CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark and Orica Managing Director Graeme Liebelt signing the research agreement.

CSIRO enters landmark research alliance with Orica

Reference: 09/203

CSIRO today signed a five-year, $25m strategic research alliance agreement with one of Australia's leading public companies – Orica Limited.

1 November 2009

CSIRO's Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark said the alliance will strengthen Australia's science capability in areas of importance to both organisations, with the objective of improving the international competitiveness of Australian industry.

"The alliance will engage our programs in manufacturing, materials and minerals, embracing three of CSIRO's National Research Flagships: Future Manufacturing, Minerals Down Under, and Energy Transformed," Dr Clark said.

Orica is a leading publicly owned company based in Australia. It is also one of the few truly global Australian-based companies, employing around 15,000 people, with operations in around 50 countries and customers in twice that many.

"Orica and CSIRO have a long history of collaboration and cooperation to produce innovations of value to the mining and chemicals industries and broader community."

Mr Graeme Liebelt, Orica Managing Director

Orica Managing Director Graeme Liebelt welcomed the ongoing collaboration with CSIRO.

"Orica and CSIRO have a long history of collaboration and cooperation to produce innovations of value to the mining and chemicals industries and broader community. This agreement captures the capabilities of both organisations and aims to deliver further ongoing benefit from newly developed technology," Mr Liebelt said.

With access to CSIRO's world class experts and facilities, the alliance will focus on projects over three time horizons:

Development of long-term R&D capability to benefit Orica and Australia
Strategic R&D over the medium to longer term to implement joint capability and to establish new business initiatives
Tactical projects that will benefit current business activities over the short to medium-term, particularly those related to the mining and infrastructure industry sectors.

"The alliance with Orica is testament to CSIRO’s commitment to not only engage with and support Australian industry, but also to continue to develop Australia’s science capability," Dr Clark said.

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