Monash facility supports green chemicals manufacturing

Monash University has opened its Green Chemical Futures building - a multidisciplinary innovation hub dedicated to supporting Australia’s academic and industrial research within the chemicals manufacturing sector.

The building is intended to act as a catalyst for new ideas, providing a stimulating environment where industry and academia collaborate. Attending the opening was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training Scott Ryan, who said the new building will “significantly enhance Australia’s research capabilities within the chemicals and plastics sector - a critical one to Australia’s economy”.

The first two levels of the 9500 m² building house innovative teaching and collaborative learning spaces, while research laboratories and facilities are located on the upper levels. The building also houses the Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing, the Graduate Research Interdisciplinary Program and the Training and Innovation hub of the Chemicals and Plastics Innovation Network.

“This building meets all the criteria we set for our universities these days: supporting growth in basic research, accommodating targeted industry-driven research and supporting training programs for industry participants,” Ryan said. He also noted the building’s collaboration with international partners and engagement with industry, both of which the government is “keen to encourage”.

“The opening of the Green Chemical Futures hub signifies Monash’s position as a world leader in sustainable chemistry research and teaching,” said Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AO. “It provides an engaging and high-tech environment in which students, academics and industry professionals teach, learn and collaborate to help make the world a better place.”