$12m federal grant speeds up Carbon Revolution project

CARBON Revolution will nearly double their capacity as they keep rolling into the world market, supported by a major grant from the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

The Waurn Ponds manufacturer will receive up to $12 million for their $33 million project to expand its advanced manufacturing of carbon fibre wheels to the global electric vehicle market.

The funding will increase the company’s capacity by around 94 per cent, equating to an additional 75,000 carbon-fibre wheels per annum and reduce unit costs by 60 per cent.

The project will position Australia as a leader in the production and export of carbon fibre wheels for the auto sector.

This will create significant benefits into the broader local carbon fibre sector, provide better commercialisation pathways for research at Deakin University – Carbon Revolution is located at the university’s Waurn Ponds campus – and improve the cost effectiveness of production and improve the ability to secure global supply contracts for the growing EV market.

Carbon Revolution industrialisation director Luke Preston said the grant would allow the company to advance its “Mega-line” automated wheel manufacturing facility.

“We’ve started construction, but we’re really going to grow that to increase our capacity here, to make a lot of wheels out of Geelong and use some of these advanced manufacturing techniques to do it really safely and really cost-effectively so we can be competing with global companies with the automation we put in, and grow smart jobs here.

“We’re growing from people who sand wheels to people who maintain and run robots, and we’re really growing the skills in the area, so it’s a big win.

“This (funding) will allow us to get it all in before we get the orders from customers, so we can go out and pitch for more customers, so it’s going to accelerate our growth.”

The grant to Carbon Revolution is part of a combined $94 million to 19 Victorian manufacturers from the Modern Manufacturing Initiative to grow businesses, create more jobs and compete internationally.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Angus Taylor, Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson and Liberal candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher visited Carbon Revolution earlier this week.

Mr Taylor said the funding was a testament to the strength of the manufacturing sector in Victoria

“Victoria has long been the centre of Australian manufacturing and remains a key source of revenue and jobs for the Victorian economy. Victorians have been strong and resilient in the face of a number of COVID-19 related lockdowns which posed real challenges to these manufacturers.

“That’s why we are backing our manufacturers to grow their business, create more jobs, more exports and more investment. The ability to make the things our country needs is a key part of the Morrison Government’s plan for a stronger economy and a stronger future.”

Senator Henderson said Carbon Revolution’s customers already included Ford and Ferrari, and the company was “keeping our region on the modern manufacturing map”.

“Already a global technology powerhouse and major local success story, this $12 million grant from the Morrison Government, will enable sustainable wheel supply to the global electric vehicle market, driving cleaner technology and creating 323 smart jobs.”