Deakin University reaches for green manufacturing revolution

green manufacturing

Deakin University is set to spearhead Australia’s largest green manufacturing ecosystem after receiving $50 million in funding from the Federal Government.

The university’s Recycling and Renewable Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH) is the latest project funded by the $242.7 million Trailblazer University Program, designed to invest in innovation and research commercialisation in manufacturing in Australia.

Through the REACH program, Deakin will work with government, industry and educational partners to set up a multi-billion-dollar bioeconomy in Victoria. Initial projects will focus on a closed-loop system for recycling soft plastic, a supply chain for advanced battery manufacture and building local capability to store and use hydrogen.

Professor Julie Owens, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, said the funding was key to keeping Deakin and Victoria at the forefront of the global green manufacturing sector.

“Recycling and renewable energy are key to reducing landfills, reliance on fossil fuels, and the devastating costs of global warming,” she said.

“Materials and energy are essential to manufacturing. As global markets move from a throughput economy to a circular economy, demand for greener, more resilient supply chains will continue to grow.”

Professor Iain Martin, Deakin Vice-Chancellor said the successful bid would allow REACH to play a leading role in sustainable manufacturing and push the limits of innovation in the sector.

“This funding will enable Deakin to work with progressive, innovation-driven industry partners, leveraging enormous market opportunities for recycling and clean energy technologies to deliver carbon-neutral solutions,” he said.

For more about Deakin’s REACH program, visit: www.deakin.edu.au/reach

 

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