NSW awards $26.2 million in low‍-‍emissions technology grants

The NSW Government has announced it is investing $26.2 million to support companies developing emissions reduction technologies.

The Clean Technology Innovation grants support 13 projects across NSW to advance their technologies from research to commercial businesses. The projects include:

• Underwater robotic hull cleaners that reduce ship emissions and fuel consumption, eliminate harmful coatings and prevent the spread of invasive species.
• A drag-reducing adhesive film for aircraft, inspired by the skin of fast swimming sharks.
• Testing a cleaner method to extract lithium for batteries, to make the process more efficient and cost effective.
• Turning farm waste into green hydrogen and ammonia using a new on-farm technology.
• Setting up the world's first commercial manufacturing facility for Printed Solar, which was rolled out in stadiums during Coldplay’s world tour.
   

The government says it is delivering this funding as part of its $275 million Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative to fuel new investment, new jobs and new opportunities for NSW businesses, industries and communities.

The grants focus on developing and implementing technologies that don’t currently exist in the marketplace but have the capability to reduce emissions and assist with the state’s net zero targets. Each project will progress through stages including design, prototyping, construction, testing and real-world scenarios to ensure commercial viability. Funding ranges from $400,000 to $5 million per project.

In addition to the NSW Government's funding, the projects have also successfully attracted $46.9 million in private investment, demonstrating strong industry confidence in their potential.

The successful projects must be completed by 2028, delivering tangible outcomes in the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

“Building a green innovation economy is critical to NSW’s long-term prosperity,” said Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong. “These projects are a perfect example of our Industry Policy in action, which has identified the transition to a net zero economy as one of its three key missions, alongside local manufacturing and increasing housing supply.

“This is also an example of our Innovation Blueprint coming to life as we build clean technology communities that fuel technological advancements as well as new investment, new jobs, and new opportunities right across the state.”

Steven Vassiloudis, CEO and Founder of Novalith (which is developing a new lithium extraction process), said: “Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead the global energy transition, not just by exporting minerals, but by exporting the technology that makes them cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable to produce.

“This support from the NSW Government recognises the vital role home-grown solutions like Novalith’s can play in building resilient supply chains and accelerating the world’s shift to a low-carbon future.”

For more information visit www.energy.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry/programs-grants-and-schemes/clean-technology-innovation.

Image credit: iStock.com/Parradee Kietsirikul