China has moved to curb supply of critical minerals. Can Australia seize the moment?
Marina Yue Chang, Associate Professor, Technology and Innovation, University of Technology Sydney. In the escalating trade war between the United States and China, one notable exception stood out: 31 critical minerals, including rare earth elements, were strategically exempted from tariffs. This was not a gesture of goodwill. It was a tacit acknowledgment of the […]
Sandvik Coromant to make debut at Australian Manufacturing Week
For the first time, metal cutting and manufacturing solutions expert Sandvik Coromant will be present at Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW). Taking place May 6 to 9, 2025 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MCEC), Sandvik Coromant will join its software partners, Vericut and Mastercam, to provide an advisory service […]
Q&A: What’s in store for Australian manufacturers for the rest of 2025?
By Matthew Addley, Senior Director, Product and Industry Market Strategy at Infor Outlook for the Australian manufacturing sector for the rest of 2025 It has been a tumultuous first quarter for the manufacturing sector, as trade policies and tariffs have driven up raw material and component costs, creating a ripple […]
Manufacturing’s strong networking presence
New data names manufacturing the leading industry for networking averaging 110.2 connections per business. Manufacturing’s strong networking presence aims to develop strong supplier relationships, garner efficient logistics, and build B2B partnerships – making networking essential for growth. With networking picking up pace – which industries are the best at it? […]
AI hype cycle meets reality for construction industry
Study of 460 Australian Design and Make companies reveals AECO, D&M, and M&E sectors continue to grapple with challenges including cost control, talent shortages and environmental sustainability. A new report from Autodesk, Inc. reveals a shift in AI optimism and preparedness, as well as lingering concerns over cost control in […]
iMOVE CRC launches $2m impact fund for Australian companies & universities
iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is doubling down on its mission to deliver impactful transport innovation for Australia, with the launch of a $2 million second round of its highly successful Impact Extension Program (IEP). The fund is now also open to universities. The IEP2 initiative aims to identify and […]
From gap year to great career: Manufacturing sector offers opportunities for school leavers
As school leavers weigh their next move, champions of Hunter industry are encouraging gap year students to consider a future in manufacturing – an industry at the heart of Australia’s energy transition, defence capability and economic growth. Hunter Manufacturing Awards Chair Jacqui Daley says the Hunter is manufacturing heartland and […]
Statement on the Coalition’s Frontier Economics gas policy modelling
Attributable to Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch The Frontier Economics modelling of the Coalition’s gas price controls policy leaves many unanswered questions about how the policy would work and reaffirms industry’s fundamental concerns. The policy would introduce price controls in the east coast gas market and would be […]
CIC and Jinko Solar to jointly develop a 10GW green hydrogen blueprint
Climate Impact Corporation (“CIC”) has a Memorandum of Understanding with Jinko Solar, a significant step in CIC’s development of an end-to-end renewable hydrogen supply chain. The two parties will engage in deep cooperation in areas such as PV module production and supply, equipment technology synergy, and more, to jointly promote […]
Coghlan revolutionises warehouse operations
Coghlan, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, has revolutionised its warehouse operations by implementing Dematic’s ColbyRACK high-density storage and mezzanine solution. Designed and installed by Colby Storage Solutions distributor, Storage Ideas, the innovative setup has boosted storage capacity, optimised workflows, and cut operational costs, all without requiring a larger facility […]
Federal Budget steady for STEM: Tech Academy awaits next steps
Investments in Australian innovation are a must to help the nation become a key global player in research and development. The Federal Budget picks a welcome winner in green metals, leveraging Australia’s abundant, cheap renewable energy to produce the metals of the future. The green metals industry is a leading […]
Two ransomware incidents highlight how attackers target security blind spots
By Barracuda Networks IT security teams are bombarded daily if not hourly with security alerts and events. They need to cut through the noise to piece together the puzzle of potential threats and anomalous or suspicious activity to decide whether they are looking at legitimate actions or intruders with malicious […]
China has moved to curb supply of critical minerals. Can Australia seize the moment?
Marina Yue Chang, Associate Professor, Technology and Innovation, University of Technology Sydney. In the escalating trade war between the United States and China, one notable exception stood out: 31 critical minerals, including rare earth elements, were strategically exempted from tariffs. This was not a gesture of goodwill. It was a tacit acknowledgment of the United States’ deep dependence on China for materials essential to its technological competitiveness, clean energy transition and national defence. Beijing’s response was swift and calculated. China’s Ministry of Commerce announced expanded export controls and a shift in pricing principles. The move reflects China’s long-standing effort to shift rare earth pricing from market supply and demand to pricing based on their strategic value. The impact was immediate. Rare earth exports from China effectively ground to a halt, as exporters awaited approvals under a new, opaque licensing regime. The announcement prompted President Trump to issue a new executive order directing a review of national security risks stemming from the US reliance on imported, processed critical minerals. As global supply chains reel from these disruptions, Australia finds itself in a unique strategic position. As a trusted US ally, it possesses the resources, partnerships and political capital to step into the breach. But can Australia seize this opportunity – or will it come with strings attached? China’s new playbook China’s latest restrictions target seven rare earths – such as dysprosium and terbium – crucial for electric vehicles, wind turbines, fighter jets and missile systems. While stopping short of a full export ban, the policy functions as a chokepoint. It leverages China’s near-total global control of rare earth refining (around 90%) and its monopoly on heavy rare earth processing (98%). Domestically, China’s rare earth sector is dominated by two state-owned giants which together control nearly 100% of national mining quotas. These measures have exposed the vulnerability of Western supply chains. The US has only one operational rare earth mine […]