Australian Composites Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre

Name

Australian Composites Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre

Legal name

Australian Composites Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre

Website

https://acmcrc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Australian Government CRC Grant Funding: ACM CRC is funded primarily through an Australian Government CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) grant — a 10-year funding commitment as part of the CRC Program established in 1990. The program funds industry-led collaborations linking researchers with industry and government, with a focus on applied research. This constitutes the core non-dilutive funding for the CRC's four research programs, education initiatives, and operational costs.
2. Industry and Research Partner Contributions: 33 partners across industry, research institutions, and government contribute to the CRC through project-specific funding, in-kind contributions, and co-investment in collaborative R&D projects. Partners include manufacturers, technology companies, and universities co-developing solutions in composites manufacturing.
3. Project-Based Collaborative R&D: The CRC executes multiple collaborative research projects (14 listed projects including APN001–APN013 and HPN001–HPN002), each jointly funded by industry and research partners. Project agreements govern funding contributions and IP/commercialisation outcomes.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACM CRC delivers industry-led collaborative research and development services in advanced composites manufacturing through four research programs (Composite Materials, Manufacturing Processes, Simulation & Performance Prediction, and Design & Integration). It develops and demonstrates proprietary technology platforms including AI-based quality control (Circular Design 4.0), digital twin simulation of manufacturing plants, and the ForgeX.ai manufacturing augmentation platform. It also runs an Education & Training Program producing HDR graduates and supports partner adoption via joint projects with manufacturers, research institutions, and government agencies.

Product overview

ACM CRC is a consortium of industry, government, and research partners operating a 10-year program structured around four core research programs (Composite Materials, Manufacturing Processes, Simulation/Performance Prediction, and Design/Integration) that work together to advance Australia's composites manufacturing capabilities. The organization develops and delivers technology platforms including ForgeX.ai (AI-based manufacturing augmentation), digital twins for manufacturing optimization, and Circular Design 4.0 AI-based quality control systems. Additional offerings include specific research projects like the Omni Tanker Smart Composite Factory digital twin, space technology projects (polymer matrix and ceramic matrix composites), and manufacturing simulation initiatives. The Education & Training Program supports workforce development through HDR students and industry training to sustain Australia's competitive advantage in composites manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Program 1 – Composite Materials Addresses key challenges in materials for automation, affordability and circular economy requirements, covering affordable high-performance materials, materials for automation, surface integration technologies, specialist application materials, and circular economy materials. Targeted at composites manufacturers in aerospace, defence, space, transport, hydrogen, and infrastructure sectors.
• Research Program 2 – Manufacturing Processes Focuses on intelligent manufacturing and digital value chains, sensor integration, hybrid structures incorporating dissimilar materials, and additive manufacturing advances. Includes automation and robotics, hybrid material manufacture, sensor integration, process innovations, and digital manufacture. Targeted at composites manufacturers seeking automation and digitisation.
• Research Program 3 – Simulation, Performance Prediction Develops simulation and performance prediction technologies for composites materials, supporting critical technology implementation and building analyses for the circular economy. Includes advanced multi-physics simulation, lifetime prediction, digital twins, physical analysis approaches, and whole-of-life analysis. Targeted at manufacturers in hydrogen storage, electric vehicles, aircraft, and space equipment.
• Research Program 4 – Design, Integration Enhances design processes for digital manufacturing and certification-ready designs, with demonstration and field installation of composite structures for technology validation. Provides sector-based design guidelines and tools to accelerate certification in regulated sectors including hydrogen storage tanks and aircraft manufacturing.
• ForgeX.ai AI-Powered Manufacturing Augmentation Platform AI-based manufacturing augmentation platform that helps micro and small manufacturers optimise processes, track experiments, and query their factory data in natural language. Includes Optilab experiment tracking, NLP-based data analysis, and ERP integration apps, targeting 30–50% efficiency gains for micro and small manufacturers.
• Omni Tanker Smart Composite Factory (Digital Twin) Digital twin of Omni Tanker's pilot composites production plant, enabling virtual assessment of alternative production strategies to optimise manufacturing, accelerate innovation, and meet surging global demand for composite tankers. Developed with UNSW Sydney under APN004.
• Circular Design 4.0 AI-Based Quality Control System AI-based monitoring system for quality control of manufactured composite products including steelwork, optimising inspection requirements and managing compliance risks through big data analysis. Includes novel 3D printing manufacturing techniques for re-use and recycle strategies. Developed with HERA, USYD, and ANSTO.
• APN001 – Polymer Matrix Composite Thermal Protection Liners Cost-efficient sovereign high-temperature materials using polymer-based ablative materials for protecting space launch vehicles and spacecraft against extreme heat and pressure. Developed for Gilmour Space Technologies' Eris orbital rocket in collaboration with UQ, enabling Australia's first sovereign orbital launch capability.
• APN002 – Ceramic Matrix Composite Components for Hypersonic Flight Next-generation high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) tailored for hypersonic flight applications, with novel net shape and short cycle time manufacturing methods. Developed with UQ for Hypersonix's DART AE vehicle capable of Mach 5+ flight.
• APN003 – Quickstep Aeroline Future Factory Simulation Future factory simulation combining 3D photorealistic digital design, AI-driven simulations, and new robotic design principles to advance manufacturing technologies for cutting-edge airframe design at Quickstep Holdings.
• Machine Sharing Portal Digital platform providing smaller manufacturers and startups access to vital but often unaffordable machinery, while helping unlock new value from idle assets across the Australian manufacturing base.
• Education & Training Program HDR program focused on upgrading industry capability through trained graduate engineers, including 100 HDR student commencements, industry training, and gender balance initiatives. Embeds PhD students across partner universities (Deakin, UNSW, UQ, UWA, RMIT, UniSQ, UOW, USYD) to create ongoing industry-research connections.

Quantifiable outcome

• $8.3 billion in direct economic benefit to the Australian economy projected over 15 years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Steber International / SOENECScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Sustainable Composites for Next Gen Boat Hulls project: Addressing the global marine industry's materials crisis — an estimated 35-40 million fibreglass boats worldwide reaching end of life with no scalable recycling pathway. Collaboration with Lisa Blair OAM, Steber International, UNSW Sydney, and SOENECS.
• FUZE SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2025Project to standardise composite material repairs for steel structures, led by FUZE Solutions in collaboration with UWA and UQ. Aims to establish an industry standard for repairing and reinforcing steel structures using composite materials, applicable to civil infrastructure maintenance and construction.
• Deakin University (Applied AI Institute — A2I2)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Development of ForgeX.ai — an AI-powered manufacturing augmentation platform designed to help manufacturers optimise processes, track experiments, and 'converse with their factory' in natural language. The platform targets micro and small manufacturers with experiment tracking, data analysis, and ERP integration apps, potentially delivering 30-50% efficiency gains.
• HERA (Heavy Engineering Research Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2023APN006 project: Circular Design 4.0 — AI-based quality control and manufacturing in partnership with USYD and ANSTO. The project was expanded in March 2024 with New Zealand Minister Andrew Bayly announcing additional multi-party projects on robotics/automation barriers (HPN001) and sustainable waste management (HPN002) in composites manufacturing.
• Omni TankercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2023APN004 project: Creation of a digital twin of Omni Tanker's pilot production plant to optimise composites manufacturing. UNSW Sydney is virtually assessing alternative production strategies through simulation to accelerate innovation and meet surging global demand, strengthening Australian supply chain and opening export markets.
• Quickstep HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2023APN003 project: Future factory simulation combining 3D digital design, AI-driven simulations, and robotic design principles for cost-effective carbon fibre airframe manufacturing. APN012 project: Sovereign UAS airframe design optimisation with RMIT University, targeting the global drone delivery market worth USD 54 billion by 2030.
• Hypersonix Launch SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2023APN002 project: Development of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components for the DART AE hypersonic vehicle capable of Mach 5+ flight. UQ is manufacturing process development, characterisation, and design partner, with flight testing planned on the Hypersonix DART AE vehicle.
• Gilmour Space TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2023APN001 project: Development of polymer matrix composite thermal protection liners for Gilmour's Eris orbital rocket — Australia's first orbital rocket system. UQ and ACM CRC are collaborating to develop cost-efficient, sovereign high-temperature materials using polymer-based ablative materials for space launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• Carbon RevolutioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023APN005 project: Industrialisation of carbon fibre wheel production for the global OEM automotive market. Luke Preston led development of Carbon Revolution's Mega-line — a high-volume manufacturing line using advanced simulation tools to optimise production throughput and capital expenditure.
• Gowing Bros Ltd (Gowings) / Surf Hardware InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023APN010 project: Design and manufacture of a compact, lightweight smart travel surfboard using advanced manufacturing techniques. Partners include UNSW and UOW Surf Flex Lab. The project explores automated processes to reduce manufacturing cost while maintaining performance characteristics.
• Australian Government (CRC Program — business.gov.au)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CRC is funded through the Australian Government CRC Program, an initiative established in 1990 that funds industry-led collaborations linking researchers with industry and government. ACM CRC was awarded a 10-year grant as a medium to long-term industry-led collaboration. The program is administered under the Industry Innovation and Science Australia Board.
• University Partners (Deakin, UNSW, UQ, UWA, RMIT, UniSQ, UOW, USYD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partners include Deakin University (Centre for Future Materials, Applied AI Institute), UNSW Sydney (School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Australian Centre for Robotics), UQ (Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing), UWA, RMIT, UniSQ (Centre for Future Materials), UOW, and USYD. These institutions host CRC researchers, PhD students, and provide research infrastructure across all four programs.
• ANSTO (Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the APN006 Circular Design 4.0 project alongside HERA and USYD, contributing to AI-based quality control and manufacturing analysis capabilities.
• Composites AustraliasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry association partner hosting the annual Composites Conference (e.g., June 17-18, 2026) and Tech Events. Composites Australia collaborates with ACM CRC on industry events, knowledge sharing, and promoting the Australian composites manufacturing sector.
• Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced manufacturing facility hosting Tech Events with ACM CRC and Composites Australia. The $60m+ facility includes compression moulding, robotic filament winding, automated ply cutting, laser ply projection, and metal and polymer 3D printing capabilities for demonstrations and industry engagement.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Composites Centre: UK-based composites manufacturing research centre, similarly structured as a partnership between industry, academia and government to advance composites manufacturing capability. Highly comparable in mission, scale and consortium model to ACM CRC.
• TWI Ltd (The Welding Institute): UK-based industrial R&D organisation covering joining, composites, additive manufacturing and structural integrity — operating on a similar industry-membership, project-based R&D model to ACM CRC.
• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): UK-based advanced manufacturing R&D centre covering automation, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 — directly comparable to ACM CRC's automation, robotics, and digital value chain focus areas.
• IACMI (Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation): US Department of Energy-backed composites manufacturing innovation institute focused on reducing composites cost and energy intensity through automation, simulation and recycling — directly analogous to ACM CRC's materials, process, and digital twin programs.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials: German applied research organisation with one of Europe's largest composites manufacturing R&D portfolios, spanning materials, automation, simulation, and design — operating on a similar industry-partner consortium model to ACM CRC.
• DMTC Limited: Australian defence materials technology collaboration centre linking industry, universities and government in defence-focused composites and materials R&D — highly comparable consortium model and overlapping defence/aerospace focus with ACM CRC.

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency, operating across far broader R&D domains but with overlapping activities in advanced manufacturing, materials, and hydrogen — provides the macro R&D backdrop against which ACM CRC operates and a likely talent/collaboration source.

Others

• Composites Australia: Australian composites industry association and ACM CRC partner, hosting the annual Composites Conference and providing industry-association infrastructure — adjacent ecosystem player rather than direct R&D peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acm-crc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian Composites Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre