The message from energy market analysts to manufacturers? Get used to higher prices. At least, that was the view of four analysts at the National Energy Summit on October 10. While there was disagreement as to exactly how much energy, and in particular, gas, will cost, there was unanimity on the fact that prices will … Continue reading Manufacturers need to confront high energy prices: analysts →

The Defence Industry Minister, Melissa Price, announced that two companies have received funding from the Defence Innovation Hub. The first, Sypaq Systems, will receive $3.5 million to develop an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to operate in harsh environmental conditions. The company will utilise a hybrid power delivery system and is developing the UAS for use … Continue reading Defence manufacturers receive Innovation Hub funding →

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge kicked off on October 13, for the 15th time travelling down the Stuart Highway from Darwin to Adelaide. With cars only allowed 5kw of stored energy, all other propulsion must come from either the sun or the kinetic energy of the vehicle. Known for spurring innovation in the field of … Continue reading Solar race kicks off →

New Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence will provide funding for scientific research to advance manufacturing techniques in a range of fields, from synthetic biology, to nano materials, and automated decision-making. Announcing the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, highlighted how the centre, and others like it … Continue reading New research centres to underpin advanced manufacturing →

Jet Engines Australia launched a new turbojet engine design for unmanned systems at PACIFIC 2019. The TB400-700 turbojet engine can produce 700lb and 315kg of thrust and incorporates 3D printing into its design and construction. These features allow the engine to stand out in the unmanned market, according to Philippe Bonnet, chief operating office of … Continue reading Australian manufacturer unveils new drone jet engine →

Deloitte has released a new report highlighting how innovation in the energy sector is not just coming from the supply side, but instead, from those who use energy. Noting that “communities and consumers, large and small, are taking charge of their own energy”, the report outlines how these groups are driving change. Responding to this … Continue reading Consumers driving energy change: Deloitte →

At PACIFIC 2019, Naval Group demonstrated to participants the nature of its involvement with Australian industry. As the Platform System Integrator for the Future Submarine program, Naval group engaged industry in a briefing on the project, outlining progress on the Attack Class submarine program. In attendance were 700 Australian and international companies, as well as … Continue reading Naval Group outlines future industry engagement →

CSIRO has announced new technology which will support electric vehicle (EV) charging, throughout peak demand periods during the summer months. The charging stations will use renewable energy and avoid placing stress on charge drawn from the grid. With hot days increasing temperature stressors on electrical systems, the Australian-designed chargers have taken these conditions into account, … Continue reading CSIRO launches solar EV charging module →

Lockheed Martin has selected Australia-based Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia to provide the designs for the optronics search and attack mast, navigation radar, and navigation data distribution components. These designs and components will be part of Australia’s Future Submarine Program, a $50 billion project to construction and deliver the Attack-class submarine until 2050. Specifically, this … Continue reading Lockheed Martin signs $37m contract to bring systems design to Australia →

Duelling proposals for cutting energy prices have squared off at the AFR National Energy Summit. Speaking at the two-day event, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, outlined he saw a heightened need to focus on investing in dispatchable energy, with the rise of intermittent energy generation from wind and solar. Taylor proposed that … Continue reading Visions of a reliable energy future →

Weld Australia has signed an agreement to develop a national shipbuilding welding education and training competency framework, with the Naval Shipbuilding College. With welding required for major projects such as the $90 billion continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program, and Australia facing a shortage of qualified and certified welders, the framework would establish standards and commonality in … Continue reading Partnership signed to prepare workforce for naval shipbuilding →

The NSW Circular network was launched on October 9 by Planning and Public Space Minister, Rob Stokes. Housed at UNSW, the Circular Economy Innovation Network aims to grow manufacturing jobs in the re-use of materials. “With China no longer accepting our recycled waste, our manufacturing industry must evolve. This is our chance to bring more … Continue reading Circular economy network to spur growth in local manufacturing →

 A project to turn textile waste, including manufacturing scraps, unwanted clothing, and cotton gin trash into new products, has been supported by the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Institute for Future Environments (IFE) Catapult program. The program aims to turn textile waste into carbon material for potassium ion batteries (KIB). As a significant waste stream, … Continue reading Textiles to be turned into potassium ion batteries →

Steel building product manufacturer Metroll will move in to Bohle Industrial Estate, in Townsville. Metroll supplies steel products to the building and construction sector, and has committed to manufacturing in the region. According to Member for Townsville, Scott Stewart, the move to the Bohle Industrial Estate allows for an expansion of the company’s manufacturing capabilities. … Continue reading Steel manufacturer expands Queensland base →

A NSW-based manufacturer, The Whiskey Project, has unveiled the first of its tactical watercraft. Shown to the public for the first time at PACIFIC 2019, the tactical watercraft is designed to perform in maritime tactical environments with maximal protection for personnel. Describing the vessel at the launch, former Royal Australian Navy clearance diver and managing … Continue reading Tactical watercraft unveiled at PACIFIC 2019 →

At the launch of PACIFIC 2019, Melissa Price, Minister for Defence Industry, emphasised that the future of the defence industry in Australia rested on collaboration. “Engaging our defence industry ensures our investments are contributing to the long-term viability of our shipbuilding industry and leveraging Aussie innovation,” she said. “I am also making engagement with small … Continue reading Defence industry future a shared journey →

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced two grants to ammonia manufacturers to produce renewable ammonia through the use of hydrogen. The first grant, of $1.9 milion to Queensland Nitrates Pty Ltd (QNP) will allow the company assess the feasibility of the constructing and operating a renewable ammonia plant at its current facility near … Continue reading Renewable hydrogen a feedstock for ammonia manufacturing →

Opening on October 8, PACIFIC 2019 is the largest event in the 20-year history of the maritime expo. Providing a platform for engagement between industry, defence, government, and academia, the event comprises industry and defence conference program, business to business and business to government networking, and an international industry exhibition. 622 exhibitor organisations, from 22 … Continue reading PACIFIC 2019 largest yet →

The sustainable use of resources in space is the focus of a new centre at the University of Adelaide. Named the Centre for Sustainable Planetary and Space Resources (CSPSR), it will provide a point for experts to come together and see how resources in space can be used in space, as well as on earth. … Continue reading Centre brings together expertise in space resources →

Registration is now open for the 2019 Defence Innovation Hub Annual Industry Conference. The conference will be held at the Hotel Realm in Canberra, on Monday, November 4. At the conference, industry will be able to connect with defence leaders to showcase their latest innovations, with the possibility of being supported by The Defence Innovation … Continue reading Defence Innovation Hub conference open →