Applications open under $36 million program for applying quantum technologies to national challenges

The federal government has called for applications from industry-research teams for the new $36 million Critical Technologies Challenge Program, aiming to “capture the power and potential of quantum technologies to address nationally significant challenges”.  In a statement from industry minister Ed Husic on Wednesday, it was said that the program will speed up commercialisation for…

Victoria backs IDT Australia to make anti-cancer drugs

The Victorian government has announced backing for pharmaceutical manufacturer IDT Australia to boost production of live-saving cancer treatments. IDT Australia will build a new facility in Boronia, Melbourne to manufacture Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) which have the specificity of monoclonal antibodies and deliver chemotherapy agents to cancer tumor sites. ADCs are set to replace almost…

Grant to accelerate decarbonisation of cement for ADBRI

The federal government has awarded building materials group Adbri a $50 million grant as part of the Commonwealth’s Powering the Regions Fund which will speed decarbonisation of hard to abate cement production. The funds will increase capacity and production of lower carbon cementitious products at the company’s Birkenhead, Adelaide cement plant, South Australia’s largest. The…

Towards 3% R&D – Medical manufacturing to propel the economy by Dig Howitt of Cochlear

Australia’s R&D effort is focused around medical technologies and here in our editorial series – Towards 3% R&D – Turbocharging Australia’s Innovation Effort – Dig Howitt of Cochlear outlines the way ahead to support innovation in the sector. Cochlear has long been a pioneer in innovation. It has reshaped hearing technology and made substantial contributions…

Ecobatt, Enviropacific awarded $3.5 million for battery recycling projects

The Victorian Government has announced two grants totalling $3.5 million awarded to assist in establishing lithium-ion processing and recycling facilities, which it says will increase the state’s capacity to process batteries by 19,500 tonnes annually. Ecobatt was awarded $2.5 million and Enviropacific Services $1 million as part of the Circular Economy Infrastructure Fund Hazardous Waste…