As Australia’s only manufacturer of high-strength and wear-resistant quenched and tempered steel plate, Bisalloy Steel has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s industrial capability. With a proud history of supplying critical sectors from mining and energy to defence and infrastructure, the company continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the country’s most trusted names in specialty steel.
The past financial year has been no exception, proving that Bisalloy’s strength lies not only in its products, but in its ability to adapt, diversify and deliver in the face of shifting market conditions.
Navigating a challenging market
In FY25, Bisalloy’s Australian operations encountered a mixed trading environment. Production and sales of wear and structural steel declined compared to the previous year, driven largely by weaker global iron ore demand and the suspension of BHP’s nickel operations in Western Australia. These headwinds were felt most sharply in Western Australia, where reduced mining activity dampened consumption.
Yet, despite these challenges, Bisalloy delivered another solid performance. The company’s agility in targeting growth segments helped to offset losses. Strong activity in the gold sector buoyed demand, while orders for protection plate grew steadily. Notably, the ramp-up of AUKUS-related deliveries provided a significant boost, underscoring Bisalloy’s growing importance in Australia’s defence supply chain.
Outside Western Australia, sales across the rest of the country remained broadly stable, a reflection of Bisalloy’s diverse customer base and its reputation for consistent quality.
Innovation in the product portfolio
A key feature of the year has been Bisalloy’s ongoing expansion and refinement of its product portfolio. Beyond incremental improvements in chemistry and manufacturing processes, the company has introduced new grades of steel through its joint venture partnerships.
The thermo-mechanically controlled process (TMCP) high-strength steel launched last year is progressing well, with growing adoption across construction and heavy engineering applications. The addition demonstrates how Bisalloy continues to align product development with evolving customer needs, delivering materials that enhance performance and efficiency in demanding environments.
Defence progress: AUKUS and beyond
One of the standout stories of FY25 has been Bisalloy’s role in advancing the AUKUS alliance. The company achieved significant milestones in the steel prequalification process, culminating in the delivery of substantial volumes of specialised material during the second half of the year.
This achievement cements Bisalloy’s reputation as a trusted defence supplier and positions the company at the heart of a multi-decade national security program. The work not only strengthens Bisalloy’s order book but highlights the broader strategic importance of maintaining sovereign manufacturing capability in advanced materials.
Looking ahead: FY26 outlook
As Bisalloy enters FY26, the company does so with momentum and a clear roadmap for growth built around three strategic pillars.
First is expansion in China and Southeast Asia through its established Chinese joint venture—an important play in capturing demand in high-growth economies. Second is global growth in the armour and protection steel segment, backed by both new business development and process improvements. Third is the commercialisation of OptiWear, a cutting-edge digital sensor technology designed to monitor wear plate performance in real time, giving customers data-driven insights that extend product life and reduce downtime.
While management acknowledges that results in FY26 may be softer without the one-time gains of AUKUS deliveries, Bisalloy remains confident in its ability to deliver steady performance. Continued defence spending, a strong safety culture, and disciplined operational execution provide a solid foundation for the future.
A trusted partner for industry
From mining to construction, defence to energy, Bisalloy’s contribution to Australian industry is both practical and strategic. Its wear-resistant and structural steels underpin productivity in some of the harshest operating conditions, while its armour plate is relied upon to protect lives in military and security applications worldwide.
As FY25 has shown, resilience and innovation remain at the core of Bisalloy’s success. By investing in new products, advancing digital technologies, and playing a central role in defence capability, the company is forging a future every bit as strong as the steel it produces.
