Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has introduced a new research and development (R&D) grant initiative aimed at advancing the country’s battery sector and boosting export opportunities, particularly to the United States.
The $400,000 initiative offers mining and manufacturing small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) up to $50,000 per project, in addition to access to CSIRO’s advanced research facilities and expertise. The program is designed to help Australian companies enhance the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of graphite, a critical component in the production of batteries.
CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Dr. Adam Best stressed the importance of graphite in powering a wide range of devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles and home energy storage systems. He noted that while Australia currently faces limited export markets for the specific type of graphite used in batteries, the country’s significant natural resources position it as a potential key supplier to global markets, especially the US.
This grant initiative comes at a time of global supply chain disruptions and ongoing efforts by nations to diversify their sources of critical minerals. Dr. Best pointed out that the funding could help Australian businesses develop innovative technologies and processes, further establishing Australia’s competitiveness as a graphite supplier.
Eligible projects for funding include improving the spheronisation, purification, and electrochemical testing of natural graphite, exploring new synthetic graphite sources, advancing graphite recycling from spent batteries, and enhancing the material’s quality and performance in battery applications. Companies can also access CSIRO’s characterisation facilities for graphite resource analysis.
Dr. Best emphasized the broader economic and strategic benefits of the program, noting that strengthening domestic research and production would contribute to greater sovereign capability, job creation, and more resilient supply chains.
Applications for the program are now open, with interested businesses invited to attend a free webinar on 13 February 2025 for further details.
The graphite R&D grant initiative is part of the Federal Government’s Batteries Research and Development Program, which supports the National Battery Strategy, Critical Minerals Strategy, and the Future Made in Australia agenda.
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