“The renewables industry took more than 20 years to install the first 17 gigawatt of offshore wind,” said Jerome Pecresse, CEO Renewable Energy. “Today, the industry forecasts that it will install more than 90 gigawatts over the next 12 years,” Pecresse aded.

Although the production of carbon fiber goods may be steadily increasing, recycling the material still remains challenging. Thanks to research being conducted at Washington State University, however, it may soon be possible to grind up carbon fiber waste and use it in new-and-improved pervious concrete.

A Chinese development company planning to fly in 200 overseas tradies for an Auckland hotel build are prepared to pay only three-quarters of the normal hourly rate - with further deductions to workers' pay for travel and accommodation.

Seequent, (formerly ARANZ Geo), a world leader in the development of data visualisation software, today announced the release of Leapfrog® Works for the civil engineering and environmental industries. Built on the trusted Leapfrog 3D implicit modelling engine, Leapfrog Works improves understanding, visualisation and communication of subsurface conditions and the interaction with infrastructure.

TOMRA has signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares in BBC Technologies*. The deal sees BBC Technologies’ precision grading systems and innovative punnet and clamshell filling solutions for blueberries and other small fruits join TOMRA Food’s own fruit inspection and grading technology portfolio.

A Japanese company building a manufacturing plant in the United States would seem in some small way to counter the nationalist narrative that has so many questioning our globalized economy. In 2016, Nissei Plastic Industrial Co. Ltd. (Sakaki) launched a fully-owned subsidiary, Nissei Plastic Machinery America Inc., in San Antonio, TX, to manufacture injection molding machines as part of Nissei’s global production network. The plant, Nissei’s first production facility in the United States and its third outside Japan, is set to open in May.

Feb 23, 2018   -  Leading global battery and solar energy company sonnen will move its Australian headquarters from Sydney to Adelaide where it will also establish a manufacturing hub.

The announcement further cements South Australia as a world leader in renewable energy and storage.

The German company, the world’s largest producer of household battery and solar energy storage solutions, will use Adelaide as its central shipping facility for Australia and the Asia and South Pacific region.

It will also establish a technical training facility in the South Australian capital, which will cover Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific markets.

Sonnen is the world’s largest producer of household battery and solar energy storage solutions. It currently manufactures in Germany and the United States.

Sonnen Australia Australia/New Zealand Managing Director Chris Parratt said the company’s partnership highlighted South Australia’s reputation as a powerhouse in the clean technology sector globally.

“We are very excited by the prospect of manufacturing in South Australia for the Australian export markets, and realising our expectation that Australia will become the world’s number one market for energy storage systems,” he said.

Today’s announcement is the latest in a string of clean energy projects underway in South Australia, which is driving investment through its $150 million Renewable Technology Fund.

In November, Tesla commissioned the world’s largest lithium-ion battery (100MW/129MWh) at Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm in South Australia’s Mid-North.

SolarReserve has also announced it will build a 150MW/1100MWh solar thermal power plant near Port Augusta.

South Australia leads the nation in the uptake of wind energy and rooftop solar with renewable sources accounting for almost 50 per cent of the electricity generated in the state.

Sonnen will manufacture 50,000 energy storage systems in Adelaide over five years to create a ‘virtual power plant’ under a five-year deal with the South Australian Government.

The move will create more than 430 jobs across Sonnen’s battery factory operations and installation division within six months of the centre opening.

Sonnen claims its battery system, combiuned with rooftop solar, will save up to 80 per cent off a household’s electricity bill.

The company also plans to offer household energy packages such as sonnenFlat, which charges customers a flat monthly fee of AU$40-$60 to allow them to better manage bills.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said the German manufacturer would bring added value to the state’s energy market and reduce power costs for customers.

“By also establishing itself as a retailer, Sonnen will bring further competition to the market, providing more choice for consumers and helping drive down energy prices,” he said.

| A manufacturers'Monthly release  ||  February 23, 2018   |||

Feb 23, 2018  - Following on from the successful opening of Brook Food Asia Pacific based in Melbourne in July 2012, Brook Food are to widen their reach by opening up a new branch office in New Zealand. Based in Washdyke, New Zealand and part of the Brook Food Group, we look forward to welcoming our customers, both new and existing, to take full advantage of our expertise and knowledge within the baking industry.

Feb 23, 2018  -  New Zealand’s Southpac Trucks has been awarded ‘Kenworth Dealer of the Year 2017’ for exceptional sales, service and support.  Open to Kenworth dealers across Australia, New Zealand and Papa New Guinea, the award reportedly acknowledges excellence in, and is judged on, a points system across five main areas – overall dealer performance, truck sales, parts sales, finance and customer support.