The ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Innovation (Steel Research Hub) is a 5 year (2021-2025), $28m research program designed to support the transition of Australia’s steel manufacturing industry to a more sustainable, competitive, and resilient position based on the creation of new, higher value-added products and more advanced manufacturing processes. A globally competitive domestic steel manufacturing industry is a strategic asset for Australia’s nation-building, economic growth and employment.
Led by the University of Wollongong, the Steel Research Hub brings together 9 Universities (RMIT, ANU, SUT, UON, Deakin, USyd, UNSW and Monash) and 10 industry partners (BlueScope, Infrabuild (Manufacturing), Infrabuild (Wire), Liberty Primary Steel, ArcelorMittal, Australian Steel Institute, Bisalloy, Weld Australia, Australian Industry Group and the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing along with associate industry partner Australian Steel Mill Services) to deliver innovative research designed to enable a necessary technological shift in the steel supply chain.
To accomplish this goal, the Steel Research Hub brings together a network of preeminent academics, talented researchers and experienced leaders from across the steel manufacturing supply chain. Across 4 integrated research programs, the Hub has evolved into a multi-disciplinary team of ~20 Post-Doctoral Research Fellows and ~30 PhDs, creating a skillful and diverse workforce that is critical in achieving this transformation. Areas of research focus include integrating advanced enabling technologies in large and small businesses, developing step-change performance in anti-corrosion treatments and coating lines, generating more functional and durable products, and increasing resource intensities.
Dr Paul Zulli
Hub Director
Dr Paul Zulli was appointed Director of the ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing in March 2017. He is an internationally recognised leader in steel manufacturing R&D, combining over 30 years of technical and management experience across the steel and ferrous minerals industries. He has an established reputation for delivery of tactical and strategic project outcomes into operating businesses. An influential senior manager, he has actively sought to bridge the gaps between academic research products and innovative industrial solutions, with the goal to provide value-adding and sustainable outcomes. His specific areas of scientific interest include simulation methods and operational systems concerned with complex manufacturing processes, coupled with experimentation at various scales. He is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
Amanda Hiron
Hub Research Manager
Amanda Hiron commenced as Hub Manager in August 2022 and has been employed at the University of Wollongong since 2002 in a variety of roles in areas including Research Services, Transnational Education, Course Management and HR. Amanda’s role in the Hub is to coordinate all aspects of strategic planning, governance, contractual requirements, industry engagement, finance, and day to day administration. Amanda is an experienced project manager, she has previously managed transnational education programs and partnerships at the University of Wollongong , with a focus on building effective relationship management, communications, stakeholder engagement and process improvement.
Bonnie Johnston
Hub Administration Coordinator
Bonnie Johnston was appointed as the 1st Steel Research Hub Administration Coordinator in June 2017. She started her career with a Business Administration traineeship and continued her studies by completing a business Diploma the following year. Bonnie has over 9 years’ experience within different Administration roles at the University of Wollongong including finance, customer service and marketing and events.
Australian Research Council
The ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing acknowledges generous support from the Australian Research Council through its Industrial Transformation Research Program, which offers a suite of funding schemes attractive to both university-based researchers and industries.
The ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing, which was awarded $5M under the Industrial Transformation Research Hubs scheme (maximum amount of funding available), has the following objectives:
- To encourage collaborative Research and Development projects to address challenging industry issues solved through innovative research relevant to the Industrial Transformation Priorities;
- To attract investment from the global and international business community by underpinning internationally-recognised excellence of Australian universities and their industry partners; and3. leverage private and international investment in targeted industry sectors.
The Australian National University
ANU is a world-leading university in Australia's capital city, Canberra. Our location points to our unique history, ties to the Australian Government and special standing as a resource for the Australian people.
Our focus on excellence in research and education ensures our graduates are in demand the world-over, well-prepared to address complex contemporary challenges.
BlueScope
BlueScope, an iconic Australian Steelmaker and cornerstone industry partner, is contributing $4,533,000 cash, and $4,863,660 in-kind to the research program.BlueScope has a long-term commitment to supporting steel manufacturing and product R&D in Australia, and a strong record of achievements arising from a range of government, academic and industrial collaborations. With the Steel Research Hub, BlueScope will continue in this tradition and its researchers are actively participating in research activities across all four programs of the Steel Research Hub.
University of Wollongong
University of Wollongong is a research-intensive university with an outstanding reputation for its learning environments across a broad range of disciplines.
UOW is an international network of campuses and regional learning centres. Together with our partners, we make a strong and connected presence in our communities.
We are a young and vibrant University with undiminished ambitions. We value our research capacity to work on complex interdisciplinary problems. Our spirit of inquiry drives our research and learning environment’s and our objective of earning a place in the top 1% of the world’s universities.
Australian Industry Group
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group®) is a peak national employer organisation representing traditional, innovative and emerging industry sectors. We have been acting on behalf of businesses across Australia for nearly 150 years.
Australian Steel Institute
The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) comprises more than 5,200 members covering a range of Individuals, Students and Academics and close on 500 SMEs and larger companies. The ASI is the nation’s peak body representing the entire steel supply chain, from the primary producers through to end users in building and construction, resources, heavy engineering and manufacturing. As a broad member-based group, ASI provides a key mechanism for facilitating downstream SMEs in the building component design and manufacturing fields to engage with the upstream manufacturers along with the innovation and research sectors. ASI will provide a coordinated response and dissemination channel for the research undertaken in the Hub.
Bisalloy
Bisalloy, Australia’s only manufacturer of Quenched and Tempered (Q&T) steels, with 40 years experience supplying quality steels. With its involvement in the Steel Research Hub, Bisalloy continues and strengthens its longstanding collaborations with both UOW and BlueScope. With contributions in Program B – Market-Focused Product Innovations, Bisalloy will work collaboratively towards improved high strength and high hardness steel products, allowing it to continue to support Australian and global companies servicing the mining, building, infrastructure and defence industries.
Infrabuild
InfraBuild has a vison of Nett zero carbon emissions by 2030. Significant investment and future proofing investments in renewable & waste reduction technologies combine with an aspiration that our environmental footprint should be as light as possible. Steel is fundamental to achieving a circular economy – it can be reused, remanufactured or recycled – time and time again.
Working with government and industry to develop, inspire and drive nation-building infrastructure projects that ensures Australia’s future.
Our local resources and stakeholder relationships are producing innovative and sustainable solutions that utilise new technology and big thinking.
InfraBuild’s ongoing support for Australian Made, involvement with community-based organisations and Industry investments through engagement and memberships such as the Steel Research Hub is testament to the company’s desire to build a foundation for ongoing collaboration with other likeminded organisations.
Liberty Primary Steel
OneSteel, Australia’s premier long steel product manufacturer, is contributing $300K cash to the program. OneSteel’s membership of, and support for, the Steel Research Hub is testament to the company’s desire to build a foundation for ongoing collaboration, not only with Australian Universities, but also with BlueScope, to boost its competitiveness. Researchers based at the Whyalla Steelworks, which is the engine room of OneSteel’s business, will contribute to projects in Program D – Sustainable Steel Manufacturing.
The University of New South Wales
Established in 1949 with a unique focus on the scientific, technological and professional disciplines, UNSW Sydney is a leading Australian university committed to making a difference through pioneering research and preparing the next generation of talented global citizens for career success.
UNSW has a proud tradition of sustained innovation, focusing on areas critical to its future – from climate change and renewable energies to lifesaving medical treatments and breakthrough technologies.
UNSW is also a founding member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, and the prestigious Universitas 21 international network.
ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading steel and mining company. Guided by a philosophy to produce safe, sustainable steel, it is the leading supplier of quality steel products in all major markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. ArcelorMittal is present in 60 countries and has an industrial footprint in 18 countries.
Deakin University
At Deakin University, we are focused on solving urgent local and global challenges and making a positive and lasting impact for a better future. Home to 14 dedicated research institutes and Strategic Research and Innovation Centres, Deakin is in the top 1% of universities worldwide for global research impact1, with 100% of our research rated at or above world standard2.
With a proud history of translating research discoveries into tangible outcomes, our innovation pathways create new products, policies, services and ideas that are changing lives.
Deakin's Future Economy Precinct provides an important link between technological innovation and commercial outcomes, supporting our world-class research capabilities across disciplines with specialised equipment, co-located industry partners and industrial-scale infrastructure. We are Australia's #1 university for equity held in start-up and spin-out companies3.
Deakin researchers have strong local partnerships with universities, businesses, and government in the regions where we operate. With over 500 active partnerships across more than 60 countries, we empower communities worldwide to realise their ideas and provide transformational innovations for global impact.
RMIT University
RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise.
One of Australia's original tertiary institutions, RMIT University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and vocational education, applied research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the community.
RMIT is a world leader in Art and Design; Architecture; Education; Engineering; Development; Computer Science and Information Systems; Business and Management; and Communication and Media Studies.
Monash University
For more than 60 years, Monash University has been working hard to change the world. Every project we support is driven by a desire to make a difference.
We're tackling climate change, developing new drugs to save millions of lives, using virtual reality to treat addiction, bringing sight to the visually impaired, and so much more.
Our work improves health, solves complex global challenges and empowers whole communities.
We're working every day to create real, lasting global change and we encourage and challenge our students to be at the forefront of innovating for a better future.
Combining world-leading teaching, research, facilities and experiences, Monash University ranks in the world’s top 100 universities.
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is a world-class university creating social and economic impact through science technology and innovation. With campuses in Melbourne and in Sarawak, Malaysia, a desire to innovate and bring about positive change motivates our students and staff.
In recent years, Swinburne has demonstrated a depth of expertise in teaching and research, both in Australia and internationally, that has helped it become one of the world’s leading universities.
Swinburne is an inclusive university characterised by high-quality, career-oriented education and strong engagement with industry and the community. Our students graduate with an entrepreneurial and enterprising mind-set, confident and ready for the future.
The University of Sydney
At the University of Sydney we make lives better by producing leaders of society and equipping our people with leadership qualities so they can serve our communities at every level.
We understand that some problems are so complex they require a radically different approach – that’s why we work with our partners to understand the needs of people, communities and our environment to tackle issues from all angles.
We collaborate to innovate, building on more than 160 years of experience in breaking with convention and improving the world around us.
University of Newcastle
Guided by our values of equity, excellence, sustainability and engagement, the University of Newcastle has built a strong reputation as a world-leading university making an impact within our own regions, in Australia and across the globe. We are ranked in the top 200 of the world’s universities by QS World University Rankings 2021.
Across our campuses in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Sydney and Singapore, the University of Newcastle enrols more than 37,000 students from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on equity and developing our next generation of socially-oriented leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Our University has long been known as a champion of innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Many of our courses are designed to integrate theory with practice, offering rich opportunities for real-life, hands-on experiences.
We are also a research-intensive university and proud of the great things we have achieved in collaboration with our partners in industry, business, government and the community here and around the world. Our sights are set firmly on the future, as we work hard to build our research capacity and maintain our position as a competitive destination for the world's best researchers and global innovation leaders.
Weld Australia
Weld Australia is the peak body which represents the welding profession in Australia. Its vision is to facilitate the growth of a world class welding industry. Weld Australia members are made up of individual welding professionals and companies of all sizes, and are involved almost every facet of Australian industry - making a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.
Weld Australia’s mission is to create opportunities for its members and promote welding safety policies which protect the Australian public. Weld Australia is the Australian representative member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).
The National Association of Steel-Framed Housing – NASH
NASH represents the interests of steel frame fabricators for housing and low-rise framed construction, their customers and suppliers. Their members include specialist steel frame fabricators, builders as well as suppliers of products and services to the industry. NASH’s mission is to grow and sustain the light structural steel framing industry in Australia.
The Steel Research Hub Advisory Committee will provide advice on scientific direction and relevant national and international opportunities as well as possible commercial developments, while being a promoter of, and advocate for, the Hub’s activities.
Advisory Committee Members
- Marcus Zipper | Director Manufacturing, CSIRO
- Mark Goodsell | National Director Manufacturing, Australian Industry Group
- Gursel Alici | Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong
- David Varcoe | State Manager- New South Wales and ACT, Australian Steel Institute
- Sean Wong | Manager Product Innovation and Technology, BlueScope
- Shane Murphy | Executive Managing Director, InfraBuild
- Nicole Sullivan | Head of Strategy and Impact Australia, thinkstep
- Paul Zulli | Director, Steel Research Hub, University of Wollongong
- Elham Haddo | General Manager, Chess Engineering