Sustainability

MGA Thermal achieves world-first 24/7 renewable industrial steam

Australian innovation delivers continuous, cost-effective clean steam for industry, positioning MGA Thermal at the forefront of decarbonisation with its groundbreaking latent heat energy storage. After more than ten years of development and breakthrough materials engineering, MGA Thermal’s world-first commercial Electro-Thermal Energy Storage (ETES) system – capable of dispatching industrial-grade steam from renewable energy – has now gone live. Anna Starrett, Mark Croudace, Alexander Post, Erich Kisi, Glen Reynolds. This groundbreaking ETES technology significantly outperforms conventional sensible heat thermal storage, offering a viable pathway to 24/7 renewable heat for industries, effectively replacing reliance on carbon-intensive fossil fuels. MGA Thermal’s utilisation of latent heat means that energy is stored more compactly, both in physical plant footprint and storage temperature range. This serves to make latent heat ETES more space efficient, reliable, energy efficient and affordable than sensible heat storage. The fully operational demonstration plant, unveiled today, has produced steam output while the storage material undergoes a material phase change to release latent heat, establishing MGA Thermal as a unique solution provider in the urgent global effort to decarbonise heavy industry. Steam, the workhorse of industrial manufacturing for centuries, underpins 44% of Australia’s energy consumption in heavy industries alone, with half dedicated to heat generation. Globally, industrial heat accounts for a staggering 25% of energy use and emissions, historically locking industries into carbon-intensive practices. MGA Thermal’s newly commissioned demonstration plant shatters this paradigm by converting intermittent renewable electricity into reliably stored thermal energy, ready for on-demand steam generation. This breakthrough unlocks a tangible route to net-zero industrial operations, with the potential to scale to GWh storage capacities, meeting the vast clean heat demands of the world’s largest production facilities. Located at MGA Thermal’s Tomago site, the compact demonstration unit (12m long, 3m wide, 4m tall) stores 5 MWh of energy with a 500kW thermal dispatch […]

Statement on the Coalition’s Frontier Economics gas policy modelling

Attributable to Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch The Frontier Economics modelling of the Coalition’s gas price controls policy leaves many unanswered questions about how the policy would work and reaffirms industry’s fundamental concerns. The policy would introduce price controls in the east coast gas market and would be yet another heavy-handed intervention that will drive away investment and risk exacerbating the supply pressures in the longer term. The Coalition rightly opposed a similar policy in 2022, when the Federal Government introduced price caps that ultimately delayed new supply and damaged investor confidence. At the time, the Coalition noted that “price caps in the gas market would be a disaster” that could lead to “a collapse in industry confidence resulting in job losses and long-term investment downturns”, and cited EnergyQuest modelling “that showed a $10-per-gigajoule cap could remove or delay more than 700 petajoules of new gas supply in less than eight years.” Rather than increasing gas supply, the Coalition’s policy risks reducing domestic gas production and supply because there would be no incentive to produce sub-economic gas, and it would damage already suppressed investor confidence. The modelling also ignores the material infrastructure constraints that limit how much gas from Queensland can be sent to the southern states, with the pipes already running at full capacity during peak periods – a point the Coalition made less than six months ago. There is much in the Coalition’s broader gas plan that is welcome and responds to what industry has been calling for, including streamlining environmental approvals, providing more certainty and protection from lawfare for critical energy projects, including gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme, and support for pipeline and storage to address infrastructure constraints. We will continue to work with both major parties on sustainable solutions that promote a functioning, […]

Internationally patented PHA bioplastics meet world-class sustainable packaging design

A powerful partnership between two award-winning industry leaders – EcoPHA, a biotechnology pioneer in PHA bioplastics, and Terra Sol, a design-driven leader in compostable packaging – is setting a new global standard for sustainable materials. By merging scientific breakthroughs with cutting-edge product design, EcoPHA and Terra Sol are delivering truly home-compostable, commercially viable alternatives to fossil-fuel plastics, helping businesses future-proof against environmental regulations and consumer demand for plastic-free solutions. A Scientific & Design Breakthrough: The First PHA from Pongamia Oil Through its globally patented process, EcoPHA has developed the ability to convert non-edible Pongamia oil, derived from the resilient Pongamia tree, into PHA bioplastics, a fully home-compostable, non-toxic alternative to traditional plastics. This game-changing innovation aligns with global sustainability targets, offering industries such as packaging, food service, mining and manufacturing a cost-effective, circular solution for reducing plastic waste. Meanwhile, Terra Sol’s expertise in designing and commercialising sustainable packaging ensures that PHA moves beyond the lab and into practical, scalable applications for businesses worldwide. “EcoPHA’s technology is world-first, but technology alone doesn’t drive change – people do. That’s why our partnership with them is so powerful,” said Louise Sykes, CEO of Terra Sol. “Together, we’re making it easier for businesses to adopt truly sustainable solutions without compromising performance or affordability.” A Game-Changer in Bioplastics & Sustainable Packaging By combining award-winning biotechnology and world-class product design, EcoPHA and Terra Sol deliver the first truly scalable compostable packaging solution that balances sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and real-world usability: -100% Home Compostable (AS 5810 Certified) – Unlike PLA and other industrial bioplastics, PHA breaks down naturally in compost, soil, and marine environments, leaving zero microplastics. -Cost-Effective & Scalable – Terra Sol has designed PHA-based cups, lids, straws, and cutlery for mass adoption, proving that businesses don’t have to choose between affordability and sustainability. -Carbon Credit Potential […]

New pilot program to strengthen regional manufacturing

The NSW Government is continuing its commitment to rebuild the state’s manufacturing industry with the launch of an $800,000 pilot program aimed at boosting productivity, reducing costs and increasing competitiveness. The Lean Manufacturing Pilot Program will provide small-to-medium-sized manufacturers across regional NSW with funding to undertake audits by professional consultants that will identify ways to re-organise their manufacturing operations. Lean manufacturing is an internationally recognised business management process that revolves around the principles of continuous improvement, waste elimination, and a customer-centric approach. It focuses on creating products more efficiently by eliminating unnecessary steps, saving time and using fewer materials in the production process. This approach helps businesses produce goods with fewer resources, without compromising on quality. More efficient processes mean production lines manufacture fewer products with defects, which in turn reduces operating costs related to providing returns and waste disposal. For example, a regional food manufacturer might reorganise production lines to improve efficiency, implement preventative maintenance to reduce equipment breakdowns and implement just-in-time inventory management to reduce excess stock and waste. The audits, undertaken as part of the program, will offer tailored recommendations to help businesses identify inefficiencies, streamline operations, reduce waste and increase productivity, while also highlighting training opportunities for staff. Several major companies have successfully implemented lean manufacturing to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance productivity over the past decades including Toyota, Ford Motor Company, Boeing, General Electric and Nike. Many regional NSW companies such as the Bega Group in Bega, Donaldson Australia on the Central Coast, Belmore Engineering at Tamworth, Flavourtech in Griffith and Tyree Transformers at Braemar have also successfully used lean manufacturing principles. Manufacturing is a key driver of the NSW economy, contributing nearly 30 per cent of Australia’s total manufacturing output. In regional NSW, the sector generates $32 billion in sales and employs 84,000 […]

Allegro Secures U.S. Patent, Cementing Its Global Leadership in Next-Generation Energy Storage

Innovative micro-emulsion electrolyte technology positions Allegro as a frontrunner in the race for long-duration energy storage solution Allegro Energy has been granted a U.S. patent for its cutting-edge micro-emulsion electrolyte technology, further solidifying its position as a global leader in long-duration energy storage. This milestone follows previous patent successes in Europe and several other key markets, showcasing the international significance of Allegro’s breakthrough approach. Allegro’s modular micro-emulsion electrolyte system is a game-changer for the energy storage industry, enabling safer, more cost-effective, and scalable solutions for applications ranging from grid storage to renewable energy integration. By overcoming key limitations of traditional aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes, Allegro’s technology significantly expands the electrochemical stability window, enhancing energy density while maintaining the affordability and safety of water-based systems. “The U.S. patent reinforces Allegro’s ability to deliver a truly global and transformative solution for long-duration energy storage,” said Dr. Thomas Nann, CEO and Co-Founder Allegro Energy. “With energy storage playing a crucial role in the renewable transition, our micro-emulsion platform ensures scalability and adaptability across a range of battery chemistries, from redox flow to advanced ion batteries.” The key advantage of Allegro’s micro-emulsion technology is its ability to dissolve a wider range of electrochemically active species, while maintaining stability at high voltages – previously a major barrier to the adoption of aqueous electrolytes in advanced energy storage. The solution is applicable to multiple battery formats, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, magnesium-ion, and aluminum-ion batteries, as well as supercapacitors and redox flow batteries. With this latest U.S. patent covering all of Allegro’s intended claims, Allegro Energy is well-positioned to partner with utilities, industrial operators, and battery manufacturers worldwide to drive the future of clean energy storage, and rapidly support the drive to 24/7 carbon-free energy.

Whyalla can be upgraded to green steel and why we need to keep steel production in Australia

Daniel Rossetto, Adjunct, Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources, University of Adelaide Financial challenges at the Whyalla steelworks in South Australia have reignited debate about the nation’s steel industry and its future. Australians should have access to quality steel at competitive prices. The domestic steel production industry employs tens of thousands of people. The state and federal governments have stepped in, however, announcing a A$1.9 billion support package for Whyalla, together with a new $1 billion green iron investment fund. Half of the new fund will be allocated to Whyalla to support its transition to green steel production. That’s a large amount of money for a privately owned business. So, are the new packages going to be money well spent? To answer that question, let’s examine the priorities. A national priority Steel is an industry in which securing sovereign production capability is crucial. Sovereign capability means ensuring an industry can survive external shocks such as interruptions to shipping routes or disputes with other countries in the supply chain. Steel is a vital input for defence industries such as ship and submarine building. What could be said of a country’s autonomy – or its sovereign capability – if it relies on others for the steel needed for its defence? Whyalla is one of the two largest steelworks in Australia, the other being BlueScope’s Port Kembla plant. At least at first glance, the green iron investment fund seems to deal with the sovereign capability criterion well enough. Whyalla appears an ideal candidate. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas visit Whyalla Steelworks in Whyalla last week. Isabella Ward/AAP However, the public subsidy is large. The subsidised plant’s ability to operate in an economically competitive manner needs to be examined. Further, while the Whyalla plant began its life as a supplier to an adjacent shipbuilding operation, […]

Hycel research partnership to deliver fuel cells to the aviation industry

Deakin University’s Hycel and AMSL Aero are pleased to announce a research partnership that will help to deliver higher-performing hydrogen fuel cells for aviation applications. This industry-research partnership exemplifies Deakin’s pivotal role in supporting industry innovations that deliver a more sustainable world. Hycel Director Professor Tiffany Walsh said: ‘Hycel’s role is to support industry to develop, test, scale and adopt hydrogen technologies to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We do this by providing specialist hydrogen infrastructure, equipment, expertise and research insights that are currently unavailable to Australian industry.’ Hycel Technology Hub, at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus in southwest Victoria, is equipped with high pressure, high flow hydrogen labs, the only hydrogen fuel cell testing equipment of its kind in Australia, and has provision for industry co-location. AMSL Aero is the first industry partner to access commercial testing of fuel cells at Hycel, following the facility’s official opening in October 2024. AMSL Aero’s Senior Project Engineer Simon Coburn said: ‘AMSL Aero’s partnership with Hycel will help to verify fuel cell performance and durability for remote and regional flight applications, which is a key step in the development of Vertiia, Australia’s first passenger-capable, emission-free, long-range hydrogen-powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. “Our partnership leverages hydrogen expertise from AMSL’s international fuel cell partner, and combined with AMSL and Hycel personnel, develops cross sector hydrogen expertise for Australia.’ AMSL Aero is a home-grown Australian aerospace company with a clear mission to manufacture an aircraft that will save lives as an air ambulance and emergency response vehicle and quietly revolutionise passenger and cargo transit in remote and regional areas. Vertiia is powered by hydrogen and provides fast, emissions-free air transport. It takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter and uses less energy per seat than a high-speed train. Hycel is Deakin University’s hydrogen hub with […]

The Global Impact of U.S. Trade Tariffs: Aluminium and Steel

Daniel Kohut, Vice President, Industry Strategy, Blue Yonder As of February 11th, the Trump administration announced worldwide tariffs of 25 percent on aluminium and steel imports, which form a major part of Australia’s economy. The Trump administration’s proposed increase in tariffs on imports in other areas—ranging from 60% to 100% for China, for example—is sending shockwaves through industries worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. With China serving as a global manufacturing hub, companies are grappling with rising costs, supply chain reconfigurations, and market volatility. Industry leaders from manufacturing, automotive, industrials, high tech, and life sciences share their perspectives on the implications of these tariffs and the strategies companies must adopt to mitigate risks. Blue Yonder’s industry leaders across manufacturing, automotive, industrials, high tech, and life sciences share their perspectives on the implications of these tariffs and the strategies companies must adopt to mitigate risks. In most cases the economic impacts are likely to be severe, and advanced technologies and business operational changes such as risk and scenario modelling and inventory planning will become critical to ensure business continuity. APAC manufacturing: Navigating Supply Chain Shifts Manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region, many deeply integrated with China, will experience cost increases as tariffs take effect. To offset these challenges, businesses may relocate production to Vietnam, Thailand, or Malaysia. However, shifting supply chains can strain existing infrastructure and labour markets, while also increasing logistical costs. Companies will require enhanced visibility into sourcing, inventory, and compliance, with cloud-based supply chain platforms and advanced risk modelling emerging as critical tools for managing disruptions. Automotive: Balancing Cost Pressures and Supply Chain Adaptability The global automotive industry faces rising production costs due to increased tariffs on imported components. Automakers may respond by reshoring production closer to domestic markets, boosting local manufacturing jobs but also raising labour costs. In […]

NT gas industry welcomes crackdown on activist lawfare

The NT gas industry says the Territory Government’s moves to clamp down on lawfare will boost investment and energy security. Australian Energy Producers NT Director David Slama welcomed the Petroleum, Planning and Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, set to be introduced in Parliament this week, as an important step in stopping activist groups from vexatiously using the legal system to delay critical gas projects in the Territory. “We commend the Territory Government for moving decisively to stamp out activist lawfare putting at risk economic and energy security for Territorians,” Mr Slama said. “At a time when Australians are facing cost-of-living pressures, the Territory Government has recognised the need to remove barriers to new gas supply so Territorians continue to have reliable and affordable energy. “It is not in the public interest for activist lawyers to damage the Territory’s attractiveness as a place to do business and to invest, undermining our economic and energy security.” Mr Slama said activists exploiting the Merits Review process had deterred much-needed investment in the Territory. “A long list of vexatious cases has exposed the extreme tactics of activists who are more interested in delaying projects than genuinely representing the interests of Territory communities,” he said. “Removing the Merits Review process is a significant step towards streamlining approval processes to enable new gas supply to be brought online sooner. “We need to expedite project delivery and improve environmental outcomes.”

Australian businesses can learn about circularity from Europe’s new product eco-design rules

Ross Thompson, Greenbox In the face of climate change, governments and businesses are either pushing or being inevitably pulled to reset their strategies, practices and systems from linear to circular. Legislation and regulations, along with certifications, are a key lever for this mega trend. Mandatory climate-related financial disclosure for big business in Australia and other jurisdictions are just the start of changing times. Keeping household and business products and materials in use is one part of the circular picture, and countries at the forefront of circularity are creating regulatory frameworks that design waste and pollution out of the system. Europe is at the leading edge of this seismic shift. The region provides an indication of what Australian companies might expect ahead and indeed will soon be impacted by when exporting. Let’s consider some notable features and implications of Europe’s new product eco-design rules, which came into force in July 2024: Sustainable products becoming the rule, not the exception The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations (ESPR) are a framework for setting ecodesign requirements on specific product groups (almost all physical products) – implemented gradually over time based on prioritisation. Priority products range from steel and textiles to tyres, detergents and ICT products and other electronics. These rules will be developed based on scientific evidence, economic analysis and stakeholder consultation. The aim is to improve circularity, energy performance and other sustainability aspects of products placed on the EU market. This regulation brings in rules for a broader range of products and more expansive rules as appropriate. Towards a circular economy, it’s about better durability, reusability, upgradability, reparability, recycling, resource efficiency, carbon footprint and information transparency. Scanning products for sustainability, stop destroying unsold products, and ‘Green Public Procurement’ Novel measures in the ESPR are a ‘Digital Product Passport’, rules to address the destruction […]

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