Australian businesses can learn about circularity from Europe’s new product eco-design rules
Ross Thompson, Greenbox In the face of climate change, governments and businesses are either pushing or being inevitably pulled to reset their strategies, practices and systems from linear to circular. Legislation and regulations, along with certifications, are a key lever for this mega trend. Mandatory climate-related financial disclosure for big […]
Ed Husic launches Propel-AIR: Australia’s First Robotics Sprint
Australia’s Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, has launched Australia’s first-ever AI and Robotics Sprint, ‘Propel-AIR’ in Brisbane. Designed to fast-track innovation and empower Australian startups, businesses, researchers, and entrepreneurs, the Propel-AIR Initiative is part of the ARM Hub AI Adopt Centre programs and is focused on developing […]
Geely announces parts logistics partnership with DB Schenker
End-to-end service will offer Australian drivers peace of mind that Geely Genuine Parts will be readily available without the need to wait for lengthy importing processes. Geely plans to launch its new EX5 to the Australian market in 2025. It has appointed DB Schenker to handle end-to-end contract logistics […]
Student architecture exhibition challenges the boundaries of our skyline and imagination
Student architects from Western Sydney University have hosted their second consecutive end of year exhibition highlighting innovative and creative works by talented students within the University’s Architecture program. The exhibition, titled ‘Beyond the Horizon’, challenged the current architectural landscape and skyline of Sydney by offering new insights and re-imagining urban […]
Accelerate new gas projects to fuel WA’s economy
Industry efforts in Western Australia to boost gas supply have eased concerns around potential shortfalls, but fast-tracking new gas projects remains critical to ensure reliable energy for the state’s households and industry. The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) 2024 Western Australian Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) today confirmed the state’s gas industry […]
Roadmap recognises economic opportunities from offshore decommissioning
Australian Energy Producers welcome the Australian Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap released today, which recognises the importance of “Australia’s strong and successful gas sector” as it embarks on a major scope of decommissioning works over the next decade. The Roadmap outlines a number of actions aimed at positioning Australia as […]
Terria bites into billion-dollar geospatial tech market
Geospatial tech startup Terria has spun out of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, after successfully closing a seed investment round with Australian deep tech investment fund, Main Sequence. Terria organises and visualises the world’s spatial data, across thousands of mapping and information layers, to make it accessible and useful for […]
Improving processes and enhancing efficiencies in manufacturing
James Robinson, Head of Services for Asia Pacific at Syspro. In today’s global manufacturing market, competition is intense. International supply chains, shifting consumer demands and rapid technological advances force manufacturers to adapt swiftly or risk falling behind. For Australasian manufacturers, these challenges are magnified by geographical distance from key […]
Unlock the full potential of AI with IRIS by Argon & Co’s AI Enterprise Platform, Magi
IRIS are the specialists within Argon & Co that have deep expertise in data and AI for operations. With services spanning data and AI advisory, advanced operations analytics and AI applications, underpinned by our innovation lab, we work together with clients to generate real change. Harnessing the power of AI […]
SYSPRO extends global footprint aquiring NexSys
SYSPRO, a leading global software provider for the manufacturing and distribution industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire long-standing partner, NexSys, a specialist provider of digital manufacturing and distribution software in the UK, and part of Alternative Investment Market (AIM) listed K3 Business Technology Group Plc. The carve-out […]
Strategic examination of research and development an opportunity for national growth
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) welcomes the federal government’s strategic examination of Australia’s severely underfunded research and development (R&D) sector. Australia is lagging behind our international competitors. Germany, Japan and the United States all spend more than 3% of their GDP on R&D each year. […]
Tech Council welcomes Federal Government’s review of Australia’s R&D system
The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s strategic review of research and development (R&D) in Australia, which will examine how it can bolster productivity and economic growth. Minister for Industry and Science the Hon Ed Husic MP has announced that Tech Council Board Chair Robyn […]
Australian businesses can learn about circularity from Europe’s new product eco-design rules
Ross Thompson, Greenbox In the face of climate change, governments and businesses are either pushing or being inevitably pulled to reset their strategies, practices and systems from linear to circular. Legislation and regulations, along with certifications, are a key lever for this mega trend. Mandatory climate-related financial disclosure for big business in Australia and other jurisdictions are just the start of changing times. Keeping household and business products and materials in use is one part of the circular picture, and countries at the forefront of circularity are creating regulatory frameworks that design waste and pollution out of the system. Europe is at the leading edge of this seismic shift. The region provides an indication of what Australian companies might expect ahead and indeed will soon be impacted by when exporting. Let’s consider some notable features and implications of Europe’s new product eco-design rules, which came into force in July 2024: Sustainable products becoming the rule, not the exception The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations (ESPR) are a framework for setting ecodesign requirements on specific product groups (almost all physical products) – implemented gradually over time based on prioritisation. Priority products range from steel and textiles to tyres, detergents and ICT products and other electronics. These rules will be developed based on scientific evidence, economic analysis and stakeholder consultation. The aim is to improve circularity, energy performance and other sustainability aspects of products placed on the EU market. This regulation brings in rules for a broader range of products and more expansive rules as appropriate. Towards a circular economy, it’s about better durability, reusability, upgradability, reparability, recycling, resource efficiency, carbon footprint and information transparency. Scanning products for sustainability, stop destroying unsold products, and ‘Green Public Procurement’ Novel measures in the ESPR are a ‘Digital Product Passport’, rules to address the destruction […]