AgTech and Logistics Hub: Approaches to solving inorganic waste in horticulture industry – innovation challenge

Opportunity for

• Industry, researchers, problem-owners, solution-providers and vendors, agribusinesses and innovators that can provide solutions that will bring down the amount of plastic and other inorganic waste used in horticulture.

Opportunity description

Industry challenge:

The Hub – in conjunction with University of Queensland (UQ), University of Southern Queensland (USQ), FKG Group, Telstra, Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) and Advance Queensland – is running the challenge to identify how inorganic waste can be reduced in the horticulture industry. This includes plastic, a huge contributor of waste with statistics showing that Australian agriculture consumes approximately 90,000 tonnes of it each year with only seven per cent recycled. While sustainability is a big focus for the sector, the reality is that Australian producers have few affordable and viable alternatives to heavy use of plastics on-farm and to single-use plastics in consumer packaging.

The challenge is beneficial for early-stage start-ups and scale-ups seeking support to grow and access customers and connect with industry partners to further validate their innovations. It is also beneficial for suppliers with in-market products or services relevant to the challenge, and those involved in plastic innovation related research projects. To put it simply, those who believe they have solutions to:

• avoid or treat inorganic waste inputs,
• decrease the use of single use-plastics; or
• turn inorganic waste into valuable resources.

Current opportunity:

The AgTech and Logistics Hub are seeking applications from industry, researchers, problem-owners, solution-providers and vendors, agribusinesses and innovators that can provide solutions that will bring down the amount of plastic and other inorganic waste used in horticulture.

Applicants who are successful will enjoy access to the Agtech and Logistics Hub, including a mentor network, plus support in product validation, investment readiness support and more.
The Open Innovation Challenge ends with a ‘challenge showcase’ and forum in August where those identified as having the solutions with the best potential will be invited to present to the challenge stakeholders including producers, industry participants and government.

Applications for the challenge close on 1 July, with assessment and offers made from 4-15 July.

Please click the ‘visit website’ button at the top of the page to find out more or submit an application.