Manufacturing future clean, green, healthy

Submitted 10/03/2009

www.southaustralia.biz

South Australia's future opportunities in advanced manufacturing lie in defence, health and ‘clean' technologies, according to a survey of companies in the sector.

Preliminary findings from the Mapping Capability in Advanced Manufacturing R&D in SA report - released late last month - indicate that more collaboration between universities and industry will create further developments in advanced manufacturing, and that many would lie in key niche sectors.

Industry and university representatives from 40 local businesses and 19 university faculties connected to advanced manufacturing participated in the surveys that formed the basis of the findings.

The preliminary research showed that almost 50% of the surveyed companies are engaged in R&D with universities, but that more would work with researchers if pathways were accessible.

South Australia's Constellation SA ‘Research for Innovation' initiative has led to the investment of more than $1 million to support new research industry alliances and clusters over the last 18 months.

Centre for Innovation manager Greg Boundy says one of the Centre's key roles is to develop the kind of fruitful links between industry and university highlighted in the research.