What Solving Plastic Waste CRC does

Solving Plastic Waste CRC (SPW CRC) is an Australian cooperative research centre established in July 2024 with a 10-year mandate to address Australia's plastic waste crisis through industry-led, cross-value-chain collaboration. Hosted by Griffith University at its Nathan campus in Brisbane, the organisation conducts research across four programs: Materials and Design (RP1), Recovery and Recycling (RP2), Circular Economy Implementation (RP3), and Microplastics in Agricultural Soils (RP4). It assembles over 25 partner organisations spanning plastic manufacturers (Amcor, GALE Pacific), recyclers (APR Recycling, Licella), research universities (Griffith, UQ, Deakin, RMIT, UniMelb, UNSW, UTS, CQUniversity, Macquarie, UniSA), regulators (NSW EPA, EPA Victoria, Queensland Government), and NGOs (Minderoo Foundation, Parley).

The organisation's primary offerings are collaborative research projects, the Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP) for PhD and postdoctoral researchers across partner universities, and a microcredential suite that makes SPW CRC the first Australian CRC to offer such courses. PhD scholarships range from top-up awards ($15,000/year for 3 years) to full scholarships ($42,000/year for 3 years), with microcredentials priced at $20 for partners and $40 full price (free for Industry Researchers). The organisation also hosts an Annual Partners Conference, a Seminar Series, and the Annual Industry Design Challenge (AIDC).

Revenue derives from Commonwealth Government grant funding and partner contributions (cash and in-kind); microcredential fees are immaterial at current scale. There are no private equity or venture capital investors. Governance rests with an independent Board chaired by Dr Leonie Walsh, with Paul Hodgson serving as CEO since 15 June 2026 following the retirement of inaugural CEO Dr Ian Dagley. Operating status is active with ongoing research, education programs, and partner engagement across Australia's plastics value chain.

Name

Solving Plastic Waste CRC

Legal name

Solving Plastic Waste CRC Ltd

Website

https://solvingplasticwastecrc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Solving Plastic Waste CRC is an Australian cooperative research centre, hosted by Griffith University, that conducts collaborative research across four programs (Materials & Design, Recovery & Recycling, Circular Economy, and Microplastics in Agricultural Soils) to address Australia's plastic waste crisis, serving 25+ industry, research, government, and NGO partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cooperative Research and Plastic Waste Solutions

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Packaging Waste Sorting & Recycling Technologies (Mechanical/Chemical Recycling, Sorting Systems) (IMALAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chemical/Advanced Plastics Recycling (Depolymerization, Pyrolysis, Solvolysis) (IMANAMAD), Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply) (EUAIAKAA), Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK)

Keywords

• Cooperative research centre
• Plastic waste research
• Circular economy consulting
• Microplastics environmental research
• Industry doctoral program

Headquarters

HQ city

Nathan, Queensland

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Commonwealth Government Grant Funding: The SPW CRC is a recipient of Commonwealth Grant funding as a 10-year cooperative research centre established in July 2024
2. Partner Contributions: Industry partners, research partners, and government partners contribute to the CRC's operations and research activities through partnership fees and in-kind support
3. Microcredential Fees: Revenue generated from microcredential courses - $20 for Partners & Associates, $40 full price, with free access for Industry Researchers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Solving Plastic Waste CRC is a cooperative research centre that conducts collaborative applied research across four programs covering plastic materials and design, recovery and recycling, circular economy implementation, and microplastics in agricultural soils. It delivers industry-led research outcomes to a national partnership network spanning the plastics value chain, alongside education and training offerings including the Industry Researcher Development Program, microcredential short courses, and PhD scholarships.

Product overview

Solving Plastic Waste CRC (SPW CRC) is a 10-year cooperative research centre established in July 2024, hosted by Griffith University, to solve Australia's plastic waste problem through industry-led research and collaboration. The organization operates four Research Programs (RP1-RP4) covering Materials and Design, Recovery and Recycling, Circular Economy, and Microplastics in Agricultural Soils. SPW CRC's educational offerings include the Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP) for PhD and postdoctoral researchers, a suite of microcredentials (Research Program-specific courses on Circular Economy and Microplastics, plus Core Skills courses), PhD Scholarships, and an Annual Industry Design Challenge. The organization hosts an Annual Partners Conference, regular Seminar Series, and provides access to the Plastics 360 Portal for its Partners. Digital badges are awarded through My eQuals upon microcredential completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Program 1 (RP1): Materials and Design Develops plastic compositions that are more easily recycled or composted, and product designs which eliminate unnecessary use, enable reuse, avoid problematic plastics and material complexity, and increase recycled content. Delivered for SPW CRC industry and research partners.
• Research Program 2 (RP2): Recovery and Recycling Increases the recovery, sorting, and recycling of plastics, maximises the value of recyclates, expands markets for products containing recyclates, and enhances technologies for energy recovery from plastic waste. Delivered for SPW CRC industry and research partners.
• Research Program 3 (RP3): Circular Economy Scales delivery of a carbon neutral circular economy for plastics by developing circular business models and markets, evidence-based policy advice, and globally-informed strategies underpinned by a robust evidence base for industry decision-making. Delivered for SPW CRC partners.
• Research Program 4 (RP4): Microplastics in Agricultural Soils Develops standardised methods to determine sources, fate, and dispersion of microplastics in Australian agricultural soils, examines long-term risks to human and environmental health, and provides effective mitigation strategies to reduce microplastic transmission to Australian soils. Delivered for SPW CRC partners.
• Industry Researcher Development Program (IRDP) A dynamic program for PhD and postdoctoral researchers that builds research and industry leadership knowledge and skills needed to transform the Australian plastics sector, including Core Skills Microcredentials, Annual Partners Event participation, individual development plans, coaching, mentoring, the Annual Industry Design Challenge, monthly seminars, and industry placements.
• Introduction to the Circular Economy and Plastics Microcredential A 4-hour online self-paced microcredential that builds foundational understanding of circular economy principles and how they apply to plastics in Australia, covering the urgent need for change, circular economy solutions, global and national approaches, and business and consumer strategies. Free for SPW CRC Partners, Associates, and Industry Researchers; $20 for Partners & Associates ($40 full price).
• The Fundamentals of Microplastics Microcredential A 2-hour online self-paced microcredential that introduces microplastics and their impact on the environment, covering sources and pathways, environmental and health impacts, and current and emerging solutions. Aligned to UN SDGs and the Australian Curriculum ACARA framework. Free for SPW CRC Partners, Associates, and Industry Researchers.
• PhD Scholarships Program PhD scholarships with various research topics available at partner universities. Includes top-up scholarships of $15,000 per year for 3 years and full SPW CRC PhD scholarships of $42,000 per year for 3 years, available to Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Only 12% of plastics used in Australia are recycled, with 84% going to landfill - SPW CRC aims to transform these outcomes through its four research programmes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

51 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding university partner that led the bid to get SPW CRC funded. Hosted the formal launch event in Brisbane. Located at Nathan campus where SPW CRC headquarters is co-located.
• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner involved in advanced recycling technologies research (Project P2.4.2) and hosting the inaugural Annual Partners Conference at CSIRO Clayton.
• AmcorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal packaging solutions company participating in the plastics value chain partnership.
• VivaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• LicellacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced recycling technology provider. Partner in Cat-HTR (Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor) process research for converting plastic waste to biocrude through hydrothermal liquefaction.
• NS (Nature Strip)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• APR RecyclingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced plastic recycling company. Managing Director Darren Thorpe participates in RP2 panel discussions on recycling end-of-life plastics.
• Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak industry body for recycling. CEO Suzanne Toumbourou participates in panel discussions on recycling challenges and opportunities.
• Minderoo FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic organisation focused on social change. Dr Manuel Brunner, Senior Manager Sustainable Material Innovation & Investments, participates in RP1 panel discussions.
• NSW EPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner. Dr Alexander Wotton serves as Industry Project Leader for Project P3.2.2 on improving recycled polyolefin quality and driving circular economy in NSW.
• City of Gold CoastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner. General Manager Chris Owen participates in RP3 panel discussions. Partner in Project P3.1.1 towards zero plastic waste circular economy.
• Queensland GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner represented in the partner network.
• Queensland Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare collaborator for AIDC 2026 tackling medical plastic waste. Environmental Sustainability Lead Renae McBrien serves as industry project leader.
• University of Queensland (UQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Prof Pete Halley serves as Research Project Leader for Project P1.1.1 on sustainable plastics use in healthcare.
• Deakin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Prof Minoo Naebe serves as RP2 Program Leader and leads research on sustainable polypropylene fibers and films from recycled waste.
• RMIT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Distinguished Prof Andy Ball serves as RP4 Program Leader. Hosts ARC Training Centre for Transformation of Australia's Biosolids Resource.
• University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Prof Damien Giurco serves as RP3 Program Leader and holds Chair of Circular Economy position.
• UNSW SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Prof Yansong Shen leads particle-scale modelling research for plastic separation technology.
• CQUniversity AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Prof Amy Cosby serves as Research Project Leader for Project P3.2.5 on silage plastic waste in Gippsland.
• University of Technology Sydney (UTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Dr Jamie Chen and Dr Isuri Amarasinghe serve as postdoctoral researchers on RP3 circular economy projects.
• Macquarie UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. Dr Kate Tepper conducts postdoctoral research on synthetic biology for microplastic-free compost.
• University of South AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing to the university network.
• EPA VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner. Dr Phoebe Lewis, Senior Scientist Emerging Contaminants, participates in RP4 panel discussions on microplastics sampling.
• GALE PacificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturer partner. Director Andrew Nasarczyk participates in RP2 panel discussions on recycling challenges.
• RMCGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner. Dr Anne-Maree Boland, CEO, participates in RP4 panel discussions.
• Hort InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and development partner. Dr Jacqui Simpson, Senior R&D Manager, participates in RP4 panel discussions.
• Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner. Pravin Siriwardena, Policy Manager, participates as AIDC26 industry panellist.
• Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner. Executive General Manager Cindy Bray participates in RP4 panel discussions.
• Soft Plastics Stewardship AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner. CEO Barry Cosier participates in Packaging and Plastics Panel.
• Australasian Bioplastics AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner. CEO Martine Poulain participates in Packaging and Plastics Panel.
• Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organisation partner. Charles Tan, EPR Assurance and Activation Manager, participates in Packaging and Plastics Panel.
• ARRC Gold CoastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated resource recovery partner. CEO Grant Gabriel delivers keynote at 2026 conference on waste transformation.
• Australian Beverages CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner. CEO Geoff Parker participates in Packaging and Plastics Panel.
• Neumann SteelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partner. General Manager Guy Kennedy participates in RP1 panel discussions on conventional vs bioplastics.
• MyEco GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability company partner. CEO Marie de Perthuis participates in RP1 panel discussions.
• Eco Barge Clean SeasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine debris removal organisation. Founder Libby Edge delivers keynote at 2026 conference dinner on plastic problem in paradise.
• Meat & Livestock AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and development partner. Alicia Waddington, Project Manager Innovation Capability, participates in Agriculture and Plastics Panel.
• Queensland Farmers' FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner. CEO Kylie Porter participates in Agriculture and Plastics Panel.
• Berries AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner. CEO Rachel Mackenzie participates in Agriculture and Plastics Panel.
• Baxter HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare company. Marketing & Sustainability Manager Paul Clark participates as AIDC26 industry panellist.
• Veolia Australia and New ZealandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource management company. Key Account Manager Alexandra McArthur participates as AIDC26 industry panellist.
• Darling Downs HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueensland Health service. Director Shankara Amurthalingam participates as AIDC26 industry panellist.
• Exchange for ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContainer deposit scheme operator. CEO Danielle Smalley participates in RP3 panel discussions on circular economy.
• iMOVE CRCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative Research Centre peer organisation. CEO Dr Ian Christensen delivered keynote at 2025 conference dinner.
• ParleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organisation partner in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• TECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• DemtechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• AoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• EWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• AcorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the SPW CRC ecosystem.
• GSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the SPW CRC ecosystem.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Minderoo Foundation: Australian philanthropic organisation with significant plastics and ocean health focus. Minderoo is a Core SPW CRC partner (Dr Manuel Brunner participates in RP1 panels), and operates its own plastic waste initiatives, making it both a partner and a parallel operator in the same Australian ecosystem.
• The Faraday Institution: UK's flagship research programme for battery technology. Operates as a consortium-based research organisation with industry and academic partnerships funded for long-term mission-driven research — structurally analogous to Australia's CRC model and SPW CRC's industry-doctoral approach.
• CRC for Polymers (now Polymers CRC): Australian Cooperative Research Centre focused on polymer science research. Founded SPW CRC's outgoing CEO Dr Ian Dagley led this CRC for 21 years, making it a direct predecessor in Australia's cooperative plastics research ecosystem with similar university-led, government-funded structure.
• iMOVE CRC: Australian Cooperative Research Centre focused on transport and mobility R&D. iMOVE CEO Dr Ian Christensen delivered a keynote at SPW CRC's 2025 conference, indicating active peer relationship. Both are Commonwealth-funded 10-year CRCs operating under the same federal program with similar partner-consortium structures.

Others

• Veolia Australia and New Zealand: Global resource management company. Veolia is a Minor SPW CRC partner (Key Account Manager participates in AIDC26 industry panel). As a major operational waste management and recycling services provider, Veolia represents the commercial/operational counterpart to SPW CRC's research outputs.

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO: Australia's national science agency. CSIRO is a Core SPW CRC partner (involved in advanced recycling research and hosting the inaugural Annual Partners Conference). It operates a much broader portfolio but shares the mission of applied science addressing plastic waste and circular economy challenges.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Global thought leader on circular economy. SPW CRC's RP3 (Circular Economy Implementation) closely mirrors EMF's mission of scaling circular economy adoption. EMF operates at global scale with corporate partnership networks, representing both an aspirational peer and potential international influence benchmark.
• WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme): UK-based circular economy charity working with governments, businesses and consumers to tackle waste. WRAP's work on plastics recycling, packaging design, and circular economy policy closely parallels SPW CRC's four Research Programs, though WRAP operates at national-UK scale with global influence.
• Closed Loop Partners: US-based circular economy investment platform and innovation centre. Similar to SPW CRC in bridging industry, government and research to scale circular solutions for plastics — though Closed Loop operates as an investment platform with capital deployment capabilities that SPW CRC lacks.

Regional players

• Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR): Peak Australian industry body for the recycling sector. ACOR CEO Suzanne Toumbourou participates in SPW CRC panel discussions. Represents the operational recycling industry that SPW CRC's research ultimately serves, and serves as a policy advocacy counterpart in the Australian plastics value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spw-crc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Solving Plastic Waste CRC