War in Iran Dampens NZ Manufacturing Optimism Despite Continued Growth
New Zealand’s manufacturing PMI slipped to 53.2 in March, down from 54.8 in February but still above the 50‑point expansion threshold. The decline coincided with a sharp rise in negative sentiment, as 62% of firms cited the war in Iran and related uncertainties as a concern. Despite the dip, new orders remained robust at 55.8, while raw‑material deliveries weakened to 50.0 and finished‑goods inventories rose to a one‑year high, hinting at stockpiling. Fuel price shocks have not yet fully translated into lower demand, leaving the outlook uncertain.
Hazer and KBR Complete Commercial-Scale Hydrogen Design Package for Global Rollout
Hazer Group and engineering firm KBR have finished a commercial‑scale Process Design Package (PDP) for the Hazer methane‑pyrolysis hydrogen technology. The PDP outlines a standardised 30,000‑tonne‑per‑year hydrogen plant design, intended to streamline feasibility studies, basic engineering and front‑end engineering work....
Manufacturing Project to Advance 3D-Printed Naval Components, CDU Says
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is leading a Queensland Defence Sciences Alliance‑funded project to use SPEE3D’s cold‑spray additive manufacturing to 3D‑print nickel aluminium bronze (NAB) naval propulsion components. The initiative brings together James Cook University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science...
Weld Australia, ASSDA Sign Manufacturing-Focused MoU to Boost Industry Collaboration
Weld Australia and the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen collaboration across the manufacturing sector. The MoU creates a reciprocal membership arrangement, giving members expanded access to events, technical resources, training and...
Australian Firms Urged to Access US$2 Billion Pacific Infrastructure Pipeline via New Austrade Platform
Austrade has launched an online Pacific Infrastructure platform that aggregates information on roughly US$2 billion worth of upcoming infrastructure projects across Pacific Island nations. The tool provides details on sectors, delivery stages, timelines and funding sources, aiming to give Australian firms...
Monash Research Uncovers New Pathway to Cleaner Copper Production
Monash University researchers identified microscopic defects and trace elements in chalcopyrite that can be leveraged to improve copper extraction. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, shows that tiny amounts of silver destabilize the mineral’s surface, boosting recovery rates. This insight...
Diesel Stockpile Agreement Aims to Improve Fuel Resilience Across Regional WA
The Western Australian government has signed a deal with independent supplier Cambridge Gulf to secure at least 4 million litres of diesel for storage in Wyndham, bolstering fuel resilience in the Kimberley region. The diesel will be 100 percent state‑owned and held...
Australia, United States Outline Joint Steps to Secure Critical Minerals Supply Chains
Australia and the United States have formalized a bilateral framework to secure critical‑minerals and rare‑earth supply chains, committing at least $1 billion each in financing within six months. The partnership establishes a Critical Minerals Supply Security Response Group to pinpoint vulnerabilities...
DryFlow Magnetics Ramps up Manufacturing for Waterless Iron Ore Tech
DryFlow Magnetics, an Adelaide‑based industrial tech firm, has secured an additional seed‑funding round following a $10 million AUD (~$6.6 million USD) raise in December 2025. The capital will fund manufacturing and installation of its first commercial pilot plant at a South Australian...
ACM CRC Backs Manufacturing Project to Develop Smart Surfboard Fins Aimed at Reducing Shark Attack Risks
The Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC is funding a research initiative to create smart composite surfboard fins that embed miniaturised sensors, electromagnetic deterrents and illumination directly into the fin structure. Led by Gowing Bros in partnership with UNSW Sydney and the...
Titomic Expands Manufacturing Capabilities Through TWI Industrial Membership
Titomic, an advanced metal manufacturing firm, has become an Industrial Member of TWI, a global materials‑engineering organization. The partnership grants Titomic access to TWI’s consultancy, research programmes and technical resources, bolstering its proprietary Kinetic Fusion cold‑spray technology. With manufacturing hubs...
Capral Secures Funding to Support Lower-Emissions Manufacturing Upgrade at Bremer Park
Capral Aluminium has secured up to AU$3.45 million (about US$2.3 million) from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to replace a 40‑year‑old gas‑fired furnace at its Bremer Park extrusion plant with a fully electric system. The new furnace will employ electric convection, induction...
Perfect Automation, Omori Partnership Aims to Improve Manufacturing Packaging
Perfect Automation and Omori have deepened their strategic alliance as Omori purchased a 50% stake in Perfect Automation. The joint venture aims to deliver advanced, locally‑tailored packaging solutions for Australian manufacturers. By merging Perfect Automation’s market knowledge with Omori’s global...
Five Projects, Including Manufacturing Initiatives, Share $6.9M in Grants
The Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program has allocated $6.9 million (about $4.5 million USD) across five innovation projects, targeting advanced manufacturing, sustainable materials and biotechnology. Aston Dynamics receives $1.5 million to prototype hydraulic‑jet electric trailer brakes, while Bioborne gets $2.27 million to scale an...
Manufacturing Advances in 3D Printing Explored for Nuclear Fuel Transport Safety, Says American Nuclear Society
The American Nuclear Society reports that Orano Federal Services and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte are testing additive manufacturing to produce impact limiters for spent‑fuel transport casks. New 3D‑printing techniques, especially fused filament fabrication and selective laser melting,...
