Free online R&D program offers SMEs a path to greener supply chains
The CSIRO and Deakin University have teamed up to support recycling and circular economy innovations through an 8-week course.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia can now apply for a free online education program designed to help businesses advance research and development (R&D) in recycling and circular economy initiatives.
The Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy program, offered by CSIRO in collaboration with Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH), will run for eight weeks. Participating businesses will gain insights from leading researchers, explore R&D challenges, and create tailored business and funding strategies for their projects.
This program is open to SMEs based and operating in Australia who are working on recycling or circular economy solutions in any of these sub-sectors:
- Organic and inorganic recycling
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Clean energy production and storage
- Supply chain waste reduction
- Waste to energy (bioenergy)
- Fibres and textiles waste
- Sustainable construction materials
- Other
Dr Deborah Lau, CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Research Lead, explained the importance of industry collaboration in tackling waste challenges. “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 said. “Through this program, we aim to spark innovation that will shape a sustainable circular ecosystem for plastics and waste through recycling, redesign and reuse.”
Since its launch in 2020, Innovate to Grow has supported more than 600 SMEs in progressing their R&D goals. The latest round focuses on industries such as waste-to-energy, sustainable manufacturing, and clean energy storage, among others.
Past participants, such as Little Green Panda—a company creating biodegradable products from agricultural waste—have benefitted from the program. Founder Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu shared her experience, saying, “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.”
Applications are open to SMEs working in areas like sustainable construction materials, fibre and textile waste, organic and inorganic recycling, and more. The program is funded through the Australian government’s Trailblazer Universities Program and delivered through Deakin’s REACH initiative.
Applications for the The Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy program close on 16 February 2025.
