Research, Development and Demonstration grants
Research, Development and Demonstration grants help fund research to develop new products made from recycled materials such as glass, plastic, organics, electronic waste, concrete, brick and rubber.
These grants are for businesses or local governments, who can partner with research institutes (mostly universities) to develop and create products that will use large volumes of recycled materials.
The grants aim to:
- support research into product development and performance of recycled materials
- support development of new or existing products that use high value recycled materials
- improve product standards and specifications to include recycled material
- improve market confidence and demand to use recycled materials and products.
Funded projects and recipients
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Nine projects received a total of $1.6 million for research and development and field trials to test and develop new markets for recovered materials in Victoria.
ARRB Group
Trialling high proportions of recycled crushed glass in asphalt on local roads within Brimbank City Council.
Project partners: Brimbank City Council, VicRoads
Targeted material: Glass
Funding: $200,000
Deakin University
Investigate an alternative to the current physical and mechanical recycling methods of polyethylene (PE). This project will investigate the impact of various catalysts on PE recycling.
Project partners: Qenos, GT Recycling
Targeted material: Plastics
Funding: $195,000
Deakin University
A two-step process testing efficient methods to extract silicon from waste photovoltaic panels, then converting this material into a useable product.
Project partners: Delaminating Resources, Close the Loop
Targeted material: E-waste
Funding: $150,000
Swinburne University
Investigate new blends of foamed bitumen using recycled glass fines and recovered plastics instead of traditional quarry aggregates.
Project partner: Fulton Hogan Industries
Targeted material: Plastics and glass
Funding: $189,975
Swinburne University
Evaluate the use of glass, plastics and crushed concrete in railway substructure including the capping layer and sub ballast.
Project partners: Melbourne Trains Metro Level Crossing Removal Project, Rail Projects Victoria
Targeted material: Plastics and glass
Funding: $192,950
Swinburne University
Establish a method to extract high purity zinc and zinc oxide powders from spent alkaline batteries.
Project partner: Envirostream Pty Ltd
Targeted material: E-waste
Funding: $74,390
University of Melbourne
Develop a precast structural concrete wall using waste glass fines and waste paper cellulose fibres.
Project partner(s): Casafico, Ikon Services Australia, Universal Vortex Industries, RMIT University
Targeted material: Paper, cardboard and glass
Funding: $200,000
University of Melbourne
Develop and field test noise barrier walls made from recycled plastic with minimal usage of virgin materials.
Project partner(s): Integrated Recycling
Targeted material: Plastics
Funding: $195,000
Victoria University
Develop new blends of trench backfill material specifically to be used to in and around sewer and ‘manhole’ structures. The blends will be field tested against EPA guidelines and Australian Standards
Project partner(s): Victoria University Ground Science, University of Melbourne, City West Water
Targeted material: Plastics and glass
Funding: $195,000
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Thirteen projects received $1.9 million between them for R&D and field trials to develop new markets for recovered materials and increase their uptake in Victoria.
ARRB Group Ltd
Develop a VicRoads specification that allows use of crumb rubber in asphalt for use in local roads.
Project partners: VicRoads, Australian Asphalt Pavement Association
Targeted material: Rubber
Funding: $60,000
Downer EDI Works
Downer partnered with Hume City Council, Close the Loop and RED Group to construct a demonstration road using recycled soft plastics, glass and toner cartridge in asphalt.
Project partners: Hume City Council, Close the Loop, RED Group
Targeted material: Glass, plastics
Funding: $67,226
Hermetia Biosystems Pty Ltd
Establish a demonstration facility to convert up to 100 tonnes of food waste per day into protein meal and fertiliser products.
Targeted material: Organics (food waste)
Funding: $200,000
Monash University
Undertake field testing and monitoring to understand in-track performance and any benefits of the Duratrack recycled plastic rail sleeper such as noise and vibration reduction.
Project partner: Integrated Recycling
Targeted material: Plastic
Funding: $200,000
RMIT University
Develop a premix concrete incorporating recycled plastics and rubber.
Project partners: Boral Limited, Office of Projects Victoria, City of Whitehorse
Targeted material: Plastics, rubber (tyres)
Funding: $200,000
RMIT University
Develop a performance-based classification system of plastic/rubber-modified bitumen. This would mean that the inclusion of recycled content is determined by performance rather than percentage.
Project partners: Sami Bitumen Technologies, City of Whittlesea, Office of Projects Victoria
Targeted material: Plastics, rubber
Funding: $200,000
RMIT University
Test the use of a glass fines stabilising technology to manufacture a prototype access cover that meets Australian Standard AS3996:2006 in support of road drainage infrastructure.
Project partners: RepurposeIt, Frasers Property Australia, Hume City Council, Brimbank City Council
Targeted material: Glass
Funding: $77,806
Swinburne University of Technology
Develop a production process using 100% recycled plastics in concrete void formers which are used to reduce the volume of concrete whilst maintaining strength in concrete slabs.
Project partners: GT Recycling Pty Ltd, Robovoid Pty Ltd
Targeted material: Plastics
Funding: $175,000
Swinburne University of Technology
Using previously SV funded R&D results to demonstrate the performance of plastics and glass in concrete footpaths.
Project partner: Wyndham City Council
Targeted material: Glass and plastics
Funding: $72,100
Swinburne University of Technology
Undertake R&D to develop a VicRoads specification for municipal roads that permits the use of crushed glass, concrete and brick.
Project partners: Alex Fraser Group, VicRoads (Quarry Materials specialist)
Targeted material: Concrete, brick and glass
Funding: $176,000
University of Melbourne
A demonstration project trialling a permeable pavement, using recycled concrete, brick, glass, plastics and rubber, under real traffic conditions
Project partner: Downer EDI Works
Targeted material: Concrete, brick, glass, plastics and rubber
Funding: $160,000
University of Melbourne
Construct a demonstration site at a Level Crossing Removal Authority project site to trial the glass fines as a sand replacement in concrete in a real-world application.
Project partners: VicRoads, North West Program Alliance, Hanson
Targeted material: Glass
Funding: $115,000
Yarra City Council
Trialling a separate glass collection with approx. 1000 residents and using the collected glass in asphalt to demonstrate performance in municipal road construction.
Project partner: RMIT University
Targeted material: Glass
Funding: $200,000
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In 2016, SV partnered with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) to provide over $600,000 under the priority recovered resources grants program. Seven projects worked on developing new markets for recovered glass fines (GF) and flexible plastics (FP). Projects were completed in 2018.
Monash University
Develop a process to test and qualify low cost alternative polymers as suitable for use in the manufacture of 'approved' railway sleepers that are produced locally, made with 100% recycled material, meet standards and are competitively priced to compete with international imports.
Project partner: Integrated Recycling Pty Ltd
Targeted material: Flexible plastics
Funding: $100,000
Monash University
Investigate the suitability of using Potters recycled glass fines in three-dimensional (3D) printing. Specifically investigating 3D printing with recycled glass fines, glass fines mixed with polymers and metal powders.
Project partner: Potters Industries
Targeted material: Glass fines
Funding: $45,000
RMIT
Explore a diverse range of technical solutions to repurpose glass fines, through a combination of design and engineering approaches. These approaches include reviewing the Australian glass waste system and engaging RMIT design students to investigate methods of cleaning glass fines and identify feasible applications for industry to explore commercialisation opportunities.
Project partners: Alex Fraser Group, Mark Douglas Designs
Targeted material: Glass fines
Funding: $99,338
Swinburne University of Technology
Investigate new blends of concrete for footpaths by incorporating FP & GF without compromising engineering standards required for its use. This project aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with footpath construction.
Project partner: Polytrade
Targeted material: Glass fines and flexible plastics
Funding: $100,000
Swinburne University of Technology
Investigate the application of GF as:
- a supplementary material with recycled crushed rock in cement treated bound pavement (road base) applications and
- a rigidity reduction material when used in unbound crushed concrete/crushed rock (triple) blends.
Project partners: Alex Fraser Group, Vicroads
Targeted material: Glass fines
Funding: $100,000
University of Melbourne
Investigate and develop new prefabricated building materials utilising GF to make lightweight concrete building components that do not require high strength and /or load bearing characteristics. And investigate the use of geopolymer concrete as a replacement for Portland cement in the construction of prefabricated panels.
Project partner: PrefabAus
Targeted material: Glass fines
Funding: $100,000
Victoria University
Investigate how incorporating glass fines into recycled plastic products could increase structural strength for use in applications such as decking joists, bearers and posts to strengthen decking made from recycled plastic.
Project partner: Polytrade Regina Glass Replas
Targeted material: Glass fines
Funding: $99,847
Case studies
Breaking glass and breaking traditions: Innovation in the construction industry
The use of recycled materials in road and civil construction is on the rise, as industry and government look to innovate.
Read the case study
Victoria’s beer-bottle road to a circular economy
Glass you recycle at home is being turned into high-quality sand and used in Victorian roadworks.
Read the case study
From trial to reality: recycled glass and plastic in asphalt roads
The first of asphalt road mix uses reclaimed asphalt, toner from printer cartridges, glass fines and soft plastics.
Read the case study
Hoppers Crossing footpath made from recycled plastic and glass
In a Victorian first, 200 metres of concrete footpath made with recycled glass and plastic bottles has been laid at Hoppers Crossing.
Read the case study
Railway sleepers made from recycled plastic installed at Richmond Train Station
Trains travelling through Richmond are now running on railway sleepers made from recycled plastic.
Using recycled glass fines in construction and product design
RMIT University examined ways to overcome the barriers of recycling glass fines.
Read the case study
Yarra City Council trials glass and food waste recycling
A kerbside waste separation trial for glass and food waste is running in Abbotsford.
Read the case studyHow recycled glass bottles are helping build Victoria's roads of the future
SV is looking for projects that contribute to Victoria’s transition to a circular economy. This industry-led project was delivered in 2018 and shows how recycled glass bottles can be used in road base – in this instance in Melbourne’s heavily used and critical airport link, the Tullamarine Freeway.