The world has enough energy until 2030 at least on current trends and despite an expected surge in demand, on condition that there is sufficient investment in the supply chain, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.

Sensors which are able to predict when mechanical parts in machinery and transport will breakdown before they actually do could be introduced by 2010, slashing maintenance costs across the manufacturing, automotive and plant machinery industries.

Engineers Australia's Engineering Australia 2006 conference, to be held in Sydney on 30-31 March, will tackle the issues of training, skilling and attracting good engineering recruits.

China's second and fifth largest steel mills are planning an ambitious merger that would form a global giant. Anshan Iron & Steel Group and Benxi Iron & Steel Group will merge to form Anshan-Benxi Steel Group. Both mills are owned by the government.

Toyota has reached the 15 million mark in North American production. This milestone marks 20 years of manufacturing in North America, supported by a $16 billion investment in North American operations.

By controlling materials at the nanoscale, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers in the US believe they can improve manufacturing processes of products ranging from solar cells to computers to flat-panel displays.

The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) has chosen Emerson Process Management to automate the CEMIST (Chemical Engineering Measurement by In-Situ Techniques) process plant within its Chemical Engineering Department.

The global patent to a world-first water remediation technology developed in Australia has been acquired by ASX-listed IMT Holdings Limited.

China announced a 15-year plan recently to invest in technology development.

A series of training sessions is being offered by Endress+Hauser during 2006 that will be of interest to engineers, managers and maintenance teams.

The Australian aluminium industry is becoming less cost competitive as new countries enter the market with cheaper smelters, according to recent research.

Control Microsystems, a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) equipment manufacturer headquartered in Canada, and Serck Controls, a SCADA systems engineering company headquartered in Australia, formed a global strategic alliance in 2004 to leverage technology, manufacturing and market opportunities.

At the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) taskgroup meeting in Hawaii recently, there was an agreement over the next high speed Wi-Fi standard, 802.11n.

Sydney-based Dr John Blakemore has been appointed the new national president of the Manufacturing Society of Australia.

One of New Zealand's leading entrepreneurs and exporters has been appointed chairman of the country's largest aircraft manufacturer, Pacific Aerospace Corporation (PAC). Neville Jordan, who also chairs Endeavour Capital, is assisting in day-to-day operations of the Hamilton-based aircraft maker and also managing European sales.