Research and Development program

for recovered glass fines and flexible plastics

Guidelines and application form

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Guidelines

  1. Funding overview

TheResearch and Development (R&D) programwill provide grantsof up to $100,000(1:1 matched funding) excluding GST,to Research Institutesin partnership with Industryto undertake research projects thatlead to an increasein the use of recovered glass fines and/or, flexible plastics in new or existing products or processing approaches.

The objective of the programis to publish the research findings to inform broader manufacturing industries of opportunities to incorporate recovered glass fines and/or flexible plasticsinto product and process design, development, specifications and commercialisation activities.Intellectual Property (IP) developed from the program will be made publicly available and licensed.

The grant program involves a competitive, merit-based application process. Approved research projects must becontracted by mid-June 2016 and completed by 30 May 2017.Retrospective research projects that have already commenced or are completed prior to signing a funding agreementwill not be funded. However, a defined component or next stage of a current, longer term research project would be eligible.

  1. Why is the Victorian Government providing this funding?

Despite the Victorian community’s strong desire to support recycling, recovering valuable resources for manufacturingalso relies on establishing suitable market demand forthese recovered resources.

Frequently, resources are being recovered by a “push” from the supply side (e.g. kerbside recycling) rather than a “pull” for their demand as materials for manufacturing. This push from the supply side without market pull can cause economic, community, environment and public health impacts.

The Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (SWRRIP) provides the context and long term vision for improving Victoria’s waste and resource recovery infrastructure system and stimulating and supporting markets for products made from recovered resources is critical to this.

Common market development barriers include variable quality and quantity of recovered resources; high transport and processing costs, often low value materials compete with cheap virgin materials and imports, fluctuations in the market price and limited information on the quality and performance of products with recycled content.

To address these barriers Sustainability Victoria (SV) has developed aDraft Victorian Market Development Strategy for Recovered Resources (draft Strategy) to:

  • meet community expectations for resource recovery activities that improve the environment, community amenity and public health, while stimulating markets for the use of recovered resources for positive economic return
  • support conditions for the resource recovery and manufacturing sectors to grow and create jobs, by maximising the value of recovered resources and developing quality products for end markets
  • increase investment in and the purchase of products made from recovered resources by promoting their qualities and functionality.

Investment in Research and Development (R&D) for recovered glass fines and flexible plastics has been identified in the draft Strategy as a mechanism for state government to stimulate these markets. Definitions ofrecovered glass fines and flexible plastics are provided in Section 3.1of the guidelines and below is a summary of the market priorities. Further information is available in the market analysis factsheets on the SV website.

Recovered glass fines:

  • An estimated 257,000 tonnes of glass waste is generated each year in Victoria, of which 195,000 tonnes is recovered for recycling.
  • 52% of the glass recovered for recycling is glass fines or stockpiled without an immediate future use.
  • The stockpiles of recovered glass in Victoria are estimated at over 300,000 tonnes and are largely contaminated with ceramic, stoneware, Pyrex and plastic.
  • Product development is supporting new markets for glass fines particularly in civil construction applications such as sand replacement in asphalt, sand/abrasive grit blasting, construction and road aggregates, sports turf/drainage, brickmaking, and water filtration.

Source: Sustainability Victoria Market summary – recycled glass 2014.

Recovered flexible plastics:

  • There is no specific data on the generation or recovery of flexible plastics. However, the volume disposed to landfill in Victoria is thought to be in the range of 74,000 to 108,000 tonnes in 2011-12.
  • Anecdotal evidence suggests the flexible plastics waste stream is growing as new packaging and logistics solutions come online.
  • Recovered flexible plastics are currently used in Victoria as a substitute for virgin plastic or timber in a range of products including bollards, fence posts, speed humps and outdoor furniture.However, a significant proportion of flexible plastics being recovered are exported.

Source: Sustainability Victoria Market summary – flexible plastics 2014.

  1. Who can apply?

Only a Research Institutein partnership with Industry is eligible to apply. Refer tothe definitionof Research Institute and Industry in section 3.1of the guidelines below.

3.1 Definitions for the purposes of this program

Research Institute:

A research Institute is defined as a Victorian based organisationthat can undertake research and development activities in the manner defined in the Research and Development (R&D) definition below.AResearch Institute could be a tertiary education institution, a government agency established for the purpose of research, a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), or an Institute or Centre for Research. Consultancies are not considered to be Research Institutes for the purposes of this program.

Industry:

Industryis any business entity and/or peak association operating in or representing manufacturers using or seeking to use recovered resources in a product. The business must be operating in Victoria and have been in operation for at least three years. (Thelead Industry Partnerfor the research project must comply with the insurance and risk requirements in section 5 of the application form and sign the funding application).

Research and Development (R&D):

Research and Development (R&D) includes the following activities related to recovered glass fines and flexible plastics: product design and development, laboratory testing, in situ testingand altering existing processing approaches. R&D activity more generally is considered to becharacterised by originality. It has investigation as a primary objective, the outcome of which is new knowledge, with a specific practical application, or new or improved materials, products or devices. R&D ends when work is no longer primarily investigative.

Processing approaches:

Processing approaches include a series of operations or steps in order to change the recovered resource or reprocessing system. It does not include collection, sorting orprocessing equipment or infrastructure.

Glass fines:

Glass fines are glass which has been recovered from the waste stream but is considered unsuitable for use in glass manufacture due to the particles being too small and/or mixed with other material streams.

Flexible plastic:

Flexible plastic includes packaging (such as bags, pouches, sachets, wraps) and flexible polymer wraps used in logistics (such as pallet wrap, silage wrap, or wheat storage bags). These products are typically made of a range of polymer types including low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP).

Financial contribution:
Financial contributions can include cash and salaries paid by the Research Institute(s) and Industry Partner(s) for employee’s time allocated to delivering the research project.

In-kind contribution:
In-kind is an activity other than financial support that is contributed towards a project. An In-kind contribution could be voluntary labour such as unpaid research students time or donated goods or services such as recovered resources for laboratory testing or sites for in-situ testing.

Calculating Full-Time Equivalent Employees (FTE):

Example: You have three employees and they work 40 hours, 40 hours, and 20 hours per week totaling 100 hours. Assuming a full-time employee works 40 hours per week, your full time equivalent calculation is 100 hours divided by 40 hours which equals 2.5 FTE.

The Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP):

The Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) seeks to maximise opportunities for Australian, New Zealand and Victorian suppliers to compete for government business on the basis of best value for money over the life of the goods or services. The VIPP is implemented by Victorian Government departments and agencies to help drive local industry development.

When does the VIPP Apply?

The Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) will apply if the total cost of the project meets or exceeds either:

-$1 million in regional Victoria/statewide; or

-$3 million in metropolitan Melbourne.

What if VIPP does apply?

SV will register the grant with ICN (Industry Capability Network). The grant recipient will then be required to prepare a VIPP Plan and provide annual project reports.

3.2What is the eligibility criteria for Research Institutes?

To be eligible for funding, the Research Institutemust:

  • meet the definition of Research Institute as outlined in section 3.1 of the guidelines
  • have been in operation in Victoria for at least three years
  • have a partnership with Industry (as per definition in section 3.1 of the guidelines)
  • not have received funding from any other funding body for the application research project
  • meet the minimum 1:1 financial contribution(excluding GST) in partnership with the Industry Partner(s)
  • not have any Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or Victorian WorkCoverviolations in the past five years, or if the Research Institute has any violations:

-the violations were not serious;

-the violations have been satisfactorily resolved;

-the Research Institute has made appropriate efforts, including implementing management systems, to ensure the violation is not repeated; and

-since the violation, the Research Institute has had a satisfactory level of compliance with environmental and WorkCover Authority legislation.

  • be based in Victoria
  • undertake the research project in Victoria
  • if shortlisted as part of the assessment process, attend a pitch at SV with the Industry Partner(s)
  • agree to comply with the Terms and Conditions of SV’s Funding Agreement located at

3.3 What is the eligibility criteria for the Industry Partner(s)?

The Industry Partner(s) must:

  • meet the definition of Industry as outlined in section 3.1 of the guidelines
  • have been in operation in Victoria for at least three years
  • not have received funding from any other funding body for the application research project
  • meet the minimum 1:1 financial contribution (excluding GST) in partnership with the Research Institute(s)
  • not have any Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or Victorian WorkCoverviolations in the past five years, or if the applicant has any violations:

-the violations were not serious;

-the violations have been satisfactorily resolved;

-the Industry Partner has made appropriate efforts, including implementing management systems, to ensure the violation is not repeated; and

-since the violation, the Industry Partner has had a satisfactory level of compliance with environmental and WorkCover Authority legislation.

  • be based in Victoria
  • if shortlisted as part of the assessment process, attend a pitch at SV with the Research Institute
  • agree to comply with the Terms and Conditions of SV’s Funding Agreement located at

3.4What will be required of Research Institutes who receive funding from this program?

Successfully fundedResearch Institutes must:

  • submit a detailed project plan for approval by SV for the first milestone of the funding agreement
  • deliver the project as determined in the agreed project plan
  • undertake the project within the required timeframes (mid-June 2016 - 30 May 2017)
  • meet the minimum 1:1 financial contribution (excluding GST)
  • participate in activities with SV to distribute the research findings to broader industries during and after the funding agreement period
  • if applicable, fulfil requirements as set out under the Victorian Industry Participation Policy.
  1. What will be funded?

Up to $100,000 (1:1 matched funding) excluding GSTis available for Research Institutes in partnership with Industryto undertake a Research and Development (R&D) project.

Approved research projects must becontracted by mid-June 2016 and completed by 30 May 2017.Retrospective research projects that have already commenced or are completed prior to signing a funding agreementwill not be funded. However, a defined component or next stage of a current, longer term research project would be eligible.

The Research Institute(s) and Industry Partner(s) must meet the minimum 1:1 financial contribution.

4.1 Whatwill be considered for matched funding?

  • salaries directly related to:

-the design and development of processing approaches or products that use recovered glass fines or flexible plastics including quality and performance assessments of recovered glass fines or flexible plastics in new or existing product or processing approaches

-product development to increase the percentage of recovered glass fines or flexible plastics.in existing products or processing approaches

  • cost of laboratory or in situ testing fornew products incorporating recovered glass fines or flexible plastics.

4.2What won’t be considered for matched funding?

  • desktop research including opportunity identification, concept screening, concept testing, marketing concept development and feasibility studies
  • promotional materials and marketing activities
  • the purchase of infrastructure or equipment
  • retrospective research
  • vehicles
  • travel, conferences and other educational activities
  • salaries that are not directly related to the research
  • in-kind contribution
  • first generation energy recovery technologies or bioenergy technologies
  • any application where the lead Industry Partner does not submit to the same probity checks as required of the Research Institute
  • any application where the Research Institute and Industry Partner(s) do not agree to the IP conditions outlined in the Funding terms and conditions relating to this grant at
  • applications from Consultancies (as per the Research Institute definition in section 3.1 of the guidelines).
  1. Assessment criteria

How will applications be assessed?

This program involves a competitive, merit-based application process. Applications from eligible Research Institutes in partnership with Industry will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate:

  • the market development problem for the specified priority recovered resource
  • a valid methodology to address this market development problem
  • how the output of the research will address this market development problem
  • the potential for this output to contribute to wider market development outcomes as outlined in section 2 of the guidelines
  • how the research output will be delivered within the 12 month timeframe, by 30 May 2017
  • the level of commitment of theIndustryPartner(s)to participate in the project and utilise the research outputs
  • a capable and skills based team to undertake the research.

Shortlisted applicants (both the Research Institute and theIndustry Partner(s)) will be invited to pitch their research project to the assessment panel. The pitch will provide the assessment panel the opportunity to clarify any information provided in the application. It is not an opportunity for the Research Institute or Industry Partner(s) to present new information.

6. Application process

Research Institutes should review and complete the following steps:

Step1: Check if your Research Instituteis eligible to apply (refer to section 3 of the guidelines ‘Who can apply?’)

Step 2: Check the eligibility of your project (refer to section 4 of the guidelines‘What will be funded?’)

Step 3: Read the Terms and Conditions of the funding agreement available at ensure you are able to meet them. Acceptance of SV’s Terms and Conditions for funding is a requirement of grant funding.

Step 4: Read and understand the Terms of Participation in Grant Programs available at

Step 5:Complete the application form attached to these guidelines.

  • The application form is an editable PDF document which allows you to enter text in the relevant fields.
  • All sections of the PDF application form must be completed in full and all requested attachments provided.
  • The Declaration Form must be printed and signed by a person with delegated authority to apply (for both the lead Research InstituteLead Industry Partner), and a scanned, signed copy attached to the application.

Remember to:

  • save the PDF application form to your computer before you start entering any information
  • check that you are able to add and save your information into the PDF document
  • save the PDF document frequently to avoid losing any information.

Step 6: Submit your application to SV:

  • applications can only be submitted by email
  • email your application to
  • the subject line for the email should read ‘R&Dprogram funding application’
  • the application form is a PDF document but any other supporting documents may be submitted in Word or Excel. You may attach the Declaration signature page as a scanned PDF
  • email size must not exceed 10MB or it will not be accepted by our email server
  • SV will acknowledge receipt of all applications by return email within 48 hours
  • if you experience difficulties emailing your application, please contact SV. Phone 1300 363 744 Monday – Friday between 9 am – 4 pm and ask to speak to a grants support representative.

7. Key dates

Activity / Date
Applications open / 26 November2015
Information session / 15 December 2015
Applications close / 3 pm, Monday 29February 2016
Research Institutes notified of shortlisting / Mid-March2016*
Shortlisted Research Institutes and Industry Partner(s) pitch to assessment panel / LateMarch2016*
Funding agreements established / April-May 2016*
Research project commenced by / Mid-June 2016
Research project completed by / 30 May 2017

*Please note: These timelines are indicative only and are subject to change.

8.More information

Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the SV website:

Register to attend an information session. For session details visit

Or contact SV by:

Email: and include ‘R&D program’ in the subject line.

Phone: 1300 363 744 between 9 am and 4 pm Monday – Friday and ask to speak to a grants support representative.

Research and Development program for recovered glass fines and flexible plastics

Applicationform

Section 1:Research Institute contact information

Fields marked (*) are mandatory
Part A: Research Institute details

Complete the details for the lead Research Institute. If there are other Research Institutes involved in your research team you can provide their details in Section 3, Question 4 ‘Who will undertake the research?’