$1.3B Modern Manufacturing Initiative backs recycling

The Federal Government is seeking to maximise manufacturing opportunities while driving down emissions and protecting the environment, with funding now available for recycling and clean energy projects under the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).

According to Environment Minister Sussan Ley, the MMI will help manufacturers scale-up production, commercialise their products and operations, and integrate into domestic and global supply chains.

“At a time when we are driving an unprecedented transformation of our recycling industries, this investment will encourage new technologies to recover, recycle and reprocess materials like e-waste and problematic plastics into new products,” she said.

Recycling and Clean Energy is the sixth and final of the government’s priority areas to open for funding under the MMI.

Investment in the sector will be guided by the Recycling and Clean Energy National Manufacturing Priority road map, which was released this week.

The road map’s stated vision is to develop world-leading advanced manufacturers that seize opportunities from sustainability, clean energy transition, and waste reduction demands by leveraging Australia’s advantages in innovation, technology, renewable and mineral resources.

The road map highlights specific areas of investment opportunity including: recyclable products and packaging, products made from recycled feedstock such as plastic or organic waste, hydrogen technologies, thermal energy, microgrids, inverters, specialised batteries and low emissions steel and aluminium.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor added that the MMI is an important part of the Federal Government’s “technology not taxes” approach to reducing emissions.

“The government is backing in Australia’s potential to be a low emissions technology leader. Our support will support the growth of new industries and jobs,” he said.

“We’re a trusted supplier of energy, commodities and manufactured products across the Indo-Pacific. Getting the technologies of the future right will position us to support our customer countries’ efforts to decarbonise while growing their economies.”

The $1.3 billion MMI is the centrepiece of the government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, an action plan to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality and sustainable manufacturing nation.

Initial applications will be limited to the Translation and Integration streams of the MMI, with expressions of interest for the larger Collaboration stream to open soon.

The Manufacturing Translation Stream provides businesses with funding to support projects that translate high quality research into commercial outcomes and support businesses to scale-up and be more competitive and resilient.

It provides co-funding to support businesses to adopt new technologies and improve their manufacturing processes to boost productivity and competitiveness.

Alternatively, the Manufacturing Integration Stream supports projects that integrate Australian businesses into domestic and international value chains, propelling their goods and services into new markets.

It provides co-funding to encourage linkages between local businesses and domestic and international firms, increasing scale, supply capacity and the ability to innovate. It will also facilitate the adoption of product standards and greater sharing and transfer of knowledge.

Federal funding will be provided on a dollar-for-dollar co-investment basis, with grants ranging from $1 million to $20 million.

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