Australia’s AMCRC welcomes Edith Cowan University as its twelfth university partner
Australia’s Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has announced the entry of Edith Cowan University (ECU) as a new research partner. The university becomes the twelfth institution to join the national network dedicated to the industrial adoption of additive manufacturing.
The announcement of 1 October 2026 does not concern new facilities or industrial orders, but the formal integration of the university into the centre’s research network. This step allows ECU to participate directly in building projects with companies, training programmes, and technology transfer activities.
- ECU is the twelfth university to join the AMCRC, bringing expertise in advanced materials and metal 3D printing
- The network now includes 12 Australian universities in addition to CSIRO
- Focus on defence, mining, and natural resources in Western Australia
- AMCRC operates with AUD 57.5 million in federal funding until 2032
The strategic context of Western Australia
ECU’s geographical position in Western Australia opens up specific opportunities in the mining, defence, and natural resources sectors.
Edith Cowan University is based in Perth and Bunbury, in Western Australia. This region is 4.6 times larger than France, but has only 3 million inhabitants, of whom 2.3 million are concentrated in Perth.
The local economy depends heavily on the mining sector. Susan Jeanes, president of the AMCRC, identified defense, mining, and natural resources as sectors where ECU's expertise is particularly relevant.
ECU's technical expertise
The university brings to the AMCRC network a Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing focused on metal alloys and additive processes.
ECU has a Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing led by Professor Laichang Zhang, specializing in metallic materials, additive manufacturing, biomaterials, light alloys, and high-strength alloys. The centre also works with refractory high-entropy alloys (Refractory High-Entropy Alloys).
Professor Wei Ni, Associate Dean (Research) of the School of Engineering, stated that the partnership will allow ECU to work directly with manufacturers to develop and commercialize solutions. The goal is to translate research into industrial outcomes and support technology adoption in start-ups, SMEs, government organizations, and large companies.
The structure of the AMCRC
The AMCRC is a Cooperative Research Centre funded by the federal government to connect university research with medium- to long-term industrial problems.
The organization received AUD 57.5 million in federal funding and operates from June 2025 to May 2032. At its official launch on October 22, 2025, the AMCRC indicated an expected total contribution of about AUD 200 million from partners over the seven years.
The network now includes 12 Australian universities in addition to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The AMCRC is effectively Australia Makes, with the mission of spreading 3D printing across the continent.
Cooperative Research Centres are programs supported by the Australian government to connect university research and medium- to long-term industrial problems, with a focus on concrete commercial applications.
Manufacturing sovereignty and supply chain resilience
ECU's entry is part of a national strategy to strengthen Australia's productive capacity in a context of growing global uncertainty.
Susan Jeanes emphasized the strategic importance of the moment: “In a period of growing global uncertainty, strengthening Australia's sovereign manufacturing capacity has never been more important.”.
Additive manufacturing can transform the way industries design, produce and maintain critical components. Building the workforce, knowledge and industrial capacity needed to realize this opportunity is essential, and ECU will play an important role in this effort.
Professor Ni added that the partnership creates opportunities to translate research into industrial outcomes and support technology adoption, helping businesses solve complex challenges and build a future-ready workforce.
Operational perspectives
ECU's integration into the AMCRC paves the way for collaborative projects with Western Australia's resources sector.
By combining ECU's research expertise with AMCRC's national industrial network, the partnership aims to unlock new opportunities for Western Australia and beyond. The university can now participate more directly in building projects with companies and training programs.
AMCRC is creating a national ecosystem that connects manufacturers with the expertise, skills and infrastructure needed to adopt and apply additive manufacturing. ECU's strong research capacity and industrial connections make it a valuable addition to the partnership.
article written with the help of artificial intelligence systems
Q&A
Which university joined the AMCRC and how many partner universities are there now?
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has become the twelfth institution to join the Australian Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre. The network now comprises 12 Australian universities in addition to CSIRO.
What technical expertise does ECU bring to the AMCRC network?
ECU has a Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing led by Professor Laichang Zhang, specializing in metallic materials, additive manufacturing, biomaterials, light alloys and high-strength alloys, including high-entropy refractory alloys.
Why is ECU's location in Western Australia strategically relevant for the AMCRC?
Western Australia is a region with an economy strongly tied to the mining sector. Susan Jeanes, chair of the AMCRC, identified defense, mining and natural resources as sectors where ECU's expertise is particularly relevant.
What is the goal of the ECU-AMCRC partnership according to Professor Wei Ni?
Professor Wei Ni, Associate Dean (Research) of the School of Engineering, stated that the partnership will allow ECU to work directly with manufacturers to develop and commercialize solutions, translating research into industrial outcomes and supporting technology adoption in start-ups, SMEs, government organizations and large companies.
With what financial resources does the AMCRC operate and until when?
The AMCRC operates with 57.5 million Australian dollars in federal funding until 2032. The announcement of ECU's entry took place on October 1, 2026.
