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SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference 2026

The SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference brings together our Partners, Associates, Project Parties and invited guests committed to growing Australia’s circular economy for plastics.

Each year, this community gathers to share progress across the SPW CRC, strengthen collaborations and identify new opportunities to advance practical solutions across the plastics value chain.

Join us in Brisbane from 19–21 August 2026 and be part of the conversations shaping how plastics are designed, used, recovered and recycled to reduce plastic waste in Australia.

What to Expect

Discover your conference experience.

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Program

Explore the agenda and networking opportunities.

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Who Can Attend

Learn about invitations and attendance options.

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How to Register

Register or submit an Expression of Interest.

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What to Expect

Across three days, you’ll connect with the SPW CRC community, hear the latest updates and insights from across the CRC, contribute to collaborative discussions and help shape Australia’s future in solving plastic waste.

Connect.

Reconnect with colleagues, build new relationships and expand your network across the SPW CRC community.

Share.

Hear the latest Research Program updates, discover new collaborative research projects and gain insights from across the CRC.

Collaborate.

Take part in panel discussions, audience Q&A, roundtable discussions and networking that spark new ideas and future collaboration.

Shape.

Help shape Australia’s future in solving plastic waste alongside leaders from industry, research and government.

Next: ↓ Program  |  ↑ Back to top

Program at a Glance

Designed around collaboration, the three-day program for the 2026 SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference brings together the SPW CRC community to share progress across the CRC and strengthen collaborations, before opening the conversation with invited leaders and future collaborators to help grow Australia’s circular economy for plastics.

Explore the full conference program, including session times, speakers and panellists.

View Full Conference Program

Wednesday 19 August

Welcome Reception | 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm

Reconnect and set the direction
Kick off the 2026 Annual Partners Conference with an evening of informal networking and welcome remarks as the SPW CRC community reconnects, strengthens relationships and sets the tone for the days ahead.

View the Welcome Reception Agenda

Thursday 20 August

Day 1 Annual Partners Conference | 8.30 am – 5.00 pm

Reflect on progress. Strengthen collaboration.
Hear the latest collaborative research from across the SPW CRC through Research Program presentations, interactive panel discussions, audience Q&A and roundtable discussions. Meet our Industry Researchers (PhD Students & Postdocs) during the poster session, explore updates from our Education & Training Program and Microcredentials, and discover opportunities for future projects and partnerships.

 

Conference Dinner | 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm

Expand the conversation
Continue the day’s conversations over dinner with SPW CRC Partners and key stakeholders, while building new connections with invited guests and leaders from across the plastics value chain. Enjoy networking, dinner and an inspiring keynote as the conversation turns towards future collaboration.

View the Day 1 Conference and Dinner Agenda

Friday 21 August

Day 2 Annual Partners Conference (Half-day) | 8.30 am – 1.00 pm

Shape what’s next
SPW CRC Partners and key stakeholders, together with invited industry leaders, government representatives and guests, will explore emerging challenges and future opportunities in solving plastic waste. Through interactive panel discussions and audience Q&A, hear diverse perspectives, build new connections and help shape future research, partnerships and impact.

View the Day 2 Conference Agenda

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Who Can Attend

The SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference brings together our Partners and key stakeholders from across industry, research, not-for-profit and government to share progress across the CRC and advance practical solutions across the plastics value chain.

Attendance is by invitation and complimentary for all approved participants.

Invitations have been sent to selected members of the SPW CRC community, including:

  • Industry Partners
  • Research Partners
  • Industry Researchers (PhD Students and Postdocs)
  • Board members
  • Key stakeholders

 

Haven’t received an invitation?

Already part of the SPW CRC community?
If you’re an existing Partner, Industry Researcher or key stakeholder and believe you should have received an invitation, please check your junk or spam folder before contacting us.

Interested in collaborating with SPW CRC?
Organisations exploring future collaboration opportunities are welcome to submit an Expression of Interest to attend the Thursday Conference Dinner and/or Friday Half-day Conference.

Submit an Expression of Interest

How to Register

Whether you’ve been invited or would like to express your interest, here’s how to attend the 2026 SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference.

Invitations have now been sent

If you’re an invited member of the SPW CRC community, you should have received an email from news@solvingplasticwastecrc.com containing your unique registration link.

Can’t find it? Please check your junk or spam folder before contacting us.

View who can attend

Interested in attending?

Organisations exploring future collaboration opportunities are welcome to submit an Expression of Interest to attend the Thursday Conference Dinner and/or Friday Half-day Conference.

Complete the form below and a member of the SPW CRC team will be in touch.

Expression of Interest is now closed.

↑ Who Can Attend  |  Next: ↓ FAQs |  ↑ Back to top

FAQs

Can organisations that aren’t currently part of SPW CRC attend?

Expressions of Interest are welcomed from organisations interested in learning more about SPW CRC and exploring future collaboration opportunities. Approved Expression of Interest attendees may be invited to attend the Thursday Conference Dinner and/or Friday Half-day Conference.

Is there a cost to attend?

Attendance is complimentary for all approved participants. As this is an invitation-only event, registration is required.

Can I attend only part of the conference?

Yes. Your registration email allows you to select the conference sessions you’ve been invited to attend. If your availability changes after registering, please contact us.

I can’t attend. Can someone else from my organisation attend instead?

Please contact us before transferring your invitation. Attendance is by invitation, and any changes are subject to approval.

When will the conference program be available?

A detailed program will be released closer to the conference. In the meantime, the overview on this page provides an outline of what to expect across the three days.

Where should I stay?

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at Rydges South Bank Brisbane at a special conference rate for SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference 2026 attendees. A booking link is included in your registration form.

Alternatively, there are a range of accommodation options within walking distance of the conference venues, including:

  • Mantra South Bank Brisbane
  • Novotel Brisbane South Bank
  • Emporium Hotel South Bank
  • Arena Apartments

Who do I contact if I have a question?

If you have any questions about the conference or your registration, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Highlights from the 2025 SPW CRC Annual Partners Conference

 

Welcome Address – Dr Leonie Walsh, SPW CRC Board Chair

Panel Discussions

Audience Q&A

Project Updates

Reconnecting with colleagues

Networking breaks

Collaborative conversations

One-on-one discussions

Networking Reception

Conference Dinner

Discussions with Conference Dinner Guest Speaker, Dr Ian Christensen, CEO, iMOVE CRC

Building new connections

SPW CRC Board

Industry Researchers (PhD Students and Postdocs) with Prof Brian McIntosh, Education & Training Program Leader, and Deb Friel, Microcredentials Manager

Research Program 1 (RP1) Industry and Research Partners with Prof Stefanie Feih, RP1 Leader

Research Program 2 (RP2) Industry and Research Partners with Prof Minoo Naebe, RP2 Leader

Research Program 3 (RP3) Industry and Research Partners with Prof Damien Giurco, RP3 Leader

Research Program 4 (RP4) Industry and Research Partners with Prof Andy Ball, RP4 Leader

SPW CRC Management Team

Interested in collaborating with SPW CRC?

If your organisation is interested in partnering with SPW CRC or exploring future collaboration opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact us
Explore partnership opportunities

Learn more about Solving Plastic Waste CRC

What is SPW CRC?

Learn about our national mission to reduce plastic waste through industry-led research and collaboration.

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Our Research

Explore how our four Research Programs are delivering solutions across the plastics lifecycle.

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PhD Scholarships

Contribute to research that drives solutions for reducing plastic waste and advancing a circular economy.

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Microcredentials

Short, online courses designed to build practical expertise across the plastics value chain.

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We acknowledge the traditional custodians across all the lands on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise that these lands and waters have always been places of teaching, research and learning.