Orica has announced it is expanding into copper processing chemistry through the acquisition of the Danafloat product range from FMC Corporation.

The Danafloat consists of specialised collectors used in the flotation of copper and other commodities, aimed at improving ore recovery, enhancing concentrate quality and reducing environmental impacts.

In a news release, Orica said the acquisition includes proprietary formulation intellectual property, inventory, branding and existing customer relationships.

Orica said the move broadens its Specialty Mining Chemicals portfolio beyond its established position in sodium cyanide for the gold sector, extending its capabilities into sulphide ore processing, including copper and other commodities linked to electrification, urbanisation and artificial intelligence.

President of Orica Specialty Mining Chemicals, Andrew Stewart, described the acquisition as strategically significant for the company’s growth.

“Danafloat is a strategic acquisition that strengthens Orica’s Specialty Mining Chemicals portfolio and advances our customer offering to the mining sector,” Stewart said. “It expands our presence in copper processing, an increasingly important market driven by electrification, artificial intelligence and the energy transition.”

Orica noted that Danafloat has an established customer base across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Latin America, and said its global footprint presents opportunities to expand further into additional markets.

Stewart said demand for more tailored chemical solutions is increasing across the mining industry.

“Customers want increasingly specialist chemistry that is ore body specific for maximum recovery, enhanced concentrate quality and circuit stability,” he said. 

“By combining Danafloat’s specialty reagents with Orica’s deep domain expertise, our expanded OptiOre range helps customers optimise their processing circuits and deliver more consistent outcomes and greater value.”

Orica said the acquisition also creates potential cross-selling opportunities, particularly given its existing exposure to copper through its blasting and digital solutions businesses.

The post Orica expands mining chemicals into copper appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

The Queensland Government says its Energy Roadmap is delivering progress on affordability, reliability and sustainability six months after its release, while also outlining further investment and development across the state’s energy sector.

In a media release, the government said the roadmap is aimed at placing downward pressure on energy prices while maintaining domestic energy security through continued investment in coal and gas generation, alongside the development of renewable energy and storage capacity.

According to the government, the plan is also progressing new supply opportunities, including investigations into oil and gas potential in the Taroom Trough, as well as initiatives to support renewable energy projects and storage.

Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said the roadmap was designed to balance current energy needs with future demand.

“The Roadmap is our plan to deliver new supply in the right places, at the right time, while keeping the lights on and putting downward pressure on prices,” Janetzki said.

He said electricity prices in Queensland are forecast to fall by about 10 per cent in the next financial year, contrasting this with a reported 19.9 per cent increase in a single year under the previous Labor government.

Janetzki said the government’s approach was based on “economics and engineering, not ideology,” and included both maintaining existing assets and encouraging private sector investment in new infrastructure.

“The Roadmap is a credible plan as we’ve already seen more than a gigawatt of new storage and a gigawatt of new renewables becoming operational since mid-2025,” he said.

As part of the roadmap’s implementation, the government said key milestones have been reached, including the completion of market sounding for the Central Queensland Gas Power Tender, the launch of an Investor Gateway, and the opening of the North West Energy Fund.

State-owned investment manager Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has conducted market sounding for 400 megawatts of new gas-fired generation capacity in Central Queensland, targeted for delivery by 2032.

Janetzki said the process attracted “overwhelming market interest,” with more than 50 parties engaged and over 10 gigawatts of prospective gas-fired generation identified across 17 projects.

Through the Investor Gateway, QIC is also facilitating partnerships between investors, developers and government-owned corporations to support more than 1,700 megawatts of new energy capacity. This includes wind, gas and renewable projects involving companies such as CS Energy, Stanwell and CleanCo.

In addition, the government said QIC is deploying a $200 million North West Energy Fund to support regional energy projects, including improving supply in Julia Creek and supporting renewable generation linked to the Dugald River Mine and the wider North West power system.

The post Qld reports progress on Energy Roadmap six months after launch appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

POSCO Holdings has expanded its partnership with the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC), moving from International Trading Partner to Key Partner status to deepen its involvement in collaborative research on industrial decarbonisation.

The South Korean steelmaker joined HILT CRC in 2025 as the first organisation under the International Trading Partner category, a tier designed to connect major global companies with the CRC’s research ecosystem. 

According to HILT CRC, the transition to Key Partner status enables more direct participation in projects and a greater role in shaping research priorities.

Under the new arrangement, POSCO can nominate representatives to HILT CRC’s Research Advisory Committees, propose research priorities to the HILT Steering Committee, participate in multiple projects and access the organisation’s industry PhD internship program.

HILT CRC Chief Executive Officer Jenny Selway said the development reflected the value the company places on deeper research engagement through the centre’s industry-led model.

“POSCO’s decision to become a Key Partner is a strong endorsement of the value of collaborative research in tackling the challenge of industrial decarbonisation,” Ms Selway said.

“Having engaged with HILT CRC as our first International Trading Partner, POSCO is taking the next step to contribute directly to projects, help shape research priorities, and work more closely with other HILT partners on practical pathways for low-emission iron and steelmaking.”

POSCO, one of the world’s largest steel producers, sources a significant proportion of its iron ore from Australia. The expanded partnership is expected to strengthen links between Australian research and development capabilities and global steel production.

The move comes amid broader efforts by Australia and the Republic of Korea to collaborate on climate and industrial decarbonisation initiatives, including the Green Economy Partnership Arrangement on Climate and Energy, highlighting the role of international cooperation in developing and scaling lower-emissions technologies across the steel value chain.

Jinchul Baung, POSCO’s primary representative for the partnership, said the company’s initial involvement had demonstrated the benefits of the CRC’s collaborative model.

“Our initial involvement with HILT CRC confirmed the value of its collaborative ecosystem and the quality of its research network,” Mr Baung said.

“Moving to Key Partner will allow POSCO to participate more directly in projects and work more closely with HILT CRC partners on technologies and knowledge that support the transition to lower-emissions iron and steel production.”

The post Global steelmaker POSCO steps up involvement in HILT CRC appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

The University of Wollongong has launched a research internship program aimed at connecting businesses with PhD researchers to support innovation and address industry challenges.

According to a university media release, the initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while contributing to Australia’s research translation pipeline.

It also responds to demand from businesses for job-ready researchers and closer engagement with universities, while providing PhD candidates with opportunities to apply their research in real-world settings.

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Alan Rowan said the program facilitates direct collaboration between researchers and industry. “This initiative connects PhD researchers directly with industry to co-create practical solutions and deliver real-world impact. These collaborations give organisations access to world-class expertise while helping develop highly skilled graduates ready to contribute,” Professor Rowan said.

The program builds on a pilot supported by the Australian Government’s Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship program, which placed more than 30 PhD candidates with over 20 organisations.

According to the university, the expanded offering is open to a broad range of disciplines, including engineering, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, health and environmental science.

From an industry perspective, the internships are intended to provide access to research expertise and new approaches to product development and commercialisation. Heath Cooper, founder of Sample Assist, said the company had seen immediate benefits from hosting a PhD researcher.

“As a medical technology company, digital innovation in health is at the heart of what we do. Hosting a UOW PhD candidate gave us the opportunity to work with the best and brightest minds to solve some of the health industry’s biggest problems,” Cooper said.

For participating students, the program offers experience working outside academia and exposure to potential career pathways. Adile Kaban, who completed an internship with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, said the experience had broadened her career outlook.

“This internship has been the bridge I needed to connect my research with industry. I now feel more confident pursuing career opportunities that were previously out of reach,” Kaban said.

UOW said businesses can register interest through its Research Partnerships and Innovation team, while PhD candidates can submit an expression of interest to participate in the program.

The post UOW launches PhD internship program to link researchers with industry appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

Manufacturing in the battery sector is set for further development, with Voltavate’s manufacturing-integrated separator technology receiving backing from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in a $3.55 million pilot-scale program aimed at advancing battery manufacturing capabilities.

In a media release, the company said the manufacturing sector is facing increasing pressure as global demand for batteries grows, with producers required to scale output while maintaining performance, safety and cost efficiency amid concentrated supply chains and reliance on specialised third-party suppliers.

Voltavate, based in Melbourne, said its approach rethinks how a key battery component is produced by integrating separator manufacturing directly into the production process, rather than sourcing it externally.

“This project marks a critical step in moving from lab-scale development into real manufacturing environments,” said Voltavate CEO Amir Hooshang Taheri. 

“We’re focused on improving how batteries are made—reducing production waste, enabling scalable manufacturing, and giving manufacturers more control over a key component of the battery,” he noted. 

ARENA chief executive Darren Miller said the project highlights opportunities for Australia to strengthen its role in global battery supply chains through advanced manufacturing capability. 

“This project demonstrates how Australia can play a stronger role in the global battery value chain by supporting the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities for clean energy technologies,” Miller said. 

“ARENA’s support helps accelerate the transition from innovation to real-world deployment, strengthening local capability while contributing to more resilient and scalable battery manufacturing globally.”

Voltavate said that, under conventional battery manufacturing processes, separators are typically produced separately by a limited number of suppliers, creating supply chain dependencies and limiting flexibility. Its platform instead enables manufacturers to produce separators directly on existing production lines, similar to electrode manufacturing.

The company said the pilot-scale program will establish manufacturing capability in Melbourne, integrate the technology into battery cells, and support independent testing to validate performance and safety under real-world conditions. 

It added that prototype cells will be produced for customer evaluation as part of the pathway toward commercial deployment.

The post New manufacturing model for batteries boosted by Voltavate-ARENA pilot program appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

ABB says its manufacturing-driven grinding technology will play a central role in a major new mining development in Australia, after securing a contract to supply mill drive systems for the Eva Copper Mine Project in Queensland.

In a media release, ABB said it will deliver gearless mill drive (GMD) and ring-geared mill drive (RMD) systems for the project, which is being developed by Harmony Gold. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2025, with financial details not disclosed.

According to ABB, the project reflects growing demand for critical minerals and the increasing role of large-scale mining developments in supporting the global energy transition. 

The Eva Copper Mine is expected to produce around 60,000 tonnes of copper annually over a minimum 15-year lifespan, amid forecasts of a significant rise in global copper demand.

ABB said its systems are designed to deliver efficient and reliable ore grinding, a key stage in mineral processing. The company will supply a 24MW gearless mill drive system for a 40-foot semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill, alongside an 18MW variable-speed dual-pinion ring-geared mill drive system for a 27-foot ball mill.

“ABB will bring together local manufacturing capabilities, global expertise and proven technologies to support Queensland’s most significant new mining project,” said Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager, Mining & Materials at ABB’s Process Industries division.

“Our mill drive systems will support reliable, efficient grinding at the heart of the Eva Copper Mine Project, which will play a pivotal role in strengthening the copper supply chain to support the global energy transition,” he said.

ABB noted that the grinding mills are expected to be the largest power consumers at the site, making drive system efficiency a key consideration in the project’s technology selection process.

The scope of work also includes an electrical house (eHouse), which will be engineered and manufactured in Australia to meet local regulatory standards and safety requirements. 

ABB said local manufacturing is expected to support streamlined engineering, reduced logistics complexity and easier on-site integration, while project delivery will involve teams across Australia, Finland and Switzerland.

Once operational, ABB said the combined systems are expected to provide high availability and operational flexibility over the life of the mine, supporting consistent copper ore processing.

The company said the contract adds to its global installed base of mill drive systems used in mining operations, as demand for materials essential to modern industry and electrification continues to grow.

The post ABB taps manufacturing expertise for major Australian mining contract appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

The Queensland Government has welcomed the announced acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in the Kestrel Coal Mine near Emerald, a move it says supports the long-term future of operations and employment at the site.

According to a Queensland Government media release, Yancoal Australia will become the controlling and operating entity of the underground metallurgical coal mine, which is located about 40 kilometres north of Emerald and is described as Australia’s largest underground metallurgical coal operation. 

The government said the transaction is expected to secure more than 800 direct jobs, along with additional indirect employment linked to the mine.

The Crisafulli Government said the acquisition represents continued investment confidence in Queensland’s resources sector and follows other recent industry activity, including Argo Queensland’s investments in the Broadlea, Carborough Downs and Ironbark mines, as well as the $314.9 million expansion of the Ensham Coal Mine near Emerald, which the government said together supported the future of a further 1,700 jobs.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the deal reflected confidence in Queensland’s coal assets.

“Queensland is home to some of the world’s best coal mines and it makes sense that Yancoal is looking to expand its portfolio in our backyard,” Last said.

He said the government had set out to provide a stable operating environment for industry investment.

“I have made it clear to the sector and the investment community that we are open for business, we have a stable operating environment, and we will throw our support behind those companies who want to do business here,” Last said.

“The Crisafulli Government backs Queensland’s mining families and we are delivering an environment where industry can plan and invest with confidence,” he said.

The post Qld welcomes major investment in Kestrel Coal Mine acquisition appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

A manufacturing-focused training hub aimed at strengthening regional manufacturing capability and creating local jobs in the South West will be established under the Cook Labor Government’s latest round of Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants. 

In a news release, the WA Government stated the initiative is part of broader manufacturing and workforce development investments designed to lift skills and support industry growth across the region.

The Picton East-based RCR Mining Technologies will receive $100,000 to develop the South West Advanced Manufacturing TAFE block training facility, which will operate in partnership with South Regional TAFE. 

The WA Government said the hub will deliver accredited training at the company’s existing machining and fitting precinct, with all equipment supplied and owned by the TAFE. 

The co-location model is intended to give apprentices hands-on experience in real manufacturing environments while reducing the need to travel to Perth for training.

The WA Government said Round 8 of the RED Grants program is supporting eight South West projects sharing $743,223, with initiatives spanning manufacturing, agriculture, and regional business expansion.

Other recipients include Rocky Ridge Brewing Co, which will receive $100,000 for automated packaging infrastructure, Margaret River Hops with $150,000 for processing upgrades, and Newton Orchards with $100,000 to expand export cherry packing capacity. Boyup Brook Co-operative Company, Bahen & Co, Bridgetown Winery, and Belvedere Valley Enterprises also received funding for expansion and processing projects.

Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson said the program supports locally driven manufacturing and business growth. “These grants support the kinds of locally driven projects that strengthen regional economies and create opportunities for businesses to grow and employ local people,” he said. 

“By investing in projects that build skills, expand production and add value locally, the Cook Labor Government is helping regional businesses compete, diversify, and plan for the future.”

South West Minister Don Punch said the investments are designed to build long-term manufacturing and workforce capability in the region. 

“These RED Grants are about backing local industry to create secure jobs and build the skilled workforce the South West needs to grow,” he said. “Training delivered locally means more opportunities for apprentices and greater confidence for employers.”

Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said the funding supports regional industry and manufacturing development. “These grants are supporting South West businesses to grow, employ locally, and invest with confidence in the region’s future,” she said. “By linking industry and training, we’re building a stronger, more resilient workforce for the South West.”

According to the WA Government, Round 8 attracted a record 91 applications, with 65 South West initiatives receiving more than $5.6 million across the first eight rounds of the program.

The post Manufacturing training hub in South West backed by WA gov’t RED Grants appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

The Queensland Government has opened applications for the 2026 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, with a strong emphasis on manufacturing as part of the state’s $138.9 billion export industry.

According to a media release, applications will remain open until 12 June, with finalists to be announced in August. 

The awards are positioned by the Queensland Government as among the state’s most prestigious business accolades, recognising exporters across sectors including advanced manufacturing and regional production.

In the release, the government said exporters play a key role in driving jobs growth and supporting communities, noting that businesses – from regional producers to advanced manufacturers – are contributing to Queensland’s presence in competitive global markets.

The Crisafulli Government said it is seeking to identify the state’s top exporters as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic performance and rebuild international trade relationships. It stated that Trade and Investment Queensland would provide free assistance to businesses intending to nominate.

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the awards highlight the contribution of exporters to the state economy.

“Queensland exporters are competing in some of the toughest global markets, and these awards recognise the ambition and grit it takes to win,” Bates said.

“The Crisafulli Government is restoring confidence with our international partners and backing Queensland businesses to make the most of every opportunity available on the world stage.”

The government also referenced broader efforts to improve Queensland’s international standing, following what it described as a period of decline under the previous administration, while positioning the awards as part of a renewed focus on trade engagement.

Last year’s Agribusiness, Food and Beverage category winner, Bundaberg-based Marquis Macadamias, was cited in the release as an example of export success. Chief executive Ben Adams said the recognition had a positive impact across the business and its supply chain.

“It flows all the way back to the growers and just sharing that with them and giving them the experience that they are part of a winning organisation, and a winning industry is really good,” Mr Adams said.

Winners of the 2026 awards will go on to represent Queensland at the Australian Export Awards in Canberra later this year.

The post Queensland Export Awards 2026 to recognise manufacturing, export performance appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.

Epson has received a AAA rating, the highest possible score in the MSCI ESG Ratings, for the third consecutive year, according to a company statement. 

The MSCI ESG Ratings, developed by MSCI Inc., assess how companies manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. 

Firms are assigned ratings on a scale from AAA to CCC, with AAA representing the strongest performance.

In its statement, Epson said it had implemented a range of initiatives aimed at improving transparency in raw material procurement, as well as strengthening its approach to human rights and human capital. 

The company indicated that these efforts contributed to maintaining its top rating for a third consecutive year.

Epson also noted its inclusion in several ESG-focused indices, including the MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index and the MSCI Japan Empowering Women Index (WIN), along with other ESG indices covering Japanese equities that have been adopted by Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund.

The company reiterated its group purpose statement, which focuses on delivering “efficient, compact and precise innovation” to enrich lives and contribute to a better world. 

Epson said it intends to continue evolving its sustainability management initiatives as part of its broader strategy to address societal challenges while supporting corporate growth.

MSCI ESG Ratings are widely used by investors as a benchmark for evaluating companies’ exposure to ESG risks and their capacity to manage them.

The post Epson keeps top ESG rating for third year in a row appeared first on Australian Manufacturing.