The Australian Government is backing our metals sector with the establishment of a new $10 million Green Metals Innovation Network, to be led by Australia's national science agency.
Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres today announced the Network will help fast-track Australia's low-carbon economic transformation by addressing gaps in technology - supporting the low-cost production of low-carbon metals including iron, steel, alumina and aluminium.
The Network will be run by CSIRO in collaboration with the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC).
CSIRO will tap into its strong connections to boost industry and research collaboration, enhance Australian-made metals knowledge and expertise, and identify education pathways to support a strong Australian metals workforce.
Australia's metals industry has a range of innovation and technological opportunities, from producing renewable energy metals from Australian ores, to replacing ageing infrastructure with low emission alternatives.
The Green Metals Innovation Network will help develop, test, validate and commercialise metals technologies and innovation underpinned by renewable energy - helping to secure Australian competitiveness into the future.
It's another boost for industry and our researchers building on Australia's position as an innovation leader. Australia ranks in the top 25 on the World Intellectual Property Organisation's Global Innovation Index.
The Network is part of the Government's $5 billion investment in green metals, including the $2 billion Green Aluminium Production Credit, $1 billion Green Iron Investment Fund and $750 million allocation under the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres:
"The investment in Australian metals production is a crucial step along the way to the delivery of the Albanese Governments Future Made in Australia vision for Australian made iron and steel."
"Australian iron ore produced here into value added Australian iron and steel products and Australian critical minerals processed as high-volume critical metals right here in Australia - that is our vision for new industry in regional Australia.
"Putting CSIRO and HILT CRC to work with industry to deliver Australia's industrial solutions for zero and low emissions metal processing secures a Future Made in Australia for the resources processing and metals sector.
"It is a crucial investment in science that will deliver good blue collar and engineering jobs for regional Australia. Alongside our intervention in Whyalla and $5 billion Investment in Green Metals, the Albanese Government is backing more industrial jobs and investment for Australia."
