In a bid to spearhead the growth of the domestic battery industry and facilitate overseas exports, CSIRO has launched a new research and development grant for mining and manufacturing small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
Falling under the Federal Government’s Batteries Research and Development Program, the $400,000 CSIRO grant will place mining and manufacturing SMEs in good stead to embark on innovative graphite research and development projects.
Enterprises can access up to $50,000 for every project and use CSIRO‘s research facilities to elevate the sophistication, sustainability and efficiency of graphite for Australia’s burgeoning battery industry.
Increasing demand for critical mineral variety
Graphite is a core ingredient in batteries for phones, electric vehicles and homes.
CSIRO principal research scientist Dr Adam Best says although Australia is currently inhibited by scant export markets for graphite used in batteries, there are still opportunities to become a vital supplier to the United States.
“We are ideally positioned to become a key supplier to the US and other global markets, given our significant natural endowment of this critical mineral,” he says.
The CSIRO initiative seeks to remedy complications from disruptions to the global supply chain, in addition to responding to a growing appetite for critical mineral diversity, Best says.
“This grant opportunity will help Australian businesses develop the innovative technologies and processes needed to become global leaders in natural graphite production for battery applications, by partnering with CSIRO scientists and leveraging our expertise in R&D,” he says.
Projects focused on global reach desirable
Various projects are encouraged to apply for the grant including spheronisation, purification and electrochemical testing of natural graphite, alongside pursuits to recover and reuse graphite at the end of battery life. Companies are tasked with submitting a project reflective of the program’s goals, specifically expanding opportunities in the United States.
Companies awarded the grant are also invited to evaluate the quality and potential of specific natural graphite resources.
Best says the key to unlocking greater employment and economic growth in Australia lies in creating platforms for research and development.
“By bolstering domestic research and production, we can strengthen our sovereign capability, contribute to more resilient supply chains, and create new jobs and economic growth here in Australia,” Best says.
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