Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has announced the latest iteration of its ‘Innovate to Grow’ program, focusing on recycling and circular economy initiatives.
The program aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in advancing their research goals and developing greener supply chains across Australia.
The eight-week Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy program, delivered in partnership with Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH), is now open for applications from Australian SMEs.
This collaboration is backed by the Australian government’s Trailblazer Universities Program.
Dr Deborah Lau, CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Research Lead, highlighted the critical need to unite science and industry in creating circular pathways for plastics and other recyclable waste.
“Over 9.5 billion tonnes of plastic waste have been produced globally since 1950, with only 9 per cent recycled each year.
“This is commercially and environmentally unsustainable,” Dr Lau stated.
The program, led by experienced researchers, will assist participants in examining technical challenges, exploring R&D opportunities, and developing actionable business and funding plans.
Since its launch in 2020, CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow has equipped over 600 SMEs with the knowledge and tools necessary to progress their R&D opportunities.
Amy Hunter, Deakin REACH Executive Director, highlighted the significant role SMEs and the startup sector can play in developing greener supply chains in Australia.
“Supporting CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow Recycling and Circular Economy program connects more businesses to Deakin through our REACH ecosystem, so we can support them to drive innovation and solve problems that will develop greener supply chains in Australia,” she explained.
The program is open to SMEs working in various sub-sectors, including organic and inorganic recycling, sustainable manufacturing, clean energy production and storage, supply chain waste reduction, waste to energy (bioenergy), fibre and textiles waste, sustainable construction materials, and other related fields.
Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu from Little Green Panda, a company that transforms agricultural waste into biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics, shared her positive experience from participating in CSIRO’s 2023 Innovate to Grow: Recycling program.
“We made lots of progress and came up with a direction for steps we need to do and the people we need to speak to in order to get this project kickstarted,” she said.
Interested SMEs are encouraged to apply for the Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy program. Applications close on February 16, 2025.
