As energy systems change at an unprecedented pace, businesses and grid operators are confronted with new pressures and prospects. From the rapid adoption of AI and electric vehicles to the increasing impact of extreme weather events, the demands on electricity networks are more complex than ever. 

Australia’s manufacturing sector spent 2025 navigating a complex mix of economic headwinds, technological acceleration and policy-driven transformation, as reflected in year-long coverage by Australian Manufacturing.

Australia’s manufacturing sector is emerging as a central driver in Boral’s expanding circular materials program, with the company reporting that more than 2.5 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste are now diverted from landfill each year through its national recycling operations.

Australia’s food manufacturing sector has been undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by rising consumer demand for healthier choices and increased investment in local production capability. 

Australia’s manufacturing sector is at a pivotal moment. Competitive pressure, sustainability expectations, energy costs, and a new wave of digital tools are converging, exposing the limits of the automation approaches that have defined industrial production for decades.