From farm to fashion: Deakin and Country Road spin gold from wool scraps

In a project that sounds like textile alchemy, Deakin University has partnered with Full Circle Fibres and Loomtex to transform Australia’s unwanted wool scraps into premium yarn—proving that one farmer’s trash really can become a fashionista’s treasure. The cleverly named “Mud to Marle” project has successfully demonstrated how low-grade Merino wool fibres, typically destined for chunky homeware,…

Additive manufacturer Conflux expands to UK

Australian heat exchanger specialist Conflux Technology has announced the establishment of its first European business hub in the United Kingdom, marking a significant expansion for the Melbourne-based advanced manufacturing firm. The new facility, announced on Monday, will initially focus on research and development, materials certification, and local supply chain support, with plans to develop into…

Albanese government announces $1.2 billion critical minerals strategic reserve

The federal government announced plans on Thursday to establish a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve with an initial investment of $1.2 billion, including a $1 billion increase to the existing Critical Minerals Facility. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the initiative would boost Australia’s economic resilience and leverage the country’s abundant resources of critical minerals and rare…

Fitch downgrades steel manufacturer InfraBuild to ‘CC’ amid audit delays

Fitch Ratings downgraded Australian steel manufacturer InfraBuild’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating to ‘CC’ from ‘CCC-‘ on Monday, citing an elevated probability of default on its USD $550 million notes within the next three months. The ratings agency pointed to InfraBuild’s failure to publish audited financial statements for FY24, which were initially due in October 2024…

ARENA grant fuels investor interest in Livium’s LFP battery technology

Livium’s wholly owned subsidiary VSPC has reported increased investor engagement following its recent A$30 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for an LFP Demonstration Plant. The company announced on Tuesday that it is actively seeking to close the remaining A$30 million funding gap for the 250-tonne per annum demonstration facility, which will…