Market Development Fund

The Market Development (MD) Fund supports projects that move tyre-derived material (TDM) from concept to real-world use. Grants of up to $300,000 are available for eligible applicants across Australia. We back projects that demonstrate, trial or enable the use of Australian tyre-derived material (TDM) in real markets — creating commercial, environmental or community value.

There are two different Project Streams:

1. Demonstration & Infrastructure
- Projects that pilot or scale TDM use in roads, civil works, construction, manufacturing or community infrastructure to validate performance and open new end-markets.
- Supports projects that pilot or scale TDM use in roads, civil works, construction, manufacturing or community infrastructure.
- These projects validate performance, demonstrate commercial readiness and unlock new end-markets.

2. Research & Development
- Applied research and product development that test new uses, blends or specifications for TDM — tackling adoption barriers, improving standards or strengthening supply chains.
- Funds applied research and product development that test new uses, blends or specifications for TDM.
- Projects may address adoption barriers, improve standards or strengthen supply chains.

Supports projects that will lead to a direct increase in the consumption of tyre-derived products made by Australian recyclers from locally generated end-of-life tyres.

To be an eligible applicant for the fund, applicants must:
- Be a registered Australian business, research institution or university that has the capability and capacity to undertake the project that is being proposed.

The total costing of the project must identify all reasonable expenses associated with the project, including but not limited to:
- Infrastructure: The purchase and/or retrofit of physical components, infrastructure and equipment that will directly increase the consumption of Australian generated tyre-derived products in Australia.
- Personnel: The cost for the time for staff engaged or to be engaged on the project.
- Equipment: The cost of plant and equipment to be used to support the delivery of the project. For new plant and/or equipment that will be utilised on this project details (e.g. specifications, quotations from the supplier) are required on the cost to be charged to this project of that new plant and equipment.
- Materials: The materials that will be consumed on this project and their cost (must use Australian TDM for all funded activities).
- Subcontract: The costs of the engagement of subcontractors.
- Other: Any other costs for the project which are not covered above. Of particular importance are technology adoption costs, i.e. any expected costs (including intellectual property protection costs) related to transferring the project results to, or to the next innovation stage towards, commercialisation.