Apr 13 2007
The Australian Nano Business Forum (ANBF) last night formally launched their NSW Chapter in Sydney. The launch was held at the Trade Investment Centre in Parramatta, with the full support of the NSW Department of State and Regional Development. The attendees represented a spectrum of nanotechnology interests including manufacturing, research, media and government. Attendees commented on the high quality of the event and the strength and diversity of nanotechnology in NSW and Australia.
The CEO of the ANBF, Ms Tina Rankovic, gave the keynote address outlining the opportunities for Australian industry that nanotechnology presents, and describing the role of the ANBF. Ms Rankovic highlighted the versatility of nanotechnology and the diversity of Australian industries that are potentially affected.
Mr Lu Papi of Lu Papi and Associates, who has been appointed Interim Chairman of the ANBF NSW Chapter, will be responsible for NSW industry events. Mr Papi noted that “NSW manufacturing industries need to exploit new technologies in order to stay competitive in a global marketplace.”
New South Wales is home for some of Australia’s most exciting nanotechnology companies, particularly in the ITC sector. Supercapacitor manufacturer cap-XX is housed in Sydney and was named a 2005 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. Peregrine Semiconductors is Australia’s only manufacturer of sapphire-based integrated circuitry. AZoNano is the world’s premier information service for the nanotechnology industry. Nanosonics is a company specializing in hygienic treatments for medical instruments.
The NSW Chapter of the ANBF owes much of its strength to the Nanotechnology Network set up by Mr Kim Leevers of the University of Western Sydney. Over the last 5 years, the network has become a vibrant forum for nanotechnology information and communication for small enterprises in the western suburbs of Sydney.