The new facility received $10 million funding from the Victorian State Government, and is an extension to the original ManuFutures hub, which opened in 2018. It has since produced innovations such as the world’s lightest and strongest carbon fibre road bike wheels and smart sensors to improve water management on farms.
Through ManuFutures 2, businesses can access product engineering services, incubator programs and spaces for training and industry collaboration. Organisations already set up in the hub include paint recycling initiative Paintback, textile and coating technologies manufacturer Xefco and lithium sulfur battery producer Li-S.
Victoria’s $33 billion manufacturing industry is made up of around 24,000 businesses, supporting more than 250,000 jobs, and providing around 30 per cent of Australia’s manufacturing output.
Supporting ManuFutures 2 is one of many Victorian State Government initiatives available, aimed at boosting Victoria’s international reputation as a destination for manufacturing investment, research and global talent, including through investments in Victoria’s higher education sector to provide world-class vocational training.
The Victorian State Government is also investing in local R&D capabilities and advanced manufacturers with the new $15 million Made in Victoria – Industry R&D Infrastructure Fund and the $20 million Manufacturing and Industry Sovereignty Fund.
