Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Titomic announces sale of TKF metal 3D printing systems

3d printer manufacturer Titomic has announced the sale of cold spray additive manufacturing systems and associated equipment to Spanish technology centre Fundacion Centre Technologico Miranda de Ebro (CTME). The sale includes D633 medium-pressure and D523 low-pressure cold spray systems, a powder feeder and integrated spray booth equipped with an XYZ robot for precise manipulation of the spray head. CTME develops advanced manufacturing technologies for aerospace, defence and automotive sectors. Titomic Managing Director Herbert Koeck said: “By equipping CTME with Titomic’s advanced systems, we are enabling CTME to remain at the forefront of manufacturing innovation.”

Atomo’s significant sale of HIV self-tests

Diagnostic kit manufacturer Atomo Diagnostics has secured purchase orders from Viatris Healthcare for approximately $570,000 worth of HIV Self-Tests, manufactured by Atomo under the Mylan brand for supply to several Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The orders are for manufacture in the coming months. CEO and Managing Director John Kelly said: “We are delighted to see Viatris, our global health partner, continues to secure orders across LMIC markets. Recent growth in our global health markets mirrors anticipated growth here in Australia from emerging public health channels, and we are encouraged by the ongoing transition of diagnostic testing demand from healthcare facilities to self-test channels.”

DroneShield reports strong quarterly sales

Drone detection and countermeasures manufacturer DroneShield has reported 1Q24 revenues of $16.4 million, up 10 times compared to the previous corresponding period. The company, which reached its first $9.3 million profit after tax in 2023, reported a $27 million contracted backlog and pipeline of more than $519 million. The company now has a cash balance of $56.4 million. Following expansion of DroneShield’s Sydney facility and its supply chain network, the company’s manufacturing capacity is $400 million per annum.

Orthocell receives $3 million R&D tax refund

Tissue regeneration technology developer Orthocell has received a Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive refund of $3.05 million from the federal government for the 2022/2023 financial year. The refund follows a recent $3.5 million share placement from investors Chris Ellison, Rod Jones, Michael Malone, the McCusker Family and the Merchant Biotech Fund which strengthened the company’s share register. The Board was also strengthened with the appointment of Professor Fiona Wood and Kim Beazley. Chair John Van Der Wielan said: “Orthocell now holds $22.5 million in cash, has no debt and is free from any royalty payment obligations.”

GreenHy2 in capital raising

Hydrogen energy storage manufacturer GreenHy2 has announced a capital raising to raise $630,000 by way of a partially underwritten pro-rata non renounceable entitlement offer of one new share for every four ordinary shares held. The issue price is a 25 percent discount to the last closing price of shares on the ASX. Proceeds will be used to fund general working capital. GreenHy2 offers a proprietary system that stores hydrogen in a solid state, which the company says is extremely safe and stores at very high density.

New Chair for Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia

The peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) has a new independent Board Chair, Mark McKenzie (pictured). McKenzie has served on the Australian Government’s vocational education and training reform transition advisory group, which provided the framework for the ten new Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) responsible for workforce planning and qualifications development. McKenzie is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA).

Pure Hydrogen leases site for upcoming demo “micro-hub”

ASX-listed Pure Hydrogen has announced that it has signed a lease on a 4,000 square metre commercial site at Archerfield Airport, approximately 11 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, with the site planned for production and supply of green hydrogen to vehicle and aviation customers. According to a statement from the company on Tuesday, Archerfield is its first step towards developing “a number of ‘CAPEX light’ micro-hubs” that produce green hydrogen using via green electricity sourced from the grid. Managing Director Scott Brown said the site “will be Pure’s Demonstration H2 Micro-Hub and the template for planned future plants,” adding that “The first electrolyser is on order. Pure plans to use strategically located hydrogen micro-hubs that are close to customers and will assist in creating the ‘hydrogen highway’ as a domestic source of clean H2 fuel.”

ARDEX Australia appoints new Operations Director

Picture: Mark McKenzie, new Chair of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia