Deakin University’s Carbon Nexus centre received a $5 million boost from the Federal Government on Tuesday to expand its operations.
The university and business partner LeMond Composites received $2.5m each from the government’s $10.1m Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund.
Vice-Chancellor Jane den Hollander welcomed the investment in “Geelong’s future.”
Earlier this year the university and LeMond Composites signed a $58 million deal to use local carbon fibre technology in world-class bicycles.
Three-time Tour de France winner and founder of the company Greg LeMond signed the agreement with Prof den Hollander in June.
“Our university has played a key role in finding these solutions, leveraging off our world-class research, infrastructure, and industry and government partnerships,” Prof den Hollander said.
The Geelong Economic Futures blueprint identified carbon fibre as a key project for the city.
“As we all know, Geelong’s future is high-value, advanced manufacturing,” Prof den Hollander said.
“For Geelong to secure 34 per cent of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund’s first round demonstrates the strength of this vision.”
Prof den Hollander praised Federal Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson for advancing “the region’s plan in Canberra”.
Deakin established its Carbon Nexus centre at Waurn Ponds in 2014 to research carbon fibre production methods and composite manufacturing techniques.
Prof den Hollander said the centre had since helped establish Geelong as a world leader in carbon fibre research and manufacturing, and created new jobs in the region.
