| 16 December 2009 |
| CRC-ACS Extension Proposal Supported
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science & Research, Senator the Hon. Kim Carr today announced the outcome of the 12th CRC Selection Round. CRC-ACS is pleased to report that its own CRC-ACS Extension proposal is one of the seven CRCs being supported. With $14 million of Government support, CRC-ACS will embark on a five year program involving 30 Australian and international participants in July 2010, valued at $70 million. The CRC-ACS Extension Program will facilitate the integration of Australian manufacturing, materials supply and engineering support enterprises into international value chains by bringing a range of new technologies to market, including breakthrough aircraft structure assembly technology, low-cost infrastructure repair, and sustainable plant-fibre biocomposites. Australia will have unprecedented opportunities to engage in the European aerospace market. EADS Australia Pacific, part of the world's largest aerospace manufacturer - EADS, will commence its first ever major R&D program in Australia through this Extension. The German Aerospace Center - DLR (annual budget > €1 billion) will also commence its first major R&D engagement in Australia, providing access to unrivalled facilities in the development and implementation of aerospace technologies. Support of Australia's defence forces will also be enhanced, by maturing research into health monitoring systems and repair technology, and developing life-saving crash systems for helicopters. Major new initiatives in composites will be implemented over the next decade in the Oil & Gas sector, in which Australia is now positioned to take a leading role. PETRONAS Research, the Technical Services Division of the Malaysian petrochemical multinational PETRONAS, will join CRC-ACS to extend the focus of Australia's extensive expertise in composites technology. A program focused on infrastructure repair and new deep water infrastructure will open opportunities for Australian businesses in the Oil & Gas industry while providing pathways to transfer new capabilities to Civil Infrastructure and Mining sectors. During the five-year Extension Program, CRC-ACS will dramatically raise international business and research institution engagement in Australia, leading to a strong and sustained focus on Australia for next-generation structures based on advanced composite materials into the future. CRC-ACS has established a collaborative network of research institutions across Europe, North America and Australasia, which will foster long-term engagement for technology leadership in composites. The Extension Program will also complete the transformation of CRC-ACS into a centre independent of CRC funding, via the operations of the CRC-ACS spin-off company, ACS Australia. By securing a fourth term of CRC Funding, CRC-ACS has again established its position as the longest continually running CRC in the history of the CRC Program. Since its establishment in July 1991, CRC-ACS has delivered significant benefit to the Australian economy, including technology underpinning Australia's $4 billion engagement in the Boeing 787 program. Continuation of CRC-ACS will allow Australia to take a leading role in composites development, positioning Australian SMEs prominently amongst international industry, leading the Australian Composites Industry into a strong and competitive future. More information: Extension Participants: |