The University of Wollongong Australia has kickstarted the Australian Research Council (ARC) Hub for Australian Steel Innovation in Illawarra.
The new ARC Hub seeks to deliver various innovative research outcomes to address the next generation of functional steel products and advanced manufacturing processes. This would support the transition of the national steel manufacturing industry to a more sustainable future, UOW said in a press release.
Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare attended the launch of the research hub, along with UOW Vice-Chancellor Patricia M. Davidson, Global Brand Ambassador Adam Gilchrist AM, ARC Chief Executive Officer Judi Zielke PSM, senior UOW leaders, and industry and university partner representatives.
Led by UOW, the five-year, $28 million ARC Hub will convene the best university researchers, scientists, and engineers from the industry, including partners from BlueScope Steel, Liberty Primary Steel, Infrabuild (Manufacturing), Infrabuild (Wire), ArcelorMittal, Bisalloy, Australian Steel Institute, Weld Australia, Australian Industry Group and the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing.
Nine university partners will also join the hub, namely RMIT University, Australian National University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Newcastle, Deakin University, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and Monash University.
The new ARC Steel Research Hub builds on the work of the first Steel Research Hub—- kickstarted at UOW in 2014 to bring together teams of internationally recognised research and industry talent and develop innovative solutions in the sectors of manufacturing and product development.
Paul Zulli, director of the Steel Research Hub, said the facility serves at the vanguard of research and innovation in steel manufacturing.
“Following the successful achievements and innovations of the first hub, our new Steel Research Hub represents a strategic and unique partnership enabling the delivery of a broad set of new innovative solutions across national steel manufacturers, channel partners, peak bodies, small to medium enterprises and governments,” Zulli said.
