What is the Recycling Victoria Research and Development Fund – Materials?
The Recycling Victoria Research and Development Fund – Materials is a grant opportunity to accelerate markets for recycled priority materials by developing innovative products and processes that will increase confidence and demand for recycled products in Victoria.
Background
The Recycling Victoria Research and Development Fund enables research institutes to partner with industry to research and develop new uses for recycled priority materials.
The fund aims to accelerate markets, confidence and demand for recycled products in Victoria.
Grants focus on projects that:
- support research institutes and industry to collaborate on innovative solutions that increase use of recycled materials
- identify and develop new domestic markets for recycled materials
- diversify products and processes using recycled priority materials – both existing and emerging
- improve confidence and demand for recycled priority materials
- support Victoria’s transition to a circular economy.
Funding
Sustainability Victoria is offering grants between $75,000 and $300,000 ($1: $1 co-contribution) for research that is innovative, sustainable and supports Victoria’s transition to a circular economy.
Eligible Projects
To apply, you must investigate at least one of the following recycled priority materials:
- glass
- paper and cardboard
- plastics
- tyres.
Projects must deliver one or more of the following:
- research and develop new or existing products and/or processes
- investigate the feasibility of innovative technology
- improve and develop product standards and specifications
- improve market confidence and demand.
Projects must meet the following requirements:
- Projects activities must largely (more than 50%) take place in Victoria.
- Projects must be completed within 2 years of signing the funding agreement.
SV funding can be used for the following project costs:
- dedicated/additional staff costs to undertake the project (including project management and research)
- research and development activities (including product design and development, laboratory testing and altering existing processing approaches)
- costs that support development of specification and standards
- prototype development including any costs associated with manufacture
- leasing of equipment for product testing and validation
- procurement of materials and services supporting research and development
- consultancy or contract work, including outsourcing testing to an accredited laboratory (NATA or equivalent)
Note: projects may outsource a specific component to an inter-state facility - product testing and validation to ensure environmental and human health performance costs associated with undertaking a life cycle analysis.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for funding applicants must:
- investigate at least one of the following recycled priority materials:
- glass
- paper and cardboard
- plastics
- tyres
- be a Victorian based Research Institute (see section 10. Definitions)
- have a current Australian Business Number (ABN) and have been operating for a minimum of two years at the time of the application closing date
- provide evidence of accreditation (e.g. National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia or similar standard) if the applicant is a privately-owned research facility
- have at least one industry partner (Lead Industry Partner) who must have an ABN and operations in Victoria
- ensure all Industry Partners have a current ABN
- meet or exceed the minimum $1: $1 co-contribution requirement for funding
- have project activities that largely take place (more than 50%) in Victoria
- complete the project within two years of signing the funding agreement with SV.
Timing
Applications close 19 April 2021.
More Information
Round 1 Recipients
ARRB Group Ltd – $81,000 | Project partner: OmniGrip Direct Pty Ltd
- This project will investigate using an aggregate blend that includes recycled glass. This can help reduce the volume of treated natural aggregates to be imported, and add value to recycled glass fines. This may also make High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) more sustainable and affordable for road agencies and local governments.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) – $300,000 | Project partners: Think Fencing Pty Ltd, Vinyl Council of Australia, and National Waste Recycling Industry Council
- This project is about working with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounders and manufacturers to:
- develop material specifications for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) recyclate
- develop a prototype device that can help the composition of PVC recyclate meet required standards.
Deakin University – $255,000 | Project partners: Gale Pacific Limited, GT Recycling, and Lyondell Basell
- This project is to maximise the amount of recycled polypropylene (PP) that can be added to Gale Pacific’s polyfabric product, Landmark.
Monash University, Institute of Railway Technology (Monash IRT) – $300,000 | Project partners: Yarra Trams, Integrated Recycling, and Advanced Circular Polymer
- This research project will develop modular elements – made of reinforced recycled plastic – for tram stop platforms.
RMIT University – $200,000 | Project partners: Sustainable Structural Products Australia and Bendigo City Council
- This project will create hold-down clips (for structural grating) and purlins (for roofs) from: recycled plastics, tyre and timber.
RMIT University – $91,168 | Project partners: Intrax Consulting Engineers and Citywide
- This project will investigate using recycled cardboard in trusses for residential housing. The proof-of-concept design and application will be tested under Australian Standard loading conditions in the laboratory. .
RMIT University – $200,000 | Project partners: Enviromesh (Fibrecon) and Citywide
- This project aims to develop low-carbon concrete that uses pre-treated cardboard waste to partly replace natural coarse and fine aggregates. The mix can be used in precast walls for multi-unit residential and commercial buildings.
Swinburne University of Technology – $200,000 | Project partners: Polyfoam and Frubber
- Description: This project will develop a new process for recycling polystyrene by using tyre crumbs, with the aim to manufacture waffle pod spacers and reinforced residential housing slabs.
Swinburne University of Technology – $300,000 | Project partners: GT Recycling and Robovoid
- This project will explore ways to use recycled plastics in innovative bedding solutions, including frames and mattresses.
Victoria University – $220,000 | City West Water (now known as Greater Western Water), Ground Science Pty Ltd and University of Melbourne
- This project will investigate using blends of recycled glass, plastic, tyre, as well as construction and demolition wastes, as backfill material for sewer infrastructure embedded in expansive clay. This can help minimise the potential for subsidence or settlement in trafficable areas.
