What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) AIM Defence opens new anti-drone laser factory Laser-based anti-drone system maker AIM Defence has expanded into a 4000 sqm facility to support the manufacture and export of AIM’s Fractl Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) laser. The new facility will house a skilled…
The federal government has launched the Schools Pathways Program: Open Competitive Grant Opportunity, designed to raise awareness of defence industry career opportunities involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM.) According to a statement from defence industry minister Pat Conroy (pictured) on Tuesday, grant funding valued at over $11 million across 2024-25 and 2025-26 is available.…
By Peter Roberts The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today opened the first phase of the $1 billion Solar Sunshot program to support development of a solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing industry. Solar Sunshot will be rolled out in two phases with $550 million available in grants. Round 1A aims to support solar PV manufacturing…
McKenzie’s Foods innovates in food products Australian owned baking and cooking manufacturer McKenzie’s Foods has partnered with packaging and processing company Tetra Pak to release a new range of pulses packaged in Tetra Recart. The convenient packaging solution has the lowest CO2 footprint on the market in Australia and New Zealand. The range includes five…
A brewery and restaurant at Albany, Western Australia received a visit from premier Roger Cook ahead of its planned opening in November. Dune Brewery – billed as a “family-friendly microbrewery” – received a $150,000 grant under WA’s Regional Economic Development program in 2020. According to Dune Beer Co’s website the facility will create “exciting and…
Cathy Foley to lead expert methane reporting panel The federal government has appointed Chief Scientist Cathy Foley to lead an expert panel as part of efforts to ensure the ongoing reporting for methane and other greenhouse gases is accurate and transparent. The Government has released its response to the recommendations of the 2023 review of…
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles has opened the $170 million Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE). Located at the Avalon Airport Precinct in Victoria, the facility will manufacture the Huntsman and Redback families of armoured vehicles. Space is provided for suppliers to locate on site to make vehicles for…
CST extends its Olympics efforts at Paris Carbon fibre specialist CST Composites (pictured) shared this week that it supplied mast sections for the ILCA6, ILCA7, 49er and 49erFX sailing classes for the Paris 2024 Olympics. “Seeing these exceptional athletes perform at the highest level with our equipment is truly a testament to our unwavering commitment…
In a boost for the Australian space industry, the iLAuNCH Trailblazer has announced a further $1 million in funding to accelerate university research towards commercialisation. Part of the $180 million Trailblazer program, the iLAuNCH Accelerator’s Fast Track fund provides seed funding for proof-of-concept demonstrator technologies with long-term commercial prospects. Fast Track will provide funding pathways…
The first round of Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grants is now open to researchers and industry in key areas identified by the federal government such as refining and processing of critical minerals, renewable hydrogen, and green metals. $180 million in funding is available for university researchers and their industry partners to commercialise research related to…