CSIRO has today opened a new state-of-the-art, collaborative centre which will improve chemical processes and drive innovation in Australian manufacturing businesses.

The FloWorks Centre for Industrial Flow Chemistry is the first of its kind in Australia and brings speed, scale and efficiency to industrial applications that rely on chemistry.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said it was important for the chemical manufacturing sector to innovate to remain globally competitive and grow international opportunities.

“The chemistry industry is Australia’s third largest manufacturing sector, supplying 104 of Australia’s 108 industries and delivering $38 billion to Australia’s GDP,” Minister Andrews said.

“The sector employs more than 60,000 highly skilled people across 5,500 small, medium and large businesses nationally, and for every job in the industry, five more are created in related supply chains.

“CSIRO’s world-class flow chemistry team is leading the way in chemical manufacture innovation, and developing a range of technologies with industry partners that are set to be rapidly commercialised.

“The FloWorks team has worked with a variety of Australian small businesses as well as larger multi-national organisations to commercialise flow chemistry technology, with several of these continuous flow processes now operating in production at various Victorian chemical manufacturers.”

Located in the Australian Manufacturing and Materials Precinct in Clayton, Victoria, FloWorks is providing cutting-edge research into flow chemistry capability, making it more accessible to the chemical manufacturing industry.

Flow chemistry is a form of chemical manufacturing that is cleaner, smarter and more efficient. The benefits of using the flow process include reduced reaction times and plant space, which equate to less energy costs, more efficient processes, reduced waste and a much safer environment.

Media contact: Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070