Technology News

A new $50m facility capable of recycling the equivalent of up to one billion 600ml PET plastic drink bottles each year has been opened by the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Victorian Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos. The facility has commenced operations in Melbourne, just in time to take advantage of the state’s Container Deposit Scheme. The Circular Plastics Australia (PET) plant will convert used drink bottles into high-quality food-grade resin which will then be used to manufacture new recycled PET bottles and food packaging. The plant will be fully operational and recycling PET bottles collected through the Container Deposit Scheme, and additionally, some refuse from the household and office recycling bins in the system. This is the biggest facility in Victoria and the state-of-the-art equipment is capable of producing 2.5 tonnes of recycled PET resin per hour. Multiple infrared and optical sorters first separate any non-PET material like bottle lids, labels, and metals. The PET bottles are then shredded, ground, and washed before the flaked material is then pushed through a two-stage heating and drying…

Powered by a 6.6kV substation and more than two kilometres of high voltage trailing cable, this is the first of an initial three R 9400 E electric excavators being delivered by Liebherr that will be commissioned over the next year. The delivery of electric excavators demonstrates Fortescue’s and Liebherr’s strong commitment to decarbonising heavy industry. In line with Fortescue’s aim to eliminate emissions across its mining operations, the intention is that all electrified mining equipment will eventually be powered by renewable energy. “The commissioning of this fully electric excavator is a massive achievement by the team,” said Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Dino Otranto, “and is the first of its kind in Australia for the mining industry. “It’s a true demonstration of industry collaboration where we’ve been fortunate enough to work with industry experts who have been using trailing cable for decades, and then repurpose this in our operations as part of our decarbonisation journey. “Already, our Chichester operations which include Cloudbreak run partially off solar enabling this…

Air, though seemingly harmless, can carry contaminants that pose significant risks to the integrity of food and beverage products. Traditional ‘lubricated’ air compressors, which inject oil into the compression chamber, have been a standard in many manufacturing facilities. However, these units present a considerable risk in environments where the strictest hygiene standards must be maintained. Oil and its byproducts have the potential to compromise the purity of food and beverage products. Even trace oil contamination can lead to spoilage, off-flavours, or worse, endanger the health of consumers. To address these risks, the industry should incorporate oil-free air compressors as a crucial element of their production process. The advantages of oil-free air compressors. Elimination of Contaminants: Oil-free compressors function without compressed air becoming in contact with any lubricating oil, eliminating the risk of potentially harmful substances into the compressed air supply, resulting in a final product of superior quality. Stringent regulatory compliance: Using oil-free air compressors in the food and beverage industry signifies a dedication to meeting strict regulatory standards. This reassures both regulatory bodies and consumers of the facility's…

The Victorian State Treasurer Tim Pallas has announced Medsalv is finalising site selection for the manufacturing and R&D facility, which will introduce new sustainable remanufacturing capabilities to the Australian healthcare ecosystem. The company’s product recycling portfolio includes patient transfer mattresses, deep vein thrombosis prevention sleeves, blood pressure cuffs and tourniquets. Medsalv addresses the growing demand for eco-friendly healthcare solutions to reduce reliance on overseas products, resulting in a more robust supply chain and positive environmental outcomes. The new Victorian headquarters will enable Medsalv to collect single-use medical devices from hospitals in Australia and remanufacture them for safe use in a process that involves cleaning, testing, inspecting, packaging and relabelling products to prevent them from going into landfill. “Medsalv is here to make doing good easy for busy people in hospitals,” Medsalv founder and CEO Oliver Hunt said, “and we’re thrilled to do this locally for Australia, starting with this key facility in Victoria.” Around 50 jobs will be created over five years, including opportunities for disadvantaged groups. By…

Australian-made steel will be used in the construction of Australia’s conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines built at Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia, subject to a comprehensive qualification process. The Australian Submarine Agency has entered into a contract with Australian steel manufacturer, Bisalloy Steels, for the qualification of Australian steel for use on Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines. “The qualification of Australian steel is an important step in the Australian Government’s strategy for acquiring state-of-the-art conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines,” said Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP. “The strength and quality of Australian steel will keep Australian submariners safe in the SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines for decades to come, just as it does today on our Collins Class submarines. Crucially, this contract will support jobs in an industry which is not only of strategic importance but also a source of innovation and employment, and part of the Australian fabric.” “The $15m contract will put Australian products at the forefront of our submarine construction,” added Minister Conroy. The comprehensive qualification process, involving more than 4,500 tests, is expected to be completed in the first half…

This unique program aimed to empower women by providing them with an opportunity to explore the world of trades. Participants were engaged in formal training, provided with individualised coaching and support and equipped with tools to help them thrive in a career in a male-dominated industry. In collaboration with the Local Jobs Program (North East Melbourne), SYC, and Melbourne Polytechnic, Empowered Women in Trades facilitated this innovative initiative that combined accredited welding units in OXY, MIG, and ARC welding with a focus on positive psychology and human skills training. Throughout the course, eight enthusiastic women donned protective gear and immersed in comprehensive lessons on the PERMA concept by Martin Seligman as a part of the framework for applied positive psychology and effective communication. Expert instructors, Tony, Sam and Dave, provided hands-on training and guidance in the workshops, ensuring each participant gained practical knowledge and expertise in welding techniques. The course covered a variety of welding techniques, including: •           the MMAW process, identification, and technology, •           uses, advantages, and limitations of MIG and Oxy Welding. •           Emphasis was placed on safe operations and…

In today's increasingly eco-conscious world, businesses are taking significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future. Ozroll, a leading provider of high-quality external shading solutions, has embraced this ethos by revolutionising its Elipso aluminium louvres and plantation shutters with a switch to LocAl® Green lower carbon aluminium supplied by Capral. "By switching to LocAl Green lower carbon aluminium, Ozroll is not only prioritising environmental stewardship, but they are also setting a new benchmark for sustainable manufacturing practices," said Peter Bulka, Capral’s Industrial Manager for Southeast Queensland. This strategic move aligns with Ozroll's commitment to minimising carbon emissions and fostering a greener planet. "Energy efficiency and sustainability are a big part of what we do,” added Jack McDonald, General Manager of Ozroll Queensland. “The products we offer to the market, including our louvres and plantation shutters, can deliver real efficiency benefits within the built environment.” McDonald explained that sustainability is an essential philosophy within the company. With growing demand from clients to deliver more sustainable solutions,…

As Industry 4.0 gains momentum, an increasing number of businesses are looking for ways to create and capture value through the computerisation and networking of their manufacturing and maintenance processes. Firms considering the introduction of a computerised system are generally driven by the promise of increased efficiency, quality and cost savings. One area that is often overlooked however is safety, even though increased safety also has a significant impact across all areas of the business. Research and industry experience has found that organisations that prioritise safety experience a return on investment that extends beyond purely financial returns, with benefits including: Improved risk management, by making it easier to comply with regulations, laws, and standards; Increased productivity, by automating critical processes; Enhanced reputation. A reputation for safety is extremely important, particularly for industries that are involved in, or produce products for high-risk industries. It is often a critical factor in winning contracts and tenders. Safety is also often narrowly defined and examined separately from quality. However, safety is both an attribute and an objective of…

Additive manufacturing – described as the more complex and industrial-scale implementation of 3D printing manufacturing techniques – is on the rise across Australia and the globe, with industry experts SmarTech Analysis forecasting the market to be worth $37bn by 2025. To support the forecasted growth in domestic capabilities in this area, two class-leaders have signed a landmark partnership. The renowned Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider TAFE Queensland, have teamed up with Core Additive an Australian leader in the sale, support, and supply of class-leading Markforged additive manufacturing equipment to increase Queensland and Australian capabilities in the additive and advanced manufacturing sectors. The agreement sees Core Additive and TAFE Queensland committing to a two-year collaboration set to accelerate the development of training programs specific to the 3D printing, composites, and additive manufacturing industries. Key training programs for local industry members will ensure Queensland and Australian businesses do not fall behind in the age of advanced and additive manufacturing. James Staples, the Chief Executive Officer of Core Additive, expressed immense pride in the partnership between Core Additive and TAFE Queensland. Recognising…

In today's dynamic manufacturing landscape, Australian companies are seeking innovative ways to address capacity constraints without significantly increasing their workforce. Challenges such as workforce shortages, rising labour costs, and skill gaps are common pain points. A subtle yet transformative solution is emerging - a technological advancement that complements human capabilities rather than supplanting them. Orbimax Cobot Welders; a robot taught by movement and a simple smartphone app that can be realised and implemented immediately into your existing workforce, bringing instant investment gains. The Australian manufacturing sector faces an array of hurdles. Workforce scarcity, escalating labour expenses, and skill deficiencies continue to challenge operations. Moreover, maintaining precision, consistency, and productivity places a considerable burden on existing teams. These obstacles can impede the ability to scale production in response to market fluctuations. A quietly revolutionary solution is quietly gaining traction. It operates in tandem with human workers, alleviating their burden. This technology marks a pivotal shift, automating repetitive and physically taxing tasks, enabling human workers to focus on tasks necessitating creativity, problem-solving, and higher-order decision-making. This augmentation in human capacity leads…

When considering the potential consequences of inadequate tank farm monitoring, images of disasters like the Buncefield fire probably spring to mind first. However, with the development of safety regulations and equipment, these catastrophic events are becoming far less common over time. Instead, those who rely on functional tank farms as part of their supply chains are more likely to suffer from inefficiency and resultant financial setbacks. Without accurate information, businesspeople are in the dark. Keeping track of supply levels in tank facilities is crucial both to regulate your incoming materials and provide the required product quantities on demand. This is as true for hazardous chemicals and flammable petroleum storage as it is for paint and water. But how can decision-makers access that critical data? In parts of the developing world, a calibrated dipstick and cross-referencing table or a sight glass and internal floats are still used to determine levels inside each tank. Across farms with tens or…

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024) is now OPEN FOR REGISTRATION. The show is to be held at the Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC) at Darling Harbour, 17-19 April 2024. Run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2024 will occupy more than 6,560 square metres of exhibition space at the ICC, with more than 215 organisations so far taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for visitors planning to come to this incredible show in Sydney. Click through to register HERE. ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING ZONE With the likes of Bilby 3D, CSIRO Manufacturing, Aurarum, AXT, FormLab Inc., Titomic, Innovync, Shining 3D and Lightwave Technology, the range of exhibitors includes Additive Manufacturing users, suppliers, and supporters. The Additive Manufacturing Zone will spotlight the latest advances in the technologies within this sector. Techniques within Additive Manufacturing include Stereolithography, Selective Laser Sintering, Material Extrusion, Sheet lamination, Binder jetting, Cold Spray processing, Material jetting, directed energy deposition, powder bed fusion, VAT…

Australian electrolyser company Hysata has officially opened its new 8,000sqm global headquarters and electrolyser manufacturing facility in Port Kembla. This marks a significant milestone in Hysata’s journey, paving the way for commercialisation of its pioneering high efficiency electrolyser. Hysata’s electrolysers are poised to transform the economics of green hydrogen production and accelerate decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, chemical manufacture and heavy transport. The Australian Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has given a vote of confidence in Hysata’s technology by announcing a $20.9m grant from its Advancing Renewables Program. This funding will support commercial demonstration of a 5MW electrolyser unit to be trialled adjacent to the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton, Queensland. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Queensland Government-owned power company Stanwell Corporation will support the demonstration project with $3m, and provide the site and facilities for the field deployment of the electrolyser, which is being developed at Hysata’s new manufacturing facility. The project will create 44 new local jobs at Hysata. Hysata CEO Paul Barrett…