sustainability

According to a story this morning in the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Incitec Pivot CEO James Fazzino said while the outlook for commodity prices is more positive than six months ago, he still expects challenging conditions for the company to persist into 2017. “The markets were tough given the downturn in the global resources industry … Continue reading Incitec still nervous about its recovery →

US-based Hypertherm has released Rotary Tube Pro, software that makes it easier to design and cut tube and pipe parts with no 3D CAD experience required. The software features a parametric design interface that allows main tubes and side-wall cutouts to be added from a list of predefined shapes. Alternatively, users can add tubes and … Continue reading New pipe and tube cutting software →

With Ford closing its manufacturing operations in Victoria last month, and Toyota and Holden following suit next year, many observers are asking what led to this unfortunate outcome. Alan Johnson reports. LEARNING from your mistakes is one of the fundamental aspects of life, coupled with the importance of not making the same mistake twice. So … Continue reading What lessons has industry learnt? →

A new plant based oil is being developed to replace petrochemicals in industrial products ranging from fuels and lubricants to specialty chemicals and plastics, writes Hartley Henderson.

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 →

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 →

The use of very large lithium-ion battery packs has become increasingly common, much more so than it was ten years ago. For example, on ships where there were once no such batteries, there are now lithium-ion banks of 1-5MWh. Autonomous underwater vehicles, mining trucks and buses are also now sporting batteries of up to 350kWh. … Continue reading Growing use of very large lithium-ion batteries →

According to IDTechEx, significant growth is predicted for the electric vehicle market, which will result in almost one trillion dollars in sales at ex-factory prices in 2026. Approximately half of this is predicted to be the 48V mild hybrids that are launching in 2017, but by 2026, sales will consist of completely electric vehicles with … Continue reading Battery shortage worries amid electric vehicle growth →

The Cronulla Wastewater Treatment Plant has started a trial to turn food waste into renewable energy. As AAP reports, a Sydney business will supply the plant with fruit and vegetable scraps sourced from local green grocers. Though waste water treatment uses a lot of power, it is expected the plant will be able to source … Continue reading Sydney plant turning food waste into electricity →

Brent Balinski spoke to Southern Prospect’s Lee Whiteley about where Burnie’s industrial opportunities might lie in a post-Caterpillar future.

In a rapidly changing world, attempts to preserve the past will doom the future.

On May 28, Manufacturers’ Monthly held its annual Endeavour Awards. We will be profiling each of the winners this week and next. Plastic Forests was the champion in the Most Innovative Manufacturing Company category.

Multi-disciplinary research will go ahead on creating a sustainable, 3D printed “Microtimber” out of forestry and agricultural waste, including macadamia nut shells.

​Cook Medical Australia has installed a 706 square metre solar panel field at the company’s Brisbane headquarters.

​Australian Tartaric Products grape waste-powered biomass reactor has saved the company over $2 million in power bills so far, according to the company.

Cardia Bioplastics has announced the results of the strategic review of manufacturing from its proposed merger with Stellar Films Group.

A new facility in Singapore allows companies to reuse old products their manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing benchmarks achieved by a rural South Australian factory are being shared and instituted across the world by Kimberly-Clark.

Australian manufacturers planning a long term future must go down the sustainable manufacturing path, if they are going to survive. Alan Johnson reports.

Convention 2014, Australia’s largest ever engineering event will feature the recently retired Tour de France winner and Siemens ambassador Cadel Evans.