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Battery power plus product stewardship for a brighter future

By Dominic Salmon, 3R Group Business Development – Sustainable Solutions The transition away from fossil fuels will rely heavily on large batteries – it’s estimated that EVs and stationary energy storage batteries can enable 30% of the emissions reduction needed in the transport and energy sectors. The conversation can often steer towards electric vehicles, but large stationary batteries are just as important. Large batteries are not yet widely used in New Zealand outside of EVs and hybrid vehicles. However, the potential applications for stationery storage are huge. These range from use in homes to store excess solar power, to national power grid stabilisation, upgrading old, inefficient battery systems and even as back up for key infrastructure in the event of natural disasters such as Cyclone Gabrielle. The range of stakeholders in this area is wide, from EV and home solar system owners (and potential owners) to energy generation companies, vehicle and battery importers, recyclers and, well, just about anyone who has energy needs. Like all solutions though, thought needs to go into preventing unintended consequences. In the case of batteries, it’s ensuring they are ethically and sustainably produced and don’t become a problematic waste stream at end of life. While small markets like New Zealand, which don’t mine the minerals or manufacture large batteries, can’t have a direct impact on their production, we can ensure they are used as efficiently as possible. Importers, retailers and consumers can also use tools like the Global Battery Alliance’s battery passport to track battery health and environmental impact and create demand for ethically and sustainably manufactured batteries. Making this transition obviously isn’t straight forward but there is a significant amount of work being done, including in Aotearoa New Zealand by the Battery Industry Group (B.I.G). Batteries in the Land of the Long White Cloud […]

Mitigate or adapt? With climate change it’s both

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of the weather events, as many are, we wish you well. Adapting to climate change. Since the disastrous weather earlier this year, it’s a term we’ve heard regularly in the mainstream media. What does adapting involve? Why does it matter? As a manufacturer, do you need to keep reducing (mitigating) climate change as well as adapting to it? (The answer to that last question: an emphatic yes!) This article explains why mitigating and adapting to climate change must go hand-in-hand for New Zealand manufacturers. But first, the science Let’s start with the global picture. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is adamant: a 1.5°C increase in global temperatures over pre-industrial levels will adversely affect the world’s climate. A 2°C increase will be more serious still. The cause of this warming? Greenhouse gases (GHGs). Zoom in to Aotearoa New Zealand. Scientists at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and University of Waikato are convinced that Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastating rainfall is an example of climate change. The cause? Global warming, due to GHGs, increases air temperatures. Warmer air holds much more water vapour. When this vapour cools, it rains. Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema on unsplash. What does mitigating climate change involve? Think of mitigation as the fence at the top of the cliff. Mitigation is about addressing the causes of climate change by reducing the GHGs we emit. If you’re a manufacturer, it could involve reducing the carbon in your products or moving your factory to renewable electricity. To date, governments and businesses have focussed on mitigation – with good reason. We all benefit when we reduce climate change. What does adapting to climate change involve? If mitigation is the fence, adaptation is the ambulance. With a poorly maintained fence (an atmosphere damaged by […]

Productivity – the only economic way forward

-Ian Walsh, Argon & Co New Zealanders are at a crossroads. Surely it is now apparent that continuing to do what we always did will not cut it in the next twenty years? Last month I shared that Ireland (once comparable to NZ) is now almost twice as productive as we are, whereas we now find ourselves in the bottom half of the OECD with our quality of life heading the wrong way. Just look at our nearest neighbour who can recruit our best and brightest, pay wages which match employee’s worth, and provide better work conditions and futures. How can this be? What are they doing differently? Why is their economy vibrant, enabling them to continue to recruit, attract, reward, and grow talent? We are now struggling to pay nurses, teachers, police officers and defence force the sustainable wages which encourage them to continue in the vital roles we need. Our infrastructure is not meeting the climate change challenge and we have major investments to make to future proof the country and help the global drive to curb the impacts of climate change. We have done many of the things that advanced economies have done to provide the environment to meet these challenges, including regulatory, taxation (still a work in progress, I note), committees, working groups and suchlike, yet we have not embraced the approaches larger more competitive economies have. The lower levels of competition due to distance, market size and cost to serve have been a barrier to entry, but since Covid this has changed. So, if we want to achieve the sustainable growing economy we need, then we must be internationally competitive. This means being world class. It means adopting proven best practices and relentlessly improving. What would it mean for your business to be able to […]

Engineering worth up to $18b a year to economy

Engineering New Zealand has released a report showing engineering contributes between $14.6 and $18.1 billion a year to New Zealand’s GDP – and that we will need almost 2,500 more engineers every year just to keep up with demand. The report by PwC shows engineering positions produce an average of about $228,000 of GDP per employee per year – nearly twice as much as the average New Zealand worker. Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive Richard Templer says, “It’s great to have an estimate of what engineering is worth to New Zealand.” “To understand how engineering contributes, PwC had to look inside every industry. Engineering spans the whole economy, from the things that most people associate with engineering, like structural and civil projects that build the infrastructure all New Zealanders rely on, to more niche areas, like food-processing engineering, artificial intelligence and biomechanical implants.” PwC estimates about 77,000 engineers are currently employed in New Zealand – around 3 percent of the workforce. The report says New Zealand will need almost 2,500 engineers every year assuming long-term economic growth of 3 percent. This doesn’t include the new engineers we need to replace those who retire, leave the profession or go overseas. Templer says, “In many ways the report has confirmed what we know – that engineers are of immense value to New Zealand’s economy, and that there’s a need for more engineering talent in New Zealand.” Templer also recognises the need to support diversity within the profession. “Only 18 percent of Engineering New Zealand’s members are women, and Māori and Pasifika are also underrepresented. In order to serve our communities effectively, engineers need to be more representative of those communities.” He points to initiatives like The Diversity Agenda and The Wonder Project, which aim to foster a more inclusive environment and show […]

NZ start-up FabriBotics poised to revolutionise metal manufacturing

FabriBotics, a new manufacturing start-up based in Tauranga, New Zealand, has developed technology in large-scale metal additive manufacturing. The company’s proprietary technology allows for the production of custom metal parts ranging from 1kg to 1000kg in size, using a variety of weldable materials, including stainless steel, aluminium, steel, and bronze. Founders Mike Fry and Ben Jackson began working on the 3D printing (Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing, or WAAM) technology during an MBIE-funded research program at TiDA Ltd. The start-up has secured pre-seed investment from KiwiNet to further develop the technology and business. The applications for FabriBotics’ technology are vast with the ability to produce custom, large metal parts applicable across many industries, with 1kg to 1 tonne being the target size. Industries include heavy industry, power generation, marine, mining, agriculture, food processing, transport, and architecture. The technology offers a cost-effective solution for creating complex shapes and reducing the costs of machining. Using additive manufacturing to produce near-net-shape billets, the technology minimises material waste and maximises the efficiency of the manufacturing process. The technology also eliminates the need for expensive tooling required for traditional casting methods, making it an attractive option for replacing one-off cast components. Furthermore, the technology enables extensive repair options for broken metal products, offering a sustainable and economical alternative to replacing entire components. New Zealand is ideally placed to benefit from FabriBotics’ technology due to its long supply and logistics chains, high cost of labour and low value of metal waste. The ability to produce custom and niche metal parts on-shore will provide a much-needed solution for industries that currently have limited options for prototyping, spare parts and repairs. Commenting on the launch of FabriBotics, newly appointed Commercialisation Director Iain Hosie says “The potential for FabriBotics’ technology to revolutionise metal manufacturing in New Zealand is immense. With the ability […]

HERA recognises leading Metalminds at Future Forum Awards

In the picture: Innov8taiao (steel is sustainable) Award. The heavy engineering industries’ top innovators and changemakers were recognised at the HERA Future Forum Nation Dinner on 5 May 2023 at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Sponsored by New Zealand Steel, the awards celebrated the significant impact that individuals and teams are making across Aotearoa, honouring outstanding projects, innovations, and research that demonstrate leading vision and contribute to success within their respective industries. Dr Troy Coyle, HERA’s CEO, says, “I would like to congratulate the winners, finalists, and scholarship recipients for 2023. All of the work they do across the country invaluably contributes to the success of the industry and nurtures the values that will ensure we are servicing a better tomorrow. It is a privilege to acknowledge longstanding dedication, alongside new leaders and up and coming talent.” The 2023 award winners are: Keith Smith Memorial Award – Geoff Bird, Structural Technical Development Manager at Beca. Geoff’s contribution to the industry is a longstanding one, supporting HERA’s Structural Division in 1983 and moving on to become the Structural Manager of New Zealand Steel in 1992, where his work became instrumental in the widespread use of structural steel in multi-story buildings. Geoff is a significant knowledge benefactor for the industry, participating in HERA’s Steel Research Panel and SCNZ technical working groups. He is also an honorary lifetime member of the Structural Engineering Society (SESOC) and a Fellow of Engineering NZ. Next Gen Leadership, Leading Metalmind Award – Mike Ryan, GM of Operations at Farra Engineering. Mike impressed the judges with the breadth of projects for which he was able to achieve the seemingly impossible, as a result earning the informal title ‘guru of solving crazy engineering problems for the hydro industry’. His problem-solving work at the Burrinjuck Hydropower Station […]

SouthMACH 2023 – technology and manufacturing excellence

SouthMACH, the bi-annual technology trade fair returns to Christchurch Arena 24-25 May, in two weeks time. www.southmach.co.nz With on-going change in products and services for the manufacturing sector, some of it quite profound, it is important to visit trade fairs like this, to see the latest technologies available and mix and discuss business opportunities with your peers. IIvisitors Visitors include Canterbury University, progressive members of the chamber of commerce, industry leaders, engineers, technical specialists, operations managers, company decisionmakers and operatives who have a stake in the future of manufacturing in the South Island – and further afield. Students are warmly invited to visit, to view and consider potential career options for the future. Partake in… Make NZ’s ‘Listen and Learn’ manufacturing industry conference on May 24, as part of SouthMach which will focus on peer-to-peer learning opportunities for manufacturing leaders. It’s a one-day conference with presentations from well-known and exciting manufacturing leaders across three sessions,” says Aad van der Poel, exhibition sales and event manager for Xpo Exhibitions, organiser of SouthMach 2023. Sessions during Listen and Learn will include a focus on the local and global environment that New Zealand manufacturers operate in, innovation for profit – as well as products, processes and business models. Reducing waste and carbon footprint will be covered and many are looking forward to MESNZ’s James Neale with his presentation ‘If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, do your homework first’. Van der Poel says that the wide variety of key industry people with crucial information will help manufacturers meet customer expectations, become an employer of choice, and retain a social licence to operate, Industry 4.0, to name but a few. “You will walk away with plenty of new ideas for making the boat go faster in your factory, and future-proofing you manufacturing business,” […]

The steel industry – the next 10 years

The steel industry’s outlook for the next ten years remains fragile. Company leaders can adopt a strategic approach to ride out uncertainties and mitigate risk while the industry is being reshaped. Despite unprecedented volatility, the first half of 2022 remained strong for steel players, with prices and utilisation higher than historical levels and unprecedented levels of EBITDA margins across most regions. This cycle was driven mainly by positive demand outlook that followed the recovery from disruptions caused by COVID-19, as well as infrastructure spending that was both long overdue and anticipated as part of the recovery stimulus. However, several signs of market slowdown began to appear in early 2022. As a result, steel demand outlooks have been revised downward: in April 2022, the World Steel Association’s short-range outlook was less optimistic than the one from late 2021, and its October 2022 demand forecasts for 2022 and 2023 saw downward revisions of 2.7 and 1.2 percent, respectively. The steel industry is at a crossroads, and the warning signs should not be ignored. Amid many competing sources of change and uncertainty, adopting the right strategy in the years to come—and knowing how and when to recognise the opportunities for resilience—will differentiate the leaders from the laggards. Reasons for this include the ongoing war in Ukraine, waves of COVID-19-related lockdowns in China, and supply chain disruptions, as well as the overall macroeconomic situation, including repercussions from persistently high inflation and rising global interest rates. In steel markets, EBITDA margins and the margin over raw materials (MORM) have significantly declined from previously unseen highs, mainly due to negative market expectations and high energy prices, and players have reacted by idling capacities. In fact, more than 30 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of capacities idled in Europe in the second half of 2022, while […]

Industry 4.0 a game changer for manufacturing at Douglas Pharmaceuticals

Through the power of automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, the company have improved operational efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. Using smart technology, the Douglas Pharmaceuticals team are no longer bogged down with manual or repetitive tasks. Now they can focus their efforts on work that adds real value to the business. Watch the video for the full story here – https://industry4.ema.co.nz/ If you’re wondering how Industry 4.0 technologues can help your business, a great place to start is by attending one of the free Smart Factory Showcase events happening around the country during May and June.

Propelling Smart Manufacturing in APAC to the next frontier with AI

Attributed to: Leonard Lee, President APAC, Beyond Limits As one of the global hubs for manufacturing, Asia Pacific (APAC) accounts for about 48.5% of the worldwide manufacturing output. In the region, opportunities are ripe for smart manufacturing to move to the next level, largely due to the well-developed manufacturing ecosystem and government support. Spending within the artificial intelligence (AI) market is also expected to grow to US$49.2 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.5% from 2021 to 2026. The increased investments are expected to fuel the growth of automation through the use of technologies such as robotics and control systems, thus enhancing the performance metrics of the production processes. For APAC manufacturers, the most pressing challenges in the implementation of Industry 4.0 include the reluctance to embrace new technology, a shortage of skilled personnel to oversee its implementation, as well as difficulties in measuring the ROI of smart manufacturing digital solutions. There is also a sense that competitive differentiators are rising in importance. Manufacturers know they must step up on their digital investment, as those companies with higher digital maturity have shown greater resilience and are better able to adapt to supply chain challenges with increased supply chain visibility. Providing manufacturers with a competitive advantage AI has already transformed many enterprise processes, and the use of AI technology is now treated as a business imperative. Manufacturers are exploring ways to effectively utilise their existing data and insights, boost efficiency, reduce expenses, and achieve operational advantages. However, conventional AI technology that manufacturers still rely on acts as a “black box” that creates models from data without providing any explanations. To allow manufacturers to reap the full benefits of technology, they must pivot to Cognitive AI. Cognitive AI acts as a “glass box”, providing detailed justifications for […]

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