A new training centre dedicated to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia's food and beverage supply chains has been launched by the Australian Research Council (ARC).
The ARC Training Centre for Food and Beverage Supply Chain Optimisation, which is led by The University of Newcastle, received $2.1 million in ARC funding through the Industrial Transformation Research Program.
In a statement ARC says the centre “will address research areas that are vital for, and assist with, our future food storage, food processing, and food manufacturing capabilities”.
The facility’s main areas of focus are manufacturing techniques, product design and development, plus looking at product opportunities that will help Australia’s food and beverage industries to grow.
The centre director is University of Newcastle School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science head Professor Rick Middleton, while the associate centre director is Associate Professor Regina Berretta from the same school.
Researchers at the centre will collaborate with The University of Sydney, The Georgia Institute of Technology, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Ghent University Global Campus, as well as industry organisations Coca Cola Amatil (Australia), Sunrice, Batlow Fruit and the Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing Company.
“The Australian Government [has] clearly articulated its new Science and Research Priorities, and ‘Food’ is one of the priorities listed,” ARC acting CEO Leanne Harvey says.
“The Government is keen to ensure Australia responds to increasing global demand for plant and animal-based food, and to provide the right environment to develop internationally competitive, sustainable and profitable food products.
“This particular ARC funding program enables such research to occur and ensures that our best researchers are working alongside colleagues in industry to deliver the best possible outcomes for the nation,” she adds.