The government has revealed it will help Australia's $4.5 billion Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industries prepare for a low-carbon world.
The announcement in support of TCF was made by Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr at the Big Green Conference in Geelong, which kicked off today.
The conference, which features a wide range of speakers, including Target sustainability manager Jill Moodie, aims to address evolving sustainability challenges in the fibre, textile, carpet and apparel industries.
According to Carr, Australia’s TCF industries are already looking to the future, with almost one in two TCF firms already investing in innovation – well above the 40 per cent of businesses in all sectors. However, he said the Australian government is determined to assist the industry in its efforts via incentives and grants to help manufacturers find, and invest in, greener operations.
“Climate change is remaking our environment and our economy. We can plant a few trees, but they won’t shelter our manufacturers from that reality. Good businesses face the facts and find the opportunities – and the Australian government will help them every step of the way,” Carr said.
“Like most manufacturing industries, TCF faces the challenge of creating sustainable products and business practices in a changing global environment. But the rewards are there for the firms who can adapt first. TCF is well-placed to make that transition.”
Schemes such as the Clothing and Household Textile (Building Innovative Capability) scheme (BIC) and the TCF Strategic Capability Program are already under way.
The $112.5 million BIC scheme was created to foster the development of a sustainable and internationally competitive clothing and household textile manufacturing and design industry in Australia, and provides innovation grants in respect of eligible clothing and household textile expenditure.
The TCF Strategic Capability Program, provides a five year $35 million co-investment scheme to build capabilities, strengthen supply chain management and capture opportunities in green innovation.
The government is also backing research for technical textiles and fibre innovation, and recently provided $37 million for new textile labs at the CSIRO–Deakin University Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre in Waurn Ponds.
“The projects show the sort of transformation that is possible. Continuing to develop our capacity for innovation will enable manufacturing to meet the challenges of the future,” Carr said.
For more information on the Australian government’s support for the TCF industry visit www.innovation.gov.au.