Manufacturing

The state government must cut environmental approval times and rethink its new onshore export ban to make Mark McGowan's gas-powered manufacturing plans a reality, a report shows.

Austal suffered a sharp drop in revenue and underlying earnings in the year to June, on the back of a strengthening Australian dollar, COVID-19 and decreasing support work in the US.

David Singleton-led Austin Engineering will invest $6.5 million to improve its manufacturing facilities in Perth and Indonesia.

WA company Cannaponics has been given the all-clear to start construction of its medicinal cannabis manufacturing hub in Collie.

Marine technology manufacturer VEEM is expecting to post a 34 per cent jump in revenue in the past 12 months, to nearly $60 million.

Western Australia is set to gain more than 30 new electric vehicle charging stations, as part of a $25 million fund to assist in a nationwide rollout.

Christian Porter says he's taking the long view in his new portfolio, sharpening the focus of industry policy and hoping to improve research commercialisation.

Perth company Zella DC has secured federal government funding for half the cost of developing its next generation of micro data centres.

Perth manufacturer UON has scored a notable win in the long-running legal battle over the intellectual property for its submersible pumps.

Chemical manufacturer Coogee and infrastructure giant QUBE Holdings have secured grants from the federal government to develop diesel storage projects in Western Australia.

Former Austal boss David Singleton has been appointed managing director at Austin Engineering after acting in the position since June.

Fortescue Metals Group and Curtin University are part of a consortium to research low-carbon iron pellets, cement and alumina, which received $39 million from the federal government today.

An industry participation plan has been approved for a potential $500 million-plus expansion of CSBP's ammonia production in Kwinana, with Technip undertaking Feed work.

A $450 million potash development in northern WA and a $269 million alumina refinery planned for Kwinana have received major project status from the federal government.

Six WA businesses including IPI Packers, Blasta Brewing, Bonissimo Coffee Roasters and Veem have been offered $4.5 million in federal government grants to support manufacturing projects.

Malaga boot manufacturer Steel Blue has launched the world's first graphene enhanced work boot range, 18 months after signing a contract with First Graphene.

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal will develop autonomous fast transport functions through a second contract win this week with the US Navy.

The state government has opened the new Bellevue Metronet Railcar Facility, making good on its 2017 election commitment to bring railcar manufacturing back to WA.

Hybrid Systems Australia has signed a 10-year lease for a facility at Perth Airport to manufacture standalone power systems, and announced an acquisition.

Local shipbuilder Austal is submitting a proposal to design and build an amphibious vehicle for the Australian Army.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended that Covalent Lithium's planned lithium refinery at Kwinana - the third in WA - should proceed.

More than half of the world's single-use plastic is produced by fewer than two-dozen companies, according to new research published by the Minderoo Foundation.

Supply chain issues have been a feature of the COVID-19 global economy and have been disrupting business activity for some time, constraining business potential and operations.

BCG's Brikmakers has achieved a win in the state's Administrative Tribunal this week, after it overruled the refusal of the company's proposed clay extraction operation in Upper Swan.

Boral has encouraged shareholders to reject Seven Group's $8 billion takeover offer, saying the bid undervalues its target.

Vikas Rambal's planned $4.3 billion Burrup urea project has signed a big offtake deal, but will be waiting for Woodside's Scarborough LNG decision before proceeding further.

Tianqi Lithium has lodged $39 million with the state's courts after a stay on payments to contractor MSP Engineering was granted, as Tianqi awaits an appeal over a March ruling.

An offshore wind farm near Harvey and a green hydrogen pilot at Yara Pilbara have both taken steps toward environmental approval in recent days.

Perth-based design consultancy SITE Planning + Design has lodged plans to undertake $102 million worth of wharf upgrades at lots leased by defence contractor BAE Systems.

Wangara-based outfit Duratec has secured $38 million in defence contracts, including $13 million of which will be handled by the company's indigenous-owned joint venture.

The WA Labor Party has offered a first look at Midland's new $46 million railcar manufacturing facility, a facility underpinning its plan to boost local manufacturing in Western Australia.

The federal government has granted major project status to EcoGraf's proposed $98 million battery graphite facility in Kwinana, one day after unveiling a long-term plan to boost Australia's critical minerals sector.