A Q&A with Alex Graff from RE3
Alex Graff is the Commercial Manager of RE3, an innovative company disrupting the traditional waste industry through cutting-edge resource recovery solutions. As a participant in CSIRO's Innovate to Grow – Recycling and Circular Economy program in March 2025, delivered in partnership with Deakin University's Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH),* Alex gained valuable insights into formalising research and development (R&D) strategy and accelerating innovation.
Here, he shares his experience and key takeaways from the program.
What motivated you to apply for Innovate to Grow, and what business challenge were you looking to address?
"As a new disruptor in the waste industry, RE3 is committed to doing things differently. Driving continuous innovation through R&D is essential for maintaining our competitive edge, but we needed structure and guidance to formalise our strategy.
The Innovate to Grow program came at exactly the right time. It provided the framework we needed to refine and scale our key R&D projects, helping us accelerate the development of innovative resource recovery solutions for our clients.
We saw it as an opportunity to move from having great ideas to having a systematic approach to bringing them to life."
What aspects of the program had the biggest impact on you?
"The program's emphasis on shared experiences and networking was invaluable.
What really stood out were the well-curated sessions delivered by presenters with deep industry knowledge - they brought real, practical insights that we could immediately apply to our business.
But equally important was connecting with other participants facing similar challenges. The short presentations from fellow participants were especially valuable because they gave us opportunities to exchange ideas and strategies with peers at similar growth stages.
Several of us actually met up for coffee after the program concluded, and it was great to continue those conversations in person and share our ongoing experiences."
How did the program help advance your R&D concepts?
"The program equipped us with the tools and insights needed to refine our R&D concepts into projects with clear, costed scopes that we can actually implement.
Most importantly, it clarified the steps required to move from theoretical ideas to practical applications. We went from having exciting concepts to having a roadmap for turning those concepts into reality - which significantly advanced our entire project development process."
Has your overall approach to innovation changed as a result of the program?
"The program has profoundly impacted how we think about innovation.
We now engage in R&D discussions with much clearer focus, ensuring that each project aligns with our overarching business goals rather than just pursuing interesting ideas.
This strategic alignment has enhanced our decision-making process and how we prioritise initiatives.
We're more disciplined about asking 'how does this serve our business objectives?' before diving into new projects."
What would you say to other businesses considering applying for Innovate to Grow?
"I highly recommend the Innovate to Grow program to any business contemplating R&D initiatives.
The program is free and offers tailored support regardless of your company's development stage - whether you're just starting to think about R&D or already have projects underway.
My key advice is to fully commit to the process. Invest time and thought into each phase rather than just going through the motions. The effort you put in will directly correlate with the value you gain, making it a genuinely worthwhile investment in your business's innovation journey.
The networking opportunities alone make it valuable but combined with the structured approach to R&D strategy, it's an opportunity that's hard to pass up."
Learn more about CSIRO's Innovate to Grow program and how it can help your business develop and implement R&D strategies.
*REACH is facilitating the development of supply chains by collaborating with industry partners to pioneer a sustainable circular economy.
A Q&A with Alex Graff from RE3
Alex Graff is the Commercial Manager of RE3, an innovative company disrupting the traditional waste industry through cutting-edge resource recovery solutions. As a participant in CSIRO's Innovate to Grow – Recycling and Circular Economy program in March 2025, delivered in partnership with Deakin University's Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH),* Alex gained valuable insights into formalising research and development (R&D) strategy and accelerating innovation.
Here, he shares his experience and key takeaways from the program.
What motivated you to apply for Innovate to Grow, and what business challenge were you looking to address?
"As a new disruptor in the waste industry, RE3 is committed to doing things differently. Driving continuous innovation through R&D is essential for maintaining our competitive edge, but we needed structure and guidance to formalise our strategy.
The Innovate to Grow program came at exactly the right time. It provided the framework we needed to refine and scale our key R&D projects, helping us accelerate the development of innovative resource recovery solutions for our clients.
We saw it as an opportunity to move from having great ideas to having a systematic approach to bringing them to life."
What aspects of the program had the biggest impact on you?
"The program's emphasis on shared experiences and networking was invaluable.
What really stood out were the well-curated sessions delivered by presenters with deep industry knowledge - they brought real, practical insights that we could immediately apply to our business.
But equally important was connecting with other participants facing similar challenges. The short presentations from fellow participants were especially valuable because they gave us opportunities to exchange ideas and strategies with peers at similar growth stages.
Several of us actually met up for coffee after the program concluded, and it was great to continue those conversations in person and share our ongoing experiences."
How did the program help advance your R&D concepts?
"The program equipped us with the tools and insights needed to refine our R&D concepts into projects with clear, costed scopes that we can actually implement.
Most importantly, it clarified the steps required to move from theoretical ideas to practical applications. We went from having exciting concepts to having a roadmap for turning those concepts into reality - which significantly advanced our entire project development process."
Has your overall approach to innovation changed as a result of the program?
"The program has profoundly impacted how we think about innovation.
We now engage in R&D discussions with much clearer focus, ensuring that each project aligns with our overarching business goals rather than just pursuing interesting ideas.
This strategic alignment has enhanced our decision-making process and how we prioritise initiatives.
We're more disciplined about asking 'how does this serve our business objectives?' before diving into new projects."
What would you say to other businesses considering applying for Innovate to Grow?
"I highly recommend the Innovate to Grow program to any business contemplating R&D initiatives.
The program is free and offers tailored support regardless of your company's development stage - whether you're just starting to think about R&D or already have projects underway.
My key advice is to fully commit to the process. Invest time and thought into each phase rather than just going through the motions. The effort you put in will directly correlate with the value you gain, making it a genuinely worthwhile investment in your business's innovation journey.
The networking opportunities alone make it valuable but combined with the structured approach to R&D strategy, it's an opportunity that's hard to pass up."
Learn more about CSIRO's Innovate to Grow program and how it can help your business develop and implement R&D strategies.
*REACH is facilitating the development of supply chains by collaborating with industry partners to pioneer a sustainable circular economy.