Australia’s manufacturing sector has been placed at the centre of a new industrial decarbonisation push with the opening of what MCi Carbon says a world-first carbon refinery in Newcastle, a facility designed to convert carbon emissions into materials used in everyday manufacturing.

The Australian clean technology company MCi Carbon has officially opened “Myrtle”, a multi-purpose carbon refinery on Kooragang Island in Newcastle, in a milestone it says could reshape emissions-intensive manufacturing globally. The launch was officiated by Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.

MCi Carbon said Myrtle is built on 15 years of Australian research and development and uses mineral carbonation to transform CO? and low-value mineral feedstocks into carbon-embodied materials used in products such as concrete, plasterboard, paint, paper, glass and adhesives. 

The company said the approach permanently locks carbon into materials already used across global supply chains.

MCi Carbon founder and chief executive Marcus Dawe said the technology gives heavy industry a commercial route to reduce emissions while generating revenue.

“Heavy industry now has a commercial pathway to decarbonise – and profit while doing so,” Dawe said. 

“By transforming CO? and low-value mineral feedstocks into carbon-embodied materials that cement, steel, plastics, glass and construction industries already buy, MCi Carbon’s mineral carbonation platform reframes decarbonisation as an investment with a return, not a cost to be managed.”

He said the facility is designed as a validation platform for industrial partners. “Myrtle is open. Our invitation to the leaders of hard-to-abate industry is simple: send us your CO? profile and your feedstocks. We’ll run a rapid validation and hand back the technical, product and commercial data you need.”

Minister Bowen said the project demonstrates how regional industrial centres could play a role in the transition to lower-emissions manufacturing.

“We’re backing Australian innovation to cut emissions and create the next generation of clean industries,” Bowen said. 

“This demonstration plant is a glimpse of what could become a major new industry for places like Newcastle and the Hunter… This is about cutting emissions, creating new products, and building new clean industries, literally brick by brick.”

MCi Carbon said the technology can reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors by up to 90 per cent, depending on application, and positions decarbonisation as an investment opportunity rather than a compliance cost. It also said the global market for carbon-embedded construction materials could reach USD $1 trillion annually by 2050.

The company said Myrtle can process up to 2,500 tonnes of CO? per year and produce up to 10,000 tonnes of saleable materials, with outputs intended for use in existing manufacturing and construction supply chains. It said the platform is designed to scale to hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO? annually.

Industrial backing for the project includes founding investor Orica, along with international partners such as ITOCHU Corporation, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, and Mitsubishi UBE Cement Corporation. MCi Carbon’s first commercial customer is RHI Magnesita, which has invested in the technology and is targeting a commercial plant by 2030.

MCi Carbon chief operating officer Sophia Hamblin Wang said the facility demonstrates that carbon can be turned into a manufacturing input.

“We’ve spent more than a decade proving that carbon dioxide doesn’t have to be a problem, it can be a building block,” Ms Hamblin Wang said. “This isn’t a climate technology that needs a carbon price to work. The business model stands on its own.”

She said early trials of materials produced at Myrtle have already been tested in concrete applications with Australian industry partners, including Boral, in research programs involving Transport for NSW and the University of Technology Sydney.

MCi Carbon said mineral carbonation permanently locks CO? into stable mineral compounds, producing no waste and requiring no long-term monitoring. The company said the technology is being positioned for deployment either directly at industrial sites or through centralised hub-and-spoke facilities.

The company estimates the facility could support up to 50 skilled jobs at full operation and said the broader platform could create new roles across manufacturing, cement, steel and chemicals sectors as they transition.

MCi Carbon said the Myrtle project has also received more than AUD $40 million in government support across federal and New South Wales programs.

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A major expansion of advanced manufacturing at Siemens’ Yatala facility is expected to generate a $300 million export pipeline, according to the Crisafulli Government, which says the development reflects renewed business confidence in Queensland and its manufacturing sector.

The government says the expansion follows recent discussions with Siemens focused on advanced manufacturing capability, export growth and innovation opportunities in global markets. 

It states the project will significantly scale up production capacity at the Yatala site and strengthen Queensland’s role in international supply chains.

Under the expansion, the facility will almost quadruple in size from 1,400 square metres to 5,500 square metres, double its workforce over the next decade and support more than $300 million in additional exports, according to the government announcement.

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the project demonstrated Queensland’s capacity to develop and export high-value manufactured products.

“Confidence matters. When businesses know Queensland is open for business, they invest, they hire and they export,” Bates said.

“This is exactly the environment the Crisafulli Government is creating, where confidence can build, investment can land and Queensland-made ideas can compete globally.

“This is the Queensland of Opportunity in action.

“After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli LNP Government is restoring confidence, backing industry and delivering a stronger economy.”

The Yatala site manufactures the Fusesaver, a Queensland-developed device now exported to 35 countries and used to improve energy reliability, according to the government.

Siemens Australia & New Zealand chief executive Peter Halliday said the expansion reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability.

“It’s another chapter in our story and Australia’s story to create a positive impact on the world – right here from Queensland,” Halliday said.

“The Fusesaver story reflects the attitude we all love about our culture. Our people are smart and resourceful and through technology and innovation we can have a big impact on the world.”

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Solar Victoria has released its eighth Notice to Market ahead of its commencement on 1 July 2026, outlining updated requirements for participation in the Solar Homes Program and continuing efforts to support a safe and sustainable solar industry in Victoria, according to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

The department said the updated notice reinforces Solar Victoria’s regulatory approach through strict entry requirements for installers and retailers, supported by compliance measures and industry obligations aimed at maintaining safety, quality and consumer protections.

Previous versions of the Notice to Market introduced a range of measures, including safe working requirements for installers, enhanced eligibility checks, mandatory documentation, a ban on telemarketing and door-knocking, and requirements related to the integration of solar photovoltaic systems and batteries with the electricity grid.

According to the department, these measures have increased accountability across the sector, expanded compliance auditing and contributed to improvements in installation quality throughout the market.

The Solar Homes Program currently supports around 7,000 jobs, highlighting its role in both Victoria’s clean energy transition and the development of industry skills and employment opportunities. 

Earlier regulatory updates also strengthened product standards and retailer responsibilities, which the department said helped reduce poor industry practices and improve consistency among providers.

The department noted that the program is recognised as having the safest record for solar installations in Australia. Independent auditing found that the proportion of installations recorded as unsafe fell from 3.2 per cent in 2018–19 to an average of 0.2 per cent over the past 12 months.

According to the department, the reduction reflects the impact of the Solar Homes Assurance Framework in improving safety outcomes across the industry.

The eighth Notice to Market is intended to continue supporting safety, quality and integrity across the sector while delivering outcomes for households, industry participants and Victoria’s broader clean energy objective

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KONGSBERG Australia has marked a new step in sovereign defence manufacturing, with the first batch of Australian-made Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defence System command and control consoles exported to Europe under a NATO contract.

The delivery, which departed on 16 June 2026, forms part of a previously signed agreement between KONGSBERG and a NATO nation and highlights growing international demand for the NSM CDS platform.

In a news release, the company said the consoles were assembled, integrated and tested at KONGSBERG Australia’s facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia, using components and subsystems manufactured domestically by REDARC Defence & Space and QPE Advanced Machining in South Australia, and Eylex in New South Wales.

KONGSBERG Australia Managing Director John Fry said the export represented a significant achievement for the company’s local operations and its wider supply chain.

“This first export delivery is a proud moment for our Australian team and supply chain partners, and our Global Supply Chain Program, demonstrating that Australian industry can deliver complex, high-tech defence capability to international customers while supporting sovereign capability in Australia,” Fry said.

The NSM CDS command and control consoles are based on hardware currently used to support the Australian Army’s NASAMS air defence capability, reflecting what the company describes as continuity in design and manufacturing expertise across defence programs.

The NSM Coastal Defence System is a land-based maritime strike capability that has seen increasing international adoption. 

According to KONGSBERG, the system has been selected by Poland, the United States, Romania, Denmark and Latvia, and is in service or selected with navies including Norway, Germany, the United States, Australia, Spain, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

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Australia’s quantum manufacturing capability is set to expand following a $20 million investment by the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) in Sydney-based Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), a company specialising in atomic-scale semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing technologies.

The investment, announced by the NRFC, is aimed at supporting the growth of SQC’s proprietary Precision Atom Qubit Manufacturing (PAQMan) process, which the company describes as enabling the manufacture of quantum chips with atomic precision. 

According to the NRFC, the funding will help accelerate the development of next-generation atomic electronics and strengthen Australia’s domestic quantum industry.

The announcement comes as Australia seeks to build sovereign capabilities in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The Federal Government’s National Quantum Strategy estimates the country’s quantum industry could be worth $6 billion and support 19,400 jobs by 2045.

Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres said the investment would support the commercialisation of Australian-developed technology.

“This investment backs Australian ingenuity and ensures world-leading quantum technologies are designed, built, and commercialised here at home,” Ayres said.

“Developed in Australia over 25 years, SQC’s world-leading technology shows what a Future Made in Australia looks like in practice, turning Australian research into Australian manufacturing, delivering sovereign semiconductor and quantum capability, highly skilled jobs, and global opportunity.”

Founded in 2017 at the University of New South Wales by Professor Michelle Simmons AC, SQC is one of a small number of companies globally pursuing commercial-scale quantum computing. The company is also among 11 organisations worldwide to reach stage B of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.

According to the NRFC, SQC’s in-house manufacturing capability allows it to design, produce and test new quantum chips in less than a week, supporting rapid development of its quantum computing technology. The company currently offers two commercial products, Watermelon, a quantum machine learning system, and Quantum Twins, a quantum simulation platform.

NRFC chief executive David Gall said the investment aligned with the organisation’s objective of supporting advanced manufacturing and Australian innovation.

“Silicon Quantum Computing is a leader in the field of silicon-based quantum computing, and we are proud to be investing in a company that creates highly skilled jobs, commercialises Australian innovation, and helps to build our sovereign quantum capability,” Gall said.

“Australia leads the world in quantum computing, and SQC’s in-house manufacturing allows the company to iterate significantly faster, and with greater accuracy, than its competitors.”

SQC employs more than 100 people in Sydney and said the investment is expected to support additional jobs in areas including quantum engineering, chip design, hardware engineering and sales.

SQC founder and chief executive Michelle Simmons said the funding would help accelerate the company’s long-term objectives.

“From day one, SQC’s mission has been clear: To build the world’s first commercial-scale quantum computer in silicon, right here in Australia,” Simmons said.

“Our globally unique manufacturing capability gives us a decisive advantage in the global race, and NRFC’s investment allows us to accelerate that mission.”

The NRFC said the investment forms part of a broader funding round involving existing investors including Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, the University of New South Wales, the NSW Government and the Australian Government.

On 11 June 2026, the NRFC also announced an additional $40 million investment in SQC to support the development and expansion of the company’s quantum chip manufacturing capability.

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The Victorian Government has announced $3.5 million in support for nine pre-accelerator programs aimed at strengthening the state’s pipeline of AI and deeptech startups, in a move it says will help early-stage founders develop and commercialise new technologies.

The funding, announced at the Victorian Startup Gala, will be distributed across Boab AI, Boson Ventures, Cicada Innovations, CoLabs Australia, HEX, Illume Ventures, Jumpstart Studio, MedTech Actuator and RMIT (DiscoveryHUB). 

Each recipient will receive up to $400,000 to deliver programs designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in testing concepts, building capability, connecting with customers and progressing towards commercialisation.

Among the funded initiatives is VICTOR:AI, an eight-week pre-accelerator that will provide AI-native startups with access to AI tools, co-working space and milestone-based grants. Another program, delivered by Cicada Innovations, will support up to 45 Victorian deeptech startups to prepare for market entry and attract investment.

According to the Victorian Government, the investment is intended to help new founders establish businesses in fast-growing technology sectors, including artificial intelligence and deeptech, which are seen as key areas of innovation and economic development.

The government said Victoria’s startup ecosystem has expanded significantly over the past decade, growing almost 20-fold to more than 4,400 startups, scaleups and unicorns with a combined valuation of $139 billion. 

It also noted that Melbourne currently ranks third globally for startup creation rate, ahead of cities including Sydney, Singapore and Berlin.

The announcement comes as the state’s innovation system undergoes structural changes, with Innovation Victoria set to bring together LaunchVic and Breakthrough Victoria into a single entity. 

The government said the consolidated body will act as a “single front door” for innovators, supporting them to start, scale and succeed.

The Victorian Government said the continued investment reflects the role of the startup and innovation ecosystem in supporting jobs, attracting investment and developing high-value industries across the state.

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A new RMIT study suggests a high-power ultrasound process could offer food manufacturers a way to extract protein from discarded cauliflower leaves, pointing to potential value in vegetable waste streams.

In a news release, the university stated the early-stage research indicates that ultrasound-assisted extraction can improve protein recovery from cauliflower leaves, a by-product that is often discarded despite containing protein and dietary fibre. 

The findings suggest the resulting leaf protein concentrate could have future applications in food and animal feed, with implications for manufacturers looking to utilise agricultural by-products.

Lead researcher Professor Asgar Farahnaky from RMIT’s School of Science said the team tested cauliflower leaves sourced from a commercial farm in western Melbourne to examine how processing methods affected protein recovery.

“We found that ultrasound improved protein recovery from the leaves,” Farahnaky said.

“Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to disrupt plant cell walls and help release protein from the leaves.”

He said there was increasing interest in alternative protein sources, noting that using existing waste streams could support demand without requiring additional production.

“There is growing interest in alternative protein sources, and using existing waste streams could be a practical way to meet that demand without requiring additional production,” he said.

The study also found that different processing conditions influenced the physical properties of the resulting protein concentrate, including particle size, colour, solubility and structure. Researchers said further work would be needed to assess scalability, energy efficiency and sensory performance in potential food applications.

Study lead author and RMIT PhD candidate Kinjal Furia said the research focused on improving the value of materials already present in the food system.

“If we can use food waste streams more effectively, we can reduce environmental impacts while responding to growing interest in alternative protein sources,” Furia said.

The researchers noted support from Harvest Moon, which supplied cauliflower leaves, and The Leaf Protein Co., which provided in-kind contributions.

The study, titled Sustainable leaf protein concentrate from cauliflower leaves via ultrasonication-assisted extraction and sieve filtration, is published in Food and Bioprocess Technology (DOI: 10.1007/s11947-026-04225-0).

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Manufacturing-focused recycling technology company RESIN8 has unveiled a process that it says can convert hard-to-recycle plastics into construction-grade materials designed to remain recyclable at the end of their life, as Australia’s national soft plastics recycling scheme resumes operations.

The announcement comes as Sustainable Concrete Group (SCG), backed by Young Rich Lister Oscar Ledlin, and Transmutation Pty Ltd acquired a majority stake in RESIN8, marking SCG’s second acquisition in the circular recycling sector this year.

According to RESIN8, its patented technology converts mixed soft and hard plastics, as well as e-waste-derived plastics, into a hybrid mineral-polymer material that can be used as an alternative aggregate in concrete and asphalt manufacturing. 

The company said the process changes the behaviour of plastic resins by encapsulating them within a mineral structure, allowing the resulting material to be recycled again after use rather than being sent to landfill.

The company said conventional uses of end-of-life plastics in roads and concrete products can limit future recycling opportunities because the materials are considered contaminated once demolished or excavated. 

RESIN8 said its approach aims to avoid that outcome by creating an aggregate that no longer behaves like plastic.

The technology currently has the capacity to process 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, with potential to scale to 50,000 tonnes as Australia’s soft plastics recycling infrastructure expands.

RESIN8 said its product can accept mixed plastic waste streams across resin types one to seven and can replace between 2 and 20 per cent of aggregate in structural concrete, and up to 50 per cent in non-structural applications. 

The company also said the material is lighter than traditional aggregate and can contribute to lower transport emissions while improving thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

SCG Co-Founder Oscar Ledlin said the acquisition aligns with the group’s strategy of developing a circular construction materials ecosystem.

“Currently less than 20 per cent of Australia’s plastic waste is recycled. This figure is simply unsustainable,” Ledlin said.

“The construction industry is one of the largest industries driving the GDP and we have the means and the capacity to meaningfully move the dial to ensure more of our waste is recycled appropriately.”

Ledlin said RESIN8 provides an alternative pathway for plastics and other materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

“Currently businesses and recycling outfits are paying to send their hard-to-recycling plastics and glass to landfill. Sustainable Concrete Group and now RESIN8 offer a more sustainable alternative that can recycle and re-use these products in large volumes,” he said.

“RESIN8 is used in concrete and asphalt projects as a direct replacement for extracted quarry materials, closing the loop on hard-to-recycle plastics by turning them into essential construction inputs.”

He added that the technology was designed to prevent pathways to microplastic and leachate production while enabling repeated recycling of the resulting aggregate.

“This acquisition forms a critical pillar in SCG’s strategy to build a fully circular construction materials platform, combining recycled sand, low-carbon additives and now plastic-derived aggregates to accelerate the transition to greener infrastructure,” Ledlin said.

RESIN8 was established in 2023 by the Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP) in partnership with CRDC Circular Solutions. ANZRP collects around 4,500 tonnes of plastic annually from e-waste streams, which RESIN8 uses alongside soft plastics in its manufacturing process.

Under the acquisition, Transmutation Pty Ltd and Sustainable Concrete Group will operate the business as a joint venture known as SCG Transmutation Pty Ltd.

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Food manufacturing professionals will have access to expanded networking opportunities at foodpro 2026, with the event placing a strong emphasis on industry connection across its four-day programme in Melbourne, according to foodpro.

foodpro 2026 will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 26–29 July, with free attendance for industry professionals and an expected turnout of more than 9,000 participants. 

The event is positioned as a major meeting point for the food and beverage manufacturing sector, bringing together suppliers, manufacturers and industry organisations.

A key feature is the Industry Connect Evening on 26 July at Melbourne Public, which will provide exhibitors and visitors with an informal setting to network over drinks and canapés ahead of the exhibition’s opening. foodpro said the session is intended to support early-stage conversations and relationship-building among attendees.

On the exhibition floor, the Business Lounge, sponsored by Ashling x UiPath, will provide a dedicated space for scheduled meetings and business discussions. The area will include lounge seating, meeting tables and a charge bar, aimed at facilitating supplier engagement and follow-up conversations during the event.

foodpro also highlighted the role of the Industry Hub, which will bring together industry associations and media partners including the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Australian Institute of Packaging, Food and Drink Business, and PKN News. 

The hub is designed to provide access to regulatory guidance, advocacy resources and professional development information.

According to foodpro, the combined networking elements reflect the broader value of trade events for food manufacturing professionals, where business outcomes are often driven by conversations and connections made alongside the exhibition itself.

Registration for foodpro 2026 is open to industry professionals via www.foodproexpo.com.

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Australian manufacturers and other industrial energy users are among those examining pneumatic air spring actuation technologies as businesses seek to increase solar energy generation and reduce operating costs, according to Air Springs Supply.

In a news release, the company said Australia’s transition towards renewable energy is creating growing interest in solar tracking systems that enable panels to follow the sun throughout the day, potentially increasing energy output by 30 to 40 per cent compared with fixed-panel installations.

Citing figures from the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, Air Springs Supply noted Australia is on track to source 82 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030, supported by continued investment in solar, wind and battery technologies.

According to the company, manufacturers, food and beverage producers, primary processors, logistics operators and commercial building owners are among the businesses adopting solar energy to help reduce power costs.

Research referenced by Air Springs Supply from the ScienceDirect industrial research platform identified pneumatic actuators as a potential alternative to geared motors and hydraulic systems for solar tracking applications. The research highlighted benefits including lower maintenance requirements, reliability, dual-axis tracking capability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions.

A ScienceDirect case study cited by the company found pneumatic actuators suitable for rugged environments, using compressed air to maintain solar panel positioning.

Vinh Lam, Technical Products Manager at Air Springs Supply, said findings from international studies were relevant to Australian conditions.

“All of the advantages that engineers are finding in international studies apply very strongly in Australia,” Lam said.

“Air spring actuators are well suited to a wide range of urban and rural solar actuation applications, and especially well-suited to rugged isolated conditions, such as mines and outback solar farms, or to rooftop applications, where users prize maintenance-free durability and long service life.”

Air Springs Supply, which distributes Firestone Airide Actuators in Australia, said the systems can provide between 40kg and 40,000kg of force, offer strokes of up to 350mm, and operate using standard compressed air systems commonly found in industrial facilities.

The company said the actuators can move through an arc of up to 30 degrees without requiring a mechanical clevis, reducing system complexity and wear points. It added that the absence of pistons, rods and seals can contribute to lower maintenance requirements and longer service life in demanding environments.

Lam said cost was another factor driving interest in the technology.

“The initial cost of air spring actuation can be half that of conventional pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders with similar force capabilities, and they are far simpler too than electric actuation and highly tolerant of adverse operational conditions,” he said.

While highlighting the technology’s advantages, Lam noted that no single solution is suitable for every application.

“Naturally no single technology is universally ideal for all applications, but air springs have so much to recommend them for urban and rural solar that they certainly merit the engineering attention they are receiving as Australia advances into the solar era,” he said.

Air Springs Supply said it has more than 50 years of experience supplying air spring technologies for industrial actuation and isolation applications across Australia.

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