CSIRO concentrated solar spin out FPR Energy raises $15 million

CSIRO venture FPR Energy has secured $15 million in seed funding to commercialise next generation solar thermal technology that will help reduce industrial emissions, which account for 20 per cent of Australia’s annual carbon footprint. The company was launched in collaboration with advisory and funds management firm RFC Ambrian and utilities business Osaka Gas, raising…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, October 28 – November 1, 2024

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) WA hydrogen strategy aims for green ammonia, iron The Western Australian government has released a refreshed Renewable Hydrogen Strategy for Western Australia, with a major focus on producing green products and value-adding to the state’s resources. The first update in…

Mars petfood to be powered with solar thermal steam

Food manufacturer Mars Incorporated has announced that its Wodonga, Victoria pet food manufacturing facility will become the first large-scale steam-based manufacturing site in Australia to be powered 100 percent by renewables. The company will complete by 2026 the $39.3 million Mars Wodonga Solar Thermal Plant, including the installation of an 18-megawatt Parabolic Trough Concentrated Solar…

ARENA awards $4 million grant to AnteoTech to progress silicon anodes

ASX-listed surface coating technology company AnteoTech has been awarded a grant of $3.99 million through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), supporting a three-year, $11.1 million project to commercialise a proprietary silicon anode technology. The project for lithium ion battery anodes is supported through the agency’s Advancing Renewables program, and concerns anodes containing AnteoTech’s AnteoX…

Battery Breakthrough Initiative open for consultation

Consultation has opened today on the Australian Government’s $523 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative, being delivered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Announced in the 2024-25 Federal Budget in May, the Battery Breakthrough Initiative aims to fund projects that enhance the development of Australia’s battery manufacturing capability to improve supply chain resilience and provide opportunities…

Towards 3% R&D, research for a decarbonised future – by Stephanie Moscovis

Ahead of @AuManufacturing and BDO’s webinar Towards 3% R&D – Where to from here? on 19 September (information and sign up here) Stephanie Moscovis looks at Australia’s Trailblazer programme that is derisking research into decarbonising the economy. Research and development (R&D) is not just a process; it is the secret sauce of innovation, the driving…

The time for made in Australia is now – Tim Ayres in his own words

Australia’s newly minted Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres believes opportunities such as the revitalisation of manufacturing come around rarely. Today is one of those opportunities he argues in this excerpt from his address to the National Manufacturing Summit. As the Prime Minister said back in April – we need to…