Driving the innovation edge for the chemicals and plastics industry
Industry, Monash University and government collaborating to boost innovation for future growth
The best minds in academic research are joining with industry and government to ensure a dynamic future for the Australian chemistry industry, the second largest manufacturing sector in Australia, by jump starting opportunities for global investment, innovation, productivity, job creation and economic growth.
‘The Chemicals and Plastics Innovation Network and Training Program’ is led by Monash University and the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) and underpinned by support from the Victorian Government Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI). It will have an initial investment of $5.9M in this innovative cofounding partnership between industry, the State Government and academia.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Craig Ondarchie announced the new initiative yesterday at the PACIA national conference in Melbourne.
The initiative brings together multinationals, SMEs, the industry peak body and research organisations to create global market opportunities, increase collaboration between SMEs and multinationals, enhance manufacturing innovation, and deliver a new generation of industry professionals.
The partnership has more than 20 industry participants including: BASF, Procter & Gamble, 3M, Nufarm, Dulux Group, PPG Industries, Nuplex Industries, Agilent Technologies, AquaHydrex, Digital Ink Technologies, PerkinElmer, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australasian Industrial Research Group (AIRG), EPA Victoria, the national industry association for the Australasian hygiene, cosmetic and specialty products industry (ACCORD), SEMMA (South East Melbourne Manufacturing Alliance), SEMIP (South East Melbourne Innovation Precinct), the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), STC (Small Technologies Cluster) and KPMG.
The initiative is expected to deliver outcomes to hundreds of other businesses associated with the collaboration.
Monash University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO said as part of the initiative, the University would co-sponsor over 16 innovation projects with industry, through Monash’s new Graduate Research Interdisciplinary Program. It will also jointly deliver more than 60 innovation training development activities in partnership with industry, such as the exclusive Proctor & Gamble’s Serial Innovator Program, which teaches entrepreneurship and taking ideas from mind to market, for the first time in Australia.
“These projects will enable exceptionally talented students in science and engineering the opportunity to work with around 40 top academics and industrial researchers on leading edge innovations for the chemicals and plastics manufacturing industry,” Professor Gardner said.
“Monash has world class capability internationally in the chemical sciences with recent Australian investments exceeding $100M for the Green Chemical Futures facility and the Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing. Monash is extremely excited by this partnership to act as a catalyst for innovation with industry to produce a new generation of scientists and engineers, with business acumen and best practice knowledge to champion globally relevant innovation and add value to this industry, where it counts.”
PACIA CEO Samantha Read PACIA said: “We have seen a tremendous response from industry to this initiative. This is recognition of the vital importance of strong collaboration between academia, the research community and industry in helping to drive innovation. The role of innovation in helping to create competitive advantage for the Australian chemistry industry, cannot be overstated.”
“The highly talented and skilled PhD researchers coming out of this program will have a firm understanding of industry needs. This is an extremely valuable contribution towards the on-going development of Australia’s technology base and a highly skilled and productive workforce.
“Innovation and productivity in this sector will also have a significant flow on effect through the economy, given that the Australian chemistry industry supplies critical products and services into 109 of the Australia’s 111 industries,” said Ms Read.
PhD students interested in being involved in the program can click here for more information.