Australia’s national science
agency, CSIRO, and Swinburne University of Technology have established a new
partnership to tackle global decarbonisation with innovative green steel and
mineral processing research and development.
The collaboration will build national
research capability across the Australian innovation system to help industry
investigate low-emission steel technologies to guide future demonstrations and
industry development.
The Sustainable Mineral Processing and Green Steel Program partnership
will address key net zero challenges for the mineral resources industry,
including developing low-carbon routes for iron, steel and critical metals, as
well as improving recycling technologies.Swinburne is emerging as a leader in
the field of supply chain transformation and sustainability, a technological
and societal priority area for organisations and governments
worldwide.Swinburne’s chief scientist, Virginia Kilborn, stated, “Swinburne is
thrilled to be working with CSIRO on another program, this time using our
combined strength in decarbonisation and green steel.The university has a
long-standing relationship with CSIRO, linking world-class capability across a
vast range of strategic research areas.“Green steel makes up a key part of
Swinburne’s flagship research area ‘Innovative Planet’. This partnership is
another active step taken by Swinburne towards global decarbonisation to
achieve net zero.”As part of its Net Zero 2025 Pathways, the university has
invested in researchers from minerals characterisation, minerals processing,
pyrometallurgy and materials recycling. Coupled with CSIRO’s extensive minerals
research and development expertise, researchers from both organisations will
bring the program to life.
Swinburne and CSIRO chair in sustainable mineral processing Geoffrey
Brooks, stated, “I am honoured to be named as the Joint Swinburne/CSIRO Chair
of the Sustainable Mineral Processing and Green Steel Program. I think the
announcement further deepens our longstanding relationship with CSIRO in this
important area.”
“I’m expecting Swinburne and CSIRO to play a key role in Australia’s
drive towards green steel and producing critical metals in a sustainable
manner. It’s a great time for innovation and implementing new ideas.”
The program will also provide a platform for international conferences
and industry courses, as well as engagement for students through scholarships,
joint final year projects and work experience programs.
This critical work is supporting one of Australia’s hard-to-abate
sectors to halve their emissions by 2035, and forms part of
CSIRO’s Towards Net Zero Mission.