Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Seaweed-based plastic alternative makes global fashion debut 

Luxury sleepwear brand Papinelle has said its latest collection will feature buttons made from seaweed, as part of a collaboration with Perth biotechnology startup Uluu, marking the first time Uluu’s materials have been used in fashion. According to a statement from Uluu, the buttons (pictured) were created by fermenting seaweed with saltwater microbes in a process similar to brewing beer. The result is a material that behaves like traditional plastic but is completely biodegradable, doesn’t shed microplastics, and is made of a plant that sequesters carbon dioxide as it's farmed. The partnership is the result of “shared values discovered at a sustainable fashion conference,” the companies said. Michael Kingsbury, co-founder and co-CEO of Uluu, added: “Buttons are just the beginning – our materials can replace plastic across rigid products as well as films, foams and fabrics.”

Loam Bio wins Machine of the Year

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation has made a $35 million investment in fabless semiconductor business Morse Micro. According to a statement from the NRFC this week, the investment will help the company accelerate growth at Morse and develop its next-generation Wi-Fi HaLow solutions, ensuring these are commercialised in Australia, as well as supporting jobs creation at the company's Design and Production Hub in Picton, NSW. Morse is Australia’s largest semiconductor company, and has its devices produced under contract by Taiwan's TSMC. The NRFC’s investment is part of Morse Micro’s Series C funding round, with other investors including Analog Devices founder Ray Stata, venture capital firms such as Blackbird Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, and Uniseed, and other institutional investors.

$3 million CRC-P grant backs bubble-busting team

Partnering with Melbourne-based med-tech company Haemograph, La Trobe University’s Associate Professor Ing Kong has secured a $3 million Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) grant for a new research project aiming to address the widespread problem of air bubbles in healthcare devices and industrial processes. According to a statement last week from the university, the project aims “to develop technologies to prevent and remove air bubbles”, with industrial processes such as nitrogen purging in wine bottling consuming large amounts of energy, contributing to environmental impact. The research could lead to new products including air-free syringes, advanced blood diagnostic devices and air-free pump-filling systems. Haemograph Chief Technical Officer Dr Alex Lubansky said, “This is a chance to advance and commercialise technologies we believe will deliver real benefits for both health and industry.”

Paladin uses Dassault Systèmes’ platform for flagship satellite

French industrial software company Dassault Systèmes announced this week that Australian startup Paladin Space is “accelerating the development of advanced space sustainability solutions” with Dassault's 3DEXPERIENCE platform and global expertise in digital transformation. Paladin — the Paris-based company's first Australian commercial space customer — is building Triton, a satellite for in-orbit servicing, space debris removal, and inspection missions, designed to extend the lifespan of space assets, enable responsible de-orbiting, and reduce launch costs through mid-life repairs and inspections. According to Dassault, their cloud-based platform “offers Paladin the scalability, flexibility, and ease of access that startups need”. The company added that it will “remain a core enabler of Paladin Space journey,” leading up to Paladin's planned global prototype showcase by end 2025 and in-orbit demonstration and full commercial rollout in 2027.

Work packages open for Parramatta Light Rail

Transport for NSW has awarded the $322 million contract for delivery of the Parramatta Light Rail – Stage 2 Enabling Works to John Holland. There are now 36 new work packages open for the project, which includes delivery of a 320-metre bridge over the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point, Melrose Park and bridge approaches on either side, totalling 1.3 kilometres. The project will connect Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park, and Wentworth Point. Packages include stormwater drainage installation, supplying and installing scaffolding, rail sand blasting for priming, and supply and installation of car park pavers. More information for potential suppliers is available from Industry Capability Network at this link.