The University of South Australia is open for submissions to the 2020 Venture Catalyst Space program, Australia’s first space incubator, which is now in its third year. The program supports space start-ups to validate and test their products side by side with South Australia’s growing space industry and to complement the work of the more than … Continue reading Space start-up incubator now accepting submissions for 2020 →

Local regenerative medicine company Orthocell has been granted patents in Canada and Japan for the manufacture of its customisable medical device, produced in its quality-controlled facility in WA. The patents cover Orthocell’s CelGro technology, a collagen medical device which facilitates tissue repair and healing in a variety of orthopaedic, reconstructive and surgical applications. CelGro has … Continue reading Orthocell granted patents for medical device manufacture →

Kord Defence has been awarded a $1.4 million deal with the US Marine Corps. The small Canberra based company credits the federal government funding for its success. Kord develops mobile interface control solutions for military and law enforcement markets, and the contract will enable them to complete development of its Rifle Accessory Control Unit Technology.​ … Continue reading Australian company awarded US Marine Corps contract  →

Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) has successfully trialled an innovative process to improve vanadium extraction, which achieved 95.5 per cent extraction rates. The resource company will now commence a detailed pilot scale test program as part of its aim to become a world-leading producer of the resource. “AVL is increasing its competitive advantage through process innovation. … Continue reading AVL achieves vanadium extraction process improvements →

Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a process to produce large quantities of a crucial antibody, which could be expanded to manufacture treatments for potentially deadly viruses around the world. The ability to produce anti-bodies at larger scales, coupled with formal regulatory approval via clinical trials, will play an important role in mitigating … Continue reading New antibody will drive deadly virus treatment manufacture →

Queensland based Black Sky Aerospace  will conduct Australia’s first privately operated, international rocket motor test and sounding rocket launch campaign, together with UK company Raptor Aerospace. “Australia is playing an increasing role in the world’s space ambitions and we are playing a significant role in enabling access to an efficient, cost-effective service,” Black Sky Aerospace … Continue reading Australia’s first international rocket test announced →

NSW government has awarded $2.15 million to strengthen the Australian National Fabrication Facility’s advanced materials process, 3D printing and 3D bioprinting capabilities. The ANFF Materials Node, headquartered at the University of Wollongong, will utilise the funding to take the next steps towards manufacturing commercial opportunities through advanced materials and 3D printing. “For the ANFF Materials … Continue reading $2.15 million towards NSW’s fabrication future →

Strong investment and reforms have facilitated a boost to South Australia’s vocational education and training system (VET), the premier announced on Tuesday. For manufacturers facing skills shortage challenges, this is welcome news. SA’s stream of funding boosts over the last couple of years contributed to a boost in skills training, according to the Productivity Commission’s … Continue reading SA delivers improvements to VET system →

The UK’s Ministry of Defence will soon deploy a line of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), utilising an advanced lithium-ion battery developed by C4V. The Australian lithium-ion battery manufacturer Magnis Energy Technologies, which owns 10 per cent of C4V, said that the batteries have been created using BMLMP cathode technology data projecting a battery life of … Continue reading New lithium batteries to be deployed by UK →

Austal Australia has been approved to bid to provide maintenance services for US Navy (USN) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships, according to an ASX announcement on Monday. “With this approval, Austal can provide a range of vessel repairs, maintenance and in-service support to USN and MSC ships operating throughout South East Asia,” Austal Chief … Continue reading Austal Australia to bid for US naval ship support →

The manufacturing sector’s resilience will enable it to bounce back despite the bushfire crisis and ongoing drought contributing to the sector’s contraction and the lowest Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) results since 2015, according to Ai Group.  However, things are unlikely to improve as the coronavirus outbreak threatens to dent demand for Australian exports. “Many … Continue reading January PMI sees resilience of Australian manufacturers put to test →

Researchers at Swinburne University are using “atomaterials” to create new functionalities, which they believe will change everyday products. “Atomaterials” is a term coined by Professor Baohua Jia, a nanotechnology expert and director of Swinburne’s new Centre for Translational Atomaterials. “It’s a synthesised word from ‘atomic materials’ which are the next generation of nanomaterials,” Professor Jia said. Nanomaterials enable small, fast and powerful … Continue reading Swinburne scientists investigating potential of “atomaterials” →

NSW’s gas supply will increase by 70 petajoules per year, the federal and NSW governments announced on Friday. The governments signed a $2 billion agreement to allow more gas for domestic use, in return for support to build inter-connectors and non-coal powered generation programs. Chemistry Australia, the national body representing the $40 billion chemistry industry, … Continue reading Government announces increased gas supply to NSW →

Three medicinal cannabis manufacturing facilities have been granted Major Project Status as part of a move to help develop Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry. “When you combine our world-renowned agriculture sector, with our trusted reputation for medical products, Australia is in a unique position to dominate the global medicinal cannabis industry,” Minister for Industry, Science and … Continue reading Medicinal cannabis manufacturing gains traction →

A facility to separate the rare earths extracted from the Mt Weld mine, which are essential for wind turbines and electric vehicles, will soon be built. The Mt Weld mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, is one of the largest producers of rare earths in the world, but the material extracted from the site is currently … Continue reading New facility to bring rare earths value-adding on-shore →

Queensland manufacturers can access grants between $5000 and $1 million as part of the $13.5 million Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program. The grants will be administered through the Cairns Manufacturing Hub, the Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub, and the Townsville Manufacturing Hub, which have each been allocated $4.5 million of the overall $13.5 million. The grants are intended … Continue reading Queensland launches $13.5 million grants program for local manufacturers →

With 2020 set to be another big year for the automation industry, automation technologies manufacturer, SMC, are launching a Dynamic Technology Show to showcase their latest  range. “Pressing issues such as climate change and government regulations around Health and Safety require companies to continuously evolve. The need for smarter, safer, quieter products with a small … Continue reading SMC launches event to showcase automation technologies range →

Tesla will ramp up production this year to make more than half a million units, after its second quarterly profit in a row, largely due to its new manufacturing facility in Shanghai. Tesla’s stock rose 13 per cent on Wednesday, as vehicle deliveries hit a record. The electric car manufacturer finished Thursday’s session up 10.3 … Continue reading Tesla to increase production thanks to new China factory →

A new six-year ethane gas contract will enable Australia’s sole manufacturer of polyethylene, Qenos, to maintain its operations at Botany Bay in Sydney. The sales agreement is expected to supply up to 15 petajoules of ethane per annum, 87 petajoules through to 2025. Cooper Basin joint venture (SACB) partners Santos and Beach Energy announced the … Continue reading Crucial gas supply ensures Qenos continues operations →

Barro Group’s acquisition of Adelaide Brighton will not reduce competition in building materials manufacturing, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACC) has found. After a three-month investigation, ACCC has found that Barro Group’s 43 per cent stake in Adelaide Brighton does not impact competition from three large vertically integrated competitors with national operations, Boral, Holcim … Continue reading Barro-Adelaide Brighton merger won’t deter competition →