Investor Updates
Australia opens second phase of carbon-fibre research centre
24 July 2013
Australia has opened the second stage of a $103 million research facility devoted to developing cutting-edge carbon-fibre materials for aerospace, automotive and other industries in a move that strengthens the nation’s position as a global centre for innovation.
The Australian Government has provided $38 million for two facilities that make up the second stage of the Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC) at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria.
AFFRIC bolsters Australia’s reputation for commercially successful collaboration between government, research and business.
Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman recently opened the Australian Carbon Fibre Research Facility (Carbon Nexus) and the Fibre Processing Building.
"Australia's future as a high-wage, highly skilled nation, that makes things and leads the world in innovation depends on our ability to bring researchers and industry together in places like AFFRIC," Senator Carr said.
He said the new buildings show that Australia is securing the economic future of key manufacturing regions, such as Geelong.
"New-generation fibres, like carbon fibre, smart fibrous materials and sustainable textiles are revolutionising industries across the economy, including in the aerospace, defence, automotive and textile sectors," Senator Carr said.
The Carbon Nexus facility houses a 90-metre carbon fibre production line and furnace where researchers will produce leading-edge composite materials for commercial research purposes. Carbon Nexus is the world’s first dedicated pilot-scale research plant capable of producing industrially relevant quantities of aerospace quality carbon fibre.
In the Fibre Processing Building, the Government’s science body, CSIRO, will collaborate with Deakin University counterparts to develop new, high-tech, environmentally friendly fibres aimed at revolutionising the textiles industry, with applications for manufacturing, defence, aerospace and health. Scientists will also work to improve the quality of Australia’s cotton crop, in partnership with the country’s cotton industry.
Mr Cheeseman said the global carbon fibre market is expected to double to $36 billion by 2020, and Geelong has positioned itself as a leader in research, with potential to further increase production.
"To date, the centre has injected $160 million into the local economy and when complete, will employ 385 researchers, adding an extra $25 million per annum to our economy," he said.
Geelong researchers are working directly with industry, building new prototypes and making breakthroughs that no one else in the world is making, Mr Cheeseman added.
"Geelong company Carbon Revolution has worked closely with Deakin University, and is now the first in the world to manufacture carbon fibre car wheels, which weigh about half as much as regular wheels. They are currently exporting worldwide," Mr Cheeseman said.
In addition, business and research groups in German and Australia recently signed an agreement to develop carbon-fibre composites at the centre, opening the door to opportunities for both countries.
Australia’s broader credentials as a global centre for innovation are detailed in a recent report.
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