Australia launches $2.7M metal manufacturing project

A $2.7 million industry-led initiative has been launched to enhance Australia’s manufacturing capabilities for certified metal components. The four-year project aims to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains by developing local production for the defence, maritime, and medical sectors.

Led by Stärke-AMG and Flinders University, the consortium includes Adelaide University and Metal Powder Works. The group will focus on establishing manufacturing processes, qualification data, and quality frameworks necessary to transition metal additive manufacturing from prototype development to qualified, industrial-scale production.

Stärke-AMG CEO Al Jawhari emphasized that the project focuses on “qualified production” rather than just printing parts, noting that regulated industries require repeatable components with complete traceability and quality assurance. Flinders University will lead research into materials science, qualification methodologies, and performance datasets for advanced alloys.