Australia’s AMCRC Lands AU$11M to Support First Five CORE Projects

Key Takeaways

• The Australian government has committed nearly AU$60 million to the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC)
• The AMCRC has announced its first five research projects in its CORE program, with a total funding of AU$11 million
• The projects will focus on strategically critical sectors such as aerospace, mobility and transport, medtech, mining, and defence
• The AMCRC aims to leverage additive manufacturing to benefit Australia's domestic industrial base
• The Australian manufacturing sector continues to contract, despite government efforts to prioritize manufacturing funding

Introduction to AMCRC and its CORE Program

The Australian government launched the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) last year, with a significant commitment of nearly AU$60 million in public funding. The AMCRC's partners from academia and the private sector have pledged to add AU$200 million in investments over the following seven years. The centre aims to leverage additive manufacturing (AM) to benefit Australia's domestic industrial base, using a matched-funding system to channel resources to businesses capable of executing R&D projects over two-to-five years.

The First Five CORE Projects

The AMCRC has announced its first five research projects in its CORE program, with a total funding of AU$11 million. The projects will focus on strategically critical sectors such as:

• Aerospace
• Mobility and transport
• Medtech
• Mining
• Defence
  The specific projects have not been disclosed yet, but will be revealed on a project-by-project basis as each one begins.

Comparison of AMCRC Funding and Partnerships

Challenges Facing the Australian Manufacturing Sector

Despite the Australian government's efforts to prioritize manufacturing funding, the nation's manufacturing sector continues to contract. This is similar to other nations that have been trying to relocalize their manufacturing supply chains in the 2020s. However, Australian companies have made inroads into allied nations' manufacturing bases, with the US being a key market.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The AMCRC's first five CORE projects mark a significant milestone for Australia's manufacturing sector. The projects demonstrate industry's investment in additive manufacturing as a critical pathway to stronger manufacturing capability, more resilient supply chains, and globally competitive products.

Bottom Line

The Australian government's commitment to the AMCRC and its CORE program is a significant step towards leveraging additive manufacturing to benefit the nation's domestic industrial base. With a total funding of AU$11 million, the first five research projects will focus on strategically critical sectors such as aerospace, mobility and transport, medtech, mining, and defence. As the Australian manufacturing sector continues to face challenges, the AMCRC's efforts to promote additive manufacturing and industry partnerships will be crucial in driving growth and competitiveness in the sector.