Hazer Group has extended its non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japanese trading giant Mitsui & Co, Ltd (Tokyo, Japan), pushing forward joint efforts to explore potential markets for Hazer’s low-emissions graphite. 

The agreement, which builds on the original MOU announced on 16 November 2022, will now continue for another year, with automatic renewals unless terminated by either party, as revealed in an ASX announcement. 

The partnership leverages Mitsui’s extensive global network to evaluate the applications of Hazer’s graphite in steel manufacturing, chemicals, and other sectors. 

Hazer has already conducted positive market analysis, identifying promising segments for its graphite, including iron and steel production, thermal energy storage, and water purification.

“We are excited to be extending our strategic partnership with Mitsui,” said Hazer’s CEO and Managing Director, Glenn Corrie. 

“Hazer’s technology is unique in that it produces both low-cost, clean hydrogen as well as a low-emissions graphite product.”

Initial investigations have pointed to a variety of applications for Hazer’s graphite:

• Steel Manufacturing: Hazer’s graphite demonstrates suitability for both traditional blast furnaces and emerging green-steel processes, owing to its structured composition and iron inclusion.
• Thermal Energy Storage: Its excellent thermal conductivity and stability make it an efficient medium for heat transfer.
• Water Purification: Hazer’s graphite has shown potential for enhanced PFAS removal, a growing environmental concern.
• Construction Materials: The graphite is also being evaluated for asphalt, bitumen, and concrete production.

According to Corrie, the collaboration with Mitsui helps Hazer access challenging markets and critical industries where decarbonisation solutions are in high demand. 

“In light of increased global awareness around the vulnerability of critical mineral supply chains, this is a clear value differentiator for Hazer’s technology in the methane pyrolysis space,” he added.

As part of the extended agreement, the two companies will move forward with further product evaluation and larger sample testing from Hazer’s Commercial Demonstration Plant (CDP). 

Both companies will also engage with potential buyers to establish volumes, pricing frameworks, and potential offtake agreements.

“Through this important partnership with Mitsui, we have jointly identified markets that offer a good fit for our graphite, and discussions are ongoing to establish volume, pricing ranges, and potential offtake opportunities,” Corrie explained.

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Infosys, a global leader in digital services and consulting, announced a strategic expansion of its partnership with Microsoft to accelerate the adoption of generative AI and Microsoft Azure solutions worldwide. 

The enhanced collaboration aims to help joint customers maximise their technology investments and achieve transformative outcomes, as stated in a media release. 

Infosys has been an early adopter of Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, a generative AI-powered tool for code development. 

“Infosys is a top GitHub Copilot ‘customer zero,’ with over 18,000 developers generating more than 7 million lines of code using the tool,” according to Infosys. 

This early adoption has enabled Infosys to gain efficiencies in code modernisation and offer enterprise AI innovation to its clients globally.

As part of this collaboration, Infosys has been selected as a strategic supplier to support Cloud and AI workloads for Microsoft’s enterprise customers. 

The company will integrate Microsoft’s generative AI suite into its own Solution IP portfolio, helping clients achieve better cost-efficiency and scalability. 

“Our expanded collaboration with Infosys will transform industries, enhance business operations, and deliver new value for customers,” said Nicole Dezen, chief partner officer at Microsoft.

The scope of this collaboration spans multiple industries, including financial services, healthcare, supply chain, telecommunications, and energy management. 

In healthcare, Infosys Helix—a next-gen healthcare payer platform built on Microsoft Azure—will optimise patient outcomes through AI/ML automation. 

In the financial sector, Infosys’ Finacle suite will work alongside Microsoft’s capabilities to streamline processes and improve customer experiences.

In addition, the companies are jointly working on responsible AI initiatives. Infosys is contributing to Microsoft’s Responsible AI Partner Initiative, helping to develop ethical AI guidelines. 

“This collaboration addresses various business problems by delivering heightened value to clients through a customer-centric approach,” said Anand Swaminathan, EVP and Global Industry Leader at Infosys.

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In a significant step towards greener public transport, Volgren, a subsidiary of the Marcopolo Group, and Yutong, one of the world’s largest bus manufacturers, have collaborated to introduce the Volgren Optimus/Yutong E12 Battery Electric Bus to the Australian market. 

The Volgren Optimus, featuring a lightweight aluminium body, is manufactured locally in Victoria, Australia, Volgren said in a LinkedIn post.  

Paired with Yutong’s advanced electric chassis, the bus is designed to meet the demand for environmentally friendly public transport solutions. 

“The Volgren Optimus Yutong E12 represents the future of bus transport,” said Yuri Tessari, Volgren’s chief commercial officer. 

He explained, “Our combined expertise with Yutong has allowed us to create a product that not only meets the highest standards of performance but also supports Australia’s transition towards cleaner energy in public transport. This vehicle is the lightest electric bus in our entire fleet, allowing us to accommodate up to 71 passengers, a real game-changer in the Battery Electric Bus segment.”

With a battery capacity of 350kWh, the Volgren Optimus/Yutong E12 offers a range of up to 360km, while maintaining high energy efficiency between 0.8 and 1.1kWh/km.

Future variants with larger battery capacities (399kWh and 422kWh) will soon be available. 

Thiago Deiro, CEO of Volgren, expressed pride in the company’s leading role in Australia’s electric bus industry. 

“We are proud to be at the forefront of electric bus manufacturing in Australia,” Deiro said. 

This collaboration with Yutong reinforces our commitment to delivering sustainable, reliable, and high-quality public transport solutions. Yutong has proven to be a great partner, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration in Australia.”

The partnership between Volgren and Yutong is not limited to Australia, with both companies having worked together on projects in Brazil, Mexico, and China. 

Yutong’s Chassis Director Overseas, Daniel Huo, emphasised the strength of this collaboration.

“By joining forces, the two companies are set to provide a better solution for the customer. It will be surely injecting the new momentum into the development of public transportation in Australia,” Huo said.

Looking ahead, Yutong’s Product Director for Asia Pacific, William, highlighted the long-term goals of the partnership. 

“Yutong will partner with Volgren to continuously upgrade our electric bus based on market feedback, ensuring end customers operate worry-free. Yutong and Volgren will drive the sustainable development of green transportation through technological innovations,” he said.

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The University of Adelaide and Loughan Technology Group have signed a research project agreement to commercialise Novel Fluorescence technology, aimed at improving the real-time detection of hazardous materials, minerals, and chemicals. 

This project addresses ongoing challenges in identifying specific elements in unknown minerals, detecting asbestos on construction sites, and recognising drugs and explosives in real-time—issues critical to sectors such as mining, public health, and national security.

Data reported found that traditional methods of analysis require laboratory testing, which can be slow and impractical for field use. 

The University of Adelaide’s Prescott Environmental Luminescence Laboratory (PELL), in collaboration with the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources (IMER), has developed advanced research in Novel Fluorescence. 

This technology enables non-contact identification of materials, making it particularly suited for on-site applications. Loughan Technology Group will oversee its commercialisation.

Rob Loughan, chairman of Loughan Technology Group, remarked, “This partnership with the University of Adelaide and Defence Trailblazer is a significant milestone in the commercialisation of Novel Fluorescence technology.” 

Loughan added, “Our aim is to enhance Australia’s capabilities in materials sensing and identification for both defence and civilian applications.”

The flexible design of Novel Fluorescence devices allows for various applications, from microscopic analysis to handheld sensors. 

The Defence Trailblazer project will establish a discovery facility focused on identifying and validating Novel Fluorescence signatures across diverse materials, ultimately leading to the development of portable prototypes.

Dr Margaret Law, General Manager – Technology Development and Acceleration at Defence Trailblazer, commented, “This Defence Trailblazer project represents a significant leap forward in our ability to detect, analyse, and understand complex material and chemical components with unprecedented precision.”

She added, “The commercialisation of this research is crucial for Australia’s sovereign capability, enabling us to develop dual-use technologies that can be applied across diverse range of industries.”

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Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), and Advanced Navigation have taken a significant step towards advancing military navigation technologies with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Land Forces 2024 International Defence Exposition.

The agreement, announced on the opening day of the event, will see the companies collaborate on developing high-performance inertial navigation systems (INS) tailored for autonomous, airborne, and crewed systems, Advanced Navigation said in a news release.

These advanced INS solutions will be critical in precision targeting and vehicle navigation in environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are contested, spanning both land and air domains.

Chris Shaw, CEO of Advanced Navigation, commented on the collaboration, stating, “The landscape of sovereign defence manufacturing is experiencing a seismic shift, driven by advanced technologies like automation, machine learning, and precision engineering. Traditional approaches are no longer sufficient in meeting the complex demands of modern PNT systems.”

The joint effort will result in the co-developed solutions being integrated into Hanwha Aerospace’s global supply chain, boosting Australia’s and international markets’ access to cutting-edge APNT solutions. 

Shaw emphasised the importance of this partnership, adding, “Collaborating with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Defence Australia will not only bring together the brightest in engineering minds, it will forge a path toward unrivalled PNT excellence and reinforce our technological sovereignty.”

Dean Michie, Acting Managing Director of Hanwha Defence Australia, expressed excitement about the partnership. 

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with Advanced Navigation, as it reinforces our commitment to strengthening cooperation in developing joint advanced military capabilities,” Michie said. 

“In support of uplifting the Australian industrial base, we look forward to equipping partners with next-generation solutions for accurate targeting, secure navigation, and synchronised operations in situations where GNSS signals may be degraded. This important sovereign capability will further strengthen the growing Australian South Korean relationship.”

With a focus on enhancing Australia’s manufacturing and supply chain resilience, the partnership will leverage Advanced Navigation’s expertise in digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technologies alongside Hanwha’s established aerospace and defence capabilities.

Hanwha’s state-of-the-art facilities in Melbourne will play a crucial role in supporting the production and sustainment of tracked armoured vehicles. 

Hanwha Defence Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) will provide multiple assembly lines, a 1,200-metre test track, and research and development centres, laying the foundation for future technological advancements. 

Meanwhile, in New South Wales, Advanced Navigation’s high-tech facility will drive the secure production of strategic-grade DFOGs, one of the few companies in the world capable of manufacturing this technology.

Junghun You, from Hanwha Aerospace, highlighted the broader implications of the partnership. 

“Increasing global supply chain capacity will ensure critical defence capabilities remain uninterrupted,” You stated. “These technological strides will position Australia as a trailblazer in defence manufacturing on the international stage and strengthen its national security.”

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CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Google Australia have announced a multifaceted collaboration aimed at accelerating and transforming the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research. 

This new initiative builds on the existing five-year partnership between the two organisations and aims to enhance the Australian research community through joint research, education, training, and support activities.

Dr Stefan Harrer, CSIRO’s AI for Science Program Director, highlighted the significant advancements in AI technology and its potential to revolutionize scientific research. 

“Narrow AI, AI trained for a specific task, has been used by scientists for years to great effect. For example, Google’s AlphaFold model has made fundamental breakthroughs in protein structure prediction,” Dr Harrer stated. 

He added, “Responsible use of broad, generative AI has the potential to not only accelerate, but transform scientific discovery.”

In a news release, the agency reported that generative AI represents a paradigm shift, enabling researchers to use AI in new and scalable ways. 

Previously, developing AI models was a lengthy process, often limited to specific tasks and not easily transferable to other scientific problems. 

This limitation made AI tools inaccessible to many researchers. 

“Now there’s been a fundamental shift in the way AI can be used in research, we want to ensure Australian researchers have the skillset to reap the benefits,” Dr Harrer added.

Lizzie Dorfman, PhD, Product Lead for Science AI in Google Research, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. 

“We’re constantly inspired by the ability of AI to help tackle grand challenges in science,” Dr Dorfman said. 

“At Google, scientists and engineers use AI to accelerate scientific discovery in biology, chemistry, earth science, and beyond.”

Dr Dorfman continued, “We strongly believe in the value of sharing these approaches – collaboration has always been central to scientific progress and to our scientific research at Google. I am excited that Google is investing even further in community building within the Australian science community and extending our partnership with CSIRO.”

This announcement is part of the broader five-year collaboration agreement announced in 2021. 

The partnership has already achieved significant milestones, such as automating the identification of invasive starfish on the Great Barrier Reef, mapping seagrass meadows to understand their carbon sequestration potential, and using AI to help preserve and restore endangered Giant Kelp forests.

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PsiQuantum has partnered with five leading universities in Queensland, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The consortium includes The University of Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, the University of Southern Queensland, and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

This collaboration aims to support the growing demand for skills in the quantum computing economy and explore research projects in adjacent fields, the firm said in a news release.

The partnership will provide a framework for academic institutions in Australia to offer opportunities for academic, postgraduate, and undergraduate placements, attracting and retaining leading Australian and global talent.

Within this partnership, PsiQuantum will closely work with the five universities to develop targeted educational programs to meet the skills requirements for the rapidly growing sector of quantum computing and other advanced technology industries.

These skill sets encompass a wide variety of roles, from quantum applications engineers, mechanical, optical, and electrical engineers to software developers and technical lab staff.

The educational programs will benefit from PsiQuantum’s expertise in developing study modules, courses, degrees, lectures, and industry training.

This will provide pathways for traditional STEM careers like engineering and software development into the quantum sector, upskill diverse scientists to work on critical applications of quantum computer technology, and prepare quantum physicists for the industry’s revolution.

The partnership will also involve joint research interests, expanding into larger projects as they progress.

By targeting the current and future skills needed within the quantum computing sector and the anticipated fields of professional specialisation, PsiQuantum and the Queensland universities will ensure that Australian talent is ready and able to support the burgeoning industry and PsiQuantum’s first utility-scale quantum computer in Brisbane, Australia.

PsiQuantum CEO and co-founder, Prof. Jeremy O’Brien, is a beneficiary of Australia’s leading quantum computing efforts, having been a postdoc, PhD student, and undergraduate at the Universities of Queensland, NSW, and WA, respectively.

At the University of Queensland, Prof. O’Brien worked with Prof. Andrew White and Prof. Geoff Pryde, PsiQuantum’s Senior Director of Technical Partnerships (on leave from Griffith University), along with many others across the Australian ecosystem, on foundational research in the development of photonic quantum computing.

Prof. O’Brien stated, “Australia and Queensland have been world leaders in the field of quantum computing for decades, and this partnership builds upon that foundation. This collaboration will help ensure that Australia is developing the necessary skills and driving research to continue leading this field for decades to come.”

Professor Deborah Terry, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland, added, “Students starting high school this year will graduate into a world with utility-scale quantum computers. We will work with PsiQuantum across the education spectrum—from schools, through TAFE, to universities—to prepare our students for future jobs in quantum and advanced technologies.”

Professor Terry added, “Our researchers are also incredibly excited to explore and find projects of common interest with PsiQuantum, taking full advantage of this unique opportunity.”

Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Carolyn Evans, remarked, “Griffith welcomes the MoU with PsiQuantum. The partnership brings opportunities for more Queensland students to build future-focused STEM careers and builds on more than 20 years of leading research in quantum technology here at Griffith and across the state.”

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Fine Food Australia (FFA) announced an expanded collaboration with OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, aimed at intensifying efforts to combat food waste and alleviate hunger.

Following a successful joint effort in Melbourne in 2022, where OzHarvest rescued 1,900 kilograms of surplus food from the event, FFA has introduced a new initiative for 2024: attendees can now contribute monetary donations during registration.

David Longman, managing director of Diversified Communications, expressed support for the partnership, stating, “We are extremely happy to support such a vital organisation as OzHarvest.”

He added, “Their remarkable work in food rescue not only complements our sustainability goals but also actively contributes to a solution that addresses both food wastage and food insecurity.”

OzHarvest, known for its efficient food distribution network and close partnership with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), aims to ensure that surplus food from FFA events reaches vulnerable populations throughout Melbourne.

Alana Roberts, OzHarvest’s Vic & SA Engagement Manager, emphasised the significance of FFA’s support, noting, “Every $1 donated to OzHarvest allows us to deliver 2 meals to an Australian in need. This support is crucial in helping us continue our mission to feed vulnerable Australians and reduce food waste.”

Fine Food said its partnership with OzHarvest comes amidst heightened demand for food relief services across Australia, as evidenced by OzHarvest’s recent Community Needs Survey.

The support from FFA is expected to impact individuals and families struggling with food insecurity nationwide.

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Climatech Zero, a leading energy management and decarbonisation partner for industrial sectors, announced a strategic partnership with Origin Energy.

This collaboration is set to accelerate Climatech Zero’s growth and advance energy transition efforts for large industrial customers, the company said in a media release.

Under the agreement, Origin Energy has acquired a 20 per cent stake in Climatech Zero, providing growth capital and collaborative opportunities to help the company scale.

Climatech Zero said it aims to optimise energy consumption and significantly reduce carbon footprints for its clients.

Climatech Zero supports industrial sectors, including mining, manufacturing, and food production, by offering energy management, reduction, and decarbonisation solutions.

The company’s experienced team of engineers, data analysts, and project managers deliver projects that result in substantial energy, carbon, and cost savings.

To date, Climatech Zero’s 29 projects have achieved $4.5 million in cost savings, reduced CO2 emissions by 29,532 tons, and saved 37,770,224 kWh in energy.

Operating across Australia and New Zealand, Climatech Zero boasts strong customer retention among major industrial clients.

The company’s co-founder and CEO, Peter O’Connell, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This partnership was born out of a mutual passion for aligning with the needs and ambitions of our large industrial customers to use less energy and reduce emissions.”

He continued, “We’re thrilled to partner with Origin in delivering on that ambition and we commend Origin for continuing to be ahead of the curve. Our expertise providing transition services behind the metre combines perfectly with Origin’s forward-thinking goals to support clients through the energy transition.”

“Working together with Origin, we can offer more value to Australian industrial companies. Our resources, technology and skills can help customers underwrite new investments, improve existing operations and ultimately accelerate the energy transition journey,” O’Connell added.

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IperionX and Aperam Recycling’s American entity, ELG Utica Alloys, have joined forces to innovate the titanium supply chain, highlighting IperionX’s sustainable approach through the conversion of titanium scrap into high-performance products for advanced sectors.

“This agreement with IperionX will ensure that more titanium is recycled and stays in a closed loop to reduce carbon emissions, advancing Aperam’s sustainability goals,” stated Carsten Becker, CEO of ELG Utica Alloys.

In particular, the deal leverages IperionX’s patented technologies to upcycle up to 12 metric tons of titanium scrap from the consumer electronics sector.

Initially targeting 1 metric ton for conversion into high-grade titanium powder, IperionX said it plans to produce a variety of titanium near-net shapes, plates, rods, and wires.

“Our new Titanium Manufacturing Campus in Virginia provides us with the full capability to process titanium scrap feedstocks and manufacture high-performance titanium products for advanced industries,” affirmed Anastasios Arima, CEO of IperionX.

The company stated that titanium, traditionally sourced from distant and costly supply chains fraught with traceability issues, generates substantial scrap during manufacturing.

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