December 2024

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 […]

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 local talent across AI and robotics. “We need to build more skills and we need to build them here, and so having Propel-AIR and a program like that is why it’s a big deal,” said Minister Husic on Thursday December 12th to the ARM Hub audience. “The biggest thing we can do is we can make countries look at us and say what are the Australians doing? We make the world’s head turn towards Australia and you will all make it happen.” ARM Hub is Australia’s leading AI, robotics and design-for-manufacture industry hub. It is leading one of the Australian Government’s AI Adopt Centres. The goal of the program is to fast-track Australian robotics innovators developing essential solutions across multiple industries. ARM Hub CEO Dr Cori Stewart says it will also connect Australian robotics leaders internationally: “Propel AIR will support us to build a hard-wired connection to the world centre of Hardware Tech in Boston,” says Dr. Stewart. “Boston has borne many high-tech startups such as Boston Dynamics, Markforged, BAE Systems and more, and I look forward to announcing the Australian businesses that we launch and grow together.” Applications open in January and the top ten finalists will be announced in June. The winning team will travel to Boton’s MassRobotics for a month’s residency and participate in scheduled visits to key companies and institutions within the Boston tech community. Interested parties can register here for updates and more details.

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 for spare parts and EV battery storage. A seamless ownership experience is considered critical to Australian consumers when deciding to purchase a car, a value shared by leading global automotive manufacturer Geely Auto. Finding a partner that could offer an end-to-end supply chain solution was essential as the company prepares for the launch of the Geely EX5, its first model in Australia in first half 2025. To fulfil this requirement, Geely appointed global supply chain provider DB Schenker as the brand’s Australian parts third-party logistics (3PL) partner. The scope of the contract includes stock and storage management, importation and customs clearance of all parts, and detailed local logistics to service authorised dealers and assure service customers with agility Australia-wide. The parts supply chain is a key component of an extensive, superior customer service experience program Geely is developing for its debut in Australia, with the area being led by experienced executive Kieren Gradidge, Geely’s Aftersales Director. Li Lei, Head of Geely Auto Australia, says, “Customer satisfaction is a key driver for Geely at a group level. We have a legacy of high-quality service that filters through all our brands, and Geely Auto is excited to bring this superior experience to the Australian market. The partnership with DB Schenker will provide our customers with the confidence that any parts required will be readily available without the need to wait for lengthy importing processes to enjoy the cars they have chosen. Another important aspect for us was to ensure we are selecting […]

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 landscapes for the future of Western Sydney. Supported by Western Sydney University’s School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, and organised by student led organisation, Beyond Architecture WSU, the exhibition was attended by industry experts, academia, and representatives from Blacktown and Cumberland City Councils. President of the Beyond Architecture team, Mary Anne Yosef said the exhibition featured a range of projects designed by architectural students throughout the year. “Beyond the Horizon is a wonderful opportunity to witness the creativity and passion of the next generation of architects,” said Mary Anne. “The conceptual designs and models reflect our students’ exploration of new and creative approaches to design. I am both proud of and deeply grateful to our amazing Beyond Architecture team and our tutors for coming together to bring this remarkable exhibition to life.” Maters of Architecture student and Vice President of Beyond Architecture, Amanda Eessa’s project, titled ‘Cultural Landscapes: Migration’s Influence on the Architectural Identity of Western Sydney’ investigates the dynamic relationship between migration and architecture in Western Sydney. Aiming to inform on how migration influences design practices and architecture, Amanda’s work has identified a gap in contemporary research regarding the unique architectural identity of Western Sydney, specifically, the influence of diverse migration patterns on creating cultural hubs. “By utilising a mixed-method approach, the research offers an analysis on Western Sydney’s cultural community hubs and micro-neighbourhood infrastructure, and significant cultural practices that can inform how future architects design for diverse households,” said Amanda. Bachelor of Architecture student, Raymond Haroon’s project, titled ‘Parramatta Arcade’, is a re-imagined […]

Caroline Cherry is the WA Director of the Australian Energy Producers.

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 has led an improved near-term gas supply outlook compared to last year, with sufficient supply forecast through to 2027. “The GSOO confirms the industry has stepped up to provide more gas to the WA domestic market,” Australian Energy Producers WA Director Caroline Cherry said. “However, a forecast increase in WA’s gas consumption from 2027 reinforces the need for more investment in new gas supply. “The GSOO forecasts a risk of annual supply gaps that will require new sources of supply from 2030 onwards as a result of increased demand from industrial and commercial users coinciding with depletion of existing gas fields.” Ms Cherry said additional gas supply was critical to growing WA’s mining and manufacturing industries and to continue to provide reliable and affordable electricity, with gas generating 60 per cent of WA’s power. “Getting the state’s energy policy right to incentivise investment in exploration and project development will be key to securing WA’s long-term energy needs,” Ms Cherry said. “The GSOO identifies fast-tracking proposed projects and new gas fields as an action to eliminate the risk of a supply shortfall before 2030.” AEMO reinforced “These gas fields could be developed as separate or expansion projects to take advantage of the LNG export incentive under the updated Western Australian Domestic Gas Policy”. “The industry looks forward to continuing to work with the WA Government to unlock new supply and ensure affordable and reliable energy for WA homes and businesses,” Ms Cherry said.

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 a leading jurisdiction for the decommissioning of offshore energy infrastructure, backed by industry’s world-class skills and expertise. Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the Roadmap recognised the significant economic and employment benefits associated with the industry’s investment in offshore decommissioning. “For decades, these offshore oil and gas facilities have delivered energy security and substantial economic benefits for all Australians, and this next wave of investment in decommissioning will extend that economic contribution,” Ms McCulloch said. “The Roadmap acknowledges the need for a skilled workforce, clear and efficient regulations and improved collaboration across jurisdictions to maximise economic and environmental outcomes.” Ms McCulloch said Australia can benefit from the experience of the United Kingdom and Norway in developing international best practice environment and safety standards as well as financial assurance frameworks. “Regulations that provide clarity and certainty for industry are essential, including addressing the current ambiguity on consultation requirements that is delaying decommissioning activities as well as urgently needed new gas supply projects,” Ms McCulloch said.

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 everyone. It simplifies the complex process of creating digital twins, or online virtual replicas of buildings, cities, regions and countries to enable modelling and investigation of ‘what-if’ scenarios. The seed funding will help support Terria’s global ambitions for its products, which can assist with planning and managing the cities of the future, the energy transition and environmental monitoring. Professor Elanor Huntington, CSIRO’s Digital, National Facilities and Collections Executive Director, said the national science agency was proud to have incubated Australia’s newest tech start-up. “It is very exciting to watch research turn into technology with real-world impact, and in this case, to form the foundation of a new stand-alone company,” Professor Huntington said. “CSIRO exists to foster Australian innovation and to help take that innovation out into the world. “We are extremely proud of the Terria team – geospatial visualisation makes the enormous amount of global data understandable and accessible for everyone.” Two former CSIRO employees will lead Terria: Ana Belgun, Terria Chief Executive Officer and Product Lead, and Amber Standley, Chief Experience Officer. “Terria started in 2014, when the first open-data, open-source Australian Government platforms were created to help any organisation or individual to access and visualise spatial data,” Ms Belgun said. “Since then, millions of users have accessed over 15,000 datasets on Terria mapping platforms. “In this next phase we will scale the positive impact we have created so far for Australian companies and government agencies and take these advanced tools global to enable the creation and management of […]

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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 international markets and higher labour and production costs, demanding a relentless focus on agility and efficiency. Navigating global market dynamics Australasian manufacturing sectors operate within a complex, rapidly evolving global economy. Supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions and fluctuating commodity prices continue to reshape the industry. According to BHP’s latest economic outlook, major economies are experiencing varying growth rates. Developed economies are stabilising after grappling with high interest rates, while India remains on a rapid growth path. Meanwhile, China’s uneven recovery underscores ongoing challenges within its industrial sectors, though it is expected to meet 2024 growth targets. Geopolitical risks are expected to remain elevated, adding uncertainty to global trade. Industrial activity in 2023 remained sluggish due to subdued global demand and the lasting impacts of the energy crisis. However, BHP projects a recovery in demand for key commodities like steel, copper and nickel by 2025, presenting growth opportunities for Australian manufacturers aligned with these sectors. For local manufacturers, this volatile landscape brings both challenges and opportunities. Higher interest rates continue to suppress domestic demand, but the recovery in commodity markets offers a chance to supply essential components to industries such as construction, transport and energy production. Enhancing agility with ERP In considering the shifting market challenges, Australian manufacturers must adopt flexible, data-driven operational strategies to capitalise on opportunities. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems can help manufacturers respond effectively to shifts in demand by improving processes and enhancing efficiencies to remain competitive. ERP systems help manufacturers integrate essential processes, including procurement, production, […]

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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 is no longer just an advantage, it’s a necessity for businesses looking to stay ahead. At IRIS by Argon & Co, transforming how businesses deploy and manage AI with the AI Enterprise Platform, Magi – is a fully secure, global platform designed to meet the unique demands of enterprise AI solutions. The IRIS platform enables organisations to adopt cutting-edge AI solutions seamlessly, without the disruption and high costs traditionally associated with advanced technology. The platform ensures that your AI solutions remain efficient, scalable, and aligned with your business objectives by offering managed services such as model monitoring and tuning, financial operations, metering, reporting, and MLOps. Whether hosted in your secure environment or delivered as a SaaS-like service, the AI Enterprise Platform supports regional data security and management requirements, making it an ideal solution for organisations with complex, global operations. With a growing suite of AI-based solutions available on the platform, businesses can unlock new opportunities to reduce costs, generate additional revenue, and achieve their business goals faster. Learn how the AI Enterprise Platform, Magi, can simplify your AI journey and accelerate your success: https://www.argonandco.com/en/news-insights/articles/video-demo-unlock-the-full-potential-of-ai-with-our-ai-enterprise-platform-magi/?utm_source=news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Magi_video&utm_id=MHDDigital&utm_content=Magi

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 acquisition of NexSys is a key milestone in SYSPRO’s strategy to expand its global footprint, strengthening its presence in the UK and extending its reach across Europe. The acquisition will also enable SYSPRO to expand its highly regarded digital manufacturing suite with new products and capabilities designed to meet the evolving needs of global customers. SYSPRO’s expanded digital manufacturing suite empowers midmarket manufacturing and distribution organisations to drive automation, visibility and traceability of their operations in a cloud, on-premise or hybrid environment, delivering best-of-benchmark efficiency and quality production processes. The announcement comes shortly after Advent, a leading global private equity investor, took ownership of SYSPRO in October. The acquisition marks the first major initiative under the new ownership, reflecting a bold strategic vision centered on growth through targeted investments. By leveraging Advent’s backing and SYSPRO’s deep industry expertise, the company will continue to expand its footprint, enhance its product offering, and deliver increased value to customers worldwide. The acquisition builds on a long and successful partnership between SYSPRO and NexSys, during which NexSys established itself as a trusted provider of digital solutions to manufacturing and distribution companies across the UK. This strong alignment in delivering excellence and driving customer success made the decision to join forces a natural progression. At the same time, SYSPRO remains committed to its value-added channel strategy, ensuring its partner ecosystem continues to thrive as a driver of growth and innovation globally. “NexSys has been a valued partner for many years, and we’re delighted to formally […]

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December 2024