Perth will host a $53 million Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre which will provide industry-led research capability to grow Australia’s competitiveness and contribution in the global battery industries value chain.
The centre is expected to create jobs and make WA a ‘one-stop shop’ for battery materials.
The State Government will commit $6 million towards the centre, and welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s decision to provide a $25 million funding boost to establish the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) in Western Australia.
In addition to the FBICRC funding, State Governments and research partners will provide backing of $28 million cash and $82 million in kind.
WA Premier, Mark McGowan, said, “Western Australia is emerging as an internationally attractive destination for downstream processing and manufacturing of lithium and other battery minerals.
“Diversifying the type of battery minerals extracted and processed in the state will enable Western Australia to move up the battery value chain beyond mining and processing.
“This will make the State more competitive and innovative in meeting the needs of the electric vehicle and energy storage markets.”
State Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Johnston, said CRC based in Perth will provide substantial economic benefits and help create new jobs in the growing battery metals and mining equipment, technology and services sectors.
“The FBICRC bid process has demonstrated the close co-operation between the WA Government and industry, and recognises the opportunities the future battery industry presents for Australia,” Mr Johnston said
