Technical Absorbents
Techtextil Frankfurt

Free membership

Receive our weekly Newsletter
and set tailored daily news alerts.

Composites

Advanced fibre manufacturing centre set up in Geelong

The Fibre Processing and Carbon Nexus buildings that have been opened in the Australian city of Geelong, having received $38 million in Federal Government funding, are expected to boost local economy. The buildings are part of the $103 million Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC), which aims to transform Geelong's into a global centre for cutting-edge manufacturing.

23rd July 2013

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Braintree

Industrial, Construction, Transport/​Aerospace

The buildings are part of the $103 million Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC), which aims to transform Geelong's into a global centre for cutting-edge manufacturing.

Innovative

"New generation fibres, like carbon fibre, smart fibrous materials, and sustainable textiles are revolutionising industries across the economy, including in the aerospace, defence, automotive and textile sectors," said Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr when opening the buildings.

Geelong company Carbon Revolution has worked closely with Deakin University, and is now the first to manufacture carbon fibre car wheels, which weigh about half as much as regular wheels. Carbon Revolution is currently exporting worldwide.

Helping local economy

The global carbon fibre market is expected to double to $36 billion by 2020, and Geelong is positioning itself as a leader in research, with potential to further increase production.

To date, the centre has injected $160 million into the local economy and when complete, will employ 385 researchers, adding an extra $25 million per annum to the local economy.

Plans

The Fibre Processing building will accommodate CSIRO researchers who will work closely with their Deakin University counterparts to develop new, high tech and environmentally friendly fibres to transform the textiles industry.

The Carbon Nexus building will house a 90 metre carbon fibre production line and furnace where researchers will produce composite materials for commercial research purposes.

Read original story

Latest Reports

Business intelligence for the fibre, textiles and apparel industries: technologies, innovations, markets, investments, trade policy, sourcing, strategy...

Find out more