Researchers Examine Role of Leafy Vegetables in Alternative Mining Methods
Researchers at the University of Queensland have shown that common Brassicaceae vegetables, such as kale and broccoli, can accumulate the toxic yet valuable metal thallium in their leaves. Using micro‑X‑ray fluorescence and X‑ray diffraction mapping, the team observed crystallised thallium chloride deposits along leaf veins, indicating a viable phytomining pathway. The findings suggest these crops could serve as sustainable tools for extracting thallium needed in medical devices, optical glass, and semiconductors while remediating contaminated soils. The study appears in Metallomics and involved international collaborators.
How Organisations Can Prepare for the Next Wave of AI and Automation
The article warns that the next wave of automation will be driven by agentic AI and the orchestration of multiple AI models across systems, demanding robust information governance. It stresses that automation success hinges on the quality, accuracy, and lifecycle...
TCL Unveils AI-Powered Manufacturing Facility in China
TCL has launched a $280 million AI‑powered air‑conditioner smart factory in Guangzhou, marking its 100 million‑unit milestone. The 303‑acre complex can produce 8 million units a year, roughly one unit every seven seconds, through three fully automated lights‑out lines. An on‑site AI supercomputing...
Manufacturing-Led AM Market Reaches $16B in 2025 – Report
Additive Manufacturing (AM) revenues reached $16.0 billion in 2025, marking a 10.2% year‑over‑year rise and outpacing the 8.3% growth recorded in 2024. Metal AM generated $6.27 billion while polymer AM delivered $9.79 billion, together accounting for the bulk of market value. AM services...
Ipswich Highlights Manufacturing Potential in Push to Become Queensland’s Defence Hub
Ipswich City Council is leveraging its 8,000 hectares of available industrial land to position the city as Queensland’s manufacturing and defence hub. The council’s "Space to Grow" prospectus highlights that manufacturing and defence account for about 60% of its $8 bn AUD...
Amaero Reports New Manufacturing Agreement Backed by $7.8M Titanium Powder Order
Amaero Ltd announced a manufacturing agreement that includes a A$7.8 million (≈ $5.1 million USD) purchase order for titanium alloy powders, with quarterly shipments from July 2026 to June 2027. The contract, tied to a private‑equity‑backed advanced‑materials customer, may exceed the minimum commitment as demand...
Vietnam Sourcing Fair to Showcase Asian Manufacturing Capabilities in April
The Global Sourcing Fair Vietnam 2026 will run April 22‑24 at Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, featuring over 500 exhibitors from Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India and South Korea. More than 40,000 export‑ready products across...
Pilbara Manufacturing Boosted Through $846,700 in RED Grants
The Western Australian government has allocated $846,700 AUD (≈$558,000 USD) in Round 8 of its Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants to five Pilbara projects spanning manufacturing, hospitality, tourism and mining services. Inline Engineering Services will upgrade its polyurethane conveyor component processing, bolstering local...
Australian Government Launches Investor Front Door Pilot to Support Major Projects
The Australian government has launched the Investor Front Door pilot, a new platform designed to streamline regulatory engagement for large‑scale projects in fuel security, supply‑chain resilience and critical minerals. Four pioneering projects—HAMR Energy’s renewable fuel hub, Ardea Resources’ Kalgoorlie nickel...
La Trobe University Researchers Develop Portable PFAS Biosensor
La Trobe University researchers have created a portable biosensor that detects per‑fluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a key PFAS compound, on site and delivers an instant yes‑or‑no result. The device offers a low‑cost alternative to expensive laboratory analysis, potentially expanding monitoring frequency...
Ancient Tectonics Linked to Rare Earth Mineral Deposits, Adelaide University Study Finds
A University of Adelaide team linked ancient subduction zones to the majority of rare‑earth element (REE) deposits and carbonatites. Using two‑billion‑year plate‑tectonic models, they found 67% of carbonatites and 72% of REE deposits formed in the past 1.8 billion years sit...
MIT Develops 3D Printing Platform to Transform Manufacturing of Electric Machines
MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories unveiled a multimaterial 3D‑printing platform that integrates four extrusion heads to deposit conductive, magnetic and insulating feedstocks in a single build. The system printed a fully functional electric linear motor in roughly three hours with only...
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Breakthrough at UNSW Targets Transport and Aviation Use
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have unveiled a redesigned hydrogen fuel cell that incorporates microscopic lateral bypass channels to improve water management. The new architecture prevents water buildup, delivering up to 75% more power than conventional cells...
The Long Game: Building Australia’s Nuclear Submarine Workforce Pipeline
The Australian government announced a $310 million purchase of nuclear‑submarine components from the United Kingdom, building on a £2.4 billion (~$3.0 billion) contribution to expand Rolls‑Royce Submarines’ production capacity in Osborne, South Australia. Professor Yiannis Ventikos warned that a self‑sustaining submarine workforce will...
Qld Manufacturers Offered New Digital Skills Training Program
Manufacturing Queensland is launching an accredited Computer‑Aided Manufacturing (CAM) training program to boost digital skills in the state’s manufacturing sector. The four‑day, face‑to‑face course runs over two weeks in April and May 2026 and uses Autodesk Inventor to teach participants...
Australian Made Welcomes EU Free Trade Deal as Boost for Manufacturing
The Australian Made Campaign hailed the Australia‑European Union Free Trade Agreement as a major boost for domestic manufacturers. The deal will eventually eliminate tariffs on 98% of Australian exports to the EU, granting duty‑free access for a wide range of...
Why Energy Is Becoming a Strategic Asset for Manufacturers
Energy is evolving from a cost centre to a strategic lever for manufacturers, as highlighted in a GridBeyond‑hosted webinar for Australian Manufacturing. The session explained how digital intelligence—forecasting, automation and digital twins—enables firms to align production with real‑time market signals...
NSW Advances Battery Reform with Manufacturing Responsibility to Address Fires and Pollution
The New South Wales government has passed the nation’s first mandatory battery stewardship law, obligating manufacturers and suppliers to finance the safe collection, processing, and recycling of small, removable batteries. The move responds to a surge in lithium‑ion incidents—332 cases...
Australian Government Brings Forward $6.15B to Support Manufacturing and Business Resilience
The Australian government has fast‑tracked AU$6.15 billion (~US$4.1 billion) of concessional finance to shore up manufacturing and supply‑chain resilience. The package bundles a AU$1 billion (~US$660 million) Economic Resilience Program, a AU$5 billion (~US$3.3 billion) Net Zero Fund, and a AU$150 million (~US$99 million) Forestry Growth Fund under...
Capral Marks 90 Years of Australian Aluminium Manufacturing Milestone
Capral celebrated 90 years of Australian aluminium manufacturing, tracing its roots to the 1936 establishment of the British Aluminium Company’s local operations and the first domestic sheet delivery in June 1941. Over decades the business evolved through names such as...
South Australian Veteran-Owned Firms Partner to Boost Defence Manufacturing and Employment
South Australian veteran-owned firms ARES Armaments Australia and Aimpoint have signed a partnership to expand defence manufacturing workforce solutions, announced at the Avalon Airshow. The agreement includes a Certificate IV in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture, apprenticeship programmes and recruitment strategies aimed...
UNSW Sydney Study Reveals Hidden UV Risks for Solar Panel Manufacturing
Engineers at UNSW Sydney have developed a global model showing ultraviolet radiation can reduce the lifespan of next‑generation solar panels by up to ten years, especially in high‑UV regions. The research reveals that sun‑tracking installations receive significantly more UV exposure...
Gov’t Moves to Secure Domestic Gas Supply Amid Global Disruptions
The Australian Government has issued a notice of intent to potentially activate the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM) if a projected gas shortfall materialises on the east coast in Q3 2026. The ACCC forecasts a 12‑petajoule deficit, with a...
BluGlass Signs $1.3M Agreement to Advance Photonics Manufacturing Collaboration
BluGlass Limited announced a strategic collaboration worth approximately $860,000 (AUD 1.3 million) with an unnamed Fortune 500 data‑storage leader to accelerate photonics manufacturing research. The partnership will tap BluGlass' laser diode and GaN expertise to develop more efficient, lower‑power, and compact photonic...
Townsville Port Adds Capacity for Manufacturing, Critical Minerals Cargo
The Port of Townsville has opened a 14‑hectare Project Cargo Laydown Area to store and handle oversized equipment. Built by Mendi Constructions, the facility targets the critical‑minerals and advanced‑manufacturing sectors that rely on regional ports for complex cargo. Officials say...
Manufacturing Slips Into Contraction as Inflation Pressures Mount, S&P Global Says
Australia’s manufacturing PMI slipped to 49.8 in March, pushing the sector back into contraction for the first time since early 2024. New orders fell for the first time in five months while production declined for a second straight month, reflecting...
Manufacturing Deal Signed Between Bioxyne and Aurora Cannabis for Medicinal Products
Bioxyne Limited’s subsidiary Breathe Life Sciences signed a manufacturing agreement with Aurora Cannabis to produce GMP‑certified medicinal cannabis oils for Australia, with initial deliveries already completed. The contract also foresees adding GMP‑manufactured vape products for Australia, the United Kingdom and...
Small Metal Fabricator Implements ERP Software Before Even Renting a Warehouse
Aston Precision, a Melbourne‑based metal fabricator, grew from a spare bedroom startup to a key supplier for construction, machinery and Amazon within three years. The founder installed the MRPeasy ERP system before securing a warehouse, completing the initial setup in...
New Guidelines Aim to Improve Manufacturing of Solar, Battery and EV Systems
The Australian government has published 18 initial Consumer Energy Resource (CER) device requirements to steer design and manufacturing of solar inverters, battery storage and electric‑vehicle systems. The guidance focuses on interoperability, ensuring devices can communicate across manufacturers and energy providers...
CSIRO Highlights Opportunities in Graphite Manufacturing for Clean Energy
CSIRO says Australia’s abundant graphite resources present a strategic chance to build domestic battery‑grade processing capability. While global demand for lithium‑ion anodes surges with electric‑vehicle growth, about 95% of refining is done in China, leaving a supply‑chain risk. The agency...
Sphere Brings HubT Drone Manufacturing In-House to Speed Deployments
Sphere, an Australian full‑stack tech provider, is moving HubT autonomous drone hardware manufacturing entirely in‑house. The shift includes enclosure fabrication, electrical integration and compliance testing, enabling faster, repeatable production cycles. New trailer and skid deployment configurations reduce site preparation, while...
ARENA Backs Victoria Electric Truck Charging Network
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is committing up to AUD 25.3 million (approximately US$16.7 million) to NewVolt to build a shared fast‑charging network for electric trucks in Victoria. The first of three open‑access hubs will open in late 2026, with two more slated...
Manufacturing Investment to Support Jobs and Food Production in Northern Victoria
The Victorian Government is committing roughly $99 million USD through the Victorian Investment Fund to upgrade Tongala Nutrition's dairy processing plant in northern Victoria, creating more than 40 new jobs. The investment will fund sustainable energy systems, modern production equipment, and...
WA Launches First Nuclear Foundations Training Program for AUKUS
Western Australia has launched its first nuclear foundations training program to ready the state’s manufacturing and industrial workforce for the AUKUS nuclear‑powered submarine initiative. The $2.5 million Australian‑dollar (about $1.65 million USD) Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants will fund up to...
Manufacturing Funding Opens as Sustainability Victoria Launches $1M Recycling Grants
Sustainability Victoria has opened Round 6 of the Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund, offering manufacturers grants from AU$50,000 (≈US$33,000) up to AU$1 million (≈US$660,000). The funding targets equipment for recycling soft plastics, e‑waste, tyres, liquid paperboard and textiles, aiming to boost...
Australia, Germany Advance Manufacturing Cooperation on Guided Weapons Components
The Australian Defence Department signed a Letter of Intent with German warhead manufacturer TDW GmbH to explore local production and maintenance of warheads for the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. The deal is part of a broader $850 million...
6K Additive Secures $1.1M Order to Boost Manufacturing of Nickel 718 Powder
6K Additive announced a $1.1 million purchase order for its Nickel 718 superalloy powder from an OEM with annual revenues above $100 million, with deliveries slated through September 2026. The contract adds to the company’s first‑quarter 2026 backlog and underscores accelerating demand for...
Australian Manufacturing Set for Global Defence Boost Under AUKUS, Says GME
Australian manufacturers are set to tap unprecedented access to U.S. and U.K. defence markets under the AUKUS partnership, unlocking long‑term contracts and deeper supply‑chain integration. The 50‑year nuclear‑powered submarine programme alone will drive sustained demand for advanced manufacturing, electronics, cyber...
MIT and Mecalux Launch AI Tool to Optimise Warehouse Inventory
MIT's Center for Transportation & Logistics and storage solutions provider Mecalux have unveiled GENESIS, an AI‑driven simulator that optimizes inventory distribution across warehouse networks. The platform combines machine‑learning models with a genetic algorithm to evaluate thousands of logistics scenarios in...
HDR Completes Manufacturing-Focused Factory of the Future at Western Sydney University
HDR has delivered a two‑level, manufacturing‑focused "Factory of the Future" at Western Sydney University’s Bankstown City Campus. The facility integrates advanced manufacturing, robotics, and digital processes, with a lower‑level Discovery Space teaching Industry 5.0 principles and an upper‑level Immersive Training Hub...
Clarity Secures Large-Scale Manufacturing Agreement for Copper-64
Clarity Pharmaceuticals has signed a manufacturing supply agreement with Theragenics to scale up production of copper‑64, a radiometal used in its investigational prostate‑cancer tracer 64Cu‑SAR‑bisPSMA. The deal leverages Theragenics’ Atlanta‑area facility, which houses 14 cyclotrons capable of producing roughly 100...
Energy Estate, QCAR Partner to Advance BioNQ Sugar-to-Fuel Project
Energy Estate has formalised a strategic affiliation with Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) to accelerate the BioNQ project, which will convert North Queensland sugarcane into low‑carbon fuels for aviation, agriculture and shipping. The partnership will tap existing regional ports...
Tetra Pak Rolls Out Single-Serve Wine Cartons in Australia, New Zealand
Tetra Pak has introduced a new single‑serve wine and RTD packaging line in Australia and New Zealand, using its 250 ml Tetra Prisma Aseptic Edge combined with the DreamCap 26 Pro cap. The DreamCap features a screw‑and‑flip tethered design made from renewable plant‑based material,...
NSW Urged to Back Tomago Aluminium Smelter to Protect Jobs and Industry
The Australian Workers’ Union is pressing the New South Wales government to finalize financial backing for the Tomago aluminium smelter, warning that delays could jeopardise hundreds of jobs and the state’s industrial sovereignty. The smelter, the largest employer in the...
Parliamentary Hearing to Examine Future of Critical Minerals Sector
Australia’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold its first public hearing on March 26 to scrutinize the nation’s critical minerals sector. The inquiry ties into the government’s $22.7 billion Australian Future Made plan—about US$15 billion—highlighting processing capabilities as a...
GSEM, NRFC Highlight Manufacturing Investment Pathway in Melbourne’s South East
A joint event by Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) and the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) highlighted manufacturing investment pathways in Melbourne’s south‑east. The region accounts for about $89 billion Australian (≈$59 billion USD) in annual manufacturing output, hosts over 3,800 firms...
LNG Exports Framed as Key to Regional Energy Stability in Singapore Pact
Australia and Singapore have signed a fuel‑security pact that positions Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cornerstone of regional energy stability. The agreement, endorsed by Australian Energy Producers, stresses the importance of uninterrupted LNG trade amid global uncertainty. Industry...
Sungrow Hydrogen Expands Global Presence with Cross-Continental Shipments
Sungrow Hydrogen announced the shipment of green hydrogen systems to projects in Oman, Italy and Brazil, marking its first deliveries across three continents. The company supplied 160 MW of alkaline electrolysis units for a green ammonia venture in Oman, a 3 MW...
ADMARES Unveils High-Tech Housing Manufacturing with ABB Robotics
Swedish modular housing firm ADMARES announced a strategic partnership with ABB Robotics to equip its upcoming Smart Factory with AI-driven robotics, software and hardware. The collaboration brings together a network of technology partners, including Porsche Consulting, Siemens, NVIDIA and EDAG,...
Manufacturing Push Powers WA Wind Boom with $6.5M Co-Investment
Western Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre is backing a $4.3 million USD co‑investment to launch the state’s first wind‑turbine anchor‑cage production line, led by Camco Engineering. The 14‑month initiative combines $1.3 million USD government funding with $2.6 million USD from Camco and in‑kind...
