Chemicals

Rare earth elements and their compounds are a crucial part of our everyday technologies. But our demand for these precious elements are growing, and the world’s supply is not evenly distributed. Below is an infographic outlining these major elements, how they are used, and where they are found. 7 Rare Earth Elements that Run our … Continue reading INFOGRAPHIC: Rare earth metals supply and where it is found →

Pasternack has released a new line of waveguide bends from 5.85 to 90 GHz across 12 frequency bands, from C band to W band. These waveguide bends are commonly used in applications such as instrumentation, test benches, high efficiency RF, microwave and mm-wave transmissions, SATCOM, MILCOM, radar and telecom. These 90 degree waveguide bends are … Continue reading New waveguide bends across 12 frequency bands →

In a move that could help reinvigorate the metal production industry in Australia, CSIRO and Enirgi Group have joined forces to develop and commercialise an affordable and low-emission technology for producing magnesium metal. The CSIRO-developed technology, known as MagSonic, produces magnesium using up to 80 per cent less energy and up to 60 per cent … Continue reading Low-cost magnesium developed by CSIRO →

Dow Chemical will cut 2,500 jobs worldwide and make savings of $400 million as it ends a 73-year-old joint venture with Corning.

Orica has won its long running battle with Dyno Nobel over patented shotfiring techniques.

Argon has introduced its 21.3-inch rugged display, designed for command and control applications where maximum viewable surface area is needed in the smallest mounting possible. The ARD21 has a small bezel size, flexible mounting configurations, configurable I/O and universal AC/DC power supply. This makes it a suitable solution for mission critical applications. The product’s display … Continue reading New rugged display →

KordaMentha Restructuring has said it welcomes the South Australian Government’s $50 million contribution to help secure the future of Arrium’s OneWhyalla business. Administrator Mark Mentha said the decision will go a long way towards assisting the town’s steelworks and mining operations. “It’s a great response to what has been an unbelievably strong display of unity … Continue reading Administrators welcomes SA Government investment in Whyalla, but wants more →

Chemson Pacific has announced a claimed world-first 3D printing feedstock, 3D Vinyl. The material was invented, developed and tested in Australia, and is believed to be the first PVC material for additive manufacturing, according to a statement from the company. Chemson has also announced a strategic partnership with Functionalize of the US to co-develop “conductive, … Continue reading World-first Australian 3D printing material announced →

Orica’s net profit has fallen by nearly a third, partly due to the settlement with the Australian Taxation Office. The mining explosives company’s underlying profit decreased from $211 million in the March 31 half ending in 2015 to $190 million for corresponding period ending this March 31. The interim dividend of 40 cents a share for … Continue reading Orica half-year net profit slides as mining weakness continues →

Sales volumes were up and earnings down for the March quarter as Caltex saw reduced margins from a year ago. Fairfax reports that margins for oil per barrel were $US 10.65 in the quarter, compared to $US 15.65 a year ago. Net profit decreased to $114 million from $178 million for the period. Caltex shut … Continue reading Caltex profits down in March quarter →

Verdezyne, Inc., a synthetic biology company producing biobased chemicals, and Connell Bros. Co. LLC (CBC), the largest marketer and distributor of specialty chemicals in the Asia-Pacific region, announced an agreement for sales and distribution of Verdezyne’s BIOLON(TM) DDDA (biobased dodecanedioic acid or “DC12”).

Agricultural chemicals maker Nufarm has upgraded its half-year earnings forecast before interest and tax, predicted to be 8 to 13 per cent above the period last year.

BOC has opened a CO2 capture and purification plant at Refining NZ’s Marsden Point oil refinery, ensuring long-term CO2 supply for the food processing, beverage, wine, meat and dairy industries.

Though Australian manufacturing is currently in a period of expansion, two segments of the industry are predicted to continue their decline.

The NSW Department of Planning has approved Orica’s proposal to increase the levels of ammonia at its Kooragang Island facility.

Demand for lithium will continue to grow strongly, according to Lithium Australia, driven by an increased need for battery storage.

Dow Chemical and DuPont have agreed to a merger, with the combined entity then splitting into three companies in the next 18 to 24 months.

Dow Chemical and DuPont are in “advanced merger talks”, according to reports, and a combined entity would be worth around $US 130 billion.

This time each year IBISWorld delivers Manufacturers’ Monthly a list of the top 100 manufacturers in Australia. Alan Johnson investigates how the various sectors ranked on this year’s list.

Norwegian fertiliser company Yara International has bought out its joint venture partner Apache Corporation’s stake in a fertiliser plant in Western Australia.