Exclusives

Australia has faced ongoing concerns over medicine supply in recent years, with reliance on imported pharmaceuticals and periodic shortages prompting greater attention on domestic manufacturing capability and supply chain resilience. 

Global building materials manufacturer Mapei has commenced construction on a new $60 million manufacturing facility in Truganina, Melbourne, in a move the company says will significantly expand its Australian production capacity and strengthen its role in supporting major infrastructure projects.

Australia’s 2026–27 Federal Budget has drawn a measured response from tax and advisory specialists, with commentary suggesting the package offers stability and targeted support for parts of the manufacturing sector, but falls short of delivering a broad-based uplift in business confidence across industrial and production-focused industries.

Australian manufacturing company LUYTEN 3D, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Wollongong (UOW), has unveiled what they describe as Australia’s first submerged 3D concrete printing system alongside a world-first accelerator-free underwater concrete formulation.

The Australian government announced in late February a $310 million acquisition of nuclear submarine components from the United Kingdom. The payment will support the manufacture of nuclear-powered submarines to be built in Osborne, South Australia. The investment follows a larger GBP 2.4 billion Australian contribution to expand Rolls-Royce Submarines' production capacity.

Energy is no longer just a cost centre for manufacturers – it is fast becoming a strategic lever for efficiency, resilience and growth.

Australian manufacturers are poised for unprecedented access to US and UK defence markets under the AUKUS partnership, presenting long-term contracts, deeper supply chain integration, and industrial growth. 

As digital transformation reshapes industries worldwide, manufacturers in Australia and beyond are finding themselves at the forefront of an evolution. This shift presents opportunities for companies looking to improve efficiency, drive innovation, and boost growth.

Tamworth is set to gain a state-of-the-art Organics Recycling Facility (ORF) that aims to meet the region’s community and agricultural needs while aligning with New South Wales’ mandate to recycle organic material by 2030.

The Australian Government has taken a significant step toward ensuring the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) with the launch of the Adelaide-based Responsible AI Research Centre (RAIR).