Australia’s manufacturing sector has received a boost with the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) approving its first five industry-led CORE research projects, unlocking more than $11 million in combined investment aimed at advancing additive manufacturing capability across key industries.
In a news release, the organisation said the projects form the first major research and development commitments under the AMCRC’s Commonwealth-supported mandate to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, productivity and sustainability through industry-led additive manufacturing innovation.
Supported by $1.95 million in Commonwealth funding through the AMCRC, the projects are matched dollar-for-dollar by industry partners, alongside more than $7 million in in-kind contributions from research and commercial collaborators.
The initiatives span aerospace, mobility and transport, medtech, mining and defence, and will focus on advanced materials, sustainable design and high-performance production technologies.
AMCRC Managing Director Simon Marriott said the funding round marked an important step for the sector.
“This is a significant milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector,” Mr Marriott said. “These projects show industry is investing in additive manufacturing not just as an emerging technology, but as a critical pathway to stronger manufacturing capability, more resilient supply chains and globally competitive production.”
AMCRC Chair Susan Jeanes said collaboration would be central to building long-term capability.
“These partnerships are creating the knowhow, infrastructure and industry connections needed to strengthen Australia’s additive manufacturing ecosystem,” Ms Jeanes said. “Importantly, they are helping translate world-class Australian research into real industrial capability and economic opportunity.”
The CORE Project program is designed to progress technologies from proof-of-concept through to pilot production and commercial deployment.
