The Victorian Government has unveiled the $16.4 million Circular Economy-Accelerator project at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, in collaboration with Monash and RMIT universities and 20 industry partners.
The project will allow researchers to explore solutions to reducing and repurposing food waste, agricultural waste and biproducts into other products like nutritional supplements, essential oils and fertiliser.
A BioFactory will also be established in Geelong to convert organic waste from landfill and farms into new products.
The project will create 10 jobs in research, engineering and construction and another 130 jobs in manufacturing.
Victorian Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney launched the project at the Waurn Ponds campus.
“This is another great example of how we’re harnessing the research capabilities of our local universities in collaboration with industry to create jobs and learning opportunities – while working on clean, green solutions,” Tierney said.
Deakin’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said the project would play an important role in supporting an emerging circular economy.
“This is a significant partnership between three universities who are working closely with industry partners to deliver new waste and recycling solutions – an important step towards establishing a multi-billion dollar bioeconomy for Victoria,” Professor Martin said.
The Victorian Government has invested $10 million towards the project, which builds on the state’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and halve Victoria’s emissions by 2030.
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