National TRaCE Event Highlights Clean Energy Progress
The Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) Program—led by UNSW Sydney and the University of Newcastle— marked the halfway point of its four-year initiative with a major technology showcase and the official opening of two new state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Newcastle today.
Federal Member for Newcastle, Ms Sharon Claydon MP, officially launched the TRaCE Showcase and unveiled the Modern Manufacturing Workshop and the Advanced Prototyping Facility at the University’s Callaghan Campus, highlighting TRaCE’s mission to accelerate clean energy and circular economy technologies from the lab to market.
“TRaCE is all about taking the incredible research and ideas developed in our labs and turning them into real-world solutions –creating jobs, cutting emissions, and driving a more sustainable economy.
“By supporting pathways from lab to market, TRaCE is unlocking the full potential of our region’s researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to power the next generation of clean energy.
“The Albanese Labor Government is proud to back initiatives like TRaCE that build on our national strengths in science and innovation, while ensuring that Newcastle and the Hunter continue to play a lead role in Australia’s clean energy transformation,” Ms Claydon MP said.
The TRaCE Program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Education’s Trailblazer Universities Program. The program aims to boost research commercialisation and strengthen sovereign manufacturing in the new energy economy.
The event brought together more than 150 industry leaders, government representatives, and researchers to showcase progress and explore emerging partnerships across clean energy and circular economy sectors.
The showcase spotlighted key programs and initiatives supporting education pathways, investment partnerships, and technology development—demonstrating how TRaCE is transforming research into real-world solutions and high-impact commercial outcomes.
Attendees previewed how the program is shaping a skilled workforce and supporting sovereign manufacturing through a collaborative, research-to-market ecosystem.
Professor Emmanuel Mastio, Executive Director of the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy, said TRaCE is building momentum as a national model for integrated innovation.
“We’re proud to demonstrate the scale of support for start-ups, SMEs, and industry-led research partnerships,” Professor Mastio said.
“The launch of the Advanced Prototyping Facility and the Modern Manufacturing Workshop marks a significant milestone in our mission to deliver cutting-edge technologies and support a thriving green economy.”
“Over the next two years, we’ll focus on embedding TRaCE’s programs and partnerships within the core infrastructure of both universities—ensuring long-term impact and sustainability. This is the legacy we’re working to build: a lasting shift in how Australian universities deliver research commercialisation.
“TRaCE will continue to set a bold standard for commercialising Australian innovation, with the goal of accelerating clean energy technologies and shaping future policy frameworks to strengthen research-industry collaboration across the country,” Professor Mastio said.
Among the innovative collaborations highlighted were:
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/national-trace-showcase-spotlights-clean-energy-commercialisation