Following a period of voluntary administration, Brisbane-based renewable energy business Redback Technologies has been acquired by fintech company Australia Ebon Group. Redback welcomed the opportunity to resume its mission of providing sustainable energy solutions engineered in Australia for Australian homes and businesses. The business’s local tech support and warranty teams will continue to support installers with Redback Technologies’ systems. Additionally, all Redback warranty policies remain intact and unaffected by the change. Redback Technologies extended its deepest appreciation to t ..read more

Whyalla’s sewer network faces the problem of highly saline groundwater, which can infiltrate pipes through small cracks and gaps between joists, compromising the quality of the regional city’s recycled water. “Every day, our wastewater treatment plant turns Whyalla’s number ones and twos into a sustainable supply of recycled water, with around 2.5 million litres delivered to help irrigate the local golf course, ovals and parks,” said SA Water’s Senior Manager of Infrastructure Planning and Strategy, Dr Daniel Hoefel. “Recycled water is an incredibly valuable source of water given the city’s w ..read more

The recent IICA Technology Expo in Newcastle, NSW, allowed industry technology leaders across Australia to network and explore the latest advancements in automation, instrumentation and process control. Attendees had the opportunity to discover a diverse range of products and services, both software and hardware, tailored to various needs, as well as firsthand experiences from companies at the forefront of Industry 4.0 evolution. Esteemed speakers discussed key topics ranging from AI imaging to sustainable innovation. For example, Liam Manning demonstrated the practical applications of AI ima ..read more

PakTech, a company that specialises in 100% recycled and recyclable multipack packaging solutions, has announced the launch of its local manufacturing operations in Australia. It has simultaneously entered into a collaboration with Endeavour Group, an Australian alcoholic drinks retailer and hotel operator that spun off from Woolworths Group in 2021. PakTech’s range of multipack beverage can handles sold in Australia has been recently assessed as being recyclable through the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) ARL program. The collaboration will enable the two companies to expan ..read more

In promising news for the aviation industry, researchers from the University of Sydney have developed a chemical process that could create sustainable jet fuel from the methane gas emitted from landfills. Their research has been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2), trapping far more heat per molecule. According to the International Energy Agency, the concentration of methane in the atmosphere is currently around two and a half times greater than pre-industrial levels and is increasing steadily, with waste ..read more

New Zealand’s Southern Cross Healthcare has embraced a recycling initiative in which its IV bags are given new life as a surface cover in children’s playgrounds. PVC IV bags from all 10 Southern Cross hospitals around Aotearoa are now being recycled and repurposed, with 4.25 tonnes of plastics recycled during 2023, according to Southern Cross Healthcare’s Head of Environmental, Social and Governance, Greg Nelson. “Each Southern Cross hospital has fully embraced the opportunity to recycle IV bags and reduce our environmental impact, so it’s amazing to think all this plastic, which otherwise wo ..read more

In a Northwestern University study, a catalyst made from table sugar converted CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO), an important building block that could be used to produce a variety of useful chemicals. When the reaction occurs in the presence of hydrogen, for example, CO2 and hydrogen transform into synthesis gas (or syngas), a highly valuable precursor to producing fuels that can potentially replace petrol. With recent advances in carbon capture technologies, post-combustion carbon capture is becoming a plausible option to help tackle the global climate change crisis. But how to handle the capt ..read more

Siemens announces Beyond 1% Summit as a national event with global and local thought leaders in Sydney on 3rd and 4th July 2024. The two-day summit will unite leading industry, government and academia to discuss and map out how Australia can capitalise on opportunities with technology and digitalisation to grow business, strengthen the economy and contribute in a greater way to decarbonising the world. “Australia is responsible for about 1% of the global emissions. Our Net Zero 2050 commitment means that by 2050 the nation will have addressed those emissions. Embracing key technologies includ ..read more

Engineers Australia has praised the Australian Government for taking a significant step towards sustainability through two new initiatives: the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group (CEMAG) Interim Report and the Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy (ESPP). “These initiatives aim to create tangible benefits for everyday Australians. By transitioning to a circular economy and environmentally sustainable procurement, we are safeguarding our planet for future generations while driving economic prosperity for everyone,” said Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO. Taking effect ..read more

Australian and European leaders in sustainability will come together in Sydney on 9 May for the inaugural Australian Product Stewardship Forum — an opportunity to share practical and strategic steps that manufacturers, brands, retailers and governments can take to produce and consume products without waste. Businesses and policymakers can expect to be inspired and challenged by a line-up of international and Australian speakers, with interactive panels furthering the discussion about what can be done to ensure products sold in Australia cause less harm to the environment and society across th ..read more