Markets acceleration

Last updated: 5 September 2025
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We are accelerating markets for recycled materials as part of Victoria's journey towards a circular economy.

A circular economy is more than recycling. We need to ensure products and materials are designed, manufactured and managed in a way that allows them to find their way back into circulation at the end of their current use.

This ensures that material can be reused or recycled and turned into new products.

We have partnered with industry, government and research institutions to drive innovation in the development, design and manufacturing of products made from recycled materials.

Some ways we are already doing this include:

Read case studies about some of the projects we have been involved in.

We make connections to create change

Creating change requires collaboration. As a connector across government, business, industry and academia, we bring the right voices to the table. We have a strategic view, identifying opportunities and driving the action required to achieve tangible outcomes and commercial success.

We can help your organisation identify collaborations and partnerships to accelerate meaningful change.

The importance of innovation, and research and development

We partner with Victoria’s brightest minds in academia and industry to research, develop and test new uses for recycled materials and organics.

We’ve supported lab-based research, production and prototyping, and in-field trials and demonstrations.

Testing new products helps ensure that recycled materials perform as needed and meet relevant product standards and technical specifications. It also helps identify new feedstock supply chains to reduce the demand for virgin materials.

This support helps build confidence in the quality and durability of recycled products, which is essential to grow the markets for recycled materials and organics.

Sharing information and building confidence

We also:

  • raise awareness about the importance of recycled materials and organics in Victoria's transition to a net-zero, circular economy
  • provide reliable, clear information about how recycled materials can be used, and the benefits they provide to users.

Our market intel and analysis supports businesses to identify supply and demand opportunities. This, coupled with our industry networks, has progressed new market opportunities and growth of circular supply chains across Victoria.

Want to know what types of recycled products are on the market, or what the market opportunities are for different materials? We can help connect the dots.

Case studies

Read more about some of the successful products developed through our work.

Novel ROBOVOID solution for concrete applications
This case study looks at how ROBOVOID void formers reduce the need for virgin materials and concrete in the construction process, cutting down carbon emissions.
Using old tyres to create plastic-rubber composite speed humps
A Sustainability Victoria Funded project has transformed material from end-of-life tyres into speed humps without compromising on performance. This project aims to test the potential commercial applications of this material.
Using recycled kerbside glass in life-saving road surface treatment
This case study looks at the development of a blended surfacing material that changes low-quality post-consumer recycled glass into a value-added material and fulfils a need for safer road surfaces.
Utilising waste rubber tyres in permeable pavement
In 2022, Yarra City Council and the University of Melbourne constructed an innovative permeable pavement made with recycled rubber to create a strong and resilient surface that allows water to pass through, reducing stormwater runoff and pollution in waterways.
From your bin to the Big Build
A new freeway in Mordialloc demonstrates how we can create useful, long-lasting infrastructure with the things that Victorians recycle including 570,000 tonnes of plastic waste.

Funded projects

We have provided research and development grants to research institutes and industry to develop new uses for recycled materials and organics.

We’ve funded:

  • real-world demonstrations of those uses
  • work to develop information on the performance and environmental attributes of recycled products
  • business development activity to help get proven products to market
  • lab-based research, development and prototyping.

Read more about projects we have funded through our grant programs:

Brokering connections

The story doesn’t end with a grant. We also support our grant recipients to grow their networks, gain new knowledge and find customers. For example, helping organics producers grow their agricultural networks, or showcasing recycled products to council customers.

Get in touch

Contact our Markets Acceleration team for more information.

Contact:

marketsacceleration@sustainability.vic.gov.au