The McGowan Government 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.
The FBICRC will provide industry-led research capability to grow Australia’s competitiveness and contribution in the global battery industries value chain.
Specifically, the State Government will provide $5.5 million, through the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia, and $500,000 from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
The FBICRC, which will be headquartered in Perth, recognises WA as a global leader in the production and export of future battery materials, technologies and expertise.
In addition to the CRC funding, State Governments and research partners will provide backing of $28 million cash and $82 million in kind.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Western Australia is emerging as an internationally attractive destination for downstream processing and manufacturing of lithium and other battery minerals.
“The McGowan Government is working hard to capitalise on this opportunity, to create jobs for Western Australians.
“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.
“The growth of the battery industry’s activities and the adoption of battery technologies in Western Australia will spur domestic investment in research and development.
“This will make the State more competitive and innovative in meeting the needs of the electric vehicle and energy storage markets.”
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
“Western Australia was the obvious choice to host the FBICRC, as we have all the minerals you need to make batteries and energy technologies, including nickel, lithium and cobalt.
“A 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.”
As stated by Science Minister Dave Kelly:
“The McGowan Government has identified the future battery industry as an important source of economic growth, diversification, and jobs and skills, through investment and technology development.
“The CRC will support value chain research including manufacturing next generation products that will bolster efficiency, reliability and safety of energy storage systems.
“Western Australia is already a world-leader in the technology space, with 60 per cent of mining software produced in our State.”
