Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla says innovation will underpin stronger economic and research partnerships between Australia and India.
Recycling research and innovation at UNSW Sydney is helping shape conversations about how Australia and India can work together to build more sustainable manufacturing industries and strengthen resource security.
Speaking on a panel at the Australia-India Economic Roadmap Business Reception in Melbourne last week, Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO, Director of UNSW's Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre , highlighted how sustainable manufacturing in Australia and India could benefit both economies.
Prof. Sahajwalla said innovation was crucial not only to ensuring there are enough important materials but also to addressing energy security.
"If you've got innovation, you can innovate, not just in the manufacturing process, but you can actually innovate in your supply chains as well," Prof. Sahajwalla said.
Using the example of green metals, she said there are a lot of undervalued resources in the supply chain that can be harvested, such as the metal in tyres.
"If we're going to be making metals like iron, steel, and copper and so on, how are we going to make sure that we've got the right kind of resources? There is no question that recycling waste is good for the environment. What we need to have is a far more sophisticated conversation around how it is also good for our economies.
"I would love to imagine a future where there is no such thing as waste. We are looking at all kinds of resources. We know that there's value in it. If we can bring together waste and its transformation through recycling, through manufacturing and value creation, it would be a great outcome for our planet and for our countries' economies."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the reception, alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Australian Government representatives, industry leaders and researchers. The event was hosted by the Centre for Australia India Relations (CAIR).
Prof. Sahajwalla joined Centre for Australia-India Relations CEO Ryan Neelam, Deakin University Vice-President (Global Engagement) Ravneet Pawha and Tourism Australia Managing Director Robin Mack to discuss opportunities for closer Australia-India collaboration across clean energy, education, and tourism.
Prof. Sahajwalla said it was important for young people to get hands-on opportunities to implement the ideas they are learning in the classroom and see the impact they can make on the planet.
"You've got to be able to show in a holistic way that this is not just something that sits in the labs where research is happening," she said. "This is very much about the translation piece. So, when we talk about technology, how do you translate that? What is the journey to go from your lab to pilots, and ultimately, to implementation? And that can be quite an exciting frontier."
If we can bring together waste and its transformation through recycling, through manufacturing and value creation, it would be a great outcome for our planet and for our countries' economies.
Innovation driving economic opportunity
The event reflected the growing importance of research and innovation in the Australia-India relationship, focusing on four key areas of opportunity from the government's Roadmap for Economic Engagement with India : clean energy, education and skills, agribusiness and tourism.
Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres said: "As India accelerates its energy transition, Australian critical minerals, renewable energy expertise and low-emissions technologies can help meet growing demand while creating new investment, manufacturing and decarbonisation opportunities for both countries."
UNSW's SMaRT Centre is home to MICROfactories technology, small, modular recycling systems that transform discarded products such as mattresses, glass, textiles, and electronic waste into valuable materials and products.
Prof. Sahajwalla's participation in the Australia-India Economic Roadmap Business Reception reflected UNSW's long-standing commitment to working with global partners to address shared challenges through research, innovation and education.
In recognition of her contributions to strengthening Australia-India ties, Prof. Sahajwalla received the Indian Government's Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2011, the highest honour awarded to a member of the Indian diaspora.
UNSW will further strengthen its engagement with India when it opens its Bengaluru campus in August.
