Braeside company awarded $3 million innovation grant

An innovative project to transform hazardous solar panel waste into value-added materials by Ojas Group in Braeside is one of 10 initiatives to share in a $25 million funding injection from the Morrison Government.

The successful Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-Ps) under round 9 involve 29 Australian companies, including 22 small and medium businesses.

Senator for Victoria, David Van, said the support for Ojas Group includes $3 million to upcycle solar panel waste.

“It is tremendous to see such ingenuity in Braeside and the Government is determined to back such collaborative innovation,” Senator Van said.

“This funding will help accelerate the project and ensure we can continue to grow the local economy at such a critical time post-COVID.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said these broad-ranging projects will help save time, money and lives.

“The Morrison Government is committed to supporting innovative ideas and assisting researchers and industry develop real-world solutions to issues facing Australia and the world,” Minister Andrews said.

“Now more than ever it is vital businesses and researchers work together to collaborate on outcomes which will generate opportunities and jobs as the nation continues its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The $25 million in support from the Morrison Government will unlock a further $58 million of cash and in-kind contributions from 52 project partners.

Since the first round of CRC Projects in 2016, the Government has committed over $314 million in funding to support 145 projects.