This Hub aims to advance upcycling technologies and associated regulatory and social engagement for processing under-utilised carbon waste within Australia and overseas. Its anticipated goal is to deliver value-added products, improved technology readiness levels for full exploitation of carbon wastes from agriculture, tyres, plastics and even food waste.
It will also train a large talent pool providing interdisciplinary knowledge and entrepreneurial skills for post-hub commercialisation. The Hub will benefit rural Australia by transforming local job markets and manufacturing capability. Ultimately, this Hub will make a significant contribution towards achieving Australia’s National Waste Action Plan goal by 2030, and a circular economy for a sustainable future.
It has five tangible objectives:
- Development of value-added, niche products out of carbon wastes that are green/renewable and cost-competitive in meeting the market needs for a broad variety of industries;
- Development of advanced upcycling technologies, and promotion of their technology readiness level (TRL) and integration to fully exploit the values out of each waste;
- Formulation of full life cycle analysis and sound scientific foundation to enable the minimal environmental impact and carbon footprint from the processes, as well as to promote the associated regulations and policy;
- Development of policy support and public understanding of the proposed upcycling technologies to enable effective implementation;
- Creation of new knowledge and the next-generation researchers and engineers who are able to maintain and grow the establishment of a circular economy with sustained development of industries for Australia’s future.
Research areas
The Hub will also host approximately 15 projects which are categorised under five Flagships Programs (FPs) listed below.
FP1: Clean Hydrogen and Storage
Researching clean hydrogen from carbon waste and respective liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) from carbon waste (e.g. scrap tyres) to address the 2050 Net Zero Emission goal of Australia.
FP2: Platform Chemicals
Biomass-derived platform chemicals for the manufacturing of biodegradable plastics, bio-fuels and other high-value chemicals that are crucial for the Sovereign and modern manufacturing capacity of Australia.
FP3: Advanced Carbon Materials
Advanced carbon materials including nano-cellulose, fibres, monoliths, graphite and carbon nanotubes (CNT) out of wastes for the manufacturing of clean energy and storage materials (e.g. batteries), electrodes and advanced adsorbents.
FP4: Prototyping, process Integration and Life Cycle Analysis
Prototyping of small-scale equipment and products to assess the performance and improve the design for large-scale deployment; and analysis of whole process integration and materials flow to address the circularity and sustainability for waste-to-product processes.
FP5: Building Policy Support and Social Licence to Operate
Research on policy making processes and social engagement with communities to support upcycling technologies and the transition to the circular economy.
