Deakin University will spearhead the largest recycling and clean energy advanced manufacturing ecosystem in Australia, thanks to $50 million in funding from the Federal Government’s inaugural Trailblazer Universities Program.
Through REACH – its Recycling and Renewable Energy Commercialisation Hub – Deakin will work with governments, industry, and education partners to establish a multi-billion dollar bioeconomy in Victoria, focused on clean energy, recycling and greener supply chains.
The initiative will drive significant innovation and job creation in Geelong and Western Victoria. The research-industry partnership is expected to generate more than $1.4 billion in revenue and 2,500 jobs in the next decade.
Deakin and its partners – which include Federation University, RMIT, Swinburne University, USQ, CSIRO and a number of Victorian TAFE colleges – will invest over $300 million on top of the Commonwealth’s $50 million, and back several projects including:
- An Australian supply chain for high technology batteries.
- Development of hydrogen storage and usage.
- Conversion of organic and inorganic waste into other products, including recycling soft plastic in a closed loop system.
REACH builds on Deakin’s end-to-end manufacturing capabilities in renewable energy and recycling and its thriving ‘Future Economy’ commercialisation ecosystem across its Waurn Ponds, Warrnambool and Burwood campuses.
