Metal additive manufacturing technology company Amaero International has launched two new machines plus additional metal powder handling equipment. The company, which makes 3D printers and offers 3D manufacturing services, has launched the SP260 and SP400 complementing its launch machines. The new machines are production machines and feature rapid job changeover capabilities, optimised powder usage and…
Australia’s largest food manufacturer Nestlé and recycler iQ Renew have launched a trial with 2,000 households to test the recycling of soft plastic packaging. The trial is taking place on the NSW Central Coast, with plans to extend it to around 140,000 homes. With the vast majority of post-consumer soft plastic going to landfill, the…
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has authorised the Battery Stewardship Council to establish and operate a levy scheme to stimulate the recycling of batteries other than conventional lead-acid batteries. The BSC plans to bring together companies in the battery supply chain to significantly reduce the volume of toxic batteries being disposed of as waste,…
Advanced Composite Structures Australia has developed a number of large-scale animatronic components for one of the world’s leading creators of attractions for large theme parks. The Melbourne company used a resin infusion technique to develop the components for Creature Technology Co., another Melbourne firm that builds life-like animatronics for arena spectaculars, theme parks, exhibitions, stage…
Finally, the government whose import-first policy has done more to damage Australia’s train manufacturing sector, has agreed to examine the possibility of buying trains locally. New South Wales, which has bought imported trains too big for its tunnels and ferries too low for its bridges, has agreed to work with other states on local procurement.…
Comment by Peter Roberts At least two, and possibly three groups are now operating pilot plants that use renewably generated hydrogen to replace coal in the steelmaking process, promising a future of green, fossil fuel-free steel. The latest just announced is the HYBRIT consortium of three firms, LKAB, SSAB and Vattenfall, which has just commissioned…
A blend of old tyres and building rubble could be used for road-making in a zero-waste solution to boost recycling and support the circular economy. The new material, developed by researchers at RMIT University, combines recycled rubble and rubber in a mix designed to be used for base layers. The recycled blend is more flexible…
Australia’s modern industrial structure has been shaped by its symbiotic relationship with Japan. Here Warren Reed, who has an intimate understanding of Australia-Japan relations as a former officer with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), and who is now a successful novelist, looks at how the departure of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will change the…
The original big battery supporting renewable energy at Hornsdale in South Australia has completed its expansion. Owned by Neoen, the battery has expanded by 50 MW and now boasts 150 MW and 193.5 MW/h of capacity, according to a report by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The battery was mocked by some at its…
Manufacturers are using the current high level of the stockmarket to raise fresh capital for what remains a very uncertain business environment. Today both welding technology company K-TIG, and lithium-ion battery technology firm Magnis Energy Technologies announced successful raisings. K-TIG, which is commercialising a CSIRO high speed precision welding technology, has received binding commitments to…