The first South Australian-made D95+ respirator masks manufactured by the Detmold Group are being fit-tested to local health workers in preparing the state for any second wave of COVID-19. The company has delivered an initial 2,700 masks to metropolitan hospitals, with country hospitals due to receive their first lot of masks later this month. Minister … Continue reading First respirator masks leave Detmold production lines →

The federal government is calling on start-ups and small-to medium-sized businesses to submit proposals to develop innovative solutions to national environmental challenges. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said $12 million was being made available through the latest round of the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) across five challenges. “This is a … Continue reading $12 million business innovation initiative for SMEs to save environment →

Australian recycling giant Visy has entered into an agreement to acquire the Australian and New Zealand glass manufacturing business of Owens Illinois (O-I). The deal, worth almost $1 billion, is one of the biggest manufacturing acquisitions by an Australian-owned business in Australian business history. Visy would employ 7200 people in manufacturing jobs post acquisition. Visy … Continue reading Visy acquires glass manufacturer Owens Illinois →

The announcement by the federal government to invest and support skills development through the $2 billion JobTrainer package will assist Australia’s resources and energy employers to lead the economic recovery from the COVID-19 health pandemic. Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA welcomed the government investing in 100,000 extra apprentices and $500 million to train or … Continue reading $2bn “JobTrainer” plan to support skills development →

In a project to help protect COVID-19 transmission among workers in the disability sector, Swinburne engineers, together with Able Australia, have produced 3D-printed headbands. The headband fit commonly found plastic page protectors and form a simple but effective, low-cost face shield. The coronavirus pandemic gave rise to a shortage of personal protective equipment through the community … Continue reading Swinburne and Able Australia develop 3D-printed “Swin Shields” →

Australian researchers and industry partners will collaborate to design and manufacture the world’s most precise, compact and cost-effective gyroscope, in a new $8.7 million project.   The new project led by navigation system manufacturer Advanced Navigation, with research partners RMIT University, The Australian National University (ANU) and commercial partner Corridor Insights, will cut the cost … Continue reading Australian collaboration to deliver world-leading gyroscope technology →

CSIRO has entered into discussions with the NSW government to relocate up to 450 of its employees and researchers into a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis, from 2026. Under the proposed move, a bespoke carbon-neutral CSIRO facility of up to 18,000 sqm would be built, featuring collaborative workshops and … Continue reading CSIRO sets sights on Aerotropolis as new Sydney research hub →

The Western Australian state government is investing in the revitalisation of regional WA through an initiative to provide support and services to small businesses as they recover from COVID-19. Vibrant Regional Businesses is a community-led investment program developed by Horizon Power in collaboration with eight regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) groups. Eight regional … Continue reading WA government invests $180,000 in regional small business →

Defence has ordered thousands of new world-class Enhanced F88 weapon systems to be delivered by Thales Australia. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the acquisition of 8,500 rifles will not only improve the overall capability of the Australian Defence Force, but will also boost the workforce in regional Australia. “The rifles … Continue reading Thales Australia to manufacturer 8,500 rifles for Defence →

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has launched a national campaign to support the recovery of Australia’s small businesses. The ‘Go Local First’ campaign, funded by the federal government, will urge Australians to buy local products and services to help the small business sector. The campaign will highlight the vital role of small … Continue reading ‘Go Local First’ campaign to support small businesses →

A diagnostic tool to fight cancer and technology to protect businesses from flood losses are among a series of projects backed by the federal government to commercialise and grow. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the 21 projects sharing more than $10 million are examples of the dynamic business thinking we need … Continue reading $10 million for SME manufacturers to pursue innovation projects →

Austal has commenced building its largest ferry at its shipyard in the Philippines for Danish ferry operator Molslinjen.   The new 115-metre vessel is a further design evolution of the distinctive 109 metre high-speed catamaran, Express 4. The Express 5 will have capacity for 1,610 passengers, space for 450 cars (or 617 lane metres for … Continue reading Construction begins on Austal’s largest ferry →

Energy Minister Bill Johnston and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River have begun a five-year trial of community battery storage in Margaret River. Located at the Margaret River Recreation Centre, the 464-kilowatt hour Tesla battery will improve power quality for the local community and allow more homes to install solar panels. The battery will sit inside … Continue reading WA government launches battery trial at Margaret River →

Minister for Defence Industry,  Melissa Price has announced the release of the 2018-19 Defence Industry and Innovation Programs Annual Report. The Report provides details of the progress and achievements of the Coalition Government’s key Defence industry and innovation programs. Price said over $120 million in research and innovation contracts were awarded to industry, universities, and … Continue reading Defence Industry and Innovation Programs Annual Report released →

There has been a partnership agreement between Melbourne-based company Boron Molecular; South Korean manufacturer the Kyung-In Synthetic Corporation (KISCO); and CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency to take a step closer to developing the next generation of flexible phone screens and other high tech products. CSIRO and KISCO will both take a minority shareholding in Boron … Continue reading Boron Molecular, KISCO and CSIRO kick off new industry partnership for flexible phone screen materials →

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzō Abe acknowledged the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Australian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at the Australia-Japan Virtual Leaders Meeting. The MOC strengthens Australia’s long-standing space cooperation with Japan to grow the space industry and create new jobs. The … Continue reading Australia and Japan agreement to grow space sector →

Women in Industry Awards have grown in stature and size year after year and are a critical component in celebrating the success of some outstanding women in traditionally male-dominated industrial sectors such as mining, manufacturing, engineering and transport. Through acknowledging these incredible achievements and individuals, the program hopes to shine a light on these industries as great career choices … Continue reading 2020 Women in Industry awards announced →

As one of Australia’s peak independent industry groups, SEMMA represents over 200 leading manufacturers in Melbourne’s South East. Through the promotion of its members’ capability and potential, SEMMA plays a critical role in ensuring the regions manufacturing sector remains vibrant and sustainable. Australian Made Chief Executive, Ben Lazzaro, said the partnership supports the continued growth … Continue reading SEMMA joins forces with Australian Made to support local manufacturing →

New technologies, including Industry 4.0, are changing the world, perhaps more rapidly now than before the pandemic. Industry is urged to understand and engage with new technology and materials and team up with researchers to gain a market edge. However, SMEs in particular can feel overwhelmed by universities and research institutions. It can be hard … Continue reading Accessing world-class manufacturing innovation →

Engineers at the University if Sydney have used electricity to clean up heavily polluted industrial wastewater streams. They hope the findings will help wineries, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other industries that must comply with strict wastewater regulations. Researchers from the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering developed an electrochemical oxidation process with the aim of cleaning … Continue reading Toxic water “cleaned” by electricity →