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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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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 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…

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…

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,…

@AuManufacturing is thrilled to open nominations for the second iteration of our Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers campaign. It’s open to all kinds of manufacturers, and is completely free to enter. You can find a nomination form at this link. This time around the theme is “it’s for everybody”. Because innovation is a tool every manufacturer uses,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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,…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

@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,…

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 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…

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…

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 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…

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 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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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 —…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 “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…

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…

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…

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 –…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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.…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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

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…

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…

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 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 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.…

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 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…

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

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

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

“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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

@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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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.…

@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…

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…

@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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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’…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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,…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

@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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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 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 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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

@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 (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…

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…

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…

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 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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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.…

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 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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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

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

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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

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

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.…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

The a2 Milk Company and Synlait are heading to arbitration as dispute resolutions sour over cancelled exclusivity deal.

GUD Holdings has acquired European automotive lighting distribution business Rindab (RVX) for $12 million.

Mining wear parts maker 2MT will manufacture Columbia Steel’s dragline chain in Australia.

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…

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…

The New South Wales government has increased maximum fines for asbestos-related incidents to more than $2 million as it strengthens workplace laws.

Melbourne Truss has received a $200,000 fine following a fatal incident caused by unsafe work practices.

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…

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…

Additive manufacturer Titomic has won an order from aircraft maker Airbus Group to supply cold spray additive manufacturing, repairs and maintenance equipment.

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…

An Australian biomedical firm is making safe synthetic bones a reality, as it opens a new lab to create bone substitutes from oysters.

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…

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…

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, 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…

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…

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…

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 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)…

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…

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 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,…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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)…

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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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 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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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 –…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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 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…