Australia’s only silicon manufacturer, Simcoa Operations, will receive a $39.8 million grant under the federal government’s Powering the Regions Fund to expand the use of charcoal and end the use of coal in its production. According to a statement from energy minister Chris Bowen on Thursday, the move will reduce Simcoa’s greenhouse emissions by 89…
Perth-based R&D company Liquim, which specialises in “natural-origin and plant-based consumer applications”, has developed biodegradable microfilm PPE gloves that they claim are “set to transform hand protection across industries”. In a statement from the company on Wednesday, the company described their “liquid glove” as an answer to landfill waste, and based on a “plant-based hydrogel”…
The NSW government has launched a pilot program budgeted at $800,000, providing lean manufacturing audits to regional SME (between 20 and 200 full-time employees) companies. The Lean Manufacturing Pilot Program opened on Thursday and will accept applications until March 31 at 4 pm. According to the program info on the NSW government’s website the pilot…
The Whyalla steelworks’ blast furnace will shut down for 36 hours starting Wednesday to allow for “urgent” maintenance work, as administrators warn the plant faces “severe challenges” and is in a “state of disrepair.” Energy and Mining Minister Tom Koutsantonis told ABC Radio Adelaide on Tuesday that the shutdown will enable repairs to the refractory…
Boral launched an Australian-first proprietary crumbed rubber asphalt bitumen derived from Off the Road (OTR) tyres on Wednesday, claiming the new product can extend pavement life up to twice that of conventional road treatments. The construction materials company has developed the asphalt using end-of-life tyres from front-end loaders and quarry haul dump trucks from its…
Brisbane-based EV charging startup EVOS signed a licensing agreement with Japanese manufacturer FKK to produce and sell its electric vehicle charging solutions in Japan, the company announced on Wednesday. The agreement allows EVOS to enter the Japanese market while FKK gains access to EVOS’ energy management cloud platform and Grid Integration Device systems. FKK, a…
ASX-listed brain scanner company EMVision has announced that its First Responder Proof-of-Concept (PoC) device has been put through a series of volunteer scans in remote settings, in collaboration with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Australian Stroke Alliance. In a statement on Wednesday, the company shared that RFDS staff had received preliminary training…
The Western Australian government has made a major cabinet reshuffle after being returned at the March 8 election, with former health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson (pictured) overseeing a newly-made manufacturing portfolio. In a statement on Tuesday, premier Roger Cook said the new portfolios – including manufacturing, health infrastructure, preventative health, and aged care and seniors –…
The venture capital sector must shift focus from headline valuations and funding rounds to long-term economic contributions, including profitability, job creation, export potential, and flow on investment, argues John H Howard. Here he looks at the growth of VC in Australia, its appeal to policymakers, journalists and others, and calls for a balanced appreciation of…
Round 26 CRC information session on March 26 A special information session is being held by Cooperative Research Australia for those bidding or considering bidding for a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC.) Hosted in collaboration with the federal Department of Industry, Science, and Resources, the session comes ahead of Round 26 of CRC grants (closing on…