AMCRC announces additive manufacturing research investment

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has approved its first five industry-led CORE research projects, providing more than $11 million in combined investment to accelerate additive manufacturing capability across key industries.

The projects mark the first major R&D investments under AMCRC’s Commonwealth-backed mandate to strengthen Australia’s manufacturing competitiveness, productivity and sustainability through industry‍-‍led additive manufacturing innovation.

Supported by $1.95 million in Commonwealth funding through AMCRC, the projects are matched dollar‍-‍for‍-‍dollar by industry partners and backed by more than $7 million in in-kind contribution from research and commercial collaborators.

Spanning aerospace, mobility and transport, medtech, mining and defence, the projects bring together AMCRC industry and research partners to tackle manufacturing challenges in advanced materials, sustainable design and high-performance production technologies. Individual project announcements will be made as projects commence.

AMCRC Managing Director Simon Marriott said the projects demonstrate growing industry confidence in additive manufacturing as a strategic capability for Australian industry.

“This is a significant milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector,” he said. “These projects show industry is investing in additive manufacturing not just as an emerging technology, but as a critical pathway to stronger manufacturing capability, more resilient supply chains and globally competitive production.

“The level of collaboration and co-investment we’ve seen in this first funding round highlights the appetite to accelerate commercial outcomes and bring advanced manufacturing innovations to market faster.”

The CORE Project funding program supports collaborative, multi-year R&D initiatives designed to move technologies from proof-of-concept through to pilot production and commercial deployment.

AMCRC Chair Susan Jeanes said the projects reinforce the importance of collaboration in building Australia’s advanced manufacturing future.

“These partnerships are creating the know-how, infrastructure and industry connections needed to strengthen Australia’s additive manufacturing ecosystem,” she said. “Importantly, they are helping translate world‍-‍class Australian research into real industrial capability and economic opportunity.”

Image credit: iStock.com/iloliloli