$35 million for advanced manufacturing research centre

The Australian Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has been given a $35 million boost to help develop next-generation technology platforms, announced the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop.

In the 2006 CRC selection round, the Australian government gave in-principle approval for funding to AMCRC for world-class research and innovation, taking the government's total funding for the 2006 round to about $345 million.

"AMCRC will deliver new platform technologies across major industry sectors in Australia, including the defence, aerospace, biomedical, fine chemical, mining, energy and fabricated metal products sectors," said Bishop.

Based in Melbourne, AMCRC's research is expected to have a significant impact across all industry sectors, with an estimated $523 million in business activity to be realised over the seven years of Australian government investment in the CRC.

"Businesses will benefit from enhanced product quality and reliability, and a reduction in the cost of developing and manufacturing these products," Bishop said.

AMCRC will also deliver an education and training program to better equip professionals to identify and utilise new technologies.