SMEs working on advanced solutions to address plastic waste are invited to apply for the free, 10-week Innovate to Grow program, offered by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO.
The Innovate to Grow program intends to support the efforts of these SMEs by building their research and development (R&D) knowledge which will enable their solutions to be more commercially viable.
The program is also aligned with CSIRO’s goal to reduce 80 per cent of plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030 and support a sustainable plastics circular economy through its Ending Plastic Waste Mission.
Innovate to Grow: Ending Plastic Waste is open to SMEs working in the following sub-sectors:
- plastic processor or converter
- packaging
- plastic waste collection/sorting
- plastic recycling
- agriculture and food
- manufacturing
- other related sub-sectors.
CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission Lead Dr Deborah Lau said that addressing the plastic waste problem lies in bringing science and industry together.
“Each year, 90 billion tonnes of primary materials are extracted and used globally for plastics, with only 9 per cent recycled. This is commercially unsustainable,” Dr Lau said. “It’s important we work collaboratively with SMEs and facilitate access to R&D opportunities to help accelerate scientific advancements and cutting-edge technology to address the plastic pollution problem.”
“SMEs play a key role in driving Australia’s circular economy and new industries,” Dr Lau added. “This program will help facilitate innovation to drive future pathways for managing plastic waste.”
George Feast, Deputy Director of CSIRO’s SME Connect, encouraged SMEs to join the Innovate to Grow program so they can be able to bring their ideas to life.
“R&D can be an expensive undertaking for businesses and risky for those without the right guidance and support,” Feast said. “To address these challenges, we’re inviting participants to come with a specific plastic or recycling idea they’d like to explore.”
Throughout the 10-week program, CSIRO experts will guide businesses through how to refine their idea, understand its research viability, and begin the process of engaging a university or research institution to deliver a collaborative R&D project.
Upon completion of the program, eligible participants may have the opportunity to access facilitation support, through CSIRO, to connect to research expertise nationally, along with dollar-matched R&D funding.
CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Ending Plastic Waste program will commence on 7 September, with 20 slots being allotted for the program. Applications will close on 14 August 2023.
