JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
The Australian Government is funding a new project that will reuse organic waste to develop compostable plastics as part of its Securing Raw Materials Program. The Program provides funding to innovative partnerships between regional universities and local industry that use locally sourced raw material supplies.
Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said such projects in regional Australia are integral to securing and strengthening the supply of improved raw materials to vital industries.
“We want to prioritise and strengthen our valuable partnerships between Australian businesses, our world-class research institutions and regional communities, ensuring regional Australia is at the forefront of innovation and change,” Senator McKenzie said.
Senator Perin Davey, Senator for New South Wales, said the Government will provide $5 million to InnovationClub Pty Ltd, partnering with the University of Newcastle, to develop compostable plastics from grape and grain waste in Muswellbrook.
“This funding will deliver the first ever Australian-made, certified compostable plastics,” Senator Davey said.
“Even better, these products will be made using local resources and will support around 100 green jobs – which is fantastic for the local economy in the Hunter region.
“This is a terrific example of how the Nationals are committed to helping the Hunter region realise its potential at the cutting-edge of industry and research, and I very much look forward to inspecting the finished project sometime soon.”
More information on the Securing Raw Materials Program can be found at: www.business.gov.au/srmp.