Construction industry receives funding boost

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has announced Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) program grants totalling more than $2.1 million to 33 innovations.

This funding is about getting Australian innovations into the marketplace, boosting the economy and supporting high-wage, high-skill jobs.

The enviro-friendly batt is made from recycled newspapers and other materials by Envirobatt, of Esperance, WA. It has good insulation and acoustic qualities, and is highly absorbent for clean-up situations like oil spills.

Other ideas to receive the funding for use in the building and construction industry include:

• LWP International, of Grange, SA, for an emergency exit system which uses high-performance compounds that are 20 times brighter than other similar compounds and continue to provide visual guidance for many hours; and
• tough high chromium white iron alloy formulations developed by Global Tough Alloys Pty Ltd, of Reynella, SA, which are tougher and more wear resistant than alloys on the market.

A COMET Business Adviser will assist the companies to use their grants for a strategic business plan, market research, an intellectual property strategy and working prototype to bring their products to market.