Australia’s Additive Manufacturing CRC officially launched

Australia’s Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has opened in Melbourne.

The AMCRC has been established with $57.5 million in Commonwealth Government funding through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. However, AMCRC also brings together 13 leading Australian universities, CSIRO, and more than 60 industry and membership organisations. Over the next seven years, this partner base will invest an additional $200 million in cash and kind to build a world-class additive manufacturing ecosystem that enhances Australian industry capacity, generates higher productivity and a digital manufacturing base.

Driven by an “Australia Makes” vision, AMCRC will translate cutting-edge Australian research into commercial outcomes, accelerate innovation, explore high-growth business models, enable sustainable supply chains, and reinvigorate local manufacturing through new technological capabilities. For businesses, this means local production that’s faster more responsive and better tailored to customers’ needs, the organisation says.

The AMCRC is an industry-led, collaborative research centre. By connecting business, research and education in a collaborative ecosystem, AMCRC drives world-class research and innovation, fast-tracks commercialisation and builds sovereign capability.

The CRC’s research ambition is structured around four core programs:

• Sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing
• Advanced materials development, including critical mineral processing and feedstock enhancement to upcycle local production
• New technology and certified process development
• Enhanced finishings and surface technologies for medtec and defence applications.

A major focus of AMCRC will also be developing a skilled workforce, ensuring widespread adoption of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies and strengthening Australia’s manufacturing resilience and competitiveness.

AMCRC Managing Director, Simon Marriott, said: “Today marks the start of seven years of industry-led research collaboration to advance Australia’s additive manufacturing capabilities. Additive manufacturing is no longer limited to targeted prototyping, it is transforming industrial processes and supply chains, enabling a new era of efficient and sustainable manufacturing. Through AMCRC, we’re ensuring Australian industry not only keeps pace but leads.”

“AMCRC represents a unique opportunity to position Australia as a global leader in additive manufacturing innovation,” said Susan Jeanes, the AMCRC Chair. “By uniting industry, researchers and government behind a shared agenda, we will drive research, fast-track commercialisation, and build sovereign capability – delivering new materials, technologies and production solutions that improve productivity, efficiency and local capacity.”

As well as Boeing Aerostructures Australia which is a major supporter of the AMCRC, two industry partners are already set to commence projects with AMCRC. One of them is entX, a leading South Australian nuclear engineering and technology company developing advanced energy solutions with applications across defence and space exploration; and Rosebank Engineering – one of Australia’s leading aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers.

“Rosebank Engineering has been a trusted partner of Australian industry for over 40 years,” said Aidan Butler-Bonnice, General Manager at Rosebank Engineering. “Building on this legacy of innovation, we are proud to be partnering with the AMCRC to pioneer Laser Direct Energy Deposition for repair of high-value defence components. With over two decades of additive manufacturing experience, we look forward to working with the AMCRC and our research partners Swinburne and RMIT University to develop robust industry-ready solutions that strengthen Australia’s defence, aerospace and maritime sectors.”