Real world impact
2024 IFM Impact Report: ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres
The ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres is located within the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) at Deakin University, Waurn Ponds campus. Its second iteration was established in 2022 and continues to build on its successful track record in addressing the fibres and textiles industry’s most pressing challenges.
The ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres is tackling some of the most urgent problems facing the fibres and textiles industry – from curbing the growth of textile waste to building more sustainable supply chains. Utilising the capabilities of Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials, home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest fibre research group, the Hub conducts research across the entire fibre value chain. Its key focuses are sustainability, circular economies and extraordinary functionality.
“Australia is at a crossroads with fabric and textile waste,” says Dr Matt Boyd, Manager of the ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres.
“We send an estimated 231,000 tonnes of textile waste to landfill every year and Australians are now the largest per capita consumers of fast fashion, outranking even the United States.
“Our Hub research teams are working with industry partners to tackle this massive issue from several angles.”
Hub sets out to accelerate partner progress
Among such partners is the Western Australia-based biotechnology company Uluu.
In 2024, Hub researchers explored natural and bioderived fibres to create more sustainable supply chain inputs, leveraging this knowledge to successfully produce prototype fabric samples from Uluu’s bioplastic pellets with significant commercial potential.
“This has assisted Uluu in looking to new markets, finalising additional funding opportunities and expanded their engagement with Deakin through the Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH) program,” Dr Boyd says.
The Hub also welcomed several new partners in 2024 including Michell Wool (South Australia), the Warner Research Institute (WRI) (Queensland) and Transport for New South Wales.
“Associate Professor Christopher Hurren has helped Michell Wool in the commercialisation of their newest product line – eqwools™ – which is a step change in how wool is processed for apparel,” Dr Boyd says.
“The demand is so high that the team is working overtime to keep up with all the new commercial applications.”
Inaugural symposium attracts fashion collaborators
In 2024, the Hub partnered with RMIT and University of Technology Sydney to present the inaugural Sustainable Fibres Symposium – sustainable design from micro to macro at the National Wool Museum in Geelong. The event set out to foster collaboration and drive impact, attracting more than 200 people across the two-day event.
Guest speakers, expert panels, peak industry bodies and sustainability focused companies presented an array of topics to attendees from well-known fashion brands, textile recyclers, designers and supply chain experts.
The symposium also served as a launchpad for Michell Wool’s eqwools™ product and gave great exposure to other Hub partners working in sustainability, such as Nanollose Ltd.
“Early estimates of economic activity from the event peg the total at close to $1 million,” Dr Boyd said.
“It was also a fantastic opportunity to partner with Australia’s garment stewardship scheme, Seamless, with more to come on this partnership in 2025.
“The Hub is doing our part to provide meaningful change and deliver answers to scientific questions our local companies need to be successful.
“This culminated on Deakin and IFM being recognised by the Shanghai Index as the highest ranked Australian organisation for fabric and textile science and the number one Australian institute for fabric and textile research.”
