Aussie researchers develop eco-friendly roof tiles using coal ash and recycled glass, cutting CO₂ emissions by 13%
RMIT University Key facts: RMIT University and Bristile Roofing developed sustainable roof tiles using coal ash and recycled glass, reducing CO₂ emissions by 13% compared to traditional concrete tiles The tiles replace 10% cement with pond ash and 10% river sand with unwashed glass waste, whilst maintaining quality and improving […]
The global race is on to secure critical minerals
Amir Razmiou, Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University It’s clear there’s an era of global competition underway. Critical minerals are essential for manufacturing advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles and renewables. And governments everywhere are racing to secure a future supply. Australia holds vast reserves of lithium, rare earths, cobalt […]
DroneShield announces South Australia R&D facility
DroneShield, a global leader in counter-drone and electronic warfare (EW) solutions, is pleased to announce a $13 million investment in a new research and development (R&D) facility in Adelaide, South Australia. This $13 million investment is a direct contribution to South Australia’s economy, covering three years of operational and capital […]
Major Milestone: Six King Long EVolution low-floor electric buses enter Victorian service
Six brand-new King Long EVolution low-floor electric chassis have entered service in Melbourne — a significant step forward for the brand and a strong demonstration of the world-class capability of the EVolution platform. Purpose-built for the most demanding of missions, these vehicles were custom-designed for high-frequency airport operations. Running 24/7, […]
Hunter manufacturing embraces innovation and growth
Manufacturing in the Hunter is undergoing a quiet resurgence, with $26 billion in annual output and a growing number of businesses embracing clean energy, digital transformation and inclusive practices. That shift is reflected in a record number of applications for the Hunter Manufacturing Awards, with a 44% increase in applications, […]
Robots, red meat and resilience: driving productivity and sustainability in the processing industry
AMPC Innovation Showcase, Brisbane 10–11 September, 2025 The Australian red meat processing industry broke three of its own environmental performance records this past year, thanks in large part to practices driven by new technologies and innovation. The industry is coming together in Brisbane for the second Australian Meat Processor […]
Minns Government delivers $23.4 million boost for Riverina’s economic development and more jobs
The Minns Labor Government is investing in four key projects to boost the Riverina’s local economy and deliver jobs as part of its plan to build economic development in regional NSW. This funding is part of the Minns Government’s approach to delivering smart investment, with local partners, to make a […]
Turning Tech into ROI: 4 Practical Strategies for Manufacturers
By Terry Smagh, Infor Senior Vice President and General Manager, APJ Australia’s manufacturing sector is at a crossroads. Rising operational and energy costs coupled with labour shortages are affecting local production. Despite the Government’s ambitious ‘Future Made in Australia’ policy that envisions a transformative path for Australia’s economy over the […]
Why procurement leaders in manufacturing must rethink risk in the age of supply chain volatility
By Eamon Williams, procurement solutions specialist, OneAdvanced For procurement leaders in Australia’s manufacturing sector, risk is no longer a minor consideration; it’s a daily reality. From the Red Sea shipping crisis to the ongoing impact of inflation, trade tariffs and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, procurement professionals are navigating an era defined by disruption. In the past, risk management was largely about switching from unreliable suppliers or ensuring compliance […]
A decade of natural gas delivers $127 billion boost to QLD economy
Queensland’s natural gas industry contributed $127 billion to the state economy while supporting nearly 60,000 jobs in its first decade of LNG exports, economic analysis commissioned by Australian Energy Producers has found. The Economic Impact of Queensland Natural Gas and LNG 2014–24 report, by Lawrence Consulting, found the industry directly spent $58.6 billion […]
Australia’s Economic Reform Roundtable August 21-25, Canberra – a focus on Productivity
Decades of strong and continuous growth cemented Australia’s reputation as the “lucky country.” Most Australians took this economic exceptionalism for granted. And who could blame them? It was just a fact of life. While economic engines elsewhere faltered with bursting bubbles and financial crises, Australia powered ahead. Yet, around 2016, […]
Economic Reform Roundtable :Productivity
Australia is holding a roundtable on Productivity this month Lifting productivity is critical to growth in real wages, incomes, jobs and overall living standards. It needs to be done in a sustainable and inclusive way to ensure all Australians can benefit. Recent trends Lower growth in labour productivity has been […]
Aussie researchers develop eco-friendly roof tiles using coal ash and recycled glass, cutting CO₂ emissions by 13%
RMIT University Key facts: RMIT University and Bristile Roofing developed sustainable roof tiles using coal ash and recycled glass, reducing CO₂ emissions by 13% compared to traditional concrete tiles The tiles replace 10% cement with pond ash and 10% river sand with unwashed glass waste, whilst maintaining quality and improving fire resistance Successful full-scale manufacturing trials were conducted at Bristile Roofing’s Melbourne facility, demonstrating commercial viability The technology has also been adapted to create concrete bricks using 35% waste materials, offering 30% better insulation than conventional bricks Australia produces 12 million tonnes of coal ash annually and 1.3 million tonnes of glass waste, making this innovation significant for waste management A groundbreaking collaboration between RMIT University and Bristile Roofing has led to the development of sustainable roof tiles incorporating coal ash and recycled glass, achieving a 13% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional concrete tiles. This Australian innovation addresses the pressing issue of industrial waste management by re-purposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill, while offering consumers a durable, fire-resistant roofing option that meets Australian Standards. The full-scale manufacturing trials at Bristile Roofing’s Melbourne facility produced hundreds of these eco-friendly tiles, demonstrating both environmental and engineering benefits. A comprehensive circular life cycle assessment of the new tiles, covering the entire process from raw material production through to end-of-life landfilling, demonstrated a 13% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional concrete tiles. RMIT’s Dr Yulin Patrisia, Bristile Roofing’s Samantha So, RMIT’s Dr David Law and student Madushan Mudiyanselage at the Bristile factory in Dandenong. RMIT project lead, Dr Chamila Gunasekara, said this substantial environmental benefit largely stems from using harvested pond ash and unwashed recycled glass sand, which avoid energy-intensive processing and effectively replace virgin materials. “By replacing 10% of cement with harvested pond ash and 10% of […]