export

A $100 million battery storage “gigafactory” is likely to be built in Darwin, with a new consortium planning to establish a large-scale lithium-ion manufacturing plant by the end of 2018. Energy Renaissance will be backed by engineering group UGL (recently bought by CIMIC), and partnering with US battery storage company 24M. The first phase of the plant, … Continue reading Darwin battery storage gigafactory to open in 2018 →

German shipbuilder Lurssen hopes to create an Australian manufacturing base to export navy ships around the region. Lurssen chief Peter Lurssen will today present a proposal to partner with Adelaide-based ASC and WA-based Civmec/Forgacs to build 12 offshore patrol vessels. The company intends to establish the base in Perth, however work on its export projects … Continue reading Shipbuilder wants to establish WA manufacturing and export hub →

Government has reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin to grow the international competitiveness of small and medium sized companies and their ability to enter export markets. Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said Defence has seven defence primes with global supply chain agreements, which has provided Australian industry with contracts totalling over $830 million. “This … Continue reading New opportunities for Australian defence exports →

E-commerce platform Alibaba is anticipating an increase in Australian exporters using its service to help them break into the Asian markets. Maggie Zhou, Alibaba Australia’s managing director based in Melbourne, has tipped a surge in companies seeking advice on selling to China. Speaking with the AFR, she also believes Australia’s clean water, soil and air … Continue reading Alibaba expecting increase in Australian export orders with Asia →

It may sound like science fiction, but wastewater treatment plants may one day turn ordinary sewage into biocrude oil, thanks to new research at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The technology, hydrothermal liquefaction, mimics the geological conditions the Earth uses to create crude oil, using high pressure and temperature to achieve in minutes … Continue reading Making fuel out of sewage →

Australian companies pay an “Australia tax” of 7 – 15 per cent and are best placed to compete on value differentiation and market leadership, according to a recent report.

The supply of infant and adult milk powder into Asia has received a boost following the opening of a Chinese-owned processing plant in South Australia.

Cutting tools maker Sandvik Coromant has signed an agreement to become a Premium Partner of leading machine tool manufacturer, DMG Mori. According to DMG, Sandvik Coromant will be the only tooling manufacturer to be named as a DMG Mori premium partner. As a DMG’s premium partner, Sandvik Coromant will work together with the machine tool … Continue reading Sandvik Coromant becomes DMG Mori Premium Partner →

Jungheinrich has launched an entry-level range of pallet trucks for low-duty applications. This new range of electric pedestrian trucks is designed for retailers, print shops, workshops or garden centers, or even small to medium-sized businesses that routinely need to move heavy individual items. The range includes EJE M13 (1300kg) and EJE M15 (1500kg) electric pedestrian … Continue reading Pallet trucks for small-to-medium manufacturers →

Most robots achieve grasping and tactile sensing through motorised means, which can be excessively bulky and rigid. A Cornell group has devised a way for a soft robot to feel its surroundings internally, in much the same way humans do. A group led by Robert Shepherd, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and principal … Continue reading Engineers develop robot with human-like tactile senses →

According to news.com.au, the makers of so-called “flushable” wipes that cause thousands of dollars of damage to plumbing systems could be facing a class-action lawsuit from disgruntled homeowners. Consumer watchdog ACCC has launched legal action against Kimberly-Clark and Pental, alleging the two companies deceived consumers by marketing wipes as “flushable” and that they would “break up … Continue reading ‘Flushable’ wet wipes manufacturers could be flooded with lawsuits →

A new-concept welding facility opened by BOC at its Rocklea site in Brisbane is set to be an exciting new hub for product applications and testing, research and development, and training. The facility will primarily be used to demonstrate the latest in welding, cutting and heating technology and automation and contains the latest generation digital … Continue reading BOC opens new Brisbane tech centre →

A research consortium led by Bosch is developing a novel industrial manufacturing concept. The nine partners on the ReCaM project aim to create a highly versatile manufacturing system. Such systems are needed because production times in modern manufacturing are becoming ever shorter. In addition, demand for customized products is increasing, and the number of variants … Continue reading Bosch & Co retool manufacturing concepts →

Australia’s innovations will grow into successful businesses with help from the CSIRO Innovation Fund, a $200 million fund to commercialise early stage innovations from CSIRO, universities and other publicly-funded research bodies. The CSIRO Innovation Fund, launched today, will support co-investment in new spin-out and start-up companies, and SMEs engaged in the translation of research generated … Continue reading CSIRO to spend $200m on Aussie innovation →

Specialist pipe fittings and valves manufacturer Philmac will soon ship out its first export order to Germany with its products bound for use across the country’s water utility sector and beyond.

Australia’s solar heliostat technology will be used for concentrating solar thermal (CST) electricity generation in China.

Yesterday CNC tool grinding machine and technology company ANCA entered the Australian Export Awards Hall of Fame at the awards, held at Brisbane The company, which had won its category at the awards three times – in 2015, 2012 and 1995 – became only the 11th-ever inductee into the Hall of Fame. Co-founder and joint … Continue reading ANCA enters Australian Export Awards Hall of Fame →

Nvidia and Fanuc Corporation have announced that they will be collaborating to implement artificial intelligence on the Fanuc Intelligent Edge Link and Drive (FIELD) system to increase robotics productivity and add on to existing capabilities to automated factories worldwide. Adding AI to the FIELD system will give robots the ability to teach themselves to do … Continue reading Fanuc & Nvidia announce AI collaboration →

President-elect Donald Trump is right: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a damaging deal and deserves to be killed off.

Siemens and Mentor Graphics have announced that they have entered into a merger agreement under which Siemens will acquire Mentor for US$37.25 per share in cash, which represents an enterprise value of US$4.5 billion. This acquisition decisively extends Siemens’ leading Digital Enterprise Software portfolio with Mentor’s electronics IC and systems design, simulation and manufacturing solutions. … Continue reading Siemens acquires Mentor Graphics →