Australian national science agency CSIRO has launched the 2025 edition of its ‘Innovate to Grow’ program which has helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in the recycling and circular economy to advance their research goals.
Delivered in partnership with Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH), which is supported by the Australian government’s Trailblazer Universities Program, the eight-week program will be spearheaded by experienced researchers and will help participants examine technical challenges, explore research and development (R&D) opportunities, and develop actionable business and funding plans for their R&D ideas.
CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Research Lead Dr Deborah Lau stated that it is critical to bring science and industry together so we can create circular pathways for plastics and other recyclable waste.
“Over 9.5 billion tonnes of plastic waste have been produced globally since 1950, with only nine per cent recycled each year. This is commercially and environmentally unsustainable,” Lau said. “Working with SMEs is essential to unlocking R&D opportunities that accelerate breakthroughs in science and technology. Through this program, we aim to spark innovation that will shape a sustainable circular ecosystem for plastics and waste through recycling, redesign and reuse.”
Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy program is open to SMEs working in the following sub-sectors:
- 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
- Other
Amy Hunter, Deakin REACH Executive Director, said that SMEs and the start-up sector have a tremendous opportunity to play a key role 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,” Hunter said.
CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow was first launched in 2020 and has equipped over 600 SMEs with the knowledge and tools required to progress their R&D opportunities.
Applications for this year’s ‘Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy’ close on 16 February 2025.
