The Centre was established under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program in 1992.  It operated as the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Polymer Blends until October 1996, when it broadened the scope of its research to become the CRC for Polymers.  Successful applications for further funding from the CRC Program have supported its continued operation from July 1999 to June 2005 (with a grant of A$15 million) and from July 2005 to June 2012 (with a grant of A$32 million). 

Today the Centre is an incorporated joint venture between its current participants that include companies, universities and government research organisations.  It brings together world competitive teams comprising leading researchers from its industry participants and the best researchers in Australia, drawn from across universities and government laboratories, for delivering its planned research outcomes. The research activities of the Centre are conducted within Australia in five States: Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.   

The Centre receives grant funding from the Australian Government and our participants contribute cash and in-kind resources to the Centre.  The annual budget of the Centre is approximately A$19 million.  These resources are deployed on the Centre’s research activities and in its other programs on commercialisation, education and administration.  The Centre provides funding for approximately 50 research positions at its research nodes at 10 universities, CSIRO and ANSTO.  The Centre will also be providing scholarship funding support for approximately 40 postgraduate students during the current funding period. During its current seven year funding period the Centre will invest approximately $130 million in research and related activities.

Last Updated: 15 July 2008