A metals research centre which helped a local business secure an estimated $1 billion in business to help build a world-class fighter jet has won a prestigious Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) award.
The CAST CRC – which conducts industry-driven research in metals technology – received the STAR Award at the CRC Association Awards for Excellence Alice Springs.
The CRC was reportedly recognised for its ability to commercialise innovative technology by working with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the metals sector.
It was praised for its 10-year collaboration with Brisbane-based Ferra Engineering, most recently in developing light metals for aerospace industry use, that has led to the company winning seven contracts for the Joint Strike Fighter program.
The contracts, for the supply of high-precision metal products, will support high-wage, high-skill jobs over the project’s life.
The second STAR award went to an environmental research centre that helped develop a way to clean water contaminated through fire fighting.
The CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) was awarded for global scientific leadership in developing and applying a product that cleans water contaminated by fire fighting foam.