Federal Member for Groom John McVeigh joined representatives of Wagners today to announce three million dollars towards a major research project led by Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) that will help further develop world leading next generation composite civil engineering products.
The funding has been received after a competitive merit-based selection process through Round 6 of the Government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program.
“Wagners CFT has already pioneered the use of composite materials around the world. This important $10.3 million research project will be conducted over three years and will support significant growth in domestic and international markets,” Dr McVeigh said.
“By using a holistic engineering approach the research team hope to optimise the existing composite pultrusion process for increased productivity and further develop novel value-added products such as, fire retardant civil structures to be used in rail and pedestrian bridges.
“These advanced structures are expected to capture new high value markets in the oil and gas and transport industries both in Australia and internationally.”
Executive General Manager of Wagners CFT, Michael Kemp said the funding will support cutting-edge innovation and development.
"This project will enable Wagners to optimise the pultrusion process for higher productivity so that Wagners can stay competitive not only in Australia, but in a global market. It also ensures manufacturing is leading edge and innovative right here in regional Queensland,” Mr Kemp said.
"The improved technology developed throughout the course of this project with Allnex Resins Australia and the University of Southern Queensland will drive new product creation and give Wagners a highly technical advantage."
Dr McVeigh said round six of the CRC Program had been highly competitive and highlighted the quality of the application from Wagners.
“I congratulate Wagners on the success of their application. It is one of 19 successful partnerships across Australia in the sixth project round, which was the most competitive to date,” he said.
“These industry-led partnerships will improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, and create more jobs.
“Small and medium businesses are the backbone of our economy and this investment will help businesses grow, find new market opportunities and bring significant returns to Australia.”
During the announcement we took the opportunity to commission our fourth pultrusion machine with a ribbon cutting by Dr McVeigh. This machine will see the ability for increased output of product to international markets.
In just two years we’ve grown from two machines to four, doubling our production, and our CFT products are installed in seven countries across the globe.
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