to advance Australia’s defence space capabilities – but there is no immediate role for local industry in the project. At the second AUKUS Defence Ministers’ Meeting in California, ministers discussed accelerating capabilities that provide all three partners with timely…

NIOA calls for defence industry action plan

The Group CEO of the biggest Australian-owned supplier of military munitions has laid out a detailed plan to mobilise the nation’s defence industrial base, emphasising “it’s time for urgency, optimism and action”. Speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra, NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa released a report which calls on the Australian Government to…

SPIRIT satellite achieves Earth orbit featuring Australian technology

A landmark nanosatellite mission supported by the Australian Space Agency, SpIRIT, has lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket and has entered a polar orbit 513km above Earth.. The Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal nanosatellite (SpIRIT for short) is the first Australian satellite to carry a foreign…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, November 27 – December 1, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Green Steel forging ahead with WA green steel plants Green Steel of WA has taken to social media to commit to completing what it hopes will be Australia’s first hydrogen based steel plant by 2028. The company has…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

HEO opens USA Office Satellite monitoring company HEO announced the establishment of its United States of America office, HEO (USA), on Friday (Sydney time). The company said the expansion reflects a commitment to serving new and existing defence, government, and commercial customers in the US market. The new office in the Washington DC metro area…

AML3D to make test Hunter class frigate parts

Metal 3D printer manufacturer AML3D has received a contract for the manufacture of a test part to be used in preparation of the Hunter class frigates being constructed at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. The company did not detail the part but said it ‘may have application within BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s (BAESMA’s) contract…

Victoria’s SEC bets big on massive battery storage

Victoria’s newly established, state-owned State Electricity Commission (SEC) has announced a massive first investment which will help infrastructure company Equis build a $1 billion battery, one of the world’s biggest in the state. Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio turned the first sod on the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub…

New Insights from Old Factories – Metroglass unifies multiple software systems

Metroglass is Australia and New Zealand’s leading manufacturer of double glazed windows with seven Australasian processing plants and twelve retail sites, and the problem it faced was pretty typical of many manufacturers. Rapid expansion saw the company with a plethora of software applications, legacy solutions, and underinvestment in IT and infrastructure, resulting in inconsistent data,…

Russell expands range of mining mill lining machines

Mill relining systems Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Russell Mineral Equipment (RME), has expanded its mineral processing liner exchange machine range with new larger and more automated systems. The expanded range introduces additional Russell Mill Relining Machine (MRM) models with an increase in rated capacity for medium to large grinding mills, made possible by a modular,…

More precise positioning with first new satellite dish completed

Consumers and business will be able to more precisely position their activities with the installation of the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network’s (SouthPAN’s) first satellite dish by Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) and ground station terminal manufacturer Av-Comm. The dish in Uralla, regional New South Wales, marks a milestone for the collaborative SouthPAN initiative between Geoscience Australia…

House Standing Committee delivers new report on “Driving advanced manufacturing in Australia”

Another report on the industry has been delivered, with the House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources tabling Sovereign, smart, sustainable: Driving advanced manufacturing in Australia on Thursday. The committee began accepting written submissions early this year before holding public hearings.  According to the committee’s chair, Labor’s MP for McEwen Rob Mitchell, “the notion…

Victoria and Tasmania Welding Excellence award winners named

Industry body Weld Australia has announced the winners of its 2023 Victoria and Tasmania Welding Excellence Awards.  Winners were announced at an event held at Huntingdale Golf Club.  According to Weld Australia’s CEO, Geoff Crittenden, “This year’s winners feature businesses and individuals committed to the pursuit of innovative, sustainable solutions that minimise risk and maximise…

National Reconstruction fund investment mandate released

The investment mandate for the National Reconstruction Fund, the federal government’s $15 billion effort to invest in and grow seven sectors within manufacturing, has been published. A joint statement from industry minister Ed Husic and finance minister Katy Gallagher on Thursday says the mandate includes areas of investment across those seven areas, and directs the independent…

XTEK completes rebrand as HighCom

The defence contractor formerly known as XTEK has begun trading on the ASX under its new name, HighCom. In a statement on Wednesday, the company said that the change of name had been processed by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Its ASX ticker code has gone from XTE to HCL. The changes follow shareholders…

Kate Carnell elected new Chair of Australian Made

Former CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Kate Carnell has been elected the first female Chair of the Australian Made Campaign Ltd. Carnell replaces Allyn Beard – Director at mattress manufacturer A.H. Beard – as AMCL Chair. Beard is retiring from AMCL’s board after 14 years as a Director. “My background…

Hunter class frigate passes Preliminary Design Review milestone

BAE Systems’ Hunter Class Frigate Program has successfully completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR), with a celebratory event to mark the completion held at the Company’s Osborne shipyard to mark the milestone. The review, which has been running since July, is a technical assessment that ensures the design is operationally effective and underpins the more…

Adelaide University gets $38m to train nuclear power specialists

The University of Adelaide has received a federal government commitment to fund the training of hundreds more domestic undergraduate students to join the nuclear-related defence workforce of the future. Under the Federal Government’s Nuclear-Powered Submarines (NPS) programme the university has been allocated of $38,634,835 between 2024 and 2030 to deliver an additional 700 Commonwealth Supported…

What next after a NSW Modern Manufacturing Commissioner – by Julie Harrison

The young New South Wales government perplexed many when it axed the role of Commissioner for Modern Manufacturing. Here manufacturer Julie Harrison asks ‘where are we headed?’, and offers a way forward. The decision of the New South Wales government to axe the role of Commissioner of Modern Manufacturing just weeks ago came as a…

New Insights from Old Factories – download the companion eBook

@AuManufacturing and software solutions provider Fusion5 will present our latest webinar webinar – New Insights from Old Factories – on Wednesday, 6th December at 10.00 (AEST) with manufacturing CEOs discussing ways to seamlessly and affordably integrate your factory. For more information and to register for the webinar go here. The webinar features Adam Amos, Director,…

MyEcoBag sales boom as its products waste away

An Australian company is leading the charge when it comes to helping solve the world’s conventional plastic bag problem, having produced 500 million compostable bags since 2018. MyEcoBag is a leading producer of compostable packaging and has been supplying compostable bin liners and pet waste bags to Australians for over a decade, through more 2,200…

Infinity Avionics to develop space camera system

Infinity Avionics will lead the development of a novel capability for the continuous and autonomous detection and identification of space objects – a project funded by SmartSat CRC and the ACT Government in collaboration with UNSW Canberra Space and Nominal Systems. The local collaboration will bolster the knowledge-based economy, leadership and innovation the ACT region…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

WA government backs engineered stone ban The state government announced on Wednesday that it will support the prohibition of the future use of engineered stone in Western Australian workplaces, citing the risk of silicosis. A recent report from Safe Work Australia found there no known safe level of silica in engineered stone, and concluded the…

“Connector of commercialisation” named new President of STA

The joint lead in a RMIT University team on Functional Materials and Microsystems, researcher Professor Sharath Sriram (pictured), has been appointed as the new President of Science & Technology Australia. In a statement from STA lauding the materials scientist and engineer as a “Visionary ‘connector of commercialisation’ and research rockstar”, STA said Sriram possessed an…

Axiom awarded missile ground support contract

Axiom Precision Manufacturing has announced a new contract with Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDAu) for the manufacture and delivery of ground support equipment for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM). Under SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy Guided Weapons, KONGSBERG’s NSM will replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile capability on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) ANZAC class frigates…

Blind Manufacturers’ Association of Australia joins Australian Made

The Blind Manufacturers’ Association of Australia (BMAA) has joined Australian Made Campaign Limited as AMCL’s newest Industry Partner. BMAA is the industry body representing manufacturers and retailers in the window furnishings industry, with a membership ranging “from small family-operated businesses to substantial national corporations.” “We are thrilled to partner with the Blind Manufacturers Association of…

Manufacturers could be hit by wider defence export controls – By Amy McDonnell

Manufacturers could be hit by restrictions on the export of fairly commonplace items that could end up in the hands of Russia, now engaged in a brutal invasion of Ukraine, writes Amy McDonnell. In a world first, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States – collectively referred to as the Export…

New Insights from Old Factories – Natural Pet Food Group case study

Sometimes manufacturers can become a lot more than just an SME while still utilising small business enterprise software. One such was New Zealand manufacturer Natural Pet Food Group which has operations in NZ, Australia and the United States, an associate company in Japan and staff in Canada and China. There came a time when its…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

RM Williams to open flagship store on Friday Apparel company R.M.Williams is preparing to open its flagship store to the public on December 1 in Sydney. The 91-year-old brand will open the store on George Street, in the CBD, and The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, “A customised soundtrack, signature scent and altar to R.M.…

Deakin IFM researchers seek to understand microplastics through collaboration with linen supplier

Deakin University researchers and Simba Global, the country’s largest commercial linen supplier, are teaming for a project “to better understand the extent and type of microplastics shed when their products are laundered”. Simba Global supplies hospitals, hotels and mining camps, and sees an estimated 950,000 tonnes of textile products per year go through its commercial…

Now Namoi Cotton set to fall to a foreign buyer

By Peter Roberts Another day another takeover of an Australian manufacturer, this time of ginning company Namoi Cotton. The directors of the company, which operates 10 cotton gins on the east coast and in Northern Western Australia, have said they intend to recommended shareholders accept a takeover offer from Louis Dreyfus Company Asia Pte Ltd…

Australian governments must respond to US IRA, attract investment needed for energy shift: Weld Australia

A guaranteed pipeline of work and local content provisions are needed to build the capacity needed for the energy transition, industry body Weld Australia has said. In a statement on Tuesday, the group urged the federal government to deliver a policy framework guaranteeing enough work “for manufacturers to attract the required investment”, and strongly recommending…

NIOA moves further into the US market with Picatinny Arsenal tenancy

Australian owned munitions manufacturer NIOA Group has taken up a tenancy at the United States Army’s Joint Centre of Excellence for ammunition and weapons, Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. The further expansion into the US follows NIOA’s 100 per cent acquisition earlier this year of Tennessee-based Barrett Firearms, and shows a determination to significantly enter…

Green Steel forging ahead with WA green steel plants

Green Steel of WA has taken to social media to commit to completing what it hopes will be Australia’s first hydrogen based steel plant by 2028. The company has been quietly developing two projects – an electric arc furnace to recycle scrap and the state’s first green hydrogen direct-reduced iron (DRI) plant with a total…

Li-S Energy completes dry room for battery production

Lithium sulphur battery development company Li-S Energy has announced the completion of construction of a Low Dew Point, Ultra Dry Room to house its 2MWh battery manufacturing facility at Geelong, Victoria. The Phase 3 facility is the precursor to a 200MWh plant and ultimately a 10GWh+ gigafactory foreshadowed at the company’s recent annual general meeting…

Back to the future with Industry Growth Program

By Peter Roberts Something old and something new has gone into the recipe for the federal government’s new $392 million Industry Growth Program which was announced yesterday. Ostensibly the programme is a replacement for the Industry Growth Centres (IGCs) which saw the establishment of six industry growth centres, now at, or past the end of…

MSQ appoints new board members

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) has announced the appointment of two new board directors, as well as the appointment of Paul Cooper – who is also currently Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, and owner/Executive Chair of weighing solutions manufacturer Rinstrum – as its new Chair.   MSQ is an independent, not-for-profit company allocated $16.5 million…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Amaero hocks Adelaide assets as part of farewell to Australia Amaero International has announced that it has finalised the sale of all powder and equipment at its Adelaide facility for approximately $460,000 in cash, “in conjunction with the cessation of operations in Australia”. Amaero — which was spun out of Monash University in 2013 —…

Do you have the right risk appetite? Applications open for grants up to $5 million through new Industry Growth Program

The new Industry Growth Program – worth $392 million, aimed at assisting startups and SMEs with commercialisation, and announced in the May federal budget – is now open for applications. The IGP provides matched funding through grants worth between $50,000 and $5 million, supporting development of an “innovative product, process or service” that is either…

Taskforce begins work on modular solutions for social housing in NSW

A cross-government taskforce is holding its first meeting on Monday, tasked with providing “expert industry advice to the NSW Government to explore the use of modular housing” in delivering social homes. According to a statement from the NSW Government, modular housing has seen success in Australia and overseas as a way to provide “quick and…

Detmold adds solar at Regency Park site

Packaging enterprise the Detmold Group has announced that it has begun powering “the first of its multiple  facilities” with solar electricity, with a new 99-kilowatt, 243-panel system at its Regency Park facility beginning operations. The company said on Monday that the new solar array uses photovoltaic modules assembled by Tindo Solar, a fellow Adelaide business…

Ai Group, ACTU and others say “historic step-change” needed on energy transition policy, investment

Australia has strong natural advantages in becoming a renewable superpower, but more than advantage is needed to succeed, according to a joint statement from the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Investor Group on Climate Change, and WWF-Australia. The group said on Monday that – in light of…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, November 20 – 24, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) BlueScope unveils vision for Port Kembla Steelworks land BlueScope Steel has unveiled a Master Plan to develop 200 Hectares (Ha) of non-steelmaking, excess landholdings adjacent to the company’s Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales. The Master…

New Insights from Old Factories – by Tom Veitch

Join us for our new webinar – New Insights into Old Factories – where manjufacturing CEOs discuss the integration of inexpensive IoT devices and ERP software. Here, Tom Veitch introduces this ‘Smart Enough’ solution for Australian SMEs. Few existing manufacturers can afford to invest in a brand spanking new Industry 4.0 style facility, fully equipped…

Carbon Revolution to manufacture in Mexico – media report

By Peter Roberts As if it is not enough of a slap in the face for Australian technology companies the fact that carbon fibre wheel maker Carbon Revolution was bought by American investors for a song, the next step according to media reports is to manufacture in Mexico. According to Automotive News, the company born…

New Insights from Old Factories – webinar launch

The media talks less about the industrial Internet of Things (IoT) nowadays but the power of the technology remains despite it not being the ‘new hot thing’ in manufacturing. Combined with ERP manufacturing management software, IoT devices offer a simple way to derive real-time insights from existing machinery and processes – modernising and automating in…

Avenira completes cathode process design

Phosphate chemicals producer Avenira has announced that its industrial technology partner Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) has completed basic process design for its planned lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery cathode materials plant. Taiwan’s Aleees is one of the few LFP battery materials producer outside China with complete LFP manufacturing capabilities and patents for electric vehicle storage…

Sparc chooses site for photocatalytic hydrogen production

Technology development company Sparc Hydrogen has chosen a site for a proposed pilot plant to prove its photocatalytic process to produce green hydrogen from water. Following the completion of tests at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW (pictured), Sparc Hydrogen has chosen a site close to Adelaide with consultants set to complete a pre-FEED…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

New project looks at dynamically managing energy loads The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced $864,000 in funding to AGL on Thursday to develop and trial a price intensity forecasting tool to support dynamic load flexing in the commercial and industrial sectors. The $1.78 million project will initially recruit four Melbourne-based customer sites and utilise…

Ampcontrol announces record apprentice intake for 2024

Electrical  engineering group Ampcontrol has announced a record intake of 55 apprentices across its operations for 2024. The apprentices employed are in electrical, fabrication, mechanical fitting and machining trades, with 38 of them starting in NSW, nine in Queensland and eight in WA.  “We are excited to be welcoming 55 new apprentices into our business…

Defence ensures future of Austal and its Henderson shipyard

By Peter Roberts The federal government has moved to secure the future of Austal’s Perth shipbuilding operation and its Henderson yard (pictured) in Western Australia. Defence has entered into a new strategic partnership with Austal which will see 18 of the Army’s new Landing Craft Medium built at Henderson. Austal will also deliver two new…

Space Machines Company used Siemens software to create new OSV

Space “roadside assistance” startup Space Machines Company (SMC) and engineering firm Siemens have shared details of SMC’s use of Siemens Xcelerator software portfolio to create an Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV), described as “one of the largest commercial spacecrafts” made in Australia. Last month SMC announced assembly and integration of all hardware for the 270 kilogram…

Project aims to transform composites repair with digital twins

A new project will see University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Centre for Future Materials researchers, Dassault Systemes software reseller MEMKO and Boeing work together on the use of digital twins for repairing composite structures. Lead researcher Dr Tristan Shelley from UniSQ said in a statement on Thursday that the ultimate goal was increased digitalisation of…

Canberra moves to auctions to speed renewables uptake

By Peter Roberts The federal government has moved to accelerate Australia’s shift towards renewable electricity, replacing the Renewable Energy Target with a series of auctions to drive investment. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen revealed the shift to six monthly auctions to secure 32GW of new wind, solar PV and energy storage capacity to…

Train manufacturing closer in Queensland

The Hyundai Rotem Corporation will establish a stand-alone local presence on the Fraser Coast with the purchase of an industrial site and plans to establish a factory to produce sub-components for train car bodies. The facility will be focused on roll forming which involves the continuous bending of a long strip of sheet metal –…

Battery talks with Indonesia – ‘It’s value-adding stupid!’

By Peter Roberts The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic is to visit Jakarta to further cooperation and collaboration with Indonesia on battery technologies and electric vehicles. Husic’s two-day trip is a long overdue ramping up of Australia’s industrial relationship with our close neighbour – one that has often seemed neglected in recent decades…

Swinburne, CSIRO launch new hydrogen refuelling station at Clayton

CSIRO and Swinburne University of Technology’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) have launched a $2.5 million, purpose-built clean hydrogen refuelling station. The station is located at the national science agency’s Clayton, Victoria site, and will be used in research on hydrogen in transport applications as well as for training. The installation is funded by VH2 and…

La Trobe boosts digital skills with new hub

Melbourne’s La Trobe University has inaugurated a new Digital Innovation Hub in partnership with industry which aims to boost collaboration between students, researchers, business and industry. Opened by Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney, the new precinct is a partnership with Cisco and Optus to accelerate research and development across healthcare, education, advanced…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Victorian government announces Skills Solutions Partnerships Program Victorian industry minister Natalie Hutchins announced the $10 million Skills Solutions Partnerships Program at the 2023 Victorian Manufacturing Showcase on Tuesday. As part of the program, government, industry, TAFEs and universities will co-design and pilot new training courses in manufacturing, digital, construction, clean economy, healthcare and social services,…

Portable gold detector company carries home gold innovation award

Gold detector company Portable PPB has taken out the top prize at the WA Innovator of the Year awards, now running for 17 years and offering a total prize pool of $220,000. According to its website, the company is based on the detectORE technology (invented at CSIRO in 2016), incorporated in 2017, began R&D the…

Australian Railway Research and Innovation Network launches

A new Australian Railway Research and Innovation Network (AusRRIN) – five Australian universities each recognised for strength in railway research along with key railway industry and regulatory entities – was officially launched on Thursday morning. In a statement from Monash University, it was explained that the network will be formalised through a signed MOU between…

$1.8 billion in NSW renewable projects announced through Capacity Investment Scheme

The federal and NSW governments have announced six projects through the Capacity Investment Scheme, aimed at providing over a gigawatt of dispatchable power across the state. The projects from the tender are:  Akaysha Energy’s Orana Renewable Energy Zone battery, located in Wellington in central-west NSW, with 415 megawatt capacity and 1,660 megawatt hour, four-hour storage…

Thales’s $2bn navy maintenance contract win

The federal government has announced a continuation of Thales Australia’s long standing role maintaining Royal Australian Navy ships with a new $2 billion contract to maintain and sustain Australia’s naval fleet in Sydney. French-owned Thales Australia has been appointed as the Regional Maintenance Provider for the new Regional Maintenance Centre East at Defence’s Garden Island…

BlueScope unveils vision for Port Kembla Steelworks land

BlueScope Steel has unveiled a Master Plan to develop 200 Hectares (Ha) of non-steelmaking, excess landholdings adjacent to the company’s Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales. The Master Plan will see BlueScope transform the surplus land next door to its steelmaking plant, into what the company calls ‘a next generation multi-industrial precinct’ with potential…

Greenroom Robotics joins Austal in autonomy trial

Western Australian-based Greenroom Robotics Pty Ltd has joined shipbuilder Austal’s Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial, underway for Trusted Autonomous Systems and the Royal Australian Navy. Greenroom Robotics will integrate their Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) control software, known as GAMA, into Sentinel – pictured, a decommissioned Armidale-class Patrol Boat. The integration will allow autonomous navigation, remote pilotage…

Uniseed expands horizons, seeks new investment managers

University investment group Uniseed is looking for new venture finance managers following its expansion, with five new universities backing its commercialising efforts. Uniseed is now searching for people to fill new roles of Investment Manager (Technology) in Melbourne and an Investment Manager (Biotechnology) in Sydney. Uniseed’s existing partners are the long established universities of Queensland,…

Wine production hits 15 year low – Wine Australia

Australia’s wine industry recorded the lowest wine production in 15 years in 2022-13, with total sales exceeding wine prodiction, according to new figures from Wine Australia. Total sales of Australian wine were 11 per cent above production in 2022–23 – not enough to substantially reduce pressure on historically high national wine inventory levels Wine Australia’s…

Queensland’s new fund backs bush manufacturers

Applications are now open for a new Queensland government fund that aims to back businesses to deliver more bush projects. The $50 million Backing Business in the Bush Fund will support small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that are looking to expand, enhance or diversify their business operations across regional Queensland. By investing in productivity…

Fortescue presses ‘go’ on 3 green hydrogen projects

Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group has pressed ‘go’ on three green hydrogen projects in Australia and internationally to cost a collective $1.14 billion (US$750 million) over the next three years. The company’s board announced final investment decision had been reached on two green energy projects including one planned for Gladstone, Queensland and a green metals…

Australia on cusp of significant building boom – Brickworks

Diversified building products manufacturer Brickworks believes Australia is on the cusp of a significant building boom, notwithstanding some softness in its markets in the short term. The company, which is also involved in property development, investment activities and brick manufacture in the United States, told its annual general meeting that it was navigating a number…

Detmold announces new CEO

Adelaide-headquartered packaging company Detmold Group has announced Sascha Detmold Cox as its new CEO, effective immediately, after what it said was an “extensive recruitment process”. Detmold Cox has worked at Detmold for over three decades, including in her current role as CEO of Detmold Medical. Executive Chair Rodney Detmold will assume the role of Acting…

Applications open for Cremorne Digital Hub (CDH) Scaleup Program

Applications are now open and four companies will be selected for a first round of the new Cremorne Digital Hub (CDH) Scaleup Program, which will get underway in February. According to a statement from Victorian industry minister Natalie Hutchins on Tuesday, the program will support companies possessing “high investment and job creation potential” with their…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

National Innovation Policy Forum to be held in Canberra next week The National Innovation Policy Forum and 2023 Ralph Slatyer Address on Science and Society will be held on Monday, November 27. The forum at the Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra, is hosted by Cooperative Research Australia, and brings together Australian innovation leaders from businesses…

Work disassembling “three Sydney Harbour bridges” of steel begins at former Gove refinery

Rio Tinto has begun what it says is Australia’s largest-ever demolition project, and will disassemble an expected 142,000 tonnes of scrap steel at the Northern Territory’s Gove alumina refinery to be shipped for recycling. The site operated from 1972 until being put in care and maintenance in 2014. It previously converted bauxite into alumina, and…

CSIRO launches circular economy accelerator focused on India

Startups and small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India and Australia working on circular economy technologies could benefit from a new accelerator programme designed to explore opportunities between the two countries. The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is delivered in partnership between CSIRO and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the Government of…

Drone making boosts robotics manufacturing

By Peter Roberts Drone manufacture is part of a surprisingly large cohort of robot manufacturers uncovered in a survey of robotics providers in Australia. The survey identified 466 robot and automation suppliers, and while most were essentially service businesses, the study identified 19 percent were manufacturers of robots, including drones. Of the rest 57 were…

Harvest B gets distribution through Healthylife

Plant-based ingredients manufacturer Harvest B has announced that it will begin sales to consumers through Woolworths’ Healthylife.com.au online platform. According to a statement from Harvest B, which launched a factory at Penrith in December last year, it will offer consumers 330 gram – 350 gram packs, including diced and shredded products in lamb, chicken, beef…

Researchers boost fibre laser power with new technique

The power of fibre lasers has been increased without sacrificing beam quality by researchers from University of South Australia (UniSA), the University of Adelaide (UoA) and Yale University, according to a statement from UniSA, offering potential in counterdrone and other technologies. The researchers demonstrated multimode optical fibre to scale up power in fibre lasers by…

Andrew Forrest adds Akubra to R.M. Williams

Andrew Forrest owned Tattarang has acquired another Australian icon – purchasing hat maker Akubra to join bushman’s outfitter R.M.Williams inthe company’s stable of Australian heritage brands. Tattarang CEO John Hartman took to social media to announce the buy. Hartman said: “The Keir family has owned Akubra for five generations and are now proudly passing custodianship…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, November 13 – 17, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Search for industry partners for a Surface Manufacturing CRC Researchers led by UniSA are searching for companies interested to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC). Surface Engineering and Manufacturing optimise…

Austal’s Titanic MoU takes it to the UK

Perth shipbuilder Austal has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Harland & Wolff Group – the Belfast based builders of the famous Titanic – to pursue shipbuilding opportunities in the United Kingdom. The MOU, signed at the 2023 Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney, includes the transfer of technology, skills, and shipyard capabilities required…

NASAMS missile fired utilising Australian radar technology

The Australian Army has conducted its first live-fire of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) at the Woomera test range in South Australia. While the NASCAMS system, in service globally including in Ukraine, is Norwegian, the Army has integrated unique radar technology from Canberra’s CEA Technologies into its Australian systems. The firing…

WA’s energy future includes carbon capture and storage – Bowen

The federal minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen has definitively included the controversial technology of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) in its net zero plans for Western Australia. In Perth for a series of announcements on the state’s energy future, Bowen was challenged by journalists at a media conference about disappointments with…

Join up today as an industry partner for a Surface Manufacturing CRC

Researchers led by UniSA and Swinburne University are searching for companies interested to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC). Surface Engineering and Manufacturing optimise material properties, customise products, enhancing their longevity and performance. For SMEs, it’s a gateway to innovation, reducing costs and fostering global competitiveness by delivering…

Search for industry partners for Surface Manufacturing CRC – Titomic case study

Researchers led by UniSA and Swinburne University are searching for companies wanting to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre. Here, we explain how Titomic benefitted from collaborative research at Swinburne. Australia boasts one of the world’s largest reserves of titanium, so it follows that incorporating this abundant raw material…

USQ researchers awarded grants to commercialise new composites, fertilisers

Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Seed Grants have been awarded to two projects led by University of Southern Queensland researchers, aiming to commercialise construction and fertiliser products.

Dovetail to convert 10 planes to hydrogen power – report

Dovetail Electric Aviation has announced a contract from Spanish carrier Air Nostrum for the conversion of 10 aircraft to utilise its hydrogen fuel cell, battery electric powertrain. The Rose Bay, Sydney company took to social media to confirm the order from the airline, which is one of the investors in the electric propulsion technology company.…

Kwinana hydrogen hub progresses to FEED

The H2Kwinana Hydrogen Hub is progressing to the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage, it was announced on Friday, with construction scheduled to be finished “in mid-2027”. Energy minister Chris Bowen said that the project had made “one major step forward” ahead of producing “over 14,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per annum” for use in industry…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme in operation Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is now operating, providing consumers and businesses with a 10 cent refund for every eligible drink container they recycle. Eligible containers include most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard (carton) containers which can be returned to refund points for payment. Refunds can be given as…

Search for industry partners for Surface Manufacturing CRC – by Atif Majeed

Researchers led by UniSA and Swinburne University of Technology are searching for companies wanting to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre. Here, Atif Majeed explains how SMEs can elevate their technological capabilities and develop competitiveness through involvement in a CRC. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are vital catalysts for…

Fortescue launches green capital arm

Fortescue Metals Group has announced the formation of a new green energy investment accelerator platform Fortescue Capital, headquartered in New York City. The company named Robert Tichio (pictured) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Partner of the group, which it described as the next step in Fortescue’s commitment to deliver green energy projects and…

Aristocrat’s strong growth puts Covid in the past

Gaming and pokies manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure has drawn a line under years of Covid-119 disruption to the gaming industry, reporting a 21 percent rise in net profit after tax to $1.3 billion for the 12 months ended 30 September 2023. Revenue was up 13 percent to $6.3 billion with the Sydney company booking EBITDA profit…

New legislation clears the way for AUKUS n-submarines

The federal government has introduced the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023, which will establish a new, independent regulator to ensure Australia applies the highest standards of nuclear safety across its nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and can continue to implement AUKUS without delay. This is the second legislative package introduced to support implementation of the…

Industry-focussed PhDs announced in $8 million funding round

Support worth $8 million has been announced for 40 research projects through Round 2 of the National Industry PhD Program, addressing industry problems at companies including Samsara Eco, Great Wrap and Seeley International. “The challenges our country faces can only be solved when we work together, the National Industry PhD program is an important part…

Opal opens new $140m packaging factory in Wodonga

Opal has officially opened its new $140 million corrugated cardboard packaging facility, in Wodonga, Victoria.

Rail manufacturing strategy aims to coordinate procurement

The federal government has released a National Rail Procurement and Manufacturing Strategy, aiming to help grow a sustainable rail manufacturing sector, increase productivity, international competitiveness and industry participation. To be delivered in partnership with the states and territories the Strategy has six pillars: Develop a nationally coordinated approach to rolling stock procurement Harmonise standards for…

How could Australia actually get to net zero? Here’s how

By Anna Skarbek, Climateworks Centre; Anna Malos, Monash University, and Michael Li, Monash University Every bit of warming matters if we want to avoid the worst impacts for climate change, as the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows. In 2020, we released modelling showing how Australia could get to net zero…

Australian team moves perovskite cell development away from alchemy with AI

A team of researchers led by RMIT have used machine learning to cut years off the development of perovskite solar cells, according to the university. Perovskite solar cells are the subject of a global race among researchers, and have potential cost benefits over silicon, said lead author Dr Nastaran Meftahi from RMIT University’s School of…

Weld Australia announces winners of Queensland and NT Excellence Awards

Weld Australia announced the winners of its 2023 Queensland and Northern Territory Welding Excellence Awards at an event at Indooroopilly Golf Club on Wednesday night. According to a statement from the welding industry peak body, the Excellence Awards are the most prestigious event on the industry’s calendar, and celebrate world-class work being undertaken locally by…

The banks role in industry assistance – by Damon Cantwell

The advent of the National Reconstruction Fund offers the Federal Government an opportunity to learn from past industry programme mistakes, and make the whole process of industry support more efficient, writes Damon Cantwell. The $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund programme is not offering grants, but a mixture of concessional loans, guarantees and some equity positions.…

Cyclopharm expands on US market demand

Radiopharmaceutical systems manufacturer Cyclopharm is expanding its manufacturing and storage capacity at Kingsgrove in Sydney to meet US demand, following approval by the USFDA for sale of the system in the big Uited States market. The Sydney company told investors it was preparing to air freight the first 20 Technegas systems to the USA, with…

Employers engaging with training system – NCVER

Employers continue to engage with the accredited training system while increasing their use of unaccredited and informal training in 2023, according to a report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The report is derived from the 2023 Survey of Employers’ Use and Views of the VET System, which collected information from 6,290 employers…

Search for industry partners for Surface Manufacturing CRC – SMC automotive case study

Researchers led by UniSA are searching for companies wanting to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre. Here, Peter Roberts, profiles the benefits of collaboration achieved by automotive supplier SMR. It is no surprise that collaboration is one of the reasons behind the ability of one large automotive multi-national company,…

Samsung and Northern Territory partner to develop green energy hub

Samsung C&T Corporation Engineering & Construction has signed a deal with the Northern Territory to develop a green energy and sustainable manufacturing hub.

German rocket set for Koonibba Test Range launch

German rocket manufacturer HyImpulse is to launch into space from the Koonibba Test Range near Ceduna in South Australia in 2024. Operated by space launch provider Southern Launch, Koonibba will be the site for HyImpulse’s SR75 sounding rocket sub-orbital launch, subject to further approvals. The SR75 is powered by HyImpulse’s unique, green hybrid propulsion technology,…

Tivan partners with CSIRO on critical minerals processing technology

Tivan has secured a commercial and strategic partnership with CSIRO to develop minerals processing technology for the recovery of vanadium.

Hannans and Serbian steelmaker partner on EV lithium battery recycling

Hannans has signed a partnership with Serbia’s Metalfer Group to commercialise electric vehicle battery recycling and processing technology in Europe.

CSIRO launches A.I. month

The CSIRO’s National A.I. Centre (NAIC) has launched Australia’s first artificial intelligence month, comprising a series of events and forums to help shape the country’s A.I. future. Run from November 15 to December 15, the initiative aims to bring together A.I. organisations, entrepreneurs and researchers over more than 50 free and ticketed A.I.-related events. Federal…

Hypersonix, Nominal Systems team up on digital twins

Hypersonic vehicle developer Hypersonix Launch Systems has announced an MoU with digital engineering solutions company Nominal Systems to develop “a digital twin concept demonstrator” of the DART AE aircraft. DART AE is a three-metre-long, single-use, hydrogen-fuelled hypersonic platform, additively manufactured out of high-temperature alloys. It is being developed to use with Hypersonix’s proprietary SPARTAN scramjet…

Cyber threats on the rise – report

The Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) Annual Cyber Threat Report for 2022-23 lays bare Australia’s cyber threat landscape. Reflecting the global strategic context, this year’s report highlights that Australian governments, critical infrastructure, businesses and households continue to be the target of malicious state and non-state cyber actors. Key findings from the report include: ASD received over…

Search for industry partners for a Surface Manufacturing CRC

Researchers led by UniSA are searching for companies interested to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC). Surface Engineering and Manufacturing optimise material properties, customise products, enhancing their longevity and performance. For SMEs, it’s a gateway to innovation, reducing costs and fostering global competitiveness by delivering superior and tailored…

Search for CRC industry partners – 7 reasons to join a CRC by Tony Peacock

Researchers led by UniSA are searching for companies interested to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC). Here, Tony Peacock explains the seven benefits of the highly successful CRC programme. The Cooperative Research Centres programme is one of Australia’s longest running and most successful R&D schemes. Tens of billions…

$26 million awarded through ARC Linkage projects

Funding totalling $26 million has been announced through ARC Linkage Projects 2023 Round 1 across 50 projects, including for next-generation microchip manufacture, anodes for next-generation lithium batteries, and addressing superalloy microstructure defects. The Linkage Projects scheme backs projects that “initiate or develop long term strategic research alliance” and provides funding of between $50,000 and $300,000…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

“Carbon leakage” review launched The federal government has opened public consultation on options to help address the risk of carbon leakage and its impact on heavy industries, such as steel and cement. Leakage occurs when industries move from countries with more ambitious emissions reduction policies to those with weaker policies. According to a statement on…

Incat offers smaller electric ferry alongside its flagship

Innovative Tasmanian ferry manufacturer Incat Tasmania has new plans for a smaller version of its first-to-market large aluminium zero emission catamaran ferry. With the world’s largest lightweight battery electric ferry with a capacity to carry more than 2,000 passengers and 225 vehicles already under construction, founder Robert Clifford has announced plans to make zero emission…

BridgeWest adds NovaCina to pharmaceutical assets

Private investment firm, Bridgewest Group has expanded its pharmaceuticals portfolio, announcing the purchase of the sterile injectable manufacturing facility of Pfizer (Perth) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Pfizer, Inc. The cGMP manufacturing facility, located in Bentley, Perth is a diverse sterile injectable manufacturing facility, approved to supply drug products in over 90 countries with approvals…

New fund launched to abate industrial emissions

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched the first funding round of a $400 million funding programme to support emissions reduction at existing industrial facilities in regional Australia. The Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS) is part of the Powering the Regions Fund, with ARENA working closely with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment…

SCSA Taipan rifle launched in US

Southern Cross Small Arms (SCSA) has launched its Taipan X pump action rifle in the United States through its distributor Legacy Sports International. Taipan X is an evolution of the Sydney manufacturer’s Taipan range and is billed as a tactical-style centerfire pump action rifle. SCSA took to social media and hailed Taipan’s arrival on US…

Search for CRC industry partners – Laserbond case study

@AuManufacturing’s editorial series on researchers led by UniSA’s search for companies to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC) continues today. Here, we profile the benefits Adelaide’s Laserbond achieved through collaboration with researchers at UniSA. Cooperative Research Centres are one of the most successful methods for encouraging collaboration between…

The genuine Spirit of Australia heads towards orbit

The groundbreaking Australian-made Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal (SpIRIT) nanosatellite has arrived in California for launch in November. This article, adapted from one from the Australian Space Agency, details the technology and the companies behind this achievement. SpIRIT is a joint industry mission led by the University of Melbourne and supported by the Australian Space…

Major cyberattack on Australian ports suggests sabotage by a ‘foreign state actor’

By David Tuffley, Griffith University A serious cyberattack has disrupted operations at several of Australia’s largest ports, causing delays and congestion. Late on Friday, port operator DP World detected an IT breach that affected critical systems used to coordinate shipping activity. DP World is one of Australia’s largest port operators, handling approximately 40% of the…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

E-aviation startup features at Falling Walls Electric aviation business Kite Magnetics emerged as a standout in Berlin at Falling Walls Venture 2023 last week, the company has said, “demonstrating that our innovations could play a pivotal role in addressing the aviation industry’s environmental impact.” In a statement on Linkedin, founder and CEO Dr Richard Parsons…

Incitec chair Brian Kruger resigns

Fertiliser and explosives company Incitec Pivot announced on Monday morning that Brian Kruger has stepped down as Chairman and non-executive director, effective immediately, citing personal reasons.   Kruger had been a director at Incitec since June 2017 and Chairman since July 2019.  The company nominated delivery of sustained earnings for shareholders through COVID-19 and geopolitical instability…

Woodside ups funding of SiBox demo project by $750,000

Woodside Energy Technologies has increased its funding of 1414 Degrees’ SiBox Demonstration Module (SDM) project by $750,000 to $2.75 million, with funding to be made on completion of specific milestones. Thermal energy storage system manufacturer 1414 Degrees said in a statement on Monday that total grant funding for SDM is now $4.95 million, with $2.2…

Low carbon aluminium a winner for Capral

Building products manufacturer Capral Aluminium’s lower carbon aluminium range, LocAl has been recognised at the 2023 Architecture and Design Sustainability Awards as the Green Building Product category winner. In an era where environmental consciousness is rising, Capral’s locally extruded, lower-carbon aluminium stands out for its more sustainable practices and aluminium stewardship, according to the company.…

Search for industry partners for Surface Manufacturing CRC – series launch

@AuManufacturing today launches a new series on researchers led by UniSA who are seeking companies to develop surface processing capabilities, in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre. Here, Peter Roberts sets the scene – what can manufacturers expect from a new Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC)? SMEs who collaborate with each other and…

Search for CRC industry partners – Professor Colin Hall

Our editorial series on researchers led by UniSA’s search for companies to develop surface processing capabilities in a planned Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (SMCRC), talks to Professor Colin Hall, industry professor at UniSA. It is no coincidence that a proposal to establish a new Surface Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre comes from an institution, and…

Australian Manufacturing Forum passes 14,000 members

@AuManufacturing’s social media discussion and networking group, the Australian Manufacturing Forum on Linkedin, has passed an important membership milestone. The Forum, Australia’s largest professional social media group of Australian manufacturers, jumped past the 14,000 member mark last night with the admission of new members, bringing membership late yesterday to 14,012. New members in past days…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, November 6 – 10, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 1) Brisbane’s Tritium to move production to US NASDAQ-listed electric vehicle charger manufacturer Tritium has ended speculation about the future of its Brisbane factory and announced that it will move production to Lebanon, Tennessee, in a bid to…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

ClearVue receives R&D tax credit Solar photovoltaic company ClearVue has announced receipt of a $935,000 R&D tax credit from the Australian Taxation Office. The R&D tax credit claim under the Research & Development Tax Incentive related to research work completed during the last year on activities including development and production of its Generation 2 ClearVuePV…

Land swap clears way for n-sub construction yard

Australia is a step closer to building conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines after the Australian and South Australian governments reached agreement on a land exchange for the new submarine construction yard at Osborne in Adelaide. The land for the yard, to employ up to 4,000 workers at its peak, will progressively move to the ownership of…

Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility seeks proposals for first projects

The NSW government’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF), currently under construction at Bradfield City Centre, is seeking proposals for its first projects. The AMRF is scheduled to open in its first stage mid-next year, and aims to be the centre of “an advanced manufacturing ecosystem”  within the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. According to its website, those…

Liquid metal research shows new way to cut emissions in chemical industry

Australian researchers are pursuing low-temperature, liquid metal-based catalysts as a way to make the chemical industry less emissions-intensive. In a paper published in Nature Nanotechnology on Friday, the team of Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Dr Junma Tang and Dr Arifur Rahim showed how nickel and tin could be dissolved in a gallium-based liquid metal to access…

Queensland to build hydrogen ready power generation

Queensland is firming a renewable energy future with the delivery of the state’s first renewable energy peaking power plant now officially underway. In a partnership led by publicly owned energy company, CS Energy, GE Vernova will supply hydrogen ready peaking generation units, decreasing future reliance on fossil gas. GE Vernova will supply the equipment for…

Green Gravity set to store energy in Romania

Energy storage technology company Green Gravity‘s gravity-operated systems could soon be operating in Europe following the execution of an agreement between the company and Complexul Energetic Valea Jiului S.A. (CEVJ). The companies have executed a Cooperation Framework Agreement to explore the application of Green Gravity’s energy storage technology in seventeen mine shafts on the four…

Want to join the ‘no profit, no tax’ club?

By Peter Roberts Tired of hearing that manufacturers are rent seekers asking for handouts from the government? Tired of paying tax? Well, now you don’t need to – in Australia corporate tax is somewhat voluntary depending on who you are. Instead of being in the difficult-to-make-a-buck manufacturing sector perhaps you should think about getting into…

Orica delivers uplift in performance

Explosives and blasting technology group Orica has reported strong earnings across all business segments for FY2023. Statutory Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) was reported as $295.7 million, compared to $60.1 million in the previous year but including $73.3 million of significant items expense after tax. Underlying EBIT from continuing operations was $698.1 million, up 24…

Austal, Civmec and Navantia offer RAN corvettes

Defence contractors Austal, Civmec and Navantia Australia have partnered to offer the navy a proposal to deliver six corvettes, a so-called Tier 2 type vessel to complement larger frigates and destroyers. Designed by Navantia, the Tasman class corvette combines the manoeuvrability of a Tier 2 vessel, with the powerful weaponry of a major surface combatant,…

DroneShield’s DroneCannon features in Agile Shield

Drone detection and countermeasure company DroneShield has announced that one of its key products has been integrated into defence prime contractor Lockheed Martin Australia’s Agile Shield battlefield management programme. The incorporation of the company’s DroneCannon Mk2 wide area non-kinetic effector (pictured) was announced as part of a collaboration with LMA’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Leadership and…

Sedgman awarded lead contract to develop critical minerals common user facility in Townsville

CIMIC Group subsidiary Sedgman has been appointed Managing Contractor for a critical minerals processing facility in Townsville, the state-owned Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF). In a statement on Thursday, the state government said it would work closely with Sedgman to develop the detailed design and construction program for the facility, which it intends to…

Defence lobby group calls for design of new AUKUS rifle

Private sector operated Weapons Research Establishment has invited innovators to contribute to the design and manufacture of a new, cutting-edge AUKUS rifle through an open innovation challenge. The AUKUS Rifle Challenge represents a unique opportunity for researchers, engineers, and manufacturers to contribute to the development of cutting-edge firearms that can enhance the effectiveness of armed…

Space Machines Company purchases navigation system from Inovor

Space logistics business Space Machines Company has announced a purchase of Inovor Technologies’ navigation system, Star Tracker, which will be integrated into SMC’s orbital servicing vehicle, Optimus.  Star Tracker “will play a pivotal role in enhancing the navigation capabilities of Optimus” according to SMC, which plans to provide transportation and other in-space services following its…

Brisbane’s Tritium to move production to US

NASDAQ-listed electric vehicle charger manufacturer Tritium has ended speculation about the future of its Brisbane factory and announced that it will move production to Lebanon, Tennessee, in a bid to break even. In a statement this week, Tritium said it would be “consolidating its global manufacturing operations into its scaled plant in Lebanon,” as well…

BAE Systems rolls out ‘Targeted Tasks’ to boost SMEs

Defence manufacturer BAE Systems Australia has developed a new concept in boosting the capabilities of the SME suppliers it relies on through the deployment of ‘Targeted Tasks’. As part of the Hunter Class Frigate Program the company aims to maximise Australian Industry Capability, and has tasked Australian SMEs with a specific scope of work to…

H2X Global reveals hydrogen fuel cell van prototype

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle manufacturer H2X Global has advanced its ambitions to produce fuel cell light commercial vehicles, unveilling what was billed as a new Hydrogen Professional Van prototype at a recent Body Engineering Days Conference. The prototype appears to be a development of the company’s proposed Darling van which has been seen in artists’…

AusWaste plans Queensland paper recycling facility

One of Australia’s biggest paper recycling facilities will be built in South East Queensland with plans to turn 220,000 tonnes of waste paper and cardboard into pulp annually for export. The federal and Queensland governments have partnered with Brisbane-based national company AusWaste Recycling to build a $137 million waste paper recycling facility at Brendale. The…

EOS adds ‘dazzler’ to remote weapon station

Defence manufacturer Electro Optic Systems has unveiled a laser Dazzler and anti-drone laser weapon system to its R800 large remote weapon station. Launched at INDO PACIFIC 2023 International Maritime Exposition, the new combination is aimed at countering air and seaborne threats. The laser Dazzler is a non-ballistic countermeasure against uncrewed aerial and seaborne threats, adding…

BAE Systems beefs up frigate design, but what then is it?

By Peter Roberts In the face of criticism that Australia is building the wrong type of naval vessel in a time of rising tension, BAE Systems Australia has revealed a more lethal, attack version of the Hunter class frigate it is building in Adelaide. Conceived as a largely anti-submarine vessel, the nine Hunter class frigates…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Hybrid vessel on display at Indo Pac A 43-foot battery electric hybrid boat (pictured) engineered and manufactured in the Hunter Region by Ampcontrol, Steber International, and the University of Newcastle, is on show at the 2023 Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition. The boat — with a 600 kilowatt plug-in hybrid power and propulsion system designed by…

First MDMA prescriptions likely in December

The first prescriptions for MDMA, better known as a party drug but now available to patients, could be available for supply to Australians as early as December following news from medicinal cannabis producer Vitura Health that it is preparing the drug for sale. The company told investors that its Cortexa joint venture with PharmAla Biotech…

VOLO begins deliveries of prefab homes for QLD government contract

The Queensland government has announced that seven prefabricated homes have been built at VOLO Modular at Yatala on the Gold Coast for delivery to Eidsvold this week. According to a statement on Wednesday, the houses will be delivered by truck and as used as social housing. VOLO will build 27 of the two-bedroom homes in…

AMSL awarded $5.43 million to progress green hydrogen-powered air taxi

AMSL Aero, the maker of a box kite-inspired eVTOL aircraft that achieved its first test flight in February, has been awarded $5.43 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen as a fuel. AMSL was established in 2017 by Andrew Moore, a former Royal Australian Navy engineer,…

Hunter frigate mast begins to takes shape

The manufacture of a proof-of-concept mast designed to carry surveillance radars and other sensors on board Australia’s Hunter class frigates is now underway. BAE Systems Australia’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, has begun manufacturing the aluminium mast, the first of the type which will ultimately feature Australian manufactured L-Band high power active phase array radar.…

HyEnergy green hydrogen project takes shape

The area earmarked for the HyEnergy green hydrogen development in Western Australia has been further defined, with the Western Australian Government providing additional licences for the project to support studies on land and water usage. Province has struck an agreement with the government’s Department of Transport over 864 hectares of the seabed near Carnarvon to…

TWPG and Rafael reveal new strike watercraft

Tactical boat developer The Whiskey Project Group and defence contractor Rafael Australia have unveiled a new collaboration to deliver what they call the most advanced reconnaissance and strike watercraft in the world. Their Whiskey Bravo – Strike craft was revealed at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition now underway in Sydney. The companies took to…

WA critical minerals strategy open for comment

The Western Australian Government is refocusing the State’s activities in the rapidly evolving battery and critical minerals sector with the release of a new paper for public consultation. The state’s Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy opened for comment, aiming to build on successes already achieved by the increasingly lucrative industry. The state is already home…

Carbon Revolution lives on, cupboard bare for Australian investors

By Peter Roberts Shares in carbon fibre road wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution disappeared from the ASX this week as the company’s shares began trading on the US NASDAQ exchange as Carbon Revolution Inc. The US listing was the culmination of a drawn out fight for survival which will see the company continue to manufacture at…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Marand’s launcher ramp system passes FAT  Marand Precision Engineering has announced successful passing of Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for production of first of type Launcher Ramp System for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile NSM. KONGSBERG’s NSM were selected last year to replace Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) ANZAC Class Frigates and…

Cold Logic to build refrigeration for Hunter frigates

Australian refrigeration company Cold Logic has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to construct and install cold and cool rooms for the first batch of three Hunter class frigates being built in Adelaide. Cold Logic has expertise in delivering bespoke refrigeration and climate control system solutions for large scale food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical, and…

NIOA joins Aerojet Rocketdyne in guided weapons

Australian-owned defence prime NIOA has signed an agreement with US rocket and hypersonics company Aerojet Rocketdyne to explore the manufacturing of critical guided weapons components in Australia. The agreement anticipates the future assembly and manufacture of rocket motors, boosters and warheads for munitions within the Aerojet Rocketdyne portfolio which covers a wide range of weapons…

Aerobond’s defence grant for guided weapons

Composites and metal manufacturer Aerobond has announced it has secured a federal government Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant for precision guided munitions, hypersonic weapons, and integrated air and missile defence systems. The Adelaide company will match the federal funds, and has launched a $1.67 million expansion project to manufacture guided munitions and associated systems at…

Defence backs Hendon to bolster semiconductor capabilities

The federal government has moved to bolster Australia’s capabilities in the production of semiconductors announcing the award of a defence Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant to Adelaide- company Hendon Semiconductors. The $690,000 grant, to be matched by the company, will modernise Hendon’s Hybrid Integrated Circuit (HIC) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) production capabilities. Integrated…

R&D should be 3 per cent of GDP by 2045: STA

Peak body Science & Technology Australia has used its annual Leadership Dialogue to call for bold R&D investment commitments to be taken to the next election. In a statement on Monday, STA – which counts 138 member organisations representing 115,000 scientists and technologists among its members – said it would seek commitments from political parties…

Bell Bay emerges as preferred location for $2 billion SunCable cable factory

Tasmania’s Bell Bay is the preferred destination for making high-voltage DC subsea cables to be used to export solar energy from Australia, SunCable said over the weekend. According to a statement from the Tasmanian government on Sunday, a purpose-built cable factory would address supply constraints of HVDC subsea cable, with all advanced HVDC subsea cable…

Bushfire resistant undercoat paint goes on sale

A new Australian-developed fire-retardant paint now on sale has become the first to pass a stringent Australian standard test that simulates a bushfire attack. The FSA FIRECOAT paint, on sale at selected Bunnings stores, achieved the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) 40 standard which assesses the bushfire resistance of buildings and construction materials. BAL-40 indicates that…

From oily idea to global force in 25 years

By Peter Roberts Homer called olive oil liquid gold, but to one Australian company its qualities have morphed an idea into an emerging global force in an age old and seemingly unchanging industry in only 25 years. When horticulturalists Rob McGavin and Paul Riordan planted an initial 200 hectares of olives in 1998 it is…

CSR navigates tough conditions, improves building products EBIT

Building products manufacturer CSR has navigated difficult economic conditions to significantly increase EBIT profit from the building sector in the latest half year to 30 September. Net profit after tax (NPAT) was down 15 percent to $94 million comparted to the previous corresponding period with strong growth in building products offset by a lower contribution…

Strong demand for community battery grants

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has revealed a huge response under Round 1 of the Community Batteries Funding Program, with more than $3.5 billion of battery deployment projects seeking funding. Opened in April, ARENA’s round received 140 eligible applications across all states and territories, with a total grant request of $1.3 billion – more…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, October 30 – November 3, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Australian FMCG brands facing extinction? Sara Lee has been billed as the latest Australian food brand to go to the wall – it is actually New Zealand owned. Nevertheless, here Allen Roberts explains why it is next to…

$3.6 million backs defence industry capabilities

Ten Australian manufacturers will share more than $3.6 million to develop cutting-edge defence capabilities and boost exports in the latest round of Defence grants. The payments include more than $800,000 to a New South Wales company producing hard armour for military personnel, $585,000 to a South Australian manufacturer to develop a large-scale environmental test chamber…

Australia, UK sign agreement to cooperate on quantum tech

The Australian and United Kingdom governments have signed an MoU, agreeing to cooperate on innovation, research and commercialisation of quantum technology, during the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park this week. A joint statement (accessible here) “reaffirms the strong technology relationship” between the pair, supporting joint activities under the Australia-UK Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership…

Robotic hub launched for hazardous inspections

The University of Sydney has launched the Australian Robotic Inspection and Asset Management Hub (ARIAM) which researchers say will transform the way important assets are handled. ARIAM’s work will reduce the need for people to enter dangerous or hazardous locations to maintain assets such as tunnels and underwater infrastructure, according to an announcement. It will…

FBR strengthens robot’s IP protections with new patents

Robotic construction technology company FBR has filed nine new International PCT patent applications covering a range of technologies involved in the next-generation Hadrian X block laying system. This brings the total number of patent families covering the Hadrian X, DST, the Fastbrick Wall System and adjacent outdoor robotics applications to over 40. The filing of…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

AM2D to launch at Monash this month The ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials (AM2D) will be officially launched at an in-person event on Monday, November 20. The launch will be officiated by a host of delegates including a local MP, the Australian Research Council, Monash University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise) Prof Doron…

Companies awarded contracts on upcoming Tasmanian ferries

Tasmanian companies have secured up to $100 million in contracts on the two upcoming Spirit of Tasmania ferries, currently being built in Finland, the state government said on Thursday. In a statement, the Tasmanian government said Launceston business Waverley Mills has secured a contract to supply two types of throw rugs, with an order for…

Moderna launches mRNA Platform Incubator Network

US-based biotech company Moderna has announced the launch of the mRNA Platform Incubator Network, linking Australian organisations with strength in translational and pharmaceutical science, early-phase clinical trials and regulatory science.  According to the maker of the Spikevax COVID‑19 vaccine, the group aims to “advance mRNA medicine, foster scientific excellence in clinical translation in Australia and…

New report looks at skills needed for Australian semiconductor moonshot

Following its Australia’s semiconductor manufacturing moonshot report last year, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has published a follow-up report on developing the talent pipeline needed to underpin a local chip industry. Published on Thursday, Australia’s semiconductor manufacturing moonshot: securing semiconductor talent looks at the importance of developing skills, global human capital challenges, and – as…

Ark Energy breaks ground on Townsville hydrogen hub

Ark Energy has released images of the ceremony marking the groundbreaking for its planned green hydrogen hub in Townsville, Queensland. Townsville state MP Scott Stewart, Mayor Jenny Hill, partners, suppliers, contractors and key stakeholders joined company executives to celebrate the start of construction of Stage 1 of SunHQ H2 Hub. According to Ark Energy: “So…

IDT’s good start with new strategy

Pharmaceutical and medicinal cannabis manufacturer IDT Australia has reported a sales turnaround with revenues of $3 million in Q1FY24, up 300 percent on the previous corresponding period. The company told investors it has secured a further $2.1 million in new contracts in October with $4.2 million in contracts at the approval stage. The company’s sales…

TNA opens second Sydney site for confectionery equipment

Food processing and packaging solutions business TNA solutions announced the addition of a third manufacturing site in Australia, at Western Sydney’s Wetherill Park, on Monday. TNA said the expansion aimed to meet growing global demand from the confectionery and nutraceuticals sectors, and is its second confectionery manufacturing site in Sydney. “With our new Wetherill Park…

SunDrive to scale up low-cost solar cell production

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $11 million in funding to innovative Australian solar technology company SunDrive Solar to expand its novel solar cell metallisation capabilities. The company’s solar cell production capacity will rise from prototype scale of 1.5 MW/yr to commercial capacity of greater than 100 MW/yr. SunDrive has previously received $3…

RDTI shows increasing returns from foregone tax revenue, says new report

Industry organisation AusBiotech has released a new report calculating the return from the federal R&D tax incentive reached $3.14 for each dollar of forgone tax revenue. The Economic impact of the Research & Development Tax Incentive for the biotech industry report (linked here) was developed with Deloitte Access Economics, and estimates that the RDTI for…

InfraBuild shares result “consistent to last year”

Steel maker InfraBuild announced its financial and operational results for the year ending June 30, with net revenue of $5,686 million (down five per cent) and EBITDA of $651 million (down 2 per cent) for the financial year.  In a statement on Wednesday, the company – part of Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance – described performance…

$8bn silicon plant for Queensland – reports

Australian owned Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners is to add a missing piece to the solar PV manufacturing puzzle announcing plans for an $8 billion polysilicon manufacturing facility in Townsville, Queensland according to media reports. The company has been allocated 200 hectares of land at the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct which has acess to renewable energy supplies, promising…

Micro-X x-ray machine sales tick up, finally

By Peter Roberts Cold cathode x-ray machine manufacturer Micro-X saw a strong uptick in sales in the September quarter, validating the company’s reorganisation and greater focus on sales and marketing. The company reported sales of $2.9 million in the September quarter, compared to total sales for FY23 of $3.8 million. Australian government sales necessary to…

Tivan and Larrakia Energy sign solar power agreement

Mineral processor Tivan and Larrakia Energy have announced an agreement for supply of as much as 30 megawatts of renewable energy from 2026 to a planned vanadium electrolyte factory at Darwin’s Middle Arm precinct. In an announcement on Wednesday, the Northern Territory government said the partnership on energy represented a major step towards its goal…

On a wild goose chase to find Australian food brands

Earlier in the week Allen Roberts wrote that Australian owned food products faced extinction in the aisles of Australia’s duopoly supermarkets. Peter Roberts went on the hunt. I am always on the lookout for Australian made and owned products when I go shopping, but even I was not ready for the desert of genuine Australian…

Call for ideas for a mechanical arm for a lunar rover

First Australian companies and innovators were challenged to design a rover vehicle that will run on the Moon. Now a second challenge has been announced by marketplace Freelancer.com and ELO2 to design a mechanical sampling arm for the rover – the ELO2 Big Dipper Lunar Regolith Acquisition Challenge. The Australian Space Agency, in collaboration with…

Nourish Ingredients expands into Singapore

Canberra-based food tech company Nourish Ingredients, which makes animal-free fats used in plant-based foods via precision fermentation, has announced that it will set up a facility in Singapore’s Food Tech Innovation Centre (FTIC.)  In a statement on Tuesday, Nourish said it will operate from the flagship pilot and development facility run by Nurasa, where it…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Orthocell solidifies partnership with UWA Tissue regeneration technology developer Orthocell has executed an agreement with the University of Western Australia to exchange UWA’s entitlement to royalties for equity in Orthocell. The company will issue UWA 1.71 million shares in the company at a deemed price of 35 cents, placing the university among the top 20…

How Long Does an ERP Implementation Take for an SMB?

ADVERTISING FEATURE from ECI By Alan Margulis Determining a timeline for ERP implementation is a complex task for businesses of all sizes. The length of time depends on many variables, some of which are consistent for all organisations, and some of which will be unique to yours. What is more important than an accurate projection…

Electric aviation startup launches new facility, product line-up for under $US 1 million

Electric aviation manufacturer Kite Magnetics officially opened their Green Aviation Test Facility last month at an event showcasing the company’s electric motor testing capabilities, including an in-house designed and built dynamometer and thrust stand.  According to a statement from the Melbourne-based startup – which says it is committed to becoming a major player in the rapidly…

Treasury Wine Estates in huge US wine brand buy

Penfolds maker Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has secured a leading position in the US luxury wine market with a surprise US$900 million acquisition of US luxury wine business DAOU Vineyards. The purchase, which will be funded by an Au$825 million equity raising, brings the US’s fastest growing luxury brand into the TWE global stable which…

Round two of Victorian Manufacturing Growth Program grants open

The Victorian government has opened applications for grants worth between $50,000 and $250,000 under the second round of the Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program. Grants are available to companies categorised as SMEs (between 20 and 200 employees) and cover up to a third of project costs.  Projects include installation of new equipment, prototyping,…

CSIRO broadens access to R&D funding

More Australian small businesses can now access research and development (R&D) funding through CSIRO as it broadens its Kick-Start programme. The programme has now been expanded with an increase in eligibility to include businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million, up from previous eligibility of up to $1.5 million. The CSIRO Kick-Start programme…

Europe deal fell over as EU was asking too much – minister

By Peter Roberts It is not surprising that talks for a Europe Australia Free Trade deal have fallen over as Australia has little to give up to the EU and Europe has everything to lose from anything resembling free trade. Australia has systematically dismantled industry protection since the 1980s when there were quotas on imports…

Australian FMCG brands facing extinction?- by Allen Roberts

Sara Lee has been billed as the latest Australian food brand to go to the wall – it is actually New Zealand owned. Nevertheless, here Allen Roberts explains why it is next to impossible to find an Australian owned food brand on the shelves of our supermarket duopoly. When I was a boy in this…

UTS to continue “concierge-style” program for SMEs following trial

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has announced that it will spend an ongoing annual investment of $250,000 on the SME@UTS program, following an initial 18-month trial.  According to a statement from the university on Monday, 17 SMEs have been connected to UTS student-led projects so far, valued at up to $15,000 each. SME@UTS is…

Calix deepens involvement in direct carbon capture

Low carbon industrial technology developer Calix has deepened its involvement in Direct Air Capture I(DAC) of carbon dioxide, signing a global licence agreement for its technology. Calix’s subsidiary Leilac will work exclusively with Heirloon Carbon Technologies in DAC applications, with Leilac’s technology to be used in all future Heirloom DAC facilities. Leilac’s externally heated calcination…

New recycling method sees stronger fibres recovered from composites

A UNSW Canberra engineering researcher has developed a method to recycle carbon fibre which saves energy and can recover more of the material, according to the university. Carbon fibre composites are found in many applications with environmentally-friendly aims, for example in wind turbines and lightweight structures for transport. However, fibres have proved difficult to recycle,…

Optimus space craft to be qualified for flight

The Optimus OSV Spacecraft, the largest Australian-built commercial spacecraft, is to be qualified for space where it will deliver transport and service capabilities in orbit. Space Machines Company is building the Optimus Platform which will now face rigorous test procedures to qualify for the space environment before heading to orbit in early 2024. In in…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

DroneShield’s $10m share of big Ukraine order DroneShield has revealed its counterdrone equipment has been selected to deploy to Ukraine under the latest, $20 million Australian Government aid package. The company received multiple orders from the government with a total value to DroneShield of $10.4 million. $5 million of cash receipts from the $10.4 million…

UQ expertise bolsters aluminium ion battery tech

The University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology is to work with Graphene Manufacturing Group in its quest to commercialise novel Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery Technology. The development, supported by the federal government’s Economic Accelerator Seed Grant, will accelerate under a partnership between AIBN material chemist Dr Xiaodan Huang (pictured, below) and GMG’s supporting…

New import export wharf at Pt Wilson

A reopened export import Point Wilson Wharf in the Geelong region of Victoria initially focused on defence industries has created new avenues for value-added exports. The 2.3 kilometre Point Wilson Wharf, the second largest in the southern hemisphere, was refurbished and reopened in a bid to increase guided weapons and explosive ordnance stocks for the…

Safety issues are being seen, but not addressed – study

@AuManufacturing rarely reports the plethora of surveys and studies promoted by vendors who have a vested interest in gaining attention for their products. But occasionally we come across a study such as that from global technology company SafetyCulture, that reveals some uncomfortable facts about how workers feel about their workplaces. SafetyCulture is a company which…

JAG Camper launches retro ‘Tear Drop’ camper

A family engineering heritage and the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic has united father and son team Frank and Jack Gosdschan in a passion project that launched over the weekend at the Brisbane Let’s Go Camping Show. Rather than a weighty camper that needs a huge twin cab truck to tow it, their unique Tear…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, October 23 – 27, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Boeing and Ferra to develop longer range gliding munition Boeing and Australian manufacturer Ferra Engineering have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue production of Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) wing kits for local and…

PWR to invest $22 million in expansion, open new factory

Gold Coast-based cooling solutions company PWR Advanced Cooling Technology has been awarded “up to $8.78 million” through the state government’s Invested in Queensland program to assist in an expansion. According to a statement from trade and investment minister Cameron Dick on Friday, PWR will invest $21.9 million in a new facility at Stapylton and in…

Austal’s massive order book in year of more ups than downs

By Peter Roberts The Chairman of Perth international shipbuilder John Rothwell has celebrated a year of massive ups and the occasional down in an upbeat address to the company’s annual general meeting. Rothwell first and foremost celebrated the growth in Austal’s order book to $11.6 billion, if all contract option agreements are exercised. Driven by…

Monash-built artificial heart to compete in international contest

A Monash University team has designed and built a new artificial heart that will be weighed up against global competition at the Heart Hackathon in Dallas this weekend. The first total artificial heart (TAH) was put in a patient in 1969, but such TAHs remain a bridge-to-transplant for a real human heart.   SynCardia, which is…

The crocodile bite that led to a pain relief gel – ATSE awards

Weaving Traditional Knowledge with western science for a new approach to pain relief headlined the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s (ATSE) annual national Awards announced tonight. The winning engineers and technologists were recognised for their work spanning climate change, mining, plastic waste, battery tech and food security among others. Nyikina Mangala West Kimberley…

VET spending at record levels – NCVER

State and territory government expenditure on vocational education and training (VET) totalled $10.9 billion in 2022, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). This expenditure was an increase of $0.4 billion or 4.1 percent from 2021. NCVER’s Government funding of VET 2022 report found that the main expenditure…

Fortescue progresses its green energy vision

Fortescue continues to make progress towards its goal of being the number one green technology, energy and metals business, according to its latest quarterly report. While iron ore shipments totalled 45.9 million tonnes (Mt) in Q1 FY24, attention was on achievements in the company’s move into the green energy space. During the quarter Fortescue: Completed…

Southern Launch welcomes Australia-US space agreement

Space facilities owner Southern Launch has welcomed the signing of a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) between Australia and the US which will allow for the transfer of US space technology, including rockets and satellites, between the two countries. Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp said: “The TSA is a game-changer for Southern Launch. “The US space…

Agreement reached for federal support of Gladstone hydrogen hub

The federal government has announced that it has reached an agreement to invest $69.2 million in the Stanwell Corporation-led Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub in Gladstone, with construction expected to begin next year. According to a joint statement from the federal and state governments on Thursday, the hub will create “over 8,900 jobs including roles in…

Weld Australia’s NSW and ACT award winners named

Winners of Weld Australia’s NSW and ACT Welding Excellence Awards were named at an event in Sydney on Wednesday night. The industry peak body held the event at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Sydney, and described them as showcasing and celebrating “the world-class work being undertaken by local welders, fabricators and industry educators” over the last…

LETA announces $6 million in support for Australian-developed clinker carbon capture tech

Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA), a group that invests money in decarbonisation technology on behalf of the coal industry, has announced a commitment for $6 million in support for a project to demonstrate carbon capture from clinker production. In a statement on Thursday, LETA said it was partnering with KC8 Capture Technologies on the PACER…

Canberra’s $2bn boost to critical mineral funding

The federal government has announced a $2 billion expansion in critical minerals financing, doubling the capacity of the Critical Minerals Facility to finance critical minerals mining and processing projects. The funding would solidify Australia’s position as a world leading provider, help the transition to net zero, boost the economy and support more jobs and opportunities…

DroneShield adds radar to drone detection system

Drone countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield Lhas added long-range RADA RPS-82 radar capabilities to its flagship DroneSentry drone detection system. RPS-82 provides DroneSentry operators with a significantly enhanced radar detection, classification and tracking range for wide area, multi-mission requirements, according to the Sydney company. “With DroneSentry’s compatibility with multiple radar platforms, DroneShield can offer both high-performance and…

Viatris medicines gain Australian Made logo

Healthcare manufacturer Viatris Australia has announced the Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) logo has now been added to 50 of its Australian medicine products. In what the company describes as a first for a prescription medicine manufacturer in Australia, 50 products manufactured in Carole Park, Queensland, now showcase the logo. Products bearing the AMAG logo…

Innovation linked to NRF receives federal funding

Pain-free diabetes testing, a new vessel to track climate-change data and sensors for driverless cars are some of the innovations being supported through new funding from the federal government. Eighty projects across 25 lead agencies received $650 million in funding from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) from 1 July 2023 to 30 June…

N-submarines well worth the wait – Kim Beazley

Eminent Australian political leader Kim Beazley has weighed in on the AUKUS submarine debate, writing that the submarines were necessitated by Australia’s strategic position in our region. Beazley, a former Governor of Western Australia, Ambassador to the United States and federal opposition leader, said Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines would be worth the wait, and the cost.…

CO2 sequestration for Kwinana heavy industry among grant winners

An ambitious project to sequester harmful emissions from the Kwinana industrial area south Perth is among the projects funded by the Western Australian government’s Carbon Innovation Grants Program. Perth-based carbon geosequestration technology developer Sea-Quester Offshore received an $500,000 grant to investigate emissions reduction options for Kwinana heavy industries. Sea-Quester will partner with Discover Geoscience and…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

WA funds Fugro SpAARC to get into space The Western Australian government has announced a $5 million commitment to Perth-based facility Fugro SpAARC to bolster the complex’s operational capability for space missions. The government said in a statement the funding would pave the way for Fugro SpAARC to support international space missions from Perth. “It…

Applications open for Energy Technologies Manufacturing program

Applications are open for grants worth between $100,000 and $750,000 under the Victorian government’s Made in Victoria – Energy Technologies Manufacturing program. According to a statement on Wednesday from industry minister Natalie Hutchins, grants will support manufacturers of products or components for zero emissions and renewable energy in purchasing or developing new equipment, skills, or…

Lynas Rare Earths to operate in Malaysia until 2026

Lynas Rare Earths has been given a reprieve by Malaysian authorities with a decision announced to update its license to import radioactive Lanthanide concentrates from its Mt Weld mine in Western Australia into Malaysia. The ore which is destined for its Malaysian metals production plant, has been subject to a long running campaign by environmentalists…

Life of Collins submarines to be extended

The federal government has moved to extend the life of the Collins class submarine fleet which will then remain in service until the arrival of the first nuclear submarines in a decade’s time. The government said in a statement it was committed to a ‘potent, enduring and agile submarine capability’, and would establish an independent…

Additive Assurance announces new product for larger AM machines

Additive manufacturing quality assurance business Additive Assurance has announced a new version of its process monitoring solution, suiting larger-format laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) machines. According to a statement from the company on Wednesday, its new AMiRIS-LF system is tailored to machines with a build area of 400 millimetres or larger and “has a focus…

Federal government shouldn’t sacrifice renewable energy manufacturing for wine exports: Weld Australia

News that China will undertake an “expedited review” of trade sanctions on Australian wine has been welcomed by Weld Australia, but the group – citing an apparent end of anti-dumping tariffs on wind towers from China – says improved market access “cannot come at the cost of manufacturing”. As reported by @AuManufacturing, the Chinese government…

SPEE3D, Micro-X, DroneShield and Minelab headed for Ukraine

Equipment from four leading Australian manufacturers is headed for Ukraine in a new $20 million aid package announced by the federal government. De-mining equipment, portable x-ray machines, a 3D metal printer, and counter drone systems from DroneShield, Micro-X, Minelab and SPEE3D are in the latest package. A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft has…

Swinburne takes hydrogen to the skies

Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology has successfully completed the first flight of an Australian-developed hydrogen fuel cell electric powered VTOL drone. The flight occurring last week in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley was the first of its type in Australia. This flight was the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), hydrogen-powered uncrewed aerial system (UAS) flight.…

QPE to supply missile launcher components to Kongsberg

QPE Advanced Machining has been selected to supply Launcher Components for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDAu). QPE Advanced Machining, part of the Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group (Stärke-AMG), will supply the components from its Gillman, Adelaide facility. KONGSBERG’s NSM is replacing the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile capability through an accelerated acquisition…

Bod Science R&D supports cannabis absorption

Medicinal cannabis developer, Bod Science, has released the results of the second pharmacokinetic (PK) study for its Aqua Phase drug delivery system. The system has been developed to make water hating (or lipophilic) drugs, such as cannabinoids (CBD), water soluble. The most recent study, according to the company, demonstrated that Aqua Phase delivers six times…

Infinitus Aero reveals E22 Spark electric aircraft

Adelaide manufacturer Infinitus Aero has secured access to leading edge battery technology for its planned E22 Spark electric light sport aircraft (pictured) and plans to be ready for flight within 90 days. Infinitus Aero, formerly known as Bader Aero, secured battery technology from US-based Amprius Technologies and has partnered with Australian based battery integrator Prohelion…

UNSW experts create new hydrogel with promise in biomedical research

A new synthetic hydrogel developed by researchers at UNSW Sydney has a number of claimed benefits, with the team eager to explore its commercial potential as a substitute for animal-derived products. In a statement from the university, hydrogels are described as a family of substances that provide tissue such as seaweed and cartilage with their…

EMVision further develops its portable stroke scanner

Medical imaging manufacturer EMVision Medical Devices is further developing its innovative portable brain scanner. The company’s first generation scanner, which uses microwave imaging techniques to detect strokes at the point of care, is undergoing clinical testing. Now the Brisbane company has assembled an advanced 28-antenna prototype of its 2nd generation ultra-light weight helmet scanner (pictured)…

Boeing and Ferra to develop longer range gliding munition

Boeing and Australian manufacturer Ferra Engineering have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue production of Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) wing kits for local and export markets. The companies also plan explore applications for Powered JDAM — a long-range, low-cost and mass-producible JDAM derivative capable of travelling upwards of 300 nautical…

Viridian expands at Woodville North site ahead of construction code changes

Glass processor Viridian Glass is in the middle of a $4.5 million upgrade to its Woodville North, South Australia site, tipping increased demand for energy-efficiency-boosting windows due to upcoming changes to the state’s building standards. According to a statement from the South Australian government on Tuesday, Viridian has recently invested $2.3 million at Woodville North…

New study looks at the whys of wasted meat

A new RMIT University-led study on food waste presents an opportunity to design and manufacture better cold storage solutions, according to one of its authors. The research – supported by Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and Meat and Livestock Australia – was published by MLA and titled “Practices of meat consumption and cold storage…

Your Digitisation Journey – webinar recording online now for you to view

@AuManufacturing’s latest online webinar – Your Digitisation Journey – is now available online for you to view via our YouTube channel. Hear how Christopher Janssen, Managing Director at GPC Electronics, harnessed technology to become Australia’s largest electronics manufacturer. Vanessa Katsanevakis, Director of Sussex Taps talks of the sophisticated manufacturing, materials tracking and storage and metal…

Latrobe Magnesium presses ahead with MgO production

Latrobe Magnesium (LMG) is pressing ahead with construction of facilities to extract magnesium products from brown coal fly ash at its facility in Victoria’s La Trobe Valley. The company has modified the process flow sheet to allow for early production of magnesium oxide to bring forward revenues and allow time for the commissioning of furnace…

MM Plastics expands with new plastics business acquisition

One of Australia’s largest plastics groups MM Plastics has acquired Dangenong South, Melbourne injection moulding firm Micro Precision Plastics (MPP). MM Plastics, a division of Metal Manufactures Limited, bought the family-owned maker of components, products, and assemblies serving industries including Automotive, Consumer Goods, Safety, Spa & Pool, Building & Construction, Pharmaceuticals and Housewares MPP houses…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

BlueScope’s weak US sales hit profit Steelmaker BlueScope has cut expectations for 1H VY24 EBIT to be in the range of $620 to $670 million, down from previous guidance of $700 to $770 million. The main driver of the change is the company’s US North Star operation, which is now expected to be half the…

First look at upcoming trams to be made at Dandenong

A life-sized mock-up of the upcoming Melbourne G-class trams, to be built by Alstom, was on display at an event at Tullamarine on Monday morning. Transport minister Gabrielle Williams visited the unveiling of the model, which is being used for testing and evaluation before production ramps up. Testing on the network is scheduled for 2025…

Treasury maps out return to China wine market

Treasury Wine Estates the maker of Penfolds has welcomed moves by China to review its import tariffs slapped on Australian wine in 2020 and revealed how it will re-enter the critical growth market. The company said that it has maintained its commitment to Chinese consumers throughout the period including experienced sales and marketing leadership in…

TAFE NSW adds eight new “microskills” targeting energy transition

TAFE NSW has launched eight new microskills related to renewables, with the NSW government citing the recently-signed National Skills Agreement and the need to transform the state economy for the net-zero transition. The five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) takes effect in January, with the federal government to invest $12.6 billion in the vocational and educational…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, October 16 – 20, 2023

5) SA’s ambitious advanced manufacturing strategy South Australia has launched an ambitious Advanced Manufacturing Strategy that aims to grow the sector’s share of the economy from six to 10 percent, writes Peter Roberts. The strategy, launched by SA Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Dr Susan Close also aims to boost manufacturing’s…

Mitsubishi’s first in landmark Australian defence deal

By Peter Roberts Mitsubishi Electric has made history in a new deal with Australia’s Department of Defence, becoming the first Japanese company to sign a defence contract with a foreign government. Not only will Australia access Japanese defence technologies, but the deal opens the way for Australian technologies to be adopted in Japan. The federal…

Space manufactured drugs could touch down in SA

South Australia could become part of the in-space manufacturing industry after Varda Space Industries and Southern Launch announced a partnership to conduct space capsule re-entry operations at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia. Torrance, California-based Varda are developing orbital manufacturing and space re-entry systems, utilising the space environment’s advantages including microgravity and vacuum. Varda…

Energys Australia reveals hydrogen fuel cell gen-set

Green energy manufacturer Energys has shown off the first of five Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generators being manufactured for Telstra where they will feature in an energy backup pilot programme. Victorian Minister for Climate Action and Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio (pictured) was shown a demonstration of the genertator in action. The Hydrogen Fuel…

ATCO and BOC Linde to build world first hydrogen power station

By Peter Roberts ATCO and global gas giant BOC Linde have been selected by the South Australian government to construct a world-first hydrogen power station at Port Bonython, near the industrial city of Whyalla on Spencer Gulf. BOC Linde was seen by many as the front runner among the 29 companies competing to build the…

China moves to lift tariff on Australian wine

China has taken the first steps to lift the punishing tariffs on Australian wine imports ahead of the visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. China will undertake a five month review of the tariffs of up to 220 per cent on Australian wine imposed in 2020 as relations deteriorated between Canberra and Beijing.…

Patrol vessels are new defence ‘project of concern’

The construction of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Australian Navy by Luerssen Australia is the latest to be listed a Defence Project of Concern by the federal government. The construction of Arafura-class OPVs has experienced delays in delivery of both the vessels and the associated support system, with schedule delays first emerging in…

Sparc receives grant as green hydrogen tests show promise

Sparc Technologies partner the University of Adelaide, on behalf of Sparc Hydrogen, has been awarded funding under Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grant programme. The $470,511 funding awarded under the AEA Seed round will be used to accelerate laboratory testing of Sparc Hydrogen’s photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) reactor under simulated solar conditions. It will also support…

14 Bushmasters bound for Fiji

Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka visited Gallipoli Barracks in Queensland to view Thales Bushmaster armoured vehicles following the Pacific nation’s decision to buy an additional 14 of the vehicles. There Rabuka viewed Australian-made Bushmasters in action as part of training exercises between Australian and Fijian Defence Force personnel. The sale was announced as part…

Lynas prepares for Malaysia decision on radioactive ores

Lynas Rare Earths is preparing for various outcomes of its long running battle to maintain its license to import Lanthanide concentrates from its Mt Weld mine in in Western Australia into Malaysia. The ore which is destined for its Malaysian metals production plant, is radioactive and subject to a long running campaign by environmentalists and…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

EOS enters optical surveillance alliance Electro Optic Systems subsidiary EOS Space Systems has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EX-Fusion, a Japanese laser fusion startup. The signing took place during the fifth Japan-Australia Ministerial Economic Dialogue co-chaired by Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell, and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and…

Government strengthens Climate Active emissions cuts for business

The federal government is to strengthen its voluntary Climate Active programme under which companies including manufacturers could elect and be measured in taking action to reduce carbon emissions. The government has opened consultation on reforms to help businesses measure, reduce, offset, and publicly report their emissions. In force since 2010, the federal government said the…

CMTP evolves from pallets to modular housing

Colac, Victoria manufacturer CMTP is expanding its successful pallet and crate business to embrace the growing modular housing sector. Founded in 1976, CMTP employs around 270 staff across eleven manufacturing sites, also making produce bins, cases, specialty air freight crates for live animals, and supplies cardboard and general packaging. Managing Director Travis Meade said a…

Scientists develop wearable that generates power as you move

Scientists led by researchers from RMT University in Melbourne have invented an experimental wearable device that generates power from a user’s bending finger. It can also create and store ‘memories’, in what the researchers call a promising step towards health monitoring and other technologies. The innovation features a single, super-thin nanomaterial incorporated into a stretchable…

UNSW and Omni Tanker partner to create factory’s digital twin

The Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites CRC (SoMAC) is backing the University of NSW and Omni tanker to drive a digital evolution in composites manufacturing.

South Australian manufacturing industry to see massive funding boost

South Australia’s manufacturing industry is getting supercharged, as the state’s government launches the first round of its $122 million Economic Recovery Fund.

Lockheed Martin backs Aussie space start up

Space satellite imagery starup Arula has received ‘a strategic investment’ by global aerospace company Lockheed martin.

Aussie food makers enter administration

Sara Lee and Catalano Seafood have both appointed voluntary administrators, as the two companies mull their futures.

Vaxxas needle free vaccines have great potential – study

Needle free vaccine delivery company Vaxxas‘s skin patch system is an attractive alternative to vaccine delivery via injection, according to a new study. Published in the journal Vaccine, the study said the company’s high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) (pictured) was particularly attractive in a pandemic. Its’ use would alleviate the strain on healthcare systems by enabling…

Frosty Boy heats up – named Queensland’s top exporter

Gold Coast soft serve and beverage manufacturer Frosty has been named as Queensland exporter of the year at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2023 Gala Dinner. The win for Frosty Boy comes after its revenue in Indonesia doubled, sales in India grew by 200 per cent, and exports to the Middle East rose 95…

Lessons from the global move to decarbonise industry part 2 – by Cori Stewart

Cori Stewart and a group of eminent Australians have just returned from Europe and the Middle East, discussing growing manufacturing in a fast decarbonising world, and accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption. In the second part of a two-part series, she visits Germany and the Middle East. The Australian mission spent several days were spent with Germany’s…

SA’s ambitious advanced manufacturing strategy

By Peter Roberts South Australia has launched an ambitious Advanced Manufacturing Strategy that aims to grow the sector’s share of the economy from six to 10 percent. The strategy, launched by SA Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Dr Susan Close also aims to boost manufacturing’s share of value-added exports from 20…

Manufacturing top of agenda in NSW inquiry into government procurement

The NSW government will launch an inquiry into government procurement after concerns were raised about a decrease in local manufacturing and content levels under previous governments.

Sprintex industrial blower production ramps up

Compressor engineering and manufacturing firm Sprintex has begun production of its high-speed industrial blowers, with plans to begin production of even larger blowers next month.

XTEK wins European orders for ballistic armour

XTEK has won a $1.6 million order for specialist ballistic armour from a European customer that had purchased $2.6 million in armour in July.

 GenomeFrontier selects BioCina to help make cancer therapy products

GenomeFrontier Theraputics AU has partnered with BioCina for a project to develop products for gene therapy cancer treatments.

Construction starts on QLD major robotics and advanced manufacturing centre

Work has begun on the $40 million Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre (RAMC) ‘Big Build’ project at the Eagle Farm TAFE.

Lessons from the global move to decarbonise industry part 1 – by Cori Stewart

Cori Stewart and a group of eminent Australians have just returned from Europe and the Middle East, discussing growing manufacturing in a fast decarbonising world, and accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption. In the first part of a two-part series, she shares insights into the implications of EU decarbonisation, and the growth of manufacturing hubs in Belgium.…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Skykraft raises $120 million for satellite air traffic management Satellite manufacturer Skykraft has raised $120 million from investors to spewed the rollout its satellite-based Air Traffic Management system. The Canberra company from investors including Foresight Group Australia, OPTrust, and Main Sequence, CSIRO’s venture capital arm. Following capital raising costs, the company aims to achieve initial…

BNNT production costs drop opens way to new uses

PPK Group investee company BNNT Technology has announced a series of production improvements that have allowed the company to significantly reduce the price of its Australian-made boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT). BNNTs are similar to carbon fibre nanotubes, however having unique properties they are being developed by PPK companies for uses ranging from dental implants to…

$30bn National Skills Agreement delivers workplace boost

National Cabinet has agreed to unlock billions of dollars to build Australian through a landmark five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA). The agreement between the Commonwealth and the states will take effect from January next year, embedding national cooperation and strategic investment in our vocational education and training sector, according to the government. The federal government…

The challenge to design sample collection for a lunar rover

The consortium behind Australia’s first lunar rover, ELO2 is inviting space enthusiasts to design a system to collect soil from the Moon and deposit it at a NASA run facility in a competition running into next year. The ELO2 Big Dipper Regolith Acquisition Challenge is seeking from creators to seasoned engineers to contribute to identifying…

Russell Mineral Equipment automates mine mill relining

Mill relining systems manufacturer Russell Mineral Equipment has developed the world’s first semi-automated mine mill relining system, delivering significant safety and commercial outcomes for users and industry. The Toowoomba, Queensland company said a reduction in mill relining risks and shutdown duration was achieved through its automation of proven technologies as well as novel liner and…

Synlait and a2 dispute enter arbitration after cancelled deal

The a2 Milk Company and Synlait are heading to arbitration as dispute resolutions sour over cancelled exclusivity deal.

GUD buys Swedish automotive lighting business      

GUD Holdings has acquired European automotive lighting distribution business Rindab (RVX) for $12 million.

2MT to make massive dragline chains in Australia

Mining wear parts maker 2MT will manufacture Columbia Steel’s dragline chain in Australia.

Michelle Simmons wins Prime Minister’s Prize for Science

Sydney quantum computing hardware manufacturer Silicon Quantum Computing’s (SQC) Michelle Simmons was named last night as the winner of the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. Professor Simmons (pictured) was recognised for creating the new field of atomic electronics which are ‘powering the transition from the digital to the quantum age’. Simmons, who has already…

UTS Sydney opens cyber security Vault

A new facility billed as a first-of-its-kind secure collaborative research and innovation facility at the forefront of cybersecurity, data protection and defence technology has opened at he University of Technology Sydney (UTS). NSW Premier Chris Minns officially opened the UTS Vault, a Department of Defence compliant facility which enables collaboration between private sector tenants, academia…

NSW doubles asbestos-related penalties to lift site safety

The New South Wales government has increased maximum fines for asbestos-related incidents to more than $2 million as it strengthens workplace laws.

Truss maker slapped with $200k fine after death on site

Melbourne Truss has received a $200,000 fine following a fatal incident caused by unsafe work practices.

Treasury Wine reaps benefits of premiumisation

Penfolds’ manufacturer Treasury Wine Estates is reaping the benefits of its switch out of commercial wine production to focus on expanding its sales of luxury and premium wines such as Penfolds Grange. Outgoing Chairman Paul Rayner told the company’s annual general meeting that the premiumisation trend where commercial wine sales were soft remained strong across…

Apprenctice starts remain above pandemic levels – NCVER

Apprentice and trainee commencements appear to be returning to levels seen before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The Apprentices and trainees 2023: March quarter report shows that apprentice and trainee commencements increased steeply during the pandemic. While they have declined…

Titomic wins aerospace 3D spray printing repair and coating contract

Additive manufacturer Titomic has won an order from aircraft maker Airbus Group to supply cold spray additive manufacturing, repairs and maintenance equipment.

Alpha HPA battery anode plant nears completion

Critical aluminium materials manufacturer Alpha HPA is nearing the completion of upgrades to its small-scale, commercial high purity alumina (HPA) production facility in Gladstone, Queensland. Supported by a $15.5 million grant awarded under the federal government’s Critical Minerals Development Program, the upgrade will add a HPA circuit including an HPA tunnel kiln and five rotary…

Lab launched to make synthetic human bones

An Australian biomedical firm is making safe synthetic bones a reality, as it opens a new lab to create bone substitutes from oysters.

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, October 9 – 13, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) What a fast growth manufacturer does to digitise – webinar Like all manufacturers Ty Hermans is rapidly digitising his businesses, but his task is especially challenging given the very rapid rate of growth of his Venlo Holdings…

First WA made railcars undergo field testing

The first two new suburban railcars to be built in Western Australia after a gap of 27 years are now undergoing field testing on the Perth Metronet network (picture) The railcars were constructed at the new Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing and Maintenance Facility, operated by Alstom Australia. The railcars are the first of 246 C-series cars…

Silentium snares US contract, established US office

Passive radar manufacturer Silentium Defence has made its first US sales of the MAVERICK M8 passive radar system, and established a US opereating entity. A key milestone in its global growth strategy, the US entity will enable Silentium to provide responsive customer engagement, and capitalise on recent momentum across the defence, national security, and intelligence…

Christopher Janssen’s digitisation journey – webinar this week

Christopher Janssen, Managing Director at GPC Electronics, leverages manufacturing technologies to enable him to produce electronic systems in batches of 2, or batches of 100,000 from his three factories in Sydney, New Zealand or China. Employing 500 people globally, GPC is Australia’s largest electronics manufacturer, boasting a customer list of household names and a single…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Pact releases sustainability report Pact Group today released its 2023 Sustainability Report which reveals the company recycled more than 54,000 tonnes of plastic waste last financial year, the equivalent weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The plastic waste was recycled at seven facilities operated by Pact and its joint venture partners in Australia and New Zealand, converted…

Fortescue secures US green hydrogen funding

The Biden administration in the United States has announced seven regional Hydrogen Hubs to receive US$7bn of government funding including funding for Australia’s Fortescue. The company has been selected to begin award negotiations as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) development of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub. The…

Australian drones to deliver mail in the Middle East

Done cargo planes operated by Dronomoics and manufactured in Sydney by composites manufacturer Quickstep are set to fly parcels and mail around the Middle East following the signing of an agreement with Emirates Post Group (EPG). The agreement will see Dronamics provide cargo drone services to enable same-day middle-mile and long-range deliveries for Emirates Post,…

Fortescue opens new automotive development site at Kidlington

Fortescue has opened a new $US 23 million (about $36 million) site at Kidlington in the UK, which it says will focus on technical development, testing and prototype production of batteries and zero emission powertrains for motorsports, mining haul trucks, and other automotive applications.  According to a statement from the company on Thursday (Australian time)…

NIOA produces first Boxer armoured vehicle ammunition

Queensland munitions manufacturer NIOA has begun production of 30mm ammunition for the Army’s next-generation armoured Boxer combat reconnaissance (CRV) vehicle, marking a new high for munitions manufacturing in Australia. The company will produce 40,000 rounds of medium calibre training ammunition at the Commonwealth Government-owned NIOA-operated plant in Benalla, Victoria for the eight-wheeled Boxer, which is…

Borumba pumped hydro moves to next development stage

Queensland clean energy project, the $14.2b Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage, has hit a milestone with the project declared a coordinated project by the Coordinator-General. Declaration means a rigorous assessment of social, economic and environmental matters can begin on the project being developed by Queensland Hydro. Borumba involves building a new upper reservoir, as well…

Visual simulation R&D sites at Tonsley Innovation district

Visual simulation companies One World LED and Sportal will consolidate their national and international research and development capabilities into new premises at Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide joining other companies such as Micro-X, Zeiss, Siemens and Sage Automation in the former car making site. The companies research, design and engineer custom LED technology in Adelaide,…

Vanessa Katsanevakis’ digitisation journey – sign up for our new webinar

There are many ways to skin the digitisation cat. While some manufacturing CEOs see digitisation through the prism of hard manufacturing technologies, others such as Vanessa Katsanevakis, Director of Sussex Taps are focussed on softer, but equally essential issues. Since Katsanevakis took over the business from father Nicholaas Johannes van Putten in 2011, she has…

Guidelines available ahead of Queensland Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant applications opening

Guidelines are available for the Queensland government’s Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grants (MEEG) ahead of applications opening on October 23.  Grants provide matched grant funding of between $5,000 and $25,000 for equipment or processes to decrease energy use or carbon dioxide emissions, with project needing to demonstrate a 10 per cent reduction in either. In a…

Regency Park snack factory clocks up 40 years

PepsiCo’s factory at Regency Park marked its 40th anniversary on Thursday According to a statement from the company, it purchases 40,000 tonnes of potatoes a year from South Australian farmers in Angle Vale, Parilla and Langhorne to create products including the Red Rock Deli brand of premium potato chips and crackers, and the Smith’s Oven…

Site may have been selected for Australian-first food and beverage precinct

A development application has been submitted to Sunshine Coast Council for the Turbine Precinct food and beverage precinct, according to a report on a local news website. According to Turbine’s website, the completed site will be “Australia’s first purpose built, end-to-end food and beverage manufacturing and education precinct” and is “expected to be operational March…

JET Charge to provide chargers for EV fleets

A new way for businesses to access EV charging is set to roll out nationally, with a new business model supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Melbourne-based EV charging company JET Charge has launched the $24.9 million Charging as a Service Project, offering a new way for fleet operators to pay for EV…

Fortescue to buy electrolysers, but where will they be made?

By Peter Roberts Fortescue plans to make a final investment decision in December on its ambitious plans for large scale hydrogen electrolysers to be sited at Incitec Pivot’s Gibson Island plant in Brisbane. The company issued a statement that US supplier Plug Power was preferred supplier for the proposed 550 MW (megawatt) PEM (proton-exchange membrane)…

Phasio raises cash for manufacturing platform development

Manufacturing technology developer Phasio has raised $3.8 million in a seed round, led by AirTree Ventures, to accelerate development of its software platform and interface supporting manufacturing productivity. Among those contributing to the round include 500 Global, Entrepreneur First, Michael Sorkin’s Gattaca Ventures. Co-founded by Australian entrepreneur, Harry Lucas and ex-CSIRO researcher, Sudharshan Raman, Phasio…

Timberlink produces its first Cross Laminated Timber panel

Timberlink subsidiary NeXTimber has pressed its first Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panel at its facility at Tarpeena in South Australia. According to the company, this marks another significant milestone in the construction of Australia’s first combined CLT and GLT (Cross Laminated Timber and Glue Laminated Timber) radiata pine mass timber facility. The newly commissioned CLT…

Ampcontrol launches hydrogen standalone power generator

Electrical engineering manufacturer Ampcontrol has unveilled a 100 percent Renewable Hydrogen Integrated Stand-alone Power System (HiSAPS) at the company’s factory at Ringwood, Victoria. Powered by solar energy, the system incorporates technology from Ampcontrol, an Australian designed and manufactured Selectronic battery inverter and the Australian made LAVO self-contained hydrogen power system. The project is the first…

Manufacturing company turnovers up 6.4 per cent in August: ABS indicator

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Monthly Business Turnover Indicator has shown improvement in eight of 13 industries tracked for the month of August, with the biggest jump coming from manufacturing. The indicator, launched in 2021 and tracking figures from companies that submit Business Activity Statements (BAS) monthly, recorded a 6.4 per cent rise for manufacturers…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Nova Systems appoints Dean Rosenfield as CEO Defence engineering firm and consultancy Nova Systems has appointed Dean Rosenfield as CEO, following the departure of Jim McDowell to the role of Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment. Rosenfield is an experienced senior business leader with over 20 years working the defence industry. Prior to joining Nova,…

Wide Open Agriculture aims for plant protein dominance

Wide Open Agriculture is expanding to Europe and at the same time becoming the world’s largest producer of lupin protein utilised in non-meat, high protein foods. The company has purchased German lupin producer Prolupin GmbH for $4.1 million, opening up opportunities for WOA to manufacture its Buntine protein in Europe. The Kewdale, Perth producer plans…

Clarus acquires TRED from Venlo

US-based outdoor equipment company Clarus Corporation has acquired TRED Outdoors from Venlo Holdings, with TRED products to remain made in Australia. TRED was established in 2012 in Brisbane, and manufactures off-road and camping equipment, including the TRED recovery board (pictured.) According to a statement on Monday from Salt Lake, Utah-headquartered Clarus, the transaction includes “a…

Qld follows SA with focused hydrogen laws

Queensland Parliament has passed legislation that will enable renewable hydrogen and gases to be piped safely across Queensland and exported to global trade partners, joining South Australia in passing specialist legislation supporting the hydrogen economy. Last month South Australia’s Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Bill 2023 for an Act was passed which facilitates and regulates the…

Christopher Pyne’s belated ‘dismay’ at closure of the car industry

Former coalition minister for defence industry Christopher Pyne has revealed his dismay at the closure of the car industry which came after a challenge from then Treasurer Joe Hockey for GM Holden to leave the country. Pyne did not express misgivings publicly at the time, but according to an interview in the website of the…

HBR prioritises US market for Hadrian X robot

Robotic construction technology manufacturer FBR has reprioritised its entry into the US construction market, dedicating Hadrian X robots as they are made in Perth to its US Wall as a Service (WaS) construction offering At the same time the Perth company has raised $6.2 million to support the export push via an institutional placement of…

Aussie vanadium battery manufacture bound for Vietnam

Australian vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) developer Thorion Energy has selected Vietnam as the manufacturing site for its batteries. The company and Viettel Manufacturing Corporation inked a co-operation agreement (main picture) to manufacture its vanadium batteries in Vietnam for local market as well as for exporting to the global markets. Thorion’s battery (pictured, below) uses…

Space Machines completes space craft hardware integration

The assembly and integration of all hardware on the largest spacecraft ever manufactured in Australia has been completed at the Space Machines Company headquarters in Botany, NSW. SMC’s Optimus OTV is destined for a 2023 mission that will demonstrate the 270 kg Optimus OTV’s ability to deliver in-space logistics services and will deploy solutions for…

Amaero to cut remaining ties with Australia, focus on US

Amaero International’s board has decided to end operations in Australia, following the July announcement that it will locate its R&D, corporate headquarters and planned titanium powder factory in Tennessee. As its ASX statement on Tuesday put it, the company “resolved to commence the cessation of its operations in Australia”, reflecting a “commitment to focus its…

$2 billion Hydrogen Headstart programme opens for business

The largest ever Commonwealth funding programme for renewable hydrogen, the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart scheme, is now open for applications. The federal government’s Hydrogen Headstart program will help tap into the enormous global pipeline of private investment in hydrogen, hoping to attract investment from other locations. The United States’ $740 billion Inflation reduction Act and…

EMVision’s promising results from stroke imaging

Brain imaging technology company EMVision Medical Devices has announced promising clinical trial results from a patient study of its haemorrhagic stroke detection algorithm. The algorithm, dubbed ‘blood or not’, is a critical part of the microwave imaging system the company is developing under a grant from the Australian Stroke Alliance, to be fitted to point…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

HEX20 announces partnership with ispace and Skyroot Aerospace Adelaide-based smallsat company HEX20 has announced a strategic partnership with India’s Skyroot Aerospace and Japan’s ispace, “to leverage the combined technical prowess and regional networks of the three pioneering companies.” Lloyd Lopez, CEO of HEX20, said an MoU formalising the partnership was signed at the 74th International…

Visy opens $175 million box factory in Queensland

A new corrugated cardboard box factory at Hemmant, Queensland – owned by Visy and claimed to be the most sophisticated of its kind in Australia – was opened on Monday. The factory was opened by federal industry minister Ed Husic and state treasurer Cameron Dick on Monday. It has capacity for up to a million…

Australian officials join AUKUS submarine inspection

Representatives from the Australian and US submarine support organisations have joined Royal Navy personnel in UK submarine operating base Faslane to understand how to maintain nuclear-powered submarines, which will support future AUKUS nations. Forming an Advance Verification Team (AVT), subject matter experts from all three AUKUS nations joined British shipyard personnel to develop their understanding…

EOIs open for funding under iLAuNCH

The iLAuNCH (Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics) Trailblazer has made a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) in its second round of projects, with a cutoff date of November 20. ILAuNCH is a $180 million, four-year program dedicated to commercialising university research through partnerships with industry. It was awarded $50 million in…

Austin Engineering receives grant to rebuild US production facility

Perth mining equipment manufacturer Austin Engineering has received a US$20 million grant and loan package which will support the rebuilding and expansion of its US production facility at Casper, Wyoming. Together with a further US5 million investment by the company, the new facility will be its biggest-ever expansion and follows investment in facilities in Perth,…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, October 2 – 6, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Australian Precision Technologies wins missile contract Precision engineering manufacturer Australian Precision Technologies (APT) has received a contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture components for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launchers to be delivered under Project…

Economists say ‘yes’ to industry policy (just not in Australia)

By Peter Roberts Australian economists have long been seen by manufacturers as the enemy as, led by those staffing the Productivity Commission, they have vigorously fought against any form of activist industry policy by government. The view is that policing backing even new industry such as green energy technologies, 3D printing or critical metals processing…

Brockman eyes move from tanks to, well, tanks

Geelong Victoria large tank manufacturer Brockman is hoping to utilise its Geelong connections to build on its sophisticated welding skills to move into the defence realm building the kind of tanks that feature on the battlefield in Ukraine. Founded in 1922, Brockman is known for its bespoke bulk water and fuel storage tanks — some…

What a fast growth manufacturer does to digitise – webinar

Like all manufacturers Ty Hermans is rapidly digitising his businesses, but his task is especially challenging given the very rapid rate of growth of his Venlo Holdings group of companies. Manufacturing a bewildering array of products from Evolve Group advanced plastics to recycled plastic resin, and from Poolrite swimming pool and BuildTuff building equipment to…

BioCina aims for vaccines against biowarfare threats

Pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturer BioCina is industry partner in an ambitious research project that aims to develop vaccine candidates to protect against biowarfare threats including Q Fever, tularaemia, and melioidosis. BioCina, the health Security Systems Australia (HSSA) division of defence innovation group DMTC, and academics led by Griffith University, including the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory…

Collaborate to prosper

Infection control and dental manufacturer Dentalife has tripled in size over three years and is using collaboration as the catalyst to scaleup even further. Here Brett Henderson profiles the company, and how collaboration in business works. Dentalife is a 25-year-old family business under second generation management that manufactures infection control products and dental materials in…

Queensland quantum strategy shoots for the stars

A new strategy to support the continued growth of the quantum technology industry has been launched by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk during her CEDA State of the State address. The strategy leverages Queensland’s research and fabrication capabilities across quantum and other related technologies such as semiconductors, superconductors, photonics, and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), for industry sectors…

Deakin and Jet Technology say ‘where there’s muck, there’s brass’

Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH) has partnered with Japan’s Jet Technology to recycle organic waste into valuable products, including converting apple waste into organic fabrics and sugar waste into stock feed. Alfred Deakin Professor and Deakin’s Chair in Biotechnology Colin Barrow and his team from the Centre for Sustainable Bioproducts will…

Government on the hunt for a CEO of the National Reconstruction Fund

The federal government has begun the hunt for the critical-to-manufacturing position of Chief Executive Officer of the new National Reconstruction Fund. This is a pivotal position as the government will invest $15 billion through the NRF to boost manufacturing across seven priority sectors. The seven key priority funding areas are: · renewables and low emissions…

Aurora Labs begins build of metal 3D printer

Perth metal additive manufacturing company Aurora Labs has begun the physical build of its long awaited AL250 metal 3D printer. Having completed detailed design work, assembly is underway at the company’s at its facility in Perth with Aurora Labs announcing an October 10 market launch. The company has long promised the use of high-powered lasers…

Thales bolsters cyber security offering with acquisition

Defence manufacturer Thales is taking its cybersecurity business to the next level with the closing of the acquisition of Tesserent announced in June and the company’s agreement to acquire Imperva, a US-based data and application cybersecurity company. Tesserent is a leading player in cybersecurity in Australia, providing a full suite of cybersecurity solutions and services…

Hutchinson works through 29-home contract at its Toowoomba factory

Hutchinson Builders has been contracted by the Queensland government to build 29 modular homes at their Toowoomba factory, with the government praising the speed of delivery for prefabricated affordable housing. The first homes were delivered last month, including three homes in Roma and two homes in Cunnamulla, with another two homes for Longreach and two…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Prime100 launches new packaged pet food product Melbourne-based pet food company Prime100 has partnered with Tetra Pak to launch a premium dog food product line in cartons (pictured) with “the lowest CO2 footprint in the market”. The new SPD (Single Protein Diet) product range is available in seven flavours and packaged in Tetra Recart. Products for…

BluGlass joins US regional innovation hub for wide-bandgap semiconductors

ASX-listed compound semiconductor company BluGlass has been named a member of the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide-bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS) Hub, an initiative funded through the US government’s CHIPS and Science Act. CLAWS is one of eight Microelectronics Commons regional innovation hubs announced by the US Department of Defense, which was awarded $US 238 million (about…

Austal delivers 17th Guardian class patrol boat

Perth international shipbuilder Austal has delivered the 17th Guardian class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defence, which was then gifted to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. The vessel, HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo, was presented at a handover ceremony held at HMAS Stirling, south of Perth. The ceremony was attended by Australia’s Minister…

Skills training should be student centric

The 2023 JSA Annual Jobs And Skills Report highlights the need for student-centred reform of the skills training and higher education sectors, according to the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA). The peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers said Australia to improve access to both skills training and higher…

New centre to focus on HF radar technology and skills

A new collaborative centre between industry, government and academia has been established in Adelaide for research into high-frequency (HF) radar technology which underpins Australia’s ability to control access to northern Australia. The University of Adelaide, the Department of Defence and BAE Systems Australia established the JORN Open Innovation Network (JOIN) Centre for Advanced Defence Research…

Guidelines released for $20 million in MiQ round 6 grants

Guidelines for round 6 of the state government’s Made in Queensland grant program, which offers up to $2.5 million in matched funding for eligible projects, were released on Wednesday. The program continues to offer assistance to invest in equipment, though includes $2.5 million this round for non-equipment investments, said manufacturing minister Glenn Butcher at an event…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Robert Iervasi joins SPC Global board SPC Global has announced the appointment of Robert Iervasi to its board, describing Iervasi as “a well-known executive in the FMCG industry [who] brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the SPC Global team.” Iervasi was previously Group CEO at Asahi Beverages, and “played a pivotal role in…

Nominations open for Steel Sustainability Awards 2024

Industry peak body the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is calling for nominations for its Steel Sustainability Awards “to recognise exemplary achievements in sustainable design and use of steel”, with entries open until October 31. The inaugural awards are open to everyone in the steel supply chain, ASI said in a statement, and recognise projects or…

Fortescue buys into world’s first billion-dollar green hydrogen startup

Fortescue has announced that it is a lead investor in a $US 380 million Series C funding round for US-based manufacturer Electric Hydrogen (EH2), and has committed to buy a gigawatt worth of the company’s electrolysers. EH2 was founded in late-2020 and according to its website will ship its first 100 megawatt unit next year.…

Eden Brew raises $25m for non-dairy milk

Animal-free dairy manufacturer Eden Brew has reached a targeted Series A capital raising goal of $25m during its Series A capital raise, led by Main Sequence Ventures and the Victorian government. Eden Brew, which describes itself as a leading innovator in the alternative protein and precision fermentation sector, will scale the process of brewing proteins…

Australian Precision Technologies wins missile contract

Precision engineering manufacturer Australian Precision Technologies (APT) has received a contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture components for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launchers to be delivered under Project SEA 1300. The NSM will replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile currently on the Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigates and Hobart class air warfare…

Defence industry AUKUS essentials – by Michael Slattery

The UK government has awarded £3.95 billion to BAE Systems to further design and engineer the UK’s and potentially Australia’s next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine, SSN-AUKUS. With critical decisions being made on sourcing Michael Slattery looks at the difficulties faced by Australian industry to have a meaningful role in the programme. The latest AUKUS contract for…

Boart Longyear wins patent battle, seeks damages

Drilling equipment and services company Boart Longyear’s Globaltech Corporation offshoot has had optical device patents it holds upheld in an appeal to the Full Federal Court. The Perth company, part of Boart Longyear’s Veracio subsidiary, won an appeal brought by Reflex Instruments Asia Pacific regarding the enforcement of Globaltech’s Australian patent for an optical device…

VMS2023 to be held at Moonee Valley Racing Club next month

The Victorian Manufacturing Showcase has been scheduled for November 21 at the Moonee Valley Racing Club, to be hosted by the Victorian Government in partnership with North Link, a business network and regional economic development advocacy group. Few details were shared about the event’s program in an update from the state department of jobs, skills,…

World’s tallest timber building approved in Perth

What is claimed to be the world’s tallest hybrid timber building has been approved for a site on the Swan River at South Perth, surpassing other hybrid timber buildings under construction across the country. Designed by Fraser and Partners, the C6 tower – named after the symbol for the element carbon – will be 51…

Veem to manufacture propellers for USA’s Sharrow Marine

Perth-based marine engineering manufacturer Veem has signed a partnership with Detroit’s Sharrow Marine, with Veem gaining exclusive rights to commercialise and manufacture the Sharrow Propeller for inboard propellers up to five metres in diameter. The partnership will see Veem initially produce propellers for superyacht and commercial vessels in the 30 – 90 feet (10 –…

Construction collaboration delivers lightweight propping solution

A collaboration between Monash University and Coates Engineering Solutions has led to Quadshore, a lightweight, high-capacity propping solution for temporary construction works made from high-strength steel. According to a statement from Monash on Tuesday, Quadshore has been subjected to “rigorous destructive and non-destructive experimental tests at material, component and system levels” to demonstrate its durability…

Government moves on dodgy VET providers

The federal government will establish a new Integrity Unit within the national VET regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), to combat operators rorting the system ando better protect students. The new unit will be bolstered by a $37.8 million investment to ensure it is adequately equipped and has the technology and data matching capability…

@AuManufacturing readers comment on lack of car industry

On Saturday @AuManufacturing reported that with Saudi Arabia inaugurating its first car factory, Australia is now alone among the G20 in not having it own car industry We said: “An outside observer looking in at Australia might surmise that our recent vision has been to consciously de-industrialise.” Here @AuManufacturing readers and members of our Australian…

QuantX Labs’ optical atomic clock heads into space

Precision timing and quantum sensor manufacturer QuantX Labs has joined with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) through Airbus Australia, to bolster their space knowledge and skillsets as they propel Australian quantum technology into space. QuantX Labs, known for flagship Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillator Cryoclock, is poised to take quantum advancements to new heights through its KAIROS…

Birdon completes 12th lifeboat for U.S. Coast Guard

Port Macquarie maritime engineer Birdon has completed upgrades and delivery of the 12th Motor Lifeboat (MLB) it is refurbishing for the U.S. Coast Guard at its Bellingham, Washington State shipyard. The vessel was the third and final boat to be delivered to the coast guard’s Station Umpqua River, located along the Central Oregon Coast. West…

Spiral Blue edge computer powers India in space

Bengaluru, India based KaleidEO has successfully conducted machine learning data analysis in space utilising Sydney edge computer manufacturer Spiral Blue’s SE-1 space edge computer, enabling them to become the 1st Indian company to demonstrate edge computing. Combining Spiral Blue’s expertise and SE-1 computer in orbit, KaleidEO’s road mapping machine learning algorithm resulted in a 99.7…

Cyclopharm’s Technegas approved for US market in sales milestone

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Cyclopharm’s lung imagining technology Technegas, opening up a US$180 million market that has the potential to quadruple the size of Cyclopharm’s existing Pulmonary Embolism (PE) market. Technegas is an ultra-fine dispersion of the radiopharmaceutical Technetium-99m within a gas used in diagnostic functional lung imaging in 64 countries…

UK awards £3.95bn for next phase development of AUKUS N-submarine

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded £3.95 billion of funding to BAE Systems for the next phase of the UK’s next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine programme, the SSN-AUKUS. SSN-AUKUS will be the largest, most powerful and advanced attack submarines the Royal Navy has ever operated, and will eventually replace the Astute class, which BAE Systems…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, September 25 – 29, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Carbon Revolution attracts top global automotive directors Carbon fibre road wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution has attracted a swag of leading automotive figures to join its executive team as the company moves towards a US stock exchange listing for…

First NSW renewable energy zone reaches milestone

The Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in New South Wales has reached a major milestone with the lodgement of an Environmental Impact Statement for a transmission project which will connect the REZ to the electricity grid. It is the first REZ to reach this stage of development Once complete, the Central West Orana…

NT headed for boom with $6bn defence projects

The Australian and US Defence Departments will spend over $6 billion in the Northern Territory, creating a surge in economic growth and jobs in the Northern Territory, according to a report. Chief Executive of Master Builders Northern Territory Ben Carter said: “This is a multibillion-dollar partnership between the Australian and US Defence Departments and the…

Australia alone in G20 not making cars

By Peter Roberts The news from Saudi Arabia is great for the world car industry but marks a new low for Australia’s automotive sector. California electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors has opened the first car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, as the country makes good on its promise of making automobiles as well as other…

Verbotics, Hypersonix among award winners at Australian Technologies competition

Winners of the annual Australian Technologies Competition, designed to “identify and accelerate Australian technology ‘scale-ups’”, have been announced, with University of Wollongong spinout Verbotics taking out the manufacturing category. An awards night was held on Thursday at the Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney, with winners across nine categories announced from 21 finalists.  “Each company made a…

Sparc Technologies progresses sodium ion batteries

New tests by technology development company Sparc Technologies has shown continuing improvement in key parameters of performance for the sodium ion battery the company is developing with the Queensland University of Technology. The Adelaide company said today it would accelerate R&D efforts and had launched a techno-economic analysis of the batteries following battery testing and…

Australia and France to cooperate on critical Minerals

Australia and France have signed an agreement to pursue stronger cooperation on critical mineral supply chains, opening the way for co-operation in developing critical mineral processing supply chains. The Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King signed the Bilateral Dialogue on Critical Minerals agreement in Paris with France’s Minister for the Energy Transition Agnès…

New nuclear medicine manufacturing facility for ANSTO

The federal government is to fund construction of a new nuclear medicine manufacturing facility at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) Lucas Heights complex in Sydney. The government did not estimate the cost of the facility, reportedly likely to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, which will replace the ageing Building…

Deco aesthetic aluminium goes green

Sydney architectural building product suppliers, DECO Australia has thrived by transforming aluminium aesthetics in Australia using a cutting-edge sublimation process from Italy,. Introduced to the Australian market by Founder and Director Ross Doonan, the process fuses images of natural wood into powder-coated aluminium, creating products that look like timber combined with the durability, recyclability and…

Things not so sweet at Cadbury Claremont

Things have gone sour at Mondalez International’s Cadbury chocolate factory at Claremont, Tasmania with the company in dispute with the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) over better wages and conditions. AMWU members at at Claremont are continuing a stop-work campaign, with nearly 400 AMWU members taking four hour-long work stoppages each fortnight as they push…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

National cleantech conference will no longer run Nectar Creative Communications, the organiser of the National Cleantech Conference & Exhibition (NCTCE), has said the event “will not be taking place in the foreseeable future.” In a message to those on its mailing list, Nectar said the event’s “success and importance… were evident in the overwhelming positive…

Ampcontrol moves to bigger site in WA

Electrical engineering firm Ampcontrol has announced an expansion in Western Australia, moving to a new 9,500 square metre site at Kewdale including a new cable workshop, as the company doubles in size in the state.   The company said the expansion follows an announcement earlier in the week of a new vision “to lead the global…

Alpha HPA to move downstream to synthetic sapphire

Aluminium materials manufacturer Alpha HPA is to move to downstream processing to produce synthetic sapphire from high purity alumina (HPA) sourced from its refinery at Gladstone, Queensland. Stage One Precursor Production Facility (PPF) in Gladstone is now in operation, producing 99.999 per cent high purity alumina (HPA) coating pre-cursor material for use in manufacturing lithium-ion…

Sunrise looks to US for nickel, cobalt refining

Sunrise Energy Metals has said it is evaluating locating a refinery for nickel and cobalt in the United States, citing “ongoing engagement” with automotive manufacturers and government agencies in the nation. The company (formerly known as Clean TeQ Holdings) is developing the Sunrise Nickel-Cobalt-Scandium Project in Central West New South Wales, which was awarded Major…

Brickworks emerges as powerful manufacturing force

Building products, property and investment group Brickworks’ latest annual report reveals a company still focused on manufacturing but transforming itself into a diverse powerhouse capable of sustainable, strong growth. The Sydney company reported a revenue rise but profit fall compared to the previous year, however this did not disguise the extraordinary improvement in the company’s…

A quarter of young have VET qualification – NCVER

By age 22, the highest qualification completed for just over a quarter (26 percent) of young Australians is a vocational qualification, while a further quarter (25 percent) had completed a university degree, according to data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). Generation Z: life at 22 uses results from the Longitudinal Surveys…

Dongara Marine to construct patrol vessel

Dongara Marine has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to build the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s new Large Patrol Vessel. The $13.7 million vessel will have a longer fuel range to conduct extended voyages, low engine emissions, and improved living conditions compared to the existing 25-year-old PV Walcott. It also…

Quickstep links with ST Engineering for nacelle market

Aerospace composites manufacturer Quickstep today announced that it has signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Singapore’s ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business to collaborate on the aircraft nacelle MRO market. Quickstep Group CEO Mark Burgess told the Australian Manufacturing Forum: “The focus of this collaboration is on MRO and technical support of engine nacelles, which represents…

Carbonix, Skyports team up to scale drone BVLOS operations

Composite drone manufacturer Carbonix has announced a partnership with London-based UAV operator, Skyports Drone Services, to scale beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations across Australia using its long-range vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.  According to a statement on Wednesday, the first phase of the partnership will see Skyports Drone Services “embed specialist international…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Imugene raises $18.2 million from investors Clinical stage immuno-oncology company Imugene has closed the Share Purchase Plan component of its capital raising in conjunction with the acquisition of the exclusive licensing rights to the CD19-directed allogeneic cell therapy. The SPP raised a further $18.2 million for the company. Imugene’s Executive Chairman Paul Hopper said: “With…

Advanced Navigation opens Sydney robotics facility

Robotic and navigation technology manufacturer Advanced Navigation have unveiled a high-tech robotics manufacturing facility, based out of UTS Tech Lab in Sydney. The facility will scale up the manufacturing of Advanced Navigation’s AI navigation systems for GPS-denied environments, including the digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technology, Boreas. Made with strategic-grade standards, DFOG is entering new markets…

KBR and QinetiQ to compete on test and evaluation capability

KBR and QinetiQ have signed a teaming agreement to work collaboratively to deliver test and evaluation services for the Australian Defence Force, opening up greater competition in the underserved space. Under the agreement KBR and QinetiQ will share skills and experiences to build on both companies’ respective test and evaluation solutions, drawing on both global…

Avenira secures technology for battery cathode manufacturing

Phosphate chemicals producer Avenira has secured a manufacturing technology partner for its proposed lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery cathode materials plant planned for Darwin in the Northern Territory. The company, which is developing a phosphate mine at Wonarah in the Territory and a cathode plant at Darwin’s Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, signed a technology…

H2X Global to keep drivers alert with oxygen

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle manufacturer H2X Global is to trial pumping oxygen into truck cabins to keep drivers alert in deal with South Korea’s NF Co Ltd. Pumping concentrated oxygen into the cabins of trucks aims to raise driver alertness, reduce fatigue, and improve road safety according to Sale, Victoria-based H2X Global. Under a Memorandum…

Merger creates vanadium battery metal powerhouse

A merger between two Western Australian vanadium development companies will create a powerful, globally relevant business developing materials used in the burgeoning market for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) and Technology Metals Australia are to merge, bringing together their adjoining mining leases at Gabanintha, south of Meekatharra in Western Australia, where…

Growing Neo-Bionica announces new CTO

Melbourne-headquartered medical technology developer and manufacturer Neo-Bionica has announced the appointment of US-based Uli Gommel (pictured) as its new Chief Technology Officer.  According to a statement from the company on Tuesday, Gommel will spearhead its mission to revolutionise the delivery to market of novel neuro-technologies and smart medtech devices. Neo-Bionica was established in 2021 –…

Orbital to speed engine development with new investor

Unmanned aerial vehicle engine manufacturer Orbital UAV is to raise $4 million via a placement to a new major investor associated with Coogee Chemicals and existing institutional backers. The raising, at 0.14 cents which is a 16.7 premium on today’s market price, has attracted as new shareholder the Executive Director of Perth manufacturer Coogee Chemicals,…

Carbon Revolution attracts top global automotive directors

By Peter Roberts Carbon fibre road wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution has attracted a swag of leading automotive figures to join its executive team as the company moves towards a US stock exchange listing for its shares. The Geelong, Victoria company announced four US based senior automotive executives including: Bob Lutz, former General Motors Vice Chairman…

Queensland introduces annual Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards

The Queensland government has opened nominations for the inaugural Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards. In a statement on Monday, it said that awards would be presented at the first of what would be an annual event – the International Women’s Day Women in Manufacturing Breakfast – in 2024. According to the statement, the awards “seek…

Solar cars head to start line for World Solar Challenge

Cutting edge solar cars from around the world are assembling in Darwin for the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) which will test entrants, including from Geelong’s Deakin University, over the grueling 3,000 kilometre race. The Deakin ASCEND team is the only Victorian entry, alongside 41 other teams from 23 countries in the event which…

Green steel eyes strong market demand for low carbon product

By Peter Roberts News that Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance is pushing ahead with its move towards green steel production at the Whyalla steelworks comes as it is clear that the first mover producers of seriously low carbon products can expect strong market demand for their products. GFG’s Liberty Primary Steel over the weekend extinguished its…

Whyalla steelworks coke ovens extinguished in historic change

Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Primary Steel has extinguished the coke ovens at the Whyallla steelworks in South Australia after more than five decades in operation. Liberty, part of the GFG Alliance, took the step on the way to decarbonising its Whyalla operations – originally built by BHP and that played a key part in Australia’s war…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Redflow raises further $6.75 million,  totalling $11.65 million from  Entitlement Offer  Energy storage company Redflow told the ASX last week that it has received firm commitments from institutional and sophisticated investors for an additional $6.75 million (before costs) via placement of entitlement shortfall shares, at a price of $0.21 per share. Combined with approximately $4.9 million…

The new reinventors: learn about manufacturers who’ve pivoted at this October 5 web event

No two days are the same when running any business, even at the best of times. But sometimes, companies will be forced to fundamentally reinvent what they’re all about. Many manufacturers will move from one line of work to a new one, either organically or because they saw disruptive change ahead. One famous example is…

Breakthrough Victoria invests in gut gas detection startup

Breakthrough Victoria has announced an investment in Atmo Biosciences, a medical technology company that has developed capsules that are swallowed and electronically diagnose gastrointestinal disorders. Breakthrough Victoria — an independent company set up in 2021 to manage the state government’s $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund — did not disclose the size of the investment. In…

JBS Australia to produce biogas from meat process waste

Meat and food processing company JBS Australia is constructing a bioenergy system at its Scone Processing Plant in New South Wales that eliminate the equivalent of 28,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The system will capture wastewater emissions and substitute its liquified natural gas (LNG) consumption with renewable gas sourced from an anaerobic…

SA, federal governments announce $100 m for Port Bonython hydrogen infrastructure

The South Australian and federal governments have announced the finalisation of $100 million in funding for the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub, supporting the development infrastructure for the state’s first hydrogen export terminal. Sixteen kilometres from Whyalla, Port Bonython is currently used to export resources derived from the Cooper Basin oil fields, including crude oil and…

SPEE3D joins EOS on the Ukraine battlefield

SPEE3D’s fast metal additive manufacturing printers have become the latest Australian defence equipment to be introduced to Ukraine to help it resist its invasion by Russia. According to a report in Forbes magazine, co-founder Steven Camilleri and staff just visited Jasionka, Poland, to train the Ukrainian military on 3D printing metal parts on demand and…

SmartSat CRC backs ACT space technologies

The SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), has announced a suite of new R&D projects and university appointments that inject new funds into research in space technologies addressing bushfire resilience, spacecraft system autonomy, space objects surveillance and cyber security. One of two new research projects co-funded by SmartSat and ACT Government brings together the Australian National…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, September 18 – 22, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Another battery metals factory lost offshore, more to come While Australia talks the big talk about being a critical minerals and battery metals superpower, backed by the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, Australian metals companies continue to…

Ampcontrol links with University of Newcastle

The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic has visited the University of Newcastle to officially open a new ResTech facility, a joint partnership with electrical engineering manufacturer Ampcontrol at the industrial-focused Callaghan Campus. The partnership aims to accelerate the development and commercialisation of new cutting-edge technology and solutions for the energy, infrastructure, and resources…

Canberra Airport to invest up to $US 10 million in Vast

Concentrated solar power company (CSP) Vast Solar has announced a subscription agreement with Canberra Airport Group for the purchase up to $US 10 million of Vast shares, at an approximate price of $US 10.20 per share, through an investment vehicle.  In a statement on Friday, Vast said the agreement is subject to the closing of…

Register for our new digitisation webinar now

The countdown is on to register to join @AuManufacturing for our latest webinar – Your Digitisation Journey – on Wednesday, October 18 at 11am eastern time. Digitisation is the challenge we hear about most often from our readers, be they fast growing businesses, deign led companies or established medium sized manufacturers. Register your interest in…

Mars introduces ‘green steam’ on its journey to net zero

Mars Australia has revealed what it claims is an Australian first and a world first for the company on its journey towards net zero emissions across its food businesses. Mars Australia Petcare recently went live with Australia’s first commercial Electric Thermal Energy Storage (eTES) system at its Wodonga factory, according to the company. The eTES…

Bridgeman to invest in Townsville advanced manufacturing

A new advanced metal manufacturing and fabrication facility is to be built in Townsville by metals manufacturer Bridgeman Agencies to service defence, aerospace and construction customers. Thanks to funding support from state government’s $415.5 million Industry Partnership Program, Bridgeman will invest $1.7 million in an advanced metal manufacturing and fabrication facility in Townsville. The project…

Qld researchers involved in NASA hypersonics study

Queensland researchers involved in the development of hypersonic systems have travelled to US for NASA-led observation of a capsule’s re-entry On September 24, a NASA capsule containing a sample of asteroid matter will make its return to Earth – with the characteristics of the capsule’s re-entry into the atmosphere at greater than Mach 5 speeds…

Molycop to end steelmaking at Waratah, cut 250 jobs: report

World-leading grinding media manufacturer Molycop will end steelmaking at its site at Waratah, near Newcastle, and make 250 positions redundant, according to a report on Thursday morning. According to The Newcastle Herald, steelmaking would be put on “care and maintenance” in a restructure and the workforce of 540 on site reduced by 250. Molycop, which…

ATSE urges net zero target to be brought forward 15 years

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has recommended that the federal government be more ambitious with its decarbonisation goals and commit to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035  rather than 2050 The Learned Academy representing almost 900 of Australia’s applied science, technology and engineering professionals announced a new position statement on…

The ABC of making the Melbourne Cup

While ABC Bullion is the official manufacturer of the Melbourne Cup, the making of the cup is a true team effort for precious metals producer Pallion Group and manufacturing silversmiths W.J. Sanders. The manufacturing journey starts with the doré (golden) bars, blocks of semi-pure gold and silver produced at the Newcrest Cadia Mine and then…

US Navy parts to be made using AML3D printer

AML3D has announced an order to supply a 3D metal printing ARCEMY system to US Navy submarine component manufacturer, Laser Welding Solutions (LWS). The order is the first where the ARCEMY wire arc additive manufacturing will be used in the wider US Navy supply chain, allowing LWS to supply Nickle Aluminium Bronze (“NAB”) components to…

More fee free TAFE places for WA

The federal and Western Australian governments have announced that a further 22,200 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places will be available for Western Australians from January, 2024. This injection of Fee-Free training places builds on the success of free paces offered in 130 courses in 2023, and will continue to provide support for West Australians choosing…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Bioprinted brain cell networks printed by researchers Monash University used what they say is a tissue engineering approach, two bioinks containing living nerve cells and non-living cells, and 3D printing to successfully create 3D nerve networks that can grow in the laboratory and transmit and respond to nerve signals. In a statement on Wednesday, Monash…

Ampcontrol electrical engineers takes over Androck

Electrical engineering manufacturer Ampcontrol has today announced the acquisition of Hunter-based underground mining equipment specialist Androck Engineering & Mining. The acquisition transaction, the first made by Ampcontrol since its takeover by investment group Washington H. Soul Pattinson, is expected to be completed on 31 May 2023. Hunter Valley, NSW based Ampcontrol’s Managing Director & CEO…

Micro-X’s $1.5 million X-ray sale as sales rise

Carbon fibre nanotube X-ray equipment manufacturer Micro-X has sold $1.5 million worth of its Rover Mobile units to the federal government. Micro-X will supply the machines, which add to a growing list of sales for the Rover, from existing inventory following final modification work. The Adelaide company did not say what use the government would…

Space Machines reveals Australian space payload

Australian in-space transportation provider, Space Machines Company (SMC) has revealed the payloads to be launched into space by SpaceX aboard the Optimus OSV spacecraft bus (pictured). SMC’s Optimus OTV, one of the largest commercial spacecraft designed and manufactured in Australia, is almost complete, according to the company. Space Machines took to social media and said:…

Whyalla says goodbye to coal as steelmaking goes green(er)

By Peter Roberts The LIBERTY Primary Steel steelworks at Whyalla in South Australia has unloaded its last-ever consignment of coal as the company continues its transition to green steel production. Owned by GFG Alliance, Liberty set mid September as the closure of its coal-fed coke-making ovens and the transition from a coke-fed blast furnace to…

Boart Longyear buys scanning instrument business

Drilling equipment and services company Boart Longyear’s Veracio subsidiary is to buy scanning instrument manufacturer Minalyze boosting its instrumentation and software offerings. The company will buy the manufacturer of products which visualise geological data for US$29.3 million, made up of cash and promissory notes which will be convertible into shares. The company’s patented scanner and…

Join @AuManufacturing for our new webinar and plan Your Digitisation Journey

It is the challenge facing every Australian business – how to digitise your operations – increasing efficiency and effectiveness by linking key operations and gathering, analysing and actioning data. Join @AuManufacturing and SoftLabs enterprise software on Wednesday, October 18 at 11am eastern time for our latest online webinar – Your Digitisation Journey. Editor Peter Roberts…

State government announces funding for commercialising university research

The Victorian government has announced new co-investment partnerships with five Victorian universities, with $87 million in total to be allocated through the Breakthrough Victoria – University Innovation Platform program  The new partnerships are with Deakin University, La Trobe University, Monash University, RMIT University and Swinburne University, and according to industry minister Ben Carroll “will help…

Orica speeds decarbonisation efforts

Chemicals and explosives technology manufacturer Orica today announced accelerated climate change targets. The Melbourne company has invested to deliver significant reductions in net operational Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the company. A forecast 19 per cent emissions reduction from FY2019 levels by the end of FY2023, successful low-emissions technology deployments,…

Hydrogen production technologies new research linkup

A global centre for hydrogen research has been established involving three Australian universities in South and Western Australia. The University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and Curtin University represent Australia in the international Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Centre, connecting research partners from the US, Canada, the UK, Egypt, and Germany. The centre will focus on…

GSWA chooses GHD as Owner’s Engineer on planned Collie green steel plant

Professional services firm GHD has been appointed as Owner’s Engineer by Green Steel of WA (GSWA) to develop the Collie steel recycling plant, which GSWA plans to have running in 2026. According to a statement from GHD on Tuesday, it will provide multidisciplinary services related to the plant’s specifications; support engineering, procurement, and construction engagement;…

Price, labour pressures ease, but sentiment among manufacturers ‘weakest since GFC’

Manufacturing industry sentiment has fallen to levels not seen since the Global Financial Crisis, according to the ACCI-Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends for the September quarter. Released on Tuesday morning, the survey showed a decline in new orders, a net five per cent of manufacturers reducing headcount, and a net 35 per cent of manufacturers…

Another battery metals factory lost offshore, more to come

While Australia talks the big talk about being a critical minerals and battery metals superpower, backed by the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, Australian metals companies continue to be lured overseas by deeper financial markets and more supportive government policies. Element 25 has become the latest to site in the United States where the Biden…

Bowen demolishes case for expensive nuclear power

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has rubbished opposition calls for Australia to embrace nuclear power in the form of small modular reactors. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has injected his idea of a nuclear renaissance into the energy debate, suggesting he might change the Coalition’s official opposition to nuclear power, saying Labor was…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

National Reconstruction Fund to hold inaugural meeting The board of the National Reconstruction Fund will hold its inaugural board meeting in Sydney on Monday afternoon. In attendance will also be Chair Martijn Wilder, as well as Kelly O’Dwyer,  Kathryn Presser, Karen Smith-Pomeroy, Daniel Walton, Daniel Petre. Ahmed Fahour and Dr Katharine Giles will attend virtually. The make-up…

Aus J boosts sales efforts for its electric water heaters

Aus J Hot Water Solutions is expanding its international marketing efforts to capitalise on interest in its ‘clean, green, safe, and simple’ electric water heating technologies. The Leichhardt, Sydney company’s Managing Director Jay King attended the Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany, returning convinced his latest 12V/120V Gen 3 Duoetto electric water heater for RVs (pictured)…

CSIRO programme targets SME innovation in agrifood

Start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)are being offered access a new online innovation learning program, ‘Innovate to Grow: Agrifood’, led by science agency CSIRO. The free 10-week online programme is designed to help Australian SMEs assess how they can advance their technologies, solutions and ideas through research and development (R&D). The programme, supported…

A new export and trade “shop window’ to India

It comes as a surprise to learn that Austrade no longer provides a readily accessible directory of Australia’s manufacturer exporters. Here John Sheridan explains how his new trade showcase is a model for showing Australian capabilities to the world. The Australia – India Export & Trade showcase is a Business to Business (B-to-B) platform designed…

Queensland gets closer to Japan in green energy R&D

The Queensland government has announced two new collaborations that link the state’s green energy plans more closely to Japanese research and demonstration capabilities. The government announced that the University of Queensland and the University of Tokyo had signed another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand on 25 years of collaborative research. And it revealed that…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, September 11 – 15, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Incitec Pivot hit by acid production shortfall Fertiliser and explosives group Incitec Pivot is facing a reduction in fertiliser output from its Phosphate Hill plant in Queensland even as it moves to complete the sale of its…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you may have missed

NSW container scheme nears milestone The NSW Return and Earn scheme is on the verge of reaching the milestone of 10 billion recycled cans and bottles. On Friday the NSW Government encouraged households to help reach the mark in the next 24 to 48 hours, by taking their empty drink containers to one of 620…

Premcar begins production of Nissan Patrol Warrior at new factory

Australian automotive engineering company Premcar has begun production of the first-ever Nissan Patrol Warrior at its newly-opened Epping factory, with the vehicles set to appear in Nissan showrooms in October. In a statement on Friday, Premcar said full secondary new-vehicle production of the Australian-engineered-and-developed Warrior follows the completion of its final local tuning and manufacturing…

AIS Water makes finals in two categories at Lord Mayor’s awards

AIS Water has been named as a finalist in the Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation and ISPT Investment in Brisbane categories of the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards, to be held on October 20. AIS Water said in a statement on Friday that the development and recent opening of its $9 million anode manufacturing facility was…

Ego Pharmaceuticals’ doubles output on export success

Dermatological skincare company Ego Pharmaceuticals has celebrated two milestones of 70 years of operations globally and 30 years in the Middle East with the opening of a new office in Dubai, UAE. Ego Pharmaceuticals was the first Australian skincare company to venture into the Middle East, with booming export sales now powering a doubling of…

REDARC and ST Engineering partner for vehicle electronics

Electronics manufacturer REDARC Defence & Space and Singapore defence and electronics company ST Engineering Advanced Networks & Sensors Pte Ltd have signed a partnership agreement at the defence and security technology show, DSEi 2023 in London. The partnership will enable Adelaide-based REDARC to provide Vehicle Electronics Solutions to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) while driving…

Australia and Indonesia cooperate on battery research

Australia’s Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia’s National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) witnessed by Bill Johnston, WA Minister for Energy, Mines and Petroleum and the Hydrogen industry. The agreement is intended to strengthen collaboration in battery research, technology and innovation between Australia and Indonesia, and…

Conroy raises hopes for defence industry development strategy

The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has again raised hopes the federal government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy now under development will lead to significant investment in Australian manufacturing and its workforce. Speaking at the 2023 Australian Strategic Policy Institute conference, Conroy said the strategy would establish the framework and principles for the direction of…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Archer’s biochip design validated by commercial foundry partner  Fabless semiconductor company Archer Materials has had its advanced graphene field effect transistor (gFET) chip design validated by an unnamed commercial foundry partner in the Netherlands with a whole four-inch wafer run. The new gFET device designs have been fabricated and the foundry process was successful, according…

Sparc begins green hydrogen prototype testing

Sparc Hydrogen has begun prototype testing of its photocatalytic technology to split water into green hydrogen and oxygen at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW (pictured) The company, a joint venture between Sparc Technologies, Fortescue Future Industries and the University of Adelaide, has mounted its prototype photocatalytic reactor unit on the CSIRO’s solar tower…

Qld Parliament to showcase manufacturer capabilities

Parliament House in Brisbane is to showcase strength of Queensland manufacturing with displays of manufacturer capabilities from across the state. The state’s Parliament House Showcase to celebrate Manufacturing Month will headline the launch of a new social media campaign to entice school leavers to the sector: ‘If you don’t make it, it’ll never exist’. To…

AML3D’s second US submarine contract in two days

Metal additive manufacturing company AML3D has announced its second new US submarine construction contract in the same number of days. On Tuesday the company won a contract to develop and test 3D printing copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) components for the US Navy’s submarine programme. The contracts, in tune with the AUKUS agreement, will run parallel with the…

HDrive to build two electric mini-buses

Pure Hydrogen Corporation subsidiary HDrive International will supply two electric mini-buses valued at more than $700,000 to Sapphire Coast Buslines in New South Wales. HDrive will deliver the two battery electric (BEV) 18-seat mini-buses during the first quarter of 2024 in a deal the first of its type for the company normally associated with hydrogen…

Next stop bus manufacture for Queensland

The Queensland government aims to stimulate bus manufacturing in the state, committing an initial $134 million to build 200 buses as part of a new Queensland built bus fleet. The sector, disappointed with a decision by Brisbane City Council to build its new Metro bus fleet overseas, is now set for a procurement process run…

Study shows black phosphorous nanoflakes promising against superbugs in wound care, devices

A study led by RMIT University and University of South Australia has shown the effectiveness of black phosphorus-based nanotechnology in battling “superbugs”, pointing the way to possible adoption in wound care products and implants. In a statement from UniSA on Thursday, the “nano-thin superbug-slaying material” is described as “effective against a broad range of drug-resistant…

RMIT student wins James Dyson Award for new electric motor retrofit solution 

RMIT University Sustainable Systems Engineering and Industrial Design student Alexander Burton has been named national winner of the James Dyson Award competition for his REVR invention, a retrofit allowing the simplified conversion of an internal combustion engine car into hybrid-electric. According to a statement from the James Dyson Foundation on Wednesday, REVR (Rapid Electric Vehicle…

Geminder family moves to take PACT Group private

Interests associated with the Chairman of packaging manufacturer and recycler PACT Group Raphael Geminder have moved to take over the ASX listed company and take it private. Privately owned Kin Group through subsidiary Brennamon Industries today launched an unconditional off market offer to buy all the PACT Group shares it does not own at 68…

AROSE lunar rover to test Australian technology capabilities

The AROSE consortium and the EPE and Lunar Outpost Oceania consortium are each designing early-stage prototypes of a semi-autonomous Moon rover to be transported to the Moon via NASA. In this contributed article, AROSE outlines the challenges and industry opportunities. When Australia’s Trailblazer lunar rover arrives on the Moon, the remotely operated vehicle will confront…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Boeing Defence sees biggest trades intake Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has welcomed eight apprentices in the largest single intake to the company’s trades workforce. The apprentices, who have graduated from Aviation Australia’s (AA) 80-day Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance, will join BDA’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler maintenance program at RAAF Base Amberley.…

Waste Expo Australia 2023: Advancing Towards Sustainable Resource Recovery Management Solutions

Advertising feature With a growing focus on waste management, the circular economy and sustainable resource consumption, Waste Expo Australia 2023 comes at an opportune time for leaders to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities for the sector.  With a core theme of “Advancing Towards Sustainable Resource Recovery”, Waste Expo Australia features a multi-stream conference and exhibition…

Flender to open new industrial hub facility in Sydney

German drive train manufacturer Flender is opening a new facility in Sydney to support its wind turbines drives and heavy industry. It comes as the company increases its focus on the renewable energy industry, supporting its Winergy brand for wind turbine drives, and is part of a push to scale up local presence and be…

Aurora Labs wins additive manufacturing contract with Chevron

Aurora Labs has signed Master Services Contract to provide 3D powder-printed parts to oil and gas giant Chevron. The agreement has no fixed term, outlining the performance criteria and industry standards for Aurora’s printing of the 3D parts for Chevron Australia. Aurora Labs CEO Rebekah Letheby says the contract is a win for local additive…

Kadego-Cadgile to operate as Ekium

Adelaide-based engineering services firm Kadego-Cadgile has announced a global rebrand as Ekium, now operating under the brand of its parent company. Cadgile and Kadego Engineering were acquired by Groupe-FIVA in November 2018 and July 2019, respectively. Kadego and Cadgile merged operations in 2020. Groupe FIVA’s subsidiaries were acquired by industrial and building engineering and automation company…

Incitec Pivot hit by acid production shortfall

Fertiliser and explosives group Incitec Pivot is facing a reduction in fertiliser output from its Phosphate Hill plant in Queensland even as it moves to complete the sale of its Waggaman plant in the United States. In a FY23 update the company told investors that the supply of sulphuric acid to Phosphate Hill from its…

WA receives $30 million to grow recycling infrastructure

The Western Australian and the federal governments are providing $30 million in funding to boost the state’s recycling and waste processing capabilities. The Western Australian Recycling Modernisation Fund will provide recipients funding to build, expand or upgrade their waste processing infrastructure. The WA and Commonwealth governments will contribute up to two-thirds of the project’s costs,…

Renewables open opportunities for Australian steel – Husic

Renewable energy is offering a host of new opportunities for Australian-made steel, the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic told the Australian steel convention. In an opening address to the annual Australian Steel Institute (ASI) convention today, Husic said Australian-made steel had a key role to play in the shift to advanced manufacturing, renewable…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

BluGlass appoints new full-time CFO ASX-listed semiconductor company BluGlass has announced the appointment of Samuel Samhan (pictured) as Chief Financial Officer on a full-time basis, effective immediately. BluGlass said in a statement on Monday that Samhan is a highly credentialled senior executive with over 20 years of financial leadership and commercial  operations experience, including as…

WA gov to kickstart medical start-ups

The West Australian government has provided $4.3 million in seed funding for health and medical start-ups to boost the sector’s manufacturing in the state. Nine companies will receive support from the 2022-23 Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Innovation Seed Fund, which will help them develop and commercialise their projects, as well as enhance…

Comms equipment maker Mayfield sees bump in new work

Electrical and telecommunications infrastructure equipment maker Mayfield Group has announced $21.2 million in new orders for its manufacturing and services arms. The new orders include electrical and telecommunications infrastructure with a variety of end-use applications. Mayfield Group includes Mayfield industry, a major manufacturer of electrical control and protection systems, switchboards, and switchrooms for critical electrical…

Victoria gives a boost to ethical textile manufacturing

The Victorian government is investing $4 million into improving worker safety and transparency in the state’s textile manufacturing industry. The funding will support the group Ethical Clothing Australia, which provides accreditation to Victoria’s textile, clothing and footwear manufacturers to ensure compliance with state standards, including fair pay for workers as well as providing safe working…

RØDE founder makes $1 million donation to Australian Design Council

Not-for-profit group the Australian Design Council has announced a $1 million donation from Peter Freedman, Founder and Chairman of audio technology company RØDE. Reported at the weekend in The Australian Financial Review, the council said the donation would be “instrumental in jumpstarting” its activities. The funds would be distributed over two years and see a…

The enterprising story of Softlabs ERP

Introducing @AuManufacturing’s latest sponsor – SoftLabs enterprise software company. In this sponsored article, Peter Roberts talks to the company Director, Sreeni Pillamarri about the history and philosophy of this unique business. A glance through Sreeni Pillamarri’s Linkedin profile tells you a lot about about the Hyderabad, India born businessman, and a lot about how he…

Elphinstone buys underground mine extraction device

Tasmanian engineering and mining equipment manufacturer Elphinstone has acquired the Beltor ‘Puller’ system – an underground mine extraction device (MED) designed to safely recover buried equipment. Originally developed in the 1980s by Newcastle, NSW business Beltor Engineering, the MED met a need by underground miners to extract buried or bogged equipment in a safe and…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Neo-Bionica launches onshore critical medical manufacturing process Advanced MedTech contract manufacturer Neo-Bionica has revealed the expansion of its manufacturing services with the launch of its new hermitization capability – a first for Australian industry. Hermitization is a critical…

$412,000 awarded through Low Carbon Manufacturing Grants Program

Ten Victorian manufacturers have been awarded assistance worth up to $50,000 each from the state government’s Low Carbon Manufacturing Grants Program. A cumulative $412,000 was awarded through the program, according to a statement from manufacturing minister Ben Carroll on Thursday.  The Business Growth stream of the LCMG provides grants of up to $50,000 to companies…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Vast appoints Project Director for VS1  Concentrated solar thermal power company Vast Solar has announced the appointment of Federico Sandoval as its new Project Director for VS1, a 30 megawatt / 288 megawatt hour CSP project in Port Augusta, South Australia. VS1 uses Vast’s proprietary modular tower CSP v3.0 technology and will generate dispatchable power…

Infant formula maker Bubs makes inroads into US market

Australian infant formula manufacturer Bubs has begun a major US clinical trial as part of an approval process for the US market. The nationwide Growth Monitoring Study (GMS) clinical trial is part of the regulatory process for approvals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which would allow its organic infant formulas a permanent…

Austal wins US Navy landing craft contract

Australian ship builder Austal has won a $143 million contract with the US Navy to build three Landing Craft Utility vessels, with the potential to expand the work. The win follows a previous contract for the detail design of the vessels and also includes the option for the construction of an additional nine vessels as…

Vmoto to build new factory

ASX-listed electric vehicle maker Vmoto is building a new $14 million factory, potentially doubling its production capacity. The new 32,856 square metre facility, located close to Vmoto’s existing manufacturing base in Nanjing, China, will more than double its manufacturing footprint, and increase production from 150,000 units a year up to a potential 300,000. “The new…

Zone RV grows workforce to 231

Caravan company Zone RV has featured in the first week of Queensland’s Inside Advanced Manufacturing showcase, with the company announcing that it recently increased its headcount to 231. Manufacturing minister Glenn Butcher visited the Coolum Beach maker of lightweight composite-bodied off-road caravans on Wednesday morning.  During its expansion, Zone RV has purchased what it describes…

‘Breakthrough’ speeds next-gen solar glass manufacturing by 90%

[Image: ClearVue’s solar glass in operation at a shopping centre in Western Australia] Australian solar glass maker ClearVue Technologies says a manufacturing breakthrough could slash the production time of its new solar glass by more than 90%. Working with its Chinese partner, they manufactured 80 of its new generation ‘integrated glazing units’ (IGUs), and were…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

IBISWorld releases new market figures on baby food manufacture Market research firm IBISWorld has published a new Baby Food Manufacturing in Australia report, finding the sector experienced “mixed results” and declined in size by 0.2 over the last five years. The research showed desire for nutrient-added and organic products had supported performance, as had overseas…

Orora to buy high-end French glass maker for billions

Packaging manufacturer Orora will acquire French glass bottle manufacturer Saverglass from U.S. private equity group Carlyle Group for $2.16 billion. Saverglass manufactures premium and ‘ultra-premium’ glassware for high-end wine and spirit makers, such as Hennessy and Grey Goose. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Saverglass into the Orora Group,” Orora CEO Brian Lowe says. “This…

Canberra could protect decarbonising industries from unfair competition

The federal government has engaged an eminent academic to study the need for a carbon tariff to protect local manufacturers from unfair competition from imports which are not subject to restrictions on emissions of CO2. The move opens the way for import tariffs to be applied on carbon intensive products such as cement and steel…

How Cochlear’s manufacturing skills kept it onshore

By Peter Roberts The news that contract manufacturer Neo-Bionica has established Australia’s first facility capability of hermetically sealing implantable medical devices brings to mind the story of how Cochlear’s manufacturing skills in the area kept it from going offshore – and remain a secret of its success. The process of hermitization which Neo-Bionica is now…

FBR demonstrates new-gen Hadrian X robot

Robotic technology company FBR has demonstrated its next generation Hadrian X block laying construction robot. The massive updated robot completed its first outdoor test build in Perth, Western Australia (pictured). The new generation machine is tablet-controlled and is equipped with a 32-metre telescoping boom capable of handling blocks up to 600mm x 400mm x 300mm.…

Neo-Bionica launches onshore critical medical manufacturing process

Advanced MedTech contract manufacturer Neo-Bionica has revealed the expansion of its manufacturing services with the launch of its new hermitization capability – a first for Australian industry. Hermitization is a critical capability in the development of implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cochlear and other hearing implants, and deep brain and spinal cord stimulation.…

EOS demonstrates its laser ‘drone killer’ weapon

Defence and communications company Electro Optic Systems has demonstrated its high powered laser ‘drone killer’ weapon system in front of an international audience at the company’s Klondyke Range Complex in Western New South Wales. The laser director is shown in the main photograph, mounted on a standard 20 foot container. The directed energy weapon –…

Deloitte selected on proposed Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub at Bunbury

The Western Australian government has announced that it is moving forward with planning for the proposed Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH), with Deloitte the successful tenderer to deliver a detailed feasibility study and business case. According to a statement on Tuesday, the appointment of the Big Four firm represents a next step towards “a…

Victorian government awards $500,000 to green methanol project

The Victorian government has announced $500,000 in funding for a feasibility study on Portland as a renewable methanol and hydrogen hub, to be conducted by Portland H2. In a statement on Tuesday, the government said the study would examine the economics of converting plantation forestry residues to green methanol at the site. It would also…

Australians invited to name upcoming locally-made lunar rover

Individuals and schools are being invited to name the upcoming Australian-made rover, which will be deployed on the moon to collect soil samples for NASA. Two Australian consortiums, AROSE and ELO2 are developing lunar rover concepts under Stage One of the Trailblazer program. Each was awarded $4 million in March to design early-stage prototypes. The…

New welding and fabrication training takes off

A new suite of learning resources from Weld Australia for the critical fields of welding and fabrication is gaining rapid industry uptake according to the peak industry body. Weld Australia designed and created the resources for delivery of the 12 welding and fabrication units of competency in the Manufacturing and Engineering (MEM) Training Package. The…

Genetic Signatures prepares to launch parasite test kits in the US

Molecular diagnostic company Genetic Signatures has submitted an application seeking US Food and Drug Administration approval for its EasyScreen Gastrointestinal Parasite Detection Kit. The easy to use kit aims to replace current screening methods which involve sample culturing and microscopic inspection, antigen detection and pathogen-specific molecular tests, Genetic Signatures said the US market for the…

Matrix’s $13m underwater composites order

Matrix Composites & Engineering has received a $13 million purchase order to supply a deepwater buoyancy system utilising the company’s innovative syntactic composite foam. The riser buoyancy system will be used on a deep sea oceanographic research vessel in Japan which is involved in seep sea mining, deep sea research and subsea geological surveys. Syntactic…

Nestlé announces $2m water savings project at Gympie

Nestlé Australia has invested $2 million in new state-of-the-art technology to reduce water use in its Gympie Nescafé factory. The new technology will cut Gympie factory’s water use by around 20 percent, saving 45 million litres, the equivalent of 18 x 50 metre swimming pools, each year. The water savings are possible thanks to a…

iLaunch Trailblazer to 3D print hypersonic space launch structures

The iLAuNCH Trailblazer project, universities and industry partners are to establish a manufacturing facility to utilise additive manufacturing techniques to print more durable satellites and hypersonic space vehicle structures. The Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) programme, funded by the Department of Education, has linked with South Australian universities and Adelaide-based advanced…

Graphene electrodes part of plan to make Australia make PV again

A consortium of Halocell Energy, First Graphene and Queensland University of Technology has shared a few details about a three-year project to develop perovskite solar cell fabrication, recently awarded a $2 million grant under Round 14 of the federal Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) initiative. Halocell makes perovskite solar cells containing halide, and describes itself…

K-TIG falters in purchase of UK nuclear engineering business

Rapid welding technology manufacturer K-TIG has failed to meet its planned transaction date for the purchase of UK advanced manufacturer Graham Engineering Limited (GEL). The company’s share purchase agreement (SPA) to acquire the business as an entrée to the UK nuclear decontamination field reached its sunset date of 31 August with a number of conditions…

Government moves to criminalise wage theft – $10m fines

The federal government is criminalise wage theft, introducing big penalties for employers who deliberately underpay workers. Signalling the government’s move – foreshadowed before the election – the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke said: “If a worker steals from the till, it’s a criminal offence – as it should be. “But in many…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Government buys sea mines, ‘potentially’ locally assembled The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has announced it will purchase new, smart sea mines, which will reinvigorate Defence’s maritime mining capability, and are deployable from submarines, ships and aircraft, according to…

September is “Queensland Manufacturing Month”, declares state government

The Queensland government has named September “Manufacturing Month” for the state ahead of the Inside Advanced Manufacturing 2023 showcase, which will be held September 4 – 15. The month-long celebration was launched on Friday at Pinkenba’s Austrack Equipment, an equipment hire specialist that also makes SafeVac pipe lifters used on the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline. …

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Universities can apply for AUKUS funding for 4,000 more places Universities can now apply for additional Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) targeted at graduates in STEM courses, the federal government announced on Friday. The additional CSPs are designed to attract more students to train in engineering, mathematics, chemistry and physics and meet the needs of the AUKUS…

Carbon Revolution produces wheels using Mega-line

Composite road wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution has begun producing its carbon fibre composite road wheels on its automated Mega-line at the same time as it revealed a doubled order backlog and the award of four new wheel programmes by automotive OEMs. The Geelong, Victoria company reported it had commissioned Phase 1 of the Mega-line large-scale…

ECS Botanics achieves first profit before tax in FY23

Business-to-business medical cannabis cultivator and manufacturer ECS Botanics has announced its full-year results, including a sharp increase in consolidated revenue and a maiden profit before tax. According to a statement from the company on Thursday it went through a “substantial expansion phase” over the year, with $16 million in receipts from customers (up 180 per…

Thales opens Lithgow advanced manufacturing centre

Defence manufacturer Thales Australia has continued its revitalisation of the historic former Lithgow small arms works with the opening of the company’s new advanced manufacturing facility in the regional NSW city. Defence Minister Pat Conroy officiated and opened the new Lithgow Arms facility (pictured) which has been a centre of Australia’s defence industry since it…

Deakin partners to convert old tyres to electricity

A new collaboration between Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH) and industry partner Clean Energy Resources (CER) aims to develop novel technologies to convert old tyres into electricity, hydrogen and other important resources. The partnership between Deakin and Geelong-based CER will develop a technology that provides a new way to generate electricity…

XTEK rides defence concerns to new highs

Ballistic armour and drone technology manufacturer XTEK continues to ride rising global insecurity, reporting another big jump in revenue in FY23. XTEK reported profit after tax of $6.1 million, up seven percent, on revenue up 54 percent to $89.4 million for the year. EBITDA profit was $10.9 million with the company ending the year with…

RayGen Resources opens new site, gets $10 million ARENA funding

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $10 million in funding for RayGen Resources’ Solar Power Plant Two: Phase 1 project, progressing a “hi-tech solar and thermal storage technology” closer to commercialisation. According to a statement from ARENA on Thursday, the funding will help RayGen improve its design, achieve material cost reductions, and conduct…

Austal confirms FY23 loss on US steel shipbuilding

International shipbuilder Austal has confirmed a NPAT loss for FY23 of $13.6 million, down from a profit of $79.6 million the previous year. The loss, set on revenue up 11 percent to $1.59 billion, is due to provisional losses of $171 million stemming from the construction of steel hulled Navajo class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue…

ZERO releases second-generation EV for underground mining

Vehicle conversion company ZERO Automotive has launched its second-generation, LandCruiser-based ZED70 Ti, with mining services company Barminco signing on as the first customer to accept delivery and CarBon Leasing & Rentals confirming an order of 200 vehicles. According to a statement on Thursday, the design features:  The company’s proprietary HEPS (Hazardous Environment Protection System) underbody…

New report estimates non-animal models represent a $1.5 billion opportunity for Australia

New modelling published by CSIRO estimates that non-animal models for medical product development have the potential to create $1.5 billion in revenue and 5,000 jobs by 2024. Animals are typically used as part of R&D and testing to ensure the safety and effectiveness of new medical products, according to CSIRO. Non-animal models can use “human-derived”…

How CEOS are tackling workforce shortages – webinar video

@AuManufacturing and Epicor’s online webinar is available to view online now discussing automation, smart data and workforce shortages. Our panel discussion moderated by editor Peter Roberts heard from manufacturing CEOs and industry experts on their use of technology to make better use of the staff they have, and on recruitment and retention. Joining the discussion…

Manufacturing results news briefs – stories you might have missed

Austin powers ahead on benefits from revamped manufacturing Perth mining equipment manufacturer Austin Engineering has reported an EBITDA of $31 million for FY23 on revenue up 27 percent on the previous year to $258 million. Operating cash flow for the year was $15.8 million, up 236 percent, with the company ending the year with an…

Quickstep leaps into R&D to cut composites production costs

Aerospace composites manufacturer has signed an exciting engineering collaboration with the Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites CRC (SoMAC CRC) and Deakin University Geelong’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (ISRII) to help bring down the cost of production. An initial 12-month Aeroline programme of research is valued at $1 million, funded 50-50, and forms…

Gippsland dairy farms not managing effluent, says EPA

Inspections of 19 Gippsland dairy farms have found 85 per cent non-compliance in dairy effluent management, according to EPA Victoria. The high level of non-compliance was in spite of “ongoing communications with the industry” about effluent management, the agency said, as well as “surprising and disappointing.” Jessica Bandiera. EPA Gippsland Regional Manager, said that, “Maintaining…

RMIT’s tiny titanium spike breakthrough suggests antimicrobial surfaces “may need to be rethought”

An RMIT University team has shown promising results from insect-inspired “microscale spikes” for titanium implants and other surfaces, demonstrating drug-free anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. According to a statement from the university, the features on the “micro-pillared titanium surface pattern” were about the height of a bacteria cell and designed to address drug-resistant “superbugs” which are…

$3 billion to rewire Western Australia

The federal and Western Australian governments have signed a landmark agreement to expand and modernise electricity grids in Perth, the South West and the North West Pilbara region. The Commonwealth-Western Australia Rewiring the Nation deal will bolster WA’s energy security in preparation for increasing use of renewable energy and battery storage. It will be backed…

MILKLAB and saveBOARD recycle waste into exhibition display

Plant-based and dairy milk manufacturer MILKLAB has used its stand at the Melbourne International Coffee Exhibition (MICE) to showcase a novel sustainable building material made from recycled waste including long-life milk cartons and coffee cups. The new-look MILKLAB Lane stand at MICE this month incorporated cafes and coffee carts and a stand that was made…

Supplements company Fixx aims to double output at new factory

Nutrition and wellness company Fixx Nutrition has announced that it will double production at its new factory on the Gold Coast, citing increased local and international demand, including an upcoming launch in the South African market. In a statement on Tuesday, the Burleigh Heads-based business said it had been on a “rapid growth trajectory” with…

Weld Australia launches new Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package

Professional body Weld Australia recently launched a new set of educational material, the Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package, delivered online and including 12 welding and fabrication units of competency. According to a statement on Tuesday from Weld Australia, the MEM package is delivered at a “time, place and pace” that suits the student, and “reimagines…

Innovate to decarbonise agriculture – by David Heard

Green hydrogen company Hiringa Energy and agricultural and pastoral enterprise Sundown Pastoral Co are creating a world’s first Good Earth Cotton farm which will produce its own renewable ammonia and green hydrogen to decarbonise its operations. Here David Heard explains the implications for agriculture and wider industry. As Australia inches closer to our legislative target…

Stanwell Clean Energy Hub kicks off with training cash

Queensland’s publicly owned energy company Stanwell Corporation will build a Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH) valued at up to $100 million as step one of the state’s investment in a Stanwell Clean Energy Hub at major regional city, Rockhampton. The size of a shopping centre, the hub will provide the ‘sandbox’ to test…

Quickstep steps up drone manufacturing capabilities

Aerospace composites manufacturer Quickstep has deepened its involvement in the drone sector with a new agreement that gives it access to critical control technologies and systems. The Sydney company signed an exclusive manufacturing and engineering integration agreement with TB2 LLC of Breckenridge, Colorado for its TB2 Pod Interface system used to control Unmanned Aerial Systems…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Wirra Wirra in US export breakthrough McLaren Vale, South Australia winery, Wirra Wirra, has secured a landmark, exclusive deal with the world’s largest family-owned wine company, E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) to export its range of wines across all 50 US states. Under the agreement, Wirra Wirra will be Gallo’s exclusive McLaren Vale supplier,…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

  What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) The Army can fire weapons autonomously, but should they? The news was inevitable in a way, writes Peter Roberts. The Army has confirmed that it has fired a weapon system at a simulated enemy remotely from an…

Join us Tuesday for our webinar on technology, skills and workforce shortages

Tuesday is the day to tune in to @AuManufacturing and Epicor’s online webinar discussing automation, smart data and workforce shortages. To start at 11am eastern time, the webinar is our response to the labour and skills shortages affecting every Australian manufacturer, big or small. Our panel discussion moderated by editor Peter Roberts, will hear from…

Renewable power rising sharply – report

Renewable power generation’s share of the National Energy Market is showing a sudden and rapid rise in importance with renewables now playing a bigger role in Australia’s energy mix than ever before. The federal government’s March 2023 Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory showed that renewables accounted for 39 per cent of generation…

Manufacturing profit briefs – stories you might have missed

Bega focus on strategy in challenging year Australian owned and led food manufacturer Bega Cheese has continued its strategy to move away from commodity sales to its iconic brands paid dividends in the second half of FY23 following farm gate milk price rises and other cost increases in the first quarter. Conditions saw the company…

Australia will make its own missiles in 2025 – Conroy

The federal government will deliver a fully costed and detailed plan next year on how it will build critical guided weapons in Australia, according to Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. Speaking at the Hunter Defence Conference Conroy said the government was working with industry, including Defence’s strategic partners, Lockheed Martin Australia and Raytheon Australia, to…

Business R&D up, total Australian R&D vs GDP continues to fall: ABS

Australia’s expenditure on innovation public and private has fallen for the past decade, and continues to fall under the new federal government. Business expenditure on research and development (BERD) was up 14 per cent over 2021-22, new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show, though the nation’s total spend on R&D as a proportion of GDP…

CSIRO launches green hydrogen tech startup

CSIRO and corporate advisor RFC Ambrian have co-founded Hadean Energy to commercialise novel technology that is claimed to produce hydrogen with 30 per cent less electricity than traditional methods. CSIRO will trial the technology at BlueScope Steel’s Port Kembla Steelworks to demonstrate the equipment at pilot scale in an industrial environment. CSIRO’s tubular solid oxide…

H2Kwinana green hydrogen hub nears with concept development

Western Australia is a step closer to the creation of a large-scale green hydrogen hub with bp completing its concept development phase study into its energy hub H2Kwinana. The hub is supported by the WA government’s $180 million investment in renewable hydrogen, and funding from the federal government’s Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs programme. Hubs have…

Big battery for Incat’s first electric car and passenger ferry

A big electric passenger and vehicle ferry needs a big battery – and electric vessels don’t come much bigger than leading Tasmanian ferry builder Incat’s ferry being built for South American customer, Buquebus. The 130 metre long catamaran ‘utility Ro-Pax’ design (pictured) announced in January will be capable of carrying up to 2,100 passengers and…

New graphite equipment for Collie plant

International Graphite has received works approval from the Western Australian Government to install new graphite micronising equipment at the company’s downstream research and development facility at Collie in the state’s south-west. The equipment is in transit from North America and is expected to arrive at Fremantle Port next month for installation at the company’s downstream…

Calix rebounds on sales, critical industries technologies

Industrial technologies developer Calix has reported strong FY23 results underpinned by its traditional water treatment business and novel technologies that have positioned it as a leader in decarbonisation of the cement sector, lithium processing and advanced battery materials. The company reported revenue up 43 percent to $29.6 million underpinned by its US and Asia Pacific…

CSIRO among 2023 Boeing Supplier of the Year winners

The CSIRO has been named a Supplier of the Year by the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing, for the fifth time since 2010. CSIRO had previously won at the 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2010 iterations of the supplier recognition program. This year it was one of 12 award winners — which were mainly from the…

Vaxxas awarded $5.4 million for typhoid vaccine clinical studies

Needle-free vaccine delivery company Vaxxas has announced it was awarded $5.4 million from charitable foundation Wellcome for initial studies and a  Phase I clinical trial of a potential second-generation typhoid vaccine delivered using Vaxxas’ technology. In a statement on Thursday, the Brisbane-based clinical-stage company said the project is expected to be completed within two years,…

Orora Beverages shows off $80 million investment at Dandenong

Packaging business Orora Beverages has unveiled a new aluminium can line at its Dandenong site, part of a round of upgrades totalling $110 million, during a visit by Victorian manufacturing minister Ben Carroll and local MP Gabrielle Williams. The line uses aluminium coil, which contains mostly recycled content, which is mechanically and chemically treated, cured…

Take action now against non-compliant imports – by Neil Clout

Australian markets are being flooded with non-compliant products that threaten both consumers and manufacturers alike. Here Neil Clout argues that weak regulations, rarely enforced are eroding Australia’s industrial and skills base. In the vast landscape of global commerce, the competition is fierce, and the stakes are high. For Australian manufacturers, the challenges are particularly daunting.…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

CSL opens new HQ and R&D centre Biotechnology giant CSL has opened its new Headquarters and Centre for R&D which will house more than 850 people dedicated to protecting public health and bringing life-saving innovative therapies to patients. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) congratulated CSL on the opening. Albanese said: “This world-leading research will…

$27 million Water and Energy Trades Centre of Excellence opened at Hobart

TasTAFE’s new $27 million Water and Energy Trades Centre of Excellence on Hobart’s Eastern Shore has  been opened during the current National Skills Week. In a statement describing it as one of Australia’s newest state-of-the-art training facilities, state skills minister Felix Ellis said WET will deliver training for over 1,250 students and build the island’s…

ERP technology smooths operations – Join Patrick Ferron for our upcoming webinar

Like many SME manufacturers Toowoomba, Queensland manufacturer Great Western Manufacturing had an Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that was not being utilised to its full potential, especially to help stream line operations that are often stretched by the sort of workforce shortages affecting all manufacturing. So financial controller Patrick Ferron and the manufacturing leader in…

Guarda Systems protects workers from silicosis

Forrestdale, Perth environmental health and safety technology business Guarda Systems has held a live demonstration of its unique water and vacuum dust suppression system on a variety of masonry cutting tools, including a stone benchtop saw. The demonstration at the Melbourne offices of concrete construction equipment supplier Allcon Group left attendees impressed about the future…

GM invests in Queensland battery metals group

General Motors is among critical mineral hungry investors who have backed a $16 million capital raise by battery materials maker Queensland Pacific Metals. The automotive company is staking its claim to a share of production of nickel sulfate and cobalt sulfate from QPM’s 100 per cent-owned Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH, pictured) Project, about 45…

Applications open for X-TEND WA grants

Applications will now be open year-round for funding under the Western Australian government’s X-TEND WA, a grants program aimed at growing the state’s innovation ecosystem. The competitive co-investment grants program offers funding to organisations delivering programs including those assisting in commercialisation, investor education, and co-working spaces and incubators. It formerly accepted applications within one four-week…

Hopes fade for ‘room temperature superconductor’ LK-99, but quantum zero-resistance research continues

By Michael Fuhrer, Monash University The past few weeks have seen a huge surge of interest among scientists and the public in a material called LK-99 after it was claimed to be a superconductor at room temperature and ambient pressure. LK-99 garnered attention after South Korean researchers posted two papers about it on arXiv, a…

Food and grocery industry sees weak investment, high costs: report

Food and grocery manufacturing turnover grew 7.4 per cent in value over 2021-22, though capital investment stalled and employment shrunk by a per cent, according to a report from the industry’s peak body. The Australian Food and Grocery’s annual State of the Industry report recorded an increase in revenues to $144.1 billion – driven by…

Business Council calls for industry policy, reform of investment, R&D and the NRF

The Business Council of Australia has called for the development of a national industry policy, echoing calls made by @AuManufacturing news over many years. The peak body issued a plan to secure Australia’s economic future – Seize the Moment – which aims to tackle chronic low and falling productivity and levels of national innovation, and…

Late in the day, Canberra seeks views on mRNA technologies

By Peter Roberts It seems a long time ago that Australia was in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic and novel mRNA technologies were hot news. Though the technology had been around for decades it was the pandemic which saw the first major vaccines made using the genetic technology approved for public use in 2020,…

USQ focus on thermoelectric research

A University of Southern Queensland researcher hopes to combat the burning issue of the effects of climate change with advanced waste-heat-to-power technology. Materials scientist Associate Professor Min Hong (pictured) has been awarded $1 million in funding through the 2023 Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowships scheme to develop a new generation of high-performance thermoelectric energy…

Elexon Electronics being reborn after fire

Brendale Queensland manufacturer Elexon Electronics has updated customers on its recovery after a fire damaged its factory and warehouse. CEO Frank Faller wrote to customers to say that the recovery process was moving forward at a pace that has exceeded initial expectations. Faller said: “With a big sigh of relief, we can report that a…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

XRF Scientific announces record full-year result Analytical laboratory instrument manufacturer XRF Scientific has announced its results for the June 2023 full-year, with sales revenue up 38 per cent to $55.2 million, net profit after tax up 26 per cent to $7.7 million, and the company paying a final fully-franked dividend of 3.3 cents per share.…

CEFC commitments reached $12.7 billion in 2022/23

The CEFC has provided an update related to its 2022/23 year, with $1.9 billion in new investment commitments made, including a record $1.2 billion in renewable energy and grid-related projects. According to CEO Ian Learmonth, the $1.2 billion helped bring forward large-scale solar, wind and storage projects with a total transaction value of $5.7 billion,…

BlueScope to reline blast furnace, look at decarbonising options

By Peter Roberts Primary steel producer BlueScope Steel today announced its FY23 results and a decision to go ahead with the relining of its Number 6 blast furnace (6BF) at the Port Kembla Steelworks (pictured). However the company said the decision did not lock the company into a full, 20 year blast furnace operating life,…

Patents were meant to reward inventions. It’s time to talk about how they might not

By Rebecca Giblin, The University of Melbourne; Anders Furze, The University of Melbourne, and Kimberlee Weatherall, University of Sydney For hundreds of years, we’ve been told patents help deliver big new inventions, such as life-saving drugs. They are meant to be a bargain between the inventor and the public: tell us how your invention works,…

Free Innovate to Grow program taking applications from cyber security, digital technology SMEs

An upcoming round of CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow program, which provides free coaching on R&D for SMEs, is accepting nominations from cyber security and digital technology sector companies until September 17. The program provides ten weeks of online classes and links participants to “expert knowledge, resources, and mentors” according to the national science agency. It…

EM Solutions’ in-orbit test of satellite transponder

Communications manufacturer EM Solutions has successfully completed the first of its system level tests for a transponder developed for Telesat’s LEO 3 demonstration satellite. Launched on 18 July, the satellite payload features both Ka and V-band uplinks and downlinking on either Ka or Q-band according to an announcement. Its compact size, weight and power consumption…

Australia’s $1.7bn missile investment, but no local manufacture yet

The federal government will spend more than $1.7 billion in acquiring new, long-range strike missiles and other guided weapons, today announcing the purchase of three types of missiles. However these are to be imported with local manufacture for only one system to be considered as an ‘option’. In the case of the smallest of the…

Premcar develops chassis, suspension for reimagined classic Ford

Australian new-vehicle engineering and manufacturing firm Premcar has teamed up with US manufacturer of reimagined classic Ford Bronco SUVs, Gateway Bronco, to develop its latest model. Unveiled during this year’s Monterey Car Week in the USA, Premcar will develop the chassis, suspension and steering for Illinois-based Gateway’s newest 1960s-inspired LUXE-GT model based on the classic…

Portland Aluminium Smelter gets nine-year electricity deal with AGL

Alcoa of Australia, the majority owner of Victoria’s Portland Aluminium Smelter, has announced a nine-year agreement with AGL, effective July 2026 and covering half of the power required for the site to run at capacity. According to the announcement on Friday morning, the agreement covers 300 megawatts of power, with Alcoa “pursuing options for the…

Babcock the latest to prepare for role in future nuclear submarines

Babcock Australasia has become the latest company to ready itself for work supporting Australia’s deployment to Western Australia and ultimate construction of nuclear powered submarines in Adelaide. Fran Worthington was appointed to the role as inaugural Managing Director, Nuclear and ‘will take charge of Babcock’s contribution to the development of future military nuclear infrastructure and…

Protecting against malware in manufacturing – by Tony Burnside

Malware in manufacturing is a bigger problem than many would assume. Here Tony Burnside looks at how cyber criminals leverage the cloud to mount their attacks, and what can be done to protect manufacturing organisations. Most of the headlines around cybercrime and data loss in Australia in recent months – and there have been plenty…

Silex Systems awarded defence support for quantum silicon production

Industrial technology company Silex Systems has been awarded defence funding support for its development of technology to produce zero spin silicon (ZS-Si) needed to manufacture quantum computing chips. The company has been awarded $5.1 million funding from the Defence Trailblazer for the Concept to Sovereign Capability Program. The Trailblazer is a partnership between the University…

Sparc reports benefits from ecosparc graphene coatings

Technology development company Sparc Technologies has reported positive results from thermal-cycling resistance testing of its ecosparc graphene-enriched coatings. The company, which is also developing green hydrogen production technology, reported significant reduction in cracking when utilising ecosparc compared to coatings without the additive. Previously Sparc has reported significant anti-corrosive enhancements over typical coatings. Sparc general manager…

PWR’s investment in expansion pays off

Automotive, aerospace and defence manufacturer PWR Holdings has reported record sales and profits in FY23 as it continued its expansions internationally and into new market segments. The manufacturer of specialist radiators for F1 cars reported EBITDA operating profit up 9.2 percent on the previous year to $39.1 million, on revenue up 17.1 percent to $118.3…

Inghams recovers and recovers sharply rising costs

Poultry, food service and food manufacturer Inghams Group has reported a strong profit increase for FY23 on flat volumes as it continues its recovery from supply chain disruptions and sharply rising input costs. The company reported EBITDA of $418.5 million, up 13 percent on the previous year and net profit after tax (NPAT) of $60.4…

HIF selects Technip for planned Tasmanian eFuels plant

Porsche-backed electrofuels company HIF Global is progressing its planned 100 million litre per year facility in north-west Tasmania, with the state government announcing HIF had selected Technip Energies to help assess technology options and initiate plant design. In a statement on Thursday, Tasmania’s energy minister Guy Barnett claimed the news as “a further sign” the…

VET numbers on the rise, recover from Covid slump – NCVER

The number of students enrolled in nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) courses increased by 5.1 percent to 4.5 million between 2021 and 202, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). Most of the increase can be attributed to significant rises in domestic and international fee-for-service subject…

Researchers find sustainability remains important for shoppers, despite cost of living pressures

A study from Monash University, the Retail Sustainability Spotlight, has found that 51 per cent of Australian shoppers cited sustainability as an important factor in their retail purchases.  According to a statement from the university, despite increases in the cost of living, the research shows shoppers were also increasingly conscious of the role of sustainability…

Freight and supply chain review begins

A review of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy is underway, led by the federal department of infrastructure in collaboration with industry and state and territory governments. According to a statement from federal infrastructure minister Catherine King on Thursday, the strategy is a “holistic, coordinated and multi-modal approach to increase the safety, productivity and…

Multiple rocket launches set for Arnhem Space Centre

The Arnhem Space Centre (ASC) in the Northern Territory will see a series of orbital space launches following the signing of a multi-year agreement between space facility operator Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) and Korean aerospace company INNOSPACE. The agreement will see the launch of several INNOSPACE rocket variants each carrying between 50kg and 500kg payloads…

Optiscan completes key milestone

Medical imaging technology manufacturer Optiscan Imaging has completed a key milestone in its development of telepathology utilising its imaging systems that visualise biological structures in their natural environment. The company has been working with Canada’s Prolucid Technologies developing a telepathology platform that enables pathologists to undertake virtual biopsy assessments. The project has now passed the…

Codan hit by disruptions in Africa market, exiting Russia

Electronics manufacturer Codan’s FY23 results were buoyed by strong gains in its communications businesses partially offsetting disruptions to its African and exited Russian markets for its Minelab metal detection equipment. The Adelaide company reported full year underlying net profit after tax of $65 million, down 35 percent from the previous year, on group revenue down…

Pact Group prepares for reinvestment and focus on recycling

Packaging and recycling group Pact Group has reported a slight fall in profit on rising revenues as it continues to invest in new packaging recycling operations and ready for further investment in its Australian packaging operations. The company reported revenue growth for FY23 of six percent to $1.95 billion in tightening economic conditions, softer demand…

Westbridge acquires Wacol site for leaseback to EGR

Property fund manager Westbridge Funds Management has acquired a site at Wacol, south-west of Brisbane’s CBD, described as a “modern manufacturing facility”. The purchase is through the company’s Westbridge Diversified Fund No.4 for $14.5 million, it said in a statement on Wednesday.  According to Westbridge, the 1.6 hectare site at 53 Coulson Street hosts a…

No, we are not going to see a historic revival of manufacturing under Albanese

By Peter Roberts It is becoming clear that the Albanese Government is not the panacea many had hoped to see leading to a reversal of the downward slide in the fortunes of Australian manufacturing. While the government is way ahead of its coalition predecessor in tackling the key issues holding back manufacturing – it is…

Treasury boosts returns as premiumisation takes effect

Treasury Wine Estates the maker of Penfolds has reported rising profits on steady revenues as its programme of premiumisation of its wine offerings and focus on luxury brands takes effect. The company reported sales revenues relatively steady at $2.4 billion for FY23, down 2.2 percent or 4.4 percent on a constant currency basis on the…

SafeWork inspectors are targeting Sydney manufacturers

SafeWork NSW inspectors will be out across metropolitan Sydney this week targeting risks associated with moving plant and machinery often found in workshops, warehouses and manufacturing plants. The most common factors leading to people being killed or seriously injured operating machinery include removing a blockage or jam while a machine is still running, according to…

Looking for staff? Join Gavin Dunwoodie for our upcoming webinar

Like many manufacturing leaders, PFi group CEO Gavin Dunwoodie (pictured) is short of staff and is investing in ways to utilise existing staff better as well as in recruiting, training and retaining new ones. But so bad was the situation in 2022 he took to advertising on a billboard (pictured, below) along with fellow Queensland…

Moderna launches new R&D centre at Monash

US-based biotech company Moderna has opened its Regional Research Centre for Respiratory Medicines and Tropical Diseases and local headquarters in Melbourne, ahead of the expected opening of their mRNA factory next year. State industry minister Ben Carroll launched the new research centre on Tuesday. It sits next to its headquarters for Australia, New Zealand, South-East…

CSL hits back at critics with profit growth

Melbourne biotechnology giant CSL has hit back at doubters posting a massive rise in revenues for the year. The company, which has been questioned by analysts about its recent acquisition of the Vifor pharmaceutical business, reported revenues up 31 percent at constant currency value to $13.31 billion for FY23. Sales for CSL Vifor in the…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Altech receives commitments for another $2.5 million in investment Altech Batteries announced on Monday that it has received binding commitments for shortfall shares, following a non-renounceable entitlement offer, raising an additional $2,538,000 before costs. Total proceeds worth $15,838,208 have now been raised, including $3,000,000 from the recent placement, as well as the allocation of $12,838,208…

QPM produces on-spec nickel sulfate in pilot testwork

Battery materials maker Queensland Pacific Metals has reported success in pilot production of nickel sulfate at the facilities of SGS Canada, producing over 10 kilograms of nickel sulfate meeting specifications required by the binding offtake agreements of its partners, Posco, General Motors, and LG Energy Solutions. QPM has been undertaking pilot-scale testwork with SGS since…

Cochlear’s strong results as sales rebound

Hearing implant manufacturer Cochlear has revealed that sales jumped 19 per cent, or 16 percent in constant currency terms, in the year ended June to reach $1.96 billion. Sales were driven by the release of new products and as clinicians caught up with implant surgeries postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The company, which launched its…

GWA ends year stronger on flat revenues

Bathroom and kitchen fittings manufacturer GWA has increased its net profit on revenues slightly down for the year ended 30 June. The company which manufactures the Caroma, Methven, Clark and Dorf brands reported statutory net profit up 22.7 percenmt to $43.2 million on group revenue down 1.6 percent to $411.8 million. Normalised net profit after…

AML3D snares US submarine work contract extension

Additive manufacturing machinery manufacturer AML3D has announced a contract extension for Nickel-Aluminum-Bronze (NAB) alloy characterisation and strength testing to support the US Navy’s submarine construction programme. The continuation of alloy testing will continue to demonstrate AML3D’s ability to meet the US Defence additive manufacturing qualification thresholds and aligns with AML3D’s strategy to embed ARCEMY 3D…

ARID launches bushfire detection and protection system

Industrial design and product development group ARID has collaborated with fire protection solutions company Embarr over the past two years to conceptualise, develop, test, and manufacture the just-launched Argus bush fire automated fire sprinkler control system. The innovative monitoring and fire suppression control solution is aimed at safeguarding properties in bush fire-prone regions, according to…

Hydrogen hopeful Hysata opens new factory, awarded over $23 million in project funding

University of Wollongong spinout business Hysata officially opened its new 8,000 square metre global headquarters and factory in Port Kembla and was awarded over $23 million in government support on Monday as it progresses its high-efficiency electrolyser towards commercialisation. The company, which closed a $42.5 million Series A round in August last year, said it…

SCORKL develops new portable electric scuba system

Melbourne-based SCORKL has launched what it says is a “world-first, portable, electric SCUBA Air Compressor”, offering automatic refills of the brand’s portable scuba system. In a statement on Monday, the company said the new compressor and a new battery pack were part of its SCORKL 2.0 – Electric system, which will be available through pre-orders…

Memphasys receives first order from Vitrolife in Japan

Reproductive health technology company Memphasys has announced the first order of Felix System products placed by Vitrolife Japan, the local subsidiary of Sweden’s Vitrolife Group. Memphasys said on Monday that the order was for 150 Felix System cartridges, to be supplied to five key opinion leader (KOL) clinics in Japan.  Felix is described as using…

A.H. Beard celebrates 10 years exporting mattresses to China

Bed manufacturer A.H. Beard is celebrating its ten year anniversary as it pioneers the importance of quality mattresses in delivering Premium Sleep in China through exports of Australian made beds and mattresses. With a growing population, a focus on wellness and a preference for premium brands, China was an obvious choice for A.H. Beard to…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Hypersonix signs US agreement, could supply up to 20 DART AE platforms to Kratos Brisbane-based hypersonic aircraft company Hypersonix Launch Systems and NASDAQ-listed Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have announced an “exclusive teaming agreement”, with Hypersonix to potentially…

Silver Yachts latest super cat breaks cover

Perth luxury shipbuilder Silver Yachts has begun construction of two SpaceCat luxury catamaran yachts. With a unique design by naval architect and designer Øino, the 36 metre SilverCat Series offers style, space, performance, and value that is exclusive in the market, according to the company. Best known for its large single-hulled super yacht designs such…

1414 Degrees commissions molten silicon energy storage system

Energy storage company 1414 Degrees has commissioned its SiBox Demonstration Module (SDM), marking a key funding milestone in the SiBox Development Agreement with Woodside Energy Technologies. The commissioning phase involved extensive trials, demonstrating the SiBox molten silicon energy storage system’s ability to convert electric energy into a controlled very hot air stream suitable for industrial…

Sorbent to cut staff, close and offshore some operations

By Peter Roberts The Sorbent Paper Company has called for staff to nominate for voluntary redundancy in preparation for the closure and offshoring of some operations at its Box Hill, Victoria plant. The company did not say how many of its 400 Australian staff would be affected, however it said voluntary redundancies were the first…

Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards winners named

Winners for the 2023 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards were announced on Thursday night at a gala dinner event at the Palladium at Crown. The awards, in their 21st year, were held across 15 categories, with nine new categories this year, including Manufacturing Apprentice, Regional Manufacturer, and Zero and Low Emissions Technologies. Manufacturer of the…

Vast, CYD announce partnership on molten salt tank simulation

  Concentrated solar power company (CSP) Vast has announced a partnership with Spanish engineering company CYD to model molten salt tank performance as the VS1 project progresses. VS1 is a 30 megawatt/ 288 megawatt hour CSP project in Port Augusta, South Australia, using Vast’s proprietary, modular tower CSP v3.0 technology and designed to have over…

Boral and James Hardie shine in building materials sector

Building materials suppliers James Hardie Industries and Boral have both reported bumper results this week, including volume and margin growth, as companies learned to live with uncertain economic times. Hardies, listed in Australia and New York but with executives based in Chicago, Illinois, reported first quarter FY24 results including record global earnings before interest and…

O’Connor announces VET qualifications reform

The federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor has announced the establishment of a VET Qualifications Reform Design Group to deliver a more responsive and appropriate vocational educational and training (VET) system To be chaired by the CEO of the Victorian Skills Authority, Craig Robertson the group will aim to develop a simpler system…

Pure Hydrogen to supply hydrogen fuel cell waste truck

Clean energy and mobility company Pure Hydrogen will supply a hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) powered waste collection truck to Australian waste management company Solo Resource Recovery (pictured). The vehicle will be used to service Solo’s municipal contracts including in Tweed Shire in northern New South Wales for an intial six month period during 2024. Pure…

Titomic sells 3D printer to university sector

Additive manufacturing machinery manufacturer Titomic has sold a custom high pressure cold spray system for use by Sabanci University’s Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Applications Center. The sale was agreed with the Turkish university by company agent Seha Muhendislik Musavirlik Ticaret ve Makina Sanayi A.S. The $2.4 million system is expected to be delivered and…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

KFC names Detpak as national supplier of the year Food packaging solutions company Detpak has been named KFC’s Supplier of the Year for Australia. Detpak, a subsidiary of South Australian family-owned Detmold Group, was recognised by the fast-food giant ahead of more than a dozen suppliers of packaging, chicken, potatoes, beverages, other food ingredients –…

SA AgTech Growth Fund winners announced

Seven South Australian companies supporting primary production and agribusiness have been awarded approximately $600,000 in grants from the second round of the state government’s AgTech Growth Fund, designed to accelerate development and commercialisation. Grants of up to $100,000 are offered through the program to technologies addressing industry challenges regarding drought resilience and climate adaptation; carbon…

National Reconstruction Fund board appointed

The eight-member board of the National Reconstruction Fund, the federal government’s signature manufacturing program, has been announced, with Founding Director of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Martijn Wilder as its Chair. In a statement on Wednesday, industry minister Ed Husic said the experience of the independent board – which will make investment decisions for the…

Hypersonix signs US agreement, could supply up to 20 DART AE platforms to Kratos

Brisbane-based hypersonic aircraft company Hypersonix Launch Systems and NASDAQ-listed Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have announced an “exclusive teaming agreement”, with Hypersonix to potentially supply up to 20 DART AE hypersonic systems within the US market, integrated with Kratos’s Zeus family of solid rocket motors.  DART AE is a three-metre-long, single-use, hydrogen-fuelled hypersonic platform, which…

CSIRO, Boeing map the way to sustainable aviation fuel

CSIRO and Boeing have collaborated on a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) Roadmap to builds consensus on developing an Australian SAF industry, identifying opportunities to produce and scale production using Australian feedstocks. This meets what the organisations call a moment-in-time opportunity to develop a sovereign SAF industry, with domestic demand for jet fuel expected to increase…

Waiting for China, winemakers last cab off the rank

There is something particularly cruel for Australian manufacturing in China’s continuing targeting of wine exports as part of its – failed – attempt to force Australia to toe a more Beijing friendly policy line. With China’s recent move to remove crippling trade sanctions on Australian barley holding up hopes for wine, nothing is sure and…

Gold Hydrogen rush points to site for first hydrogen gas well

Natural hydrogen developer Gold Hydrogen has received interpretations from recent airborne geophysical surveys of the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia which may point to the sites for the company’s first exploration wells. Green Hydrogen is considered a leader in a new hydrogen gold rush in South Australia where 18 exploration licenses have been applied for…

Australian Manufacturing Forum goes public

@AuManufacturing’s Australian Manufacturing Forum Linkedin networking and discussion group will go public in one week’s time, on August 16. We hope this move will mean greater reach for member posts and ideas, as well as community growth. There are no significant chances that will occur for members. Anyone on or off LinkedIn will be able…

AROSE joins Robotics Australia to boost robotics and automation sectors

A new partnership between remote operations consortium AROSE and the Robotics Australia Group will help connect and grow Australia’s maturing robotics ecosystem, developing opportunities for growth, collaboration and advocacy of remote operations technology. AROSE is an industry-led organisation focused on remote operations science, technology and services on Earth and in Space, while Robotics Australia Group…

Siemens products to be manufactured in Adelaide in world first

Siemens and its national distribution partner APS Industrial (APS) today announced the opening of a new facility in Adelaide to manufacture and assemble a range of critical technology, including Siemens’ air circuit breakers (ACBs). The new development will inject over 150 technology jobs into the local industry over the next 10 years, as well as…