Staff Reporter
22 November 2024 11:38
SciDev enters European PFAS treatment market
Wastewater treatment company SciDev has entered the important European market for PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ treatment, securing its first commercial order in Europe. The contract with Swedish Hydro Solutions AB is for a containerised PFAS treatment system to remediate contaminated landfill site in Northeast Sweden. The initial value of the contract is $475,000 for the first phase of a potential multi-phase project. Upon proof of performance, the work could extend to a second phase.
Whiskey Project shows off new US headquarters
The Whiskey Project Group has released pictures of its expanded manufacturing footprint in the United States made up of a new US headquarters and manufacturing hub in Edenton, North Carolina (pictured). US and Australian expansion will create over 50 jobs and exemplifies the tactical defence boat builder’s dedication to strengthening the industrial base of the AUKUS partners, according to a statement. The company thanked outgoing President Biden for his support of the AUKUS pact and congratulated Donald Trump on his recent election win.
Forbidden Foods oat milk protein ranged in Woolworths
Plant based food manufacturer Forbidden Foods’ Oat Milk Protein brand coffee protein is now being stocked in 456 Woolworths supermarkets. OMG coffee protein is the third OMG variety to be ranged at Woolworths, and follows its recent ranging in Ampol Foodery locations and the launch of an ecommerce channel. October 2024 sales were up 44 percent on September. Forbidden Foods has also become a spnsor of professional netball team the Melbourne Mavericks.
Vitura joint venture acquires assets of Releaf Group
A joint venture of cannabis producer Vitura Health, Flora Holdings, has acquired the majority of the assets owned by medicinal cannabis company Releaf Group. In early November 2024, Releaf was placed into receivership and voluntary administration owing Vitura subsidiary Burleigh Heads Cannabis approximately $3.8 million. Vitura has paid $250,000 in cash and issued 5.8 million shares as part of the transaction.
Sustainable packaging business rebrands as MyEcoGroup
Sustainable packaging manufacturer MyEcoBag and its parent company SECOS Group have announced a rebrand to MyEco Group. This aims to better reflect the commitment to sustainability and innovation and comes after a period of rapid global growth, with a positive trajectory expected for 2025, according to a statement. MyEco Group, led by CEO Richard Tegoni, is best known for its compostable caddy liners, bin bags and shopping bags. Tegoni said: “We are here to develop and deliver eco-friendly innovations that make it easy for society to transition from harmful conventional packaging and products to high-quality sustainable alternatives that nurture the planet.”
GMG says new graphene product will boost energy storage in lithium batteries
Brisbane-based Graphene Manufacturing Group has announced the launch of its new Super G product, a graphene slurry which it says can be used to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. In a statement on Thursday, the company said its product “has the potential to reshape the future of energy storage” able to optimise “efficiency, power, and longevity.” Super G had been delivered over three years for GMG’s own Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery, and has graphene from GMG’s self-developed graphene production system, whic “is then processed through a number of steps in the co-located pilot plant and finally into a liquid graphene product”. It cited a recent study at Oxford University with key findings including 2.5 times lower mean ionic resistivity compared to standard graphite, “multimodal particle distribution (~20 µm large particles + sub-1 µm particles)” increasing energy density, and other attractive attributes versus conductivity carbon additives commonlky used in the battery industry.
Impact books R&D rebate
Impact Minerals told shareholders this week that it has received a rebate of $512,000 before costs from the Research and Development Tax Incentive scheme for the financial year ending June 2024. In a statement, the company said funds will be used to continue the pre-feasibility Study on its flagship Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project, which is scheduled for completion in Q1 2025., as well as an accelerated start of a recently-announced R&D project with CPC Engineering and Edith Cowan University to help build a pilot plant for the Lake Hope Project, which is also being backed by a $2.87 million CRC P programme grant.
Remondis acquires Specialty Services
Recycling and waste management company Remondis Australia announced on Wednesday that it completed the acquisition of Chinchilla-based Specialty Services Queensland at the beginning of the month. The acquired company — which offers services including potable water cartage, vacuum tankering, vacuum excavation and dust suppression — will be renamed Remondis Speciality Services and its team of 40 will be retained. REMONDIS Australia CEO Björn Becker said, “Specialty Services Queensland has an impeccable track record and is the perfect fit for our Australian regional expansion program. Such acquisitions provide a base upon which we can take operations to new levels and offer more to rural communities and specialised industries.”
Austrade, Asialink announce strategic partnership
Austrade and Asialink Business (hosted by the University of Melbourne) announced the signing of an MoU this week, a strategic partnership which the pair say will “leverage their combined expertise and networks to deliver comprehensive support to Australian businesses, particularly SMEs, looking to engage in Asia.” According to a statement, the partnership wikll include initiatives such as joint campaigns and events; targeted learning programs to upskill businesses and build a pipeline of Asia-ready exporters; and ecosystem collaboration. Austrade Acting CEO Daniel Boyer said, “We are focussed on helping Australian businesses build their knowledge and capability in key sectors across Asia, including in the digital and green economies, agrifood, consumer goods, and education. This partnership will help more businesses, faster, to understand the value and enormous opportunity of Asia, particularly in Southeast and South Asia, as Australia strengthens its economic ties with the region.”
NSW ups recycling capacity
An investment of $9.1 million in the last five years through the NSW Environmental Protection Authority has helped progress the state’s processing capacity by nearly 140,000 tonnes of additional material annually, according to the EPA. The funding through the NSW EPA’s Product Improvement Program “delivered a critical boost” and was an early response to China’s 2018 National Sword Policy, the authority said in a statement on Friday. NSW EPA CEO Tony Chappel added, “Material recovery facilities have improved the quality of recycled products, contamination rates have dropped up to 11 [per cent], and we’ve increased our capacity to process waste by almost 140,000 tonnes each year. This is a huge achievement, equivalent to 1,700 Olympic swimming pools.”
Bell Bay shipping infrastructure to get $15 million upgrade
A new ship loader at the Port of Bell Bay will improve Tasmania’s ability to export forestry products and strengthen its economic infrastructure, according to minister for infrastructure Kerry Vincent. “TasPorts’ new ship loader will replace equipment that has served us well since 1992, delivering advanced automation, increased capacity, and improved biosecurity measures,” said Vincent. “This investment… will ensure faster, more efficient loading of larger vessels now regularly visiting Bell Bay.” The $15 million project includes a new automatic chip sampler, replacing the current manual sampling process, enabling faster and more accurate analysis of wood chips. The project is expected to improve access for a variety of cargo. TasPorts will seek tenders for the project in the new year, with contracts to be awarded in August next year.
Picture: The Whiskey Project Group