New battery technology could slash the cost of electric vehicles
A new battery technology that could significantly reduce the price of electric cars and home battery systems has taken a major step towards commercialisation.
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Housing, infrastructure downturn hits Boral sales
Building products group Boral (ASX: BLD) has reacted to a weakening Australian economy by cutting costs, resizing its operations and chasing new opportunities. Chairman Kathryn Fagg told the company’s annual general meeting that 2018 financial year housing starts were down 15 per cent, and the value of work done on roads, highways and bridges and…
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India’s not joining the latest free-trade deal which limits Australia’s market access
By Pat Ranald, Research fellow, University of Sydney Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and other leaders involved in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) announced late yesterday that 15 of the 16 countries have finalised the text, and are prepared to sign the trade deal in early 2020. India is the only one not to…
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Dairy companies make inroads in China
Three Australian dairy infant and nutritional foods companies have announced links which deepen their access to the growing Chinese consumer market. Wattle Health Australia (ASX: WHA), Bubs Australia (ASX: CUB), and Jatenergy (ASX: JAT) have found strategic partners to open new distribution channels in what is the world’s largest market for nutritional dairy products. Wattle…
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Researchers borrow from bugs to make unsinkable metal
A University of Rochester team has developed a laser-etching technique and taken inspiration from fire ants and diving bell spiders to engineer water-repellent, buoyant metal structures.
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Warren Randall buys four more McLaren Vale vineyards
Major Australian wine company Randall Wine Group has acquired four more vineyards in McLaren Vale totaling 142 hectares to become the region’s largest vigneron.
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Officeworks to introduce pen and battery recycling scheme “by the end of 2020”
Officeworks has announced that it plans to introduce battery recycling at all stores and pen recycling “in most stores” by the end of next year. Federal assistant minister for waste reduction, Trevor Evans – who attended the announcement at the Wesfarmers-owned office supplier’s Osborne Park store – said that Officeworks would partner with BIC on…
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Brickworks expands in the US – again
Australian building products group Brickworks (ASX: BKW) has added to its fast-growing US brick manufacturing network with the purchase of RedlandBrick Inc for $70 million. The Sydney company bought four modern manufacturing sites in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, adding to its portfolio of brick making assets in the north east of the country. While Redland…
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Geelong hemp processing business ramps up machinery exports
Textile & Composite Industries is exporting two of its D8 hemp decorticators to a farm in Pennsylvania. The units, which retail for roughly $350,000, are the eighth generation of the machine, and are produced by Geelong engineering business Austeng. Founder of TCI, the late inventor Adrian Clarke, made his first machine in 1994. …
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Now NSW sources ferries from overseas, ignores local builder
Comment by Peter Roberts The New South Wales government has confirmed its love affair with importing expensive transport equipment with the purchase of 13 Sydney harbour ferries for a reported $1.3 billion. Writing in MichaelWest.com, maritime commentator Neil Baird said Northern NSW company, Birdon had contracted to build the ferries in China and Indonesia. The…
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