Assistant Minister for Education, Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm has officially launched the inaugural showcase for the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) supporting Australia’s transition to a net zero future.
The University of New South Wales, in partnership with the University of Newcastle, are leading TRaCE to advance Australia’s clean energy, recycling and decarbonisation technologies, moving innovative technologies out of the lab and into global manufacturing.
TRaCE has anticipated funding of $280 million including approximately $116 million of co-contributions from a number of industry partners.
TRaCE will work with these partners to establish a fully integrated ecosystem for recycling and clean energy research commercialisation, supporting 5,200 regional jobs and boosting the Australian economy by up to $15 billion over the next 20 years.
Assistant Minister Chisholm said the TRaCE will contribute to delivering the skills needed to establish Australia as a clean energy superpower.
“TRaCE’s projects will help Australia and the world find new and effective ways to transition to sustainable recycling and clean energy solutions and systems,” Assistant Minister Chisholm said.
“This important work is already underway with TRaCE partnering with aluminium manufacturer Jamestrong to commercialise advanced recycling technology into its can manufacturing process in Taree, New South Wales.
“The project will revolutionise aluminium manufacturing and recycling in Australia and establish Jamestrong as one of the first aluminium aerosol can producers in the world to use recycled content, including waste currently not recycled because it contains mixed materials.”
TRaCE is one of 6 projects to receive $50 million as part of the Australian Government’s $370.3 million Trailblazer Universities Program which aims to build new research capabilities, drive commercialisation outcomes, and invest in new industry engagement opportunities.
This funding includes $45 million to support access to specialised equipment at Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO.
Learn more about the Trailblazer Universities Program and TRaCE.