Together with Deakin University and the Victorian State Government, VCAMM is leading a strategic investment of $25 million to establish the Australian Carbon Fibre Research Facility (ACFRF) in Geelong. The ACFRF is a world first university connected open access research and development pilot plant to support the growth of new carbon fibre based businesses in Australia.
The ACFRF is part of the larger $100M Australian Future Fibre Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC) which is expected to create an international hub for fibre science and materials research and build national capacity in the carbon fibre industry. The centre is being established at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds as part of the Geelong Technology Precinct and is co-located with CSIRO’s textile and fibre facilities. It will provide access to industrial and pilot-scale facilities to translate research into end-user applications.
Deakin University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Lee Astheimer said the centre will bring together Australia’s foremost fibre and manufacturing scientists. Using sophisticated equipment and with strong commercial partnerships, the centre will be recognised as an international leader in new materials industries.
Deakin University’s Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation (CMFI) already has an international reputation in advanced composites and fibre research with extensive partnerships with the aerospace and automotive sectors. CSIRO brings expertise and equipment in commercially critical areas such as 3D weaving and surface finishing.
Exceptionally strong and light, carbon fibre is a defining material for 21st century manufacturing. Research to extend its properties, functionality and production is undeveloped globally.
By leveraging the combined expertise and equipment of the partners, the facility will offer an institutionally-based, industrial-scale carbon fibre capability. There is no equivalent
acility anywhere in the world. It will be capable of producing commercial quantities of aerospace quality carbon fibre.
The research facility will make the region attractive for carbon fibre commercial production and manufacturing products such as airplane fuselages and blades for wind turbines. It is expected to be operational in 2012, and to generate more than $1 million a year in research income from industry within five years.
Business:
Industry: Carbon Fibre Manufacturing
Summary: ACFRF, a global hub for research into carbon fibre composite materials providing access to industrial and pilot-scale facilities to translate research into end-user applications.
VCAMM assistance: Strategic investment, business development and networking |
