Advanced Fibre Cluster

Knowledge Sharing: Exploring Organic Fibres
2020-05-13 10:00 - 11:30 UTC
Please Contact us for More Details

Tour of Andritz
2020-06-18 10:00 - 11:30 UTC
Andritz is the new benchmark for innovative fabrics, felts, rolls technology and services. The company’s Geelong facility supplies press felts, forming fabrics and dryers for the Asian pulp and paper industry as well as other process industries.

Tour of Carbon Nexus
2020-07-03 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Carbon Nexus, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
Carbon Nexus is a purpose-built research facility designed to accommodate the diverse needs of international manufacturing organisations that require the cost-effective resolution of carbon fibre-related projects that are strategic and complex.

Tour of Sykes (postponed TBA)
2020-08-26 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Jeff Sykes & Associates Pty Ltd (Sykes), 67 Tucker Street, Breakwater, Victoria, 3219, Australia
Sykes is a leading manufacturer of world renowned rowing shells. It was in 1966 when Jeff Sykes built his first racing scull that would assist him in winning the Australian Interstate Sculling Championships – the Presidents Cup. That first boat was the beginning for what became Jeff Sykes & Associates Pty Ltd, now known as ‘Sykes’.

Shaping Solutions: Carbon Fibre and the Circular Economy #1
2020-08-27 08:30 - 09:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Carbon fibre is highly valued for its strength, stiffness and light-weighting quality. But how can we extract more value from such a highly prized product, and how can we help solve some of the environmental challenges?
In this new online knowledge sharing series, we begin by asking innovative start-up company, JUC Surf, to share their business and technology development story. We will also hear from leading US carbon fibre recycling company, Carbon Conversions, as they describe current customer applications for their advanced materials and discuss future possibilities for end market uses of recycled carbon fibre followed by a Q&A session.

Shaping Solutions: Carbon Fibre and the Circular Economy #2
2020-09-09 16:30 - 17:30 UTC
Carbon fibre is highly valued for its strength, stiffness and light-weighting quality. But how can we extract more value from such a highly prized product, and how can we help solve some of the environmental challenges?
In this second event, we hear from ELG Carbon Fibre; the world’s first commercial-scale continuous recycled Carbon Fibre operation. In addition, Deakin University’s Circular Economy program leader, Catherine McMahon shares the key principles of a true “circular economy”, what the Deakin strategy is and how industry can support this.
About ELG Carbon Fibre
ELG Carbon Fibre operates the world’s first and largest carbon fibre recovery plant in Coseley, West Midlands, in the UK, employing 103 people, sourcing feedstock from around 10 countries, including Australia, and selling products to customers in more than 35 countries, again including Australia. ELG services the automotive, aerospace, electronics, rail, oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.

About Deakin University’s Circular Economy Initiative
Materials in today’s society have primarily been designed with a single life in mind. Today we are posed with a challenge for re-imagining how the life of these materials can be extended through recycling, re-purposing and reuse. Ultimately the focus needs to be on re-designing both materials and products with multiple lifetimes in mind, all the while retaining material value through each lifetime. The Institute for Frontier Materials who are a leading materials research institute in Australia intend to answer this challenge and help to accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economy.

Virtual Site Visit: Carbon Nexus
2020-09-16 08:30 - 09:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
On September 16, in the absence of our site visit schedule, the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong will begin a new series of online events beginning with a closer look at Carbon Nexus.

To register for this event please contact Jen Conley: jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Virtual Expo with Germany: 2020-21 Event #01
2020-09-30 16:30 - 18:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
A series of webinars highlighting the opportunities available through Germany’s MAI Carbon cluster and Australia’s Advanced Fibre Cluster.
In celebration of this collaboration, Austrade together with the two Clusters is hosting a Virtual Expo Series to highlight some of the outstanding businesses, research capabilities and innovations. The events are designed to encourage a dialogue between participants and identify new business opportunities, knowledge transfer, and research & development opportunities in both markets.
In the first event, we take an introductory look at the respective Australian and German carbon fibre composite markets.
The registration link below will direct you to the German registration site. After completing the required fields (those with an asterix) please click on “Send Invoice” and you will receive an email for this FREE event.

The Keys to Cluster Success with Prof. Göran Roos
2020-10-12 16:30 - 17:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Professor Nils Göran Roos is a Swedish academic, technologist, and businessman recognized as a world expert in innovation management and strategy.
Knowledge of how innovation occurs has grown exponentially since Professor Roos delivered his ground-breaking business improvement program in Geelong in 2015.
Professor Roos returns to deliver this tailored and updated workshop for Advanced Fibre Cluster members on Monday, October 12.
The seminar will cover:
– A review of what clusters are and why they are beneficial to firms and regions
– Characteristics of strong and weak clusters
– Challenges for clusters
– The latest knowledge around how innovation occurs and adds value in business.
The workshop will be executed as a presentation with interaction, and there will also be opportunities to ask general or tangential questions.
To register for this Member’s only event, please contact Jen Conley: jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Virtual Expo with Germany: 2020-21 Event #02
2020-10-21
A series of webinars highlighting the opportunities available through Germany’s MAI Carbon cluster and Australia’s Advanced Fibre Cluster.
In this second event, we focus on showcasing companies. Learn about the latest in German technology and manufacturing innovation – and hear from leading Australian carbon fibre composite makers – at the next event in our Australian-German carbon fibre innovation series.
Speakers include:
Tyrolit – Juerg Schnyder
M&A Dieterle -Bettina Schrick
ACS-Australia – Paul Falzon
Quickstep – David Doral and Krishna Oruganti
Sykes Racing – Mark Nothnagel
TU Dresden, ILK – Michael Krahl
The registration link below will direct you to the German registration site. After completing the required fields (those with an asterix) please click on “Send Invoice” and you will receive an email for this FREE event.

Virtual Site Visit: Sage Automation
2020-10-28 08:30 - 09:30 UTC
In the absence of our site visit schedule, the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong is running a new series of online events showcasing the capabilities of our Cluster Members. Site tours support AFCG collaboration opportunities through increased understanding and knowledge sharing among members. We hope you will join us for an introduction to SAGE, its recent projects and capabilities where we will take a closer look at Sage Automation and their ability to deliver scalable and secure solutions across a variety of industries.

To register for this event please contact Jen Conley: jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Discussion on the EU-FTA: Textiles Rules
2020-11-12 10:00 - 11:00 UTC
Please join your fellow AFCG members for a follow-up discussion regarding Australia’s current Free Trade negotiations with the EU and UK.
This will be a good opportunity to flag your trade interests along with any concerns you may currently be facing so that officials from the Department of Industry can best represent your businesses throughout these negotiations.

Virtual Expo with Germany: 2020-21 Event #03
2020-11-25
A series of webinars highlighting the opportunities available through Germany’s MAI Carbon cluster and Australia’s Advanced Fibre Cluster.
In this third event, we focus on new developments in carbon fibre materials – from inception to full-scale production.
The registration link below will direct you to the German registration site. After completing the required fields (those with an asterix) please click on “Send Invoice” and you will receive an email for this FREE event.

AFCG Projects Update and Brainstorm
2020-12-02 08:00 - 09:30 UTC
Following the success of our project brainstorming events late last year, we invite you to join the AFCG Projects Update for 2020. This event will share progress on current projects and prioritise future Cluster collaborative work.

From carbon fibre recycling and building opportunities in the defence sector, to artificial intelligence and composite process improvements, collaborative research and business projects are helping to solve challenges and creating new opportunities.

We will be joined by special guest, Innovations Connections Facilitator, Angela Wu, who will provide an overview of key grant programs available for research and business development.

AFCG End of Year Celebration Dinner
2020-12-10 18:00 - 20:30 UTC
We cordially invite you to join your fellow AFCG members – in person – to celebrate the end of what has been an extraordinary year.

With a number of restrictions still in place, and in the interests of getting to know one another again, we are delighted to be able to host a private dinner at the award-winning Royal Geelong Yacht Club, named Australian Yacht Club of the Year this year.

Free for AFCG Members

RSVP by COB on Monday, 30 November

Virtual Site Visit of HeIQ
2021-01-21 08:30 - 09:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
HeIQ Australia CEO, Dr Murray Height, delivers an exclusive presentation to fellow members of the Advanced Fibre Cluster in early 2021. HeiQ is a leader in textile innovation creating some of the most effective, durable, and high-performance textile effects in the market today. Founded in 2005 during a hike in the Swiss Alps by Carlo Centonze & Murray Height, HeIQ is a Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) spin-off, headquartered in Switzerland with subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Australia, USA, Iberia, China, and Taiwan. HeIQ’s Australian R&D centre is based at Deakin University in Geelong. The company, a member of the Advanced Fibre Cluster, works with over 200 global brands and partners across multiple textile sectors including sports, outdoor, medical, home textiles, and footwear. HeiQ Group, with more than 80 people across 12 countries, works closely with Deakin University applying novel materials and process innovations to advanced textile applications.

Find out more as part of this exclusive member presentation by Dr Height.

This is a Member Only event. For more information, please contact jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Shaping Solutions: The Greening of Carbon Fibre with CATACK-H
2021-02-04 10:00 - 11:00 UTC
Carbon fibre is highly valued for its strength, stiffness, and light-weighting quality. But how can we extract more value from such a highly prized product, and how can we help solve some of the environmental challenges?
As part of our commitment to product stewardship, the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong is proud to showcase the latest technology and opportunities for recycled carbon fibre materials in this new online discussion series.

Virtual Expo with Germany: 2020-21 Event #04
2021-02-25
A series of webinars highlighting the opportunities available through Germany’s MAI Carbon cluster and Australia’s Advanced Fibre Cluster. In this 4th event, we focus on recycling of carbon fibre composites Registration details below.

In this latest event, Advanced Fibre Cluster member, JUC Surf, will present as part of the annual German Composites Recycling Congress on February 25, a virtual event for the first time. Co-founder of JUC Surf and Carbon Nexus PhD candidate, Andreas Hendlemeir, will be speaking to a broad international audience at 2300 hrs (11 pm) AEDT, on the topic, “Recycled Carbon Fibre Surfboards: Waste to Waves”.
Andi, a graduate of the University of Stuttgart and now living in the Geelong region, will be one of a number of presentations in English.
Click HERE to download the full program.
The registration link below will direct you to the German registration site. After completing the required fields (those with an asterix) please click on “Send Invoice” and you will receive email instructions from our collaboration partners. Participation is FREE. (There is a charge if you want to receive a copy of the Congress presentations. For any inquiries, please contact Stefan Steinacker: stefan.steinacker@composites-united.com)
REGISTER HERE: https://db1.carbon-org.com/order/510649
This is the 4th in our series of webinars highlighting the opportunities available through Germany’s MAI Carbon cluster and Australia’s Advanced Fibre Cluster, with support from Austrade, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.
In celebration of this collaboration, our Virtual Expo Series looks at outstanding businesses, research capabilities and innovations.
The German-Australia collaboration in carbon fibre technology is designed to encourage a dialogue between participants and identify new business opportunities, knowledge transfer, and research & development opportunities in both markets.

Site Tour of Sykes Racing
2021-03-09 09:00 - 11:00 UTC
Please join your fellow AFCG members for this exclusive tour of the Sykes Racing manufacturing plant in Breakwater, Geelong – kindly hosted by the Sykes team. Sykes Racing is Australia’s largest and leading manufacturer, globally renowned for their composite racing shells for the sport of rowing. Sykes has been a familiar name in Geelong for more than half a century and the Skyes Racing company is a founding member of the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong.
To RSVP to this event please contact Jennifer Conley: jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Cluster Annual General Meeting
2021-03-17 07:45 - 09:30 UTC
The Advanced Fibre Cluster’s annual general meeting will take place on March 17 at the YOT Cafe at The Royal Geelong Yacht Club. The meeting is an all-member event and we encourage everyone to attend and contribute to discussions on the direction of the Cluster for the year to come.

Site Tour of The Gordon: Part 1
2021-05-06 09:00 - 10:30 UTC
Please join your fellow AFCG members for a close look at vocational education at The Gordon – the first part of the AFCG tour of The Gordon, which takes in the East Campus. In this part, The Gordon’s Dr Yasmin Chalmers (Head of Centre Science and Technology) and Wayne Ketchen (Head of Centre Design and Construction) will take members of the AFCG through program areas (i.e. Engineering, Electro technology) that align to some of the skill needs for our industry. The Gordon is Victoria’s largest regional stand-alone TAFE and has been helping people gain real skills for real jobs for over 125 years.
To RSVP to this event please contact Jennifer Conley: jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Shaping Solutions: Carbon Revolution Leading the Way Towards Local CF Recycling
2021-05-12 09:00 - 10:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Carbon Revolution, a leading Australian carbon fibre automotive component manufacturer, is proactively seeking ways to improve sustainable outcomes in the industry. Carbon Revolution recently sponsored a research project focusing on what would be required to grow a carbon fibre (CF) recycling industry in Australia.
A team of Executive MBA students from Monash University engaged broadly across Government, Research Institutions and Local and International carbon fibre manufacturers and recyclers to understand the challenge, and develop a suggested roadmap for CF recycling.
Join this exclusive AFCG-hosted discussion to understand more about Carbon Revolution’s current environmental strategic focus, how the company is working to help address sector-wide challenges, and the key findings of the EMBA research team.
This is the fourth event in our ongoing Shaping Solutions series to promote a broader discussion about the role we can all play in driving towards a sustainable advanced fibre industry.

Register Here

About Carbon Revolution.
Carbon Revolution is an Australian company, which has successfully innovated, commercialised and industrialised the supply of Carbon Fibre wheels to the global automotive industry. The founders of the company have progressed from single prototypes to designing and manufacturing the highest performing wheels for some of the fastest cars and most prestigious brands in the world. As a global leader in light weight wheel technology, Carbon Revolution continues to innovate and improve the performance of its automotive technology and diversify by applying its technology to aerospace and industrial applications.

About the Speakers:
David Eckermann
David is the Plant Logistics and Environmental Manager for Carbon Revolution, responsible for all ISO14001 certification and compliance. Leading the scrap fibre project within Carbon Revolution. Currently conducting a global search for recyclers that can assist with this problem.
Lauren Davis
Lauren is a current GEMBA candidate at Monash University. Lauren is the regional lead for Innovation for a multinational Engineering and Advisory company and brings expertise in innovation processes and stakeholder alignment. Lauren is based in Melbourne.
Ewan Dowie
Ewan is a current GEMBA candidate at Monash University. Ewan is the head of production for a major pharmaceutical organisation and brings expertise in manufacturing process efficiency. Ewan is based in Melbourne

Members' Roundtable: ManuFutures 2
2021-06-08 09:00 - 10:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Members’ Roundtable discussion about the future development and direction of Deakin University’s Manufutures 2: An opportunity for AFCG members to provide input.

Introducing Ross Mahon, Director Regional Manufacturing, Deakin Research Innovations, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) who will share the Manufutures 2 Draft Strategy, driving innovative and advanced manufacturing for the region.

Contact jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au for further information about this event.

Virtual Expo with Germany: 2020-21 Event #05
2021-06-17 16:30 - 17:30 UTC
A series of webinars highlighting the opportunities available through Germany’s MAI Carbon cluster and Australia’s Advanced Fibre Cluster. In this 5th event, we focus on Innovations and New Opportunities in Composites including technical developments and business model innovation. Registration details below.
Speakers will include:
FibreTech Solutions; Tristan Cross: Agile supply chains in composite manufacturing
University of Southern Queensland; Mohammad Alhawamdeh: Advances in pultrusion: modelling and optimisation
Fraunhofer IGCV; Maximilian Rieger: New approaches in pultrusion @Fraunhofer IGCV
KraussMaffei; Aleksandar Georgiev: Next generation composite rebar
The registration link below will direct you to the German registration site. After completing the required fields (those with an asterisk) please click on “Send Invoice” and you will receive email instructions from our collaboration partners. Participation is FREE. For any difficulties with registration, please contact Stefan Steinacker: stefan.steinacker@composites-united.com
For further information, contact Jennifer Conley: jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Virtual Expo with Germany: 2020-21 Event #06
2021-07-15 16:30 - 17:30 UTC
A series of webinars highlighting the opportunities available through Germany’s MAI Carbon cluster and Australia’s Advanced Fibre Cluster. In this 6th event, we focus on we will focus on New Frontiers in Materials and Process Technology. Registration details below.
Speakers will include:
Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials – New rapid cure fire retardant resins for RTM; Professor Russell Varley,
Carbon Revolution – pushing new frontiers in high volume production of carbon fibre composite wheels; Rod Macaulay, R&D Program Manager
MAI Carbon – Introduction German Speakers; Tjark von Reden
Technical University of Munich – Methods for measuring the Tack of prepreg tapes; Benno Böckl
Cevotec – Cost reduction of multi-material composites with Fiber Patch Placement; Arne Muncke
Regsiter Here
For further information, contact Jennifer Conley: jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au

Member Lunch and Project Discussions
2021-07-16 12:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
AFCG Chair and Board of Directors cordially invites all members to Save the Date for this discussion to build collaborative projects and develop innovative solutions to industry challenges.

Friday, July 16
Truffleduck, 66 Hyland Street, Fyansford
12 NOON – 3:00 PM
Workshop Table Sessions
Energy – low emissions applications, automotive, wind
Concepts may include:
– Hydrogen Fuel cells – material of choice. Thermal conductivity is important.
– Battery housings for aerospace/aviation – materials, components & designs/configurations of the pack / optimum design to contain thermal runaway
Construction opportunities and recycling applications
Concepts may include:
– Lightweighting materials e.g. bricks, cement
– Basalt fibre geopolymer rebars
– Carpet tile recycling research – removing bitumen from carpet tiles. Freezing? Heating?
– Re-manufacturer of polymer industrial waste for insulation applications
Aerospace / Defence and sovereign capability
Concepts may include:
– Lightweight fuel cells for aviation/aerospace
– High-temperature composites, hypersonic applications, fire retardant resin systems
Process technologies – automation, artificial intelligence
Concepts may include:
– Non-destructive testing advances
– Graphene – Pressure mapping? Resin enhancements for process and product solutions?

Members' Lockdown Briefing: Composites in the New Hydrogen Economy
2021-07-26 14:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Please join a special AFCG Members’ Briefing by Dr Adrian Panow, Director Deakin Energy, on the new Hycel Technology Hub at Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus and the opportunity for composites in the hydrogen economy.
Hycel recently received A$7m from the Federal Government’s Strategic University Reform Fund (SURF) to boost hydrogen expertise in south-west Victoria.
Dr Panow has a distinguished background in private and public sector leadership roles in energy, resources, water and agri-food. As the Director, Deakin Energy, Adrian consolidates Deakin University’s value proposition in microgrid development, hydrogen, energy generation, distribution, storage, energy demand management and the corresponding economic policy and regulatory frameworks that impact on those systems. His responsibilities include delivery of the 7.25MW solar and storage microgrid on the Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus to address research, energy cost and sustainability objectives as well as the Hycel initiative to develop technologies in hydrogen usage.
For further information, contact Jennifer Conley (jennifer.conley@advancedfibrecluster.org.au)

Shaping Solutions: The Journey to Successful Product Stewardship
2021-08-25 10:00 - 11:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
The AFCG invites members and guests to meet the CEO of Paintback, Karen Gomez, in this special online presentation on the journey to Product Stewardship. Ms Gomez will share how Paintback became Australia’s first industry-backed waste paint collection scheme.
About Paintback
Paintback is Australia’s first industry-backed waste paint collection scheme: diverting households’ and trade painters’ unwanted paint from landfills to environmentally beneficial uses. Since Launching in May 2016, Paintback has collected and treated over 20 million kg of unwanted paint and paint packaging, diverting it from landfill and waterways.
Contact Jennifer Conley for further information about this event.

Member Lunch and Project Discussions
2021-08-25 10:00 - 13:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
AFCG Chair and Board of Directors cordially invites all members to Save the Date for this discussion to build collaborative projects and develop innovative solutions to industry challenges.

Wednesday, August 25
Waurn Ponds Estate
Nicol Drive South, Waurn Ponds
Deakin University
10 AM – 1.30 PM
Due to renovations at Truffleduck, the event has been moved to Waurn Ponds Estate.
Workshop Table Sessions
Energy – low emissions applications, automotive, wind
Concepts may include:
– Hydrogen Fuel cells – material of choice. Thermal conductivity is important.
– Battery housings for aerospace/aviation – materials, components & designs/configurations of the pack / optimum design to contain thermal runaway
Construction opportunities and recycling applications
Concepts may include:
– Lightweighting materials e.g. bricks, cement
– Basalt fibre geopolymer rebars
– Carpet tile recycling research – removing bitumen from carpet tiles. Freezing? Heating?
– Re-manufacturer of polymer industrial waste for insulation applications
Aerospace / Defence and sovereign capability
Concepts may include:
– Lightweight fuel cells for aviation/aerospace
– High-temperature composites, hypersonic applications, fire retardant resin systems
Process technologies – automation, artificial intelligence
Concepts may include:
– Non-destructive testing advances
– Graphene – Pressure mapping? Resin enhancements for process and product solutions?
Please RSVP with your preference for Table Session topics by Thursday, August 6.

Hydrogen in Industry: The Opportunities and Challenges
2021-08-27 10:00 - 11:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
An exploration into the opportunities and constraints of adding hydrogen into Australia’s energy mix.
Hosted by the Deakin School of Engineering, in collaboration with Hycel, this 90-minute interactive online session will aim to inform and engage the audience by providing:

An introduction to Hydrogen for energy and mobility, and why it is now being taken seriously as part of Australia’sfuture economic strategy
Real-world examples presented by guests from Viva Energy and HyzonMotors to understand the thinking and technology informing future investment
An opportunity for everyone to engage in a panel discussion and ask questions important to their area of practice

The session will open at 10 am, followed by three short presentations, concluding with a 25 minute Q&A session.

Our guests for this session include:
Adam Fletcher – Program Manager,Hycel, Deakin Energy
Sandra Lau – Director, AustralianHydrogen Council, & Alternative FuelsManager, Viva Energy
Simon Coburn – Head of Special Projects, Hyzon Motors Australia

Register Here
