The University of South Australia has been named a major partner in two new Cooperative Research Centres backed by more than $500 million to advance Australia’s manufacturing sector.
UniSA’s Future Industries Institute (FII) will contribute to both the Additive Manufacturing CRC (AMCRC) and the Solutions for Manufacturing Advanced Regenerative Therapies (SMART) CRC, as revealed in a news release.
FII Industry Professor Colin Hall will be a key researcher in the AMCRC, which involves 73 industry partners, 14 research organisations and five government departments, receiving $57.5 million in federal funding and $213 million in partner contributions.
Professor Hall said additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is transforming manufacturing processes across multiple industries.
“Once limited to plastic prototype parts, 3D printing today includes metal, ceramic and composite materials that are on the cusp of full-scale adoption across Australia’s manufacturing sector,” Professor Hall said.
“Additive manufacturing offers significant advantages, boosting productivity, reducing waste and accelerating product development.”
The AMCRC will work over the next seven years to optimise processes, develop new materials, and upskill the workforce.
UniSA Business Associate Professor Shruti Sardeshmukh will lead the Sustainable Manufacturing research theme, focusing on embedding environmental, social and governance principles into manufacturing practices.
“By embedding environmental, social and governance principles, 3D printing can fuel innovation, drive business transformation and propel Australian businesses towards a more resilient future,” Associate Professor Sardeshmukh said.
UniSA’s FII researchers will also focus on the CRC’s Surface Technologies and Post-Processing theme, further strengthening collaborations with long-term industry partners including SMR Automotive, Starke-AMG, EntX, and Laserbond.
From a biotechnology perspective, FII Professor Allison Cowin will be a key researcher in the $238 million SMART CRC, focused on advancing regenerative therapy manufacturing in Australia.
Supported by $65 million in government funding and $173 million in partner contributions, the SMART CRC brings together 63 partners across government, industry, and academia.
Professor Cowin said the initiative will drive national growth in the regenerative therapies sector.
“The SMART CRC will accelerate the Australian regenerative therapy industry,” Professor Cowin said. “It will catalyse, drive and co-ordinate a national effort, guiding industry growth in the cell and gene therapy sectors.”
Regenerative therapies, aimed at curing diseases by restoring normal cell, tissue and organ function, are expected to drive significant economic and health benefits.
The SMART CRC is projected to create 1,500 skilled jobs and generate $4.5 billion in business over the next decade.
UniSA Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Enterprise, Professor Peter Murphy, said the centres offer significant opportunities, particularly following the planned merger of UniSA and the University of Adelaide into Adelaide University in 2026.
“This is a fantastic outcome for the Australian manufacturing sector and will lead to exciting times ahead, not only for our researchers but for the nation as a whole,” Professor Murphy said.
The Federal Government also announced a third CRC, the Care Economy CRC, focused on advancing the care sector through customised technologies, data solutions and new care models.
