Commercialisation fund accelerates innovation in energy, resources and circular economy

Australia’s manufacturing industry has demonstrated its commitment to growing local jobs and innovation by pledging more than double the Federal Government’s investment into 15 new projects under the latest round of AMGC’s Commercialisation Fund.

To be eligible, manufacturers must address one of the six National Manufacturing Priorities. Two of these are Recycling & Clean Energy and Resources Technology & Critical Minerals Processing. Eight of the fifteen successful co-funded projects from this round address these priorities:

• Nedstack Australia (NSW) – Clean Energy – Commercial prototype development of Australia’s first utility-scale PEM fuel cell leveraging Australian supply chain in collaboration with LAVO. Total project commitment $3.56million ($825,000 grant funds)
• Seeley International (SA) – Clean Energy – Accelerated design and development of an Australian-based manufacturing line for an ultra-high efficiency roof top Heating Ventilation and Cooling Unit (HVAC).Total project commitment $2.64million ($1.0million grant funds)
• Energy Renaissance (NSW) – Clean Energy – Support for process, technology and workforce skills at pilot manufacturing facility for lithium-ion batteries to prepare for full facility deployment. Total project commitment $1.48million ($525,072 grant funds)
• ActionLaser (NSW) – Recycling – Funding to establish an Australian manufacturing capability of filters used in recycling of polymers, replacing current imported products. Total project commitment $1.3million ($558,500 grant funds)
• Empower Energy (NSW) – Clean Energy – Deliver Australia’s first cost-effective solar-storage product designed for Australian climate, remoteness, bushfire risk, and coastal living conditions. Total project commitment $1.24million ($487,500 grant funds)
• carbonTRACK (VIC) – Clean Energy – Development and commercialisation of mass market Smart Gateway (cellular & Wi-Fi device) to monitor and control renewable energy assets and electronic devices. Product maximises energy efficiency while minimising costs and CO2 emissions and supports virtual power plants, virtual energy networks and energy trading. Total project commitment $877,000 ($428,500 grant funds)
• ZellaDC (WA) – Resource Technology & Critical Minerals Processing – Development of a next-generation micro Data Centre, using new lightweight, fire retardant materials to deliver design, scalability and energy efficiency gains. The program will also replace materials currently imported into Australia. Total project commitment $813,100 ($406,550 grant funds)
• Pryde Fabrication (QLD) – Recycling – Establish a manufacturing facility to manufacture bus shelter ‘J poles’ from recycled plastic, currently made from steel, to reduce corrosion issues and maintenance costs, while addressing plastic waste. Total project commitment $200,000 ($100,000 grant funds)

The 15 co-funded projects represent a total investment of $25.1 million, with 70 percent of total funds ($17.95 million) contributed by the manufacturing industry and the remainder ($7.16 million) derived from the $30 million AMGC Commercialisation Fund.

In addition to the 21 successful Commercialisation Fund projects to-date, AMGC has over 80 co-funded industry projects under management and returns an average of $6 to every $1 invested with over 2,300 direct jobs and $1.2 billion in revenue expected from a funding pool of $19.6 million in Federal funding.

For more information and to apply for a grant go to the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre website here.