In February 1974 the CSIRO Division of Applied Chemistry was split to form the Division of Applied Organic Chemistry and the Division of Chemical Technology. The Division of Chemical Technology is concerned with the application of chemical technology, engineering and
biotechnology to the utilization and processing of resources such as forests, residues from forest and agricultural industries, algae, water and waste-waters. Research areas include: wood science; forest conversion engineering; wood preservation; fibre separation and pulping; development of pulpwood resources, cellulose - based composite materials; the use of chemical and biological systems for the production of chemicals and energy; and technologies for purifying and re-cycling water.
 
Dr D.E. Weiss was Chief of Division from its creation in 1974 until 1979. From 1979 to 1982 Dr H.G. Higgins was Chief and in 1982 Dr. B.Balton became Acting Chief pending the appointment of a permanent Chief of the Division.
 
Sources:
 
Commonwealth Government Directory 1979, p.254
Commonwealth CSIRO 'Thirty-Third Annual Report, 1980-1981'
Parliamentary Paper No 51 of 1982
 
From January 1988 known as Division of Forestry and Forest Products. Water and Wastewater Program of the former Division of Chemical and Wood Technology joined with Division of Applied Organic Chemistry to become Division of Chemicals and Polymers.
 
From 1 January 1991, forest products research and development became the responsibility of a new Division of Forest Products with Dr Warren Hewertson as Chief for a five-year term. The Divisional headquarters are in Melbourne. Simultaneously, forestry research and development became the responsibility of a separate Division of Forestry with Divisional headquarters in Canberra.  Close collaboration between the two Divisions will be ensured under the umbrella of the Institute of Plant Production and Processing.
 

Historical agency address
1974-1982: 69 Yarra Bank Road, South Melbourne, Vic
1982-    : Clayton, Vic

Previous agency unregistered

Division of Applied Chemistry, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 1966-1974