In the trade war, China has moved to curb supply of critical minerals. Can Australia seize the moment?

By Marina Yue Zhang, University of Technology Sydney In the escalating trade war between the United States and China, one notable exception stood out: 31 critical minerals, including rare earth elements, were strategically exempted from tariffs. This was not a gesture of goodwill. It was a tacit acknowledgment of the United States’ deep dependence on…

Space tech meets Aussie farms: SA satellite now beaming IoT magic from orbit

South Australia’s space industry took a significant leap forward with the successful integration of Myriota’s Internet of Things (IoT) payload on the Kanyini satellite, according to an announcement released on Sunday. Adelaide-based companies Myriota and Inovor Technologies have collaborated on Kanyini, South Australia’s first state-funded satellite, which now orbits more than 500 kilometres above Earth.…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay commit to defence industry Moreton Bay region industry representatives have signed up to an agreement on sovereign defence priorities. An industry-led communique was signed at a Sunshine Coast event last month, led by representatives from Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast (RDAMBSC), Australian Industry and Defence Network, Manufacturing Excellence…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, April 7 – April 11, 2025

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) Fonterra plans $1.7m refurbishment of Tasmanian cheese tower Global dairy company Fonterra has plans to upgrade the cheddaring tower, as its Wynyard, Tasmania cheese factory. It lodged a development application to refurbish and remediate the tower, boosting its height to 21 metres,…

iMOVE CRC launches $2 million impact fund 

The iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has launched a $2 million second round for its Impact Extension Program, which is open to organisations including established businesses, universities and startups “looking to fund their transport related innovation.” In a statement launching the program on Thursday, iMOVE said the initiative aims to “to identify and support Australia’s…

Defence research projects awarded $3 million in funding

Seven research projects described as delivering “ground-breaking” technologies, ranging from underwater charging stations for uncrewed underwater vehicles to better understanding online communities, have received a total of $3 million in funding from the Defence Innovation Partnership (DIP). The funding, announced on Wednesday, is through DIP’s Activator Fund and Collaborative Research Fund, and is aimed at…

Global trade tensions highlight urgency for Australia to invest in sovereign advanced materials capability

Without a concerted effort to develop local refining and manufacturing, Australia will remain dependent on international supply chains for the materials we use, leaving us vulnerable to global disruptions. By Professor Christopher Hutchinson. Australia stands at an important point in its technological and industrial future. While we have abundant raw materials and a wealth of…