Construction begins on Latrobe Valley coal-to-hydrogen plant
A brown coal-to-hydrogen pilot at Loy Yang Power Station, Victoria was launched last week.
Another COAG meeting, another limp swing at the waste problem
By Trevor Thornton, Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University A meeting on Friday between state and federal environment ministers to discuss Australia’s recycling and waste crisis has been disappointingly inconclusive. Some targets were set for banning the export of various used materials: glass exports will be banned by July 2020 and mixed…
Replas, REDcycle, Lion make and debut recycled plastic bar
Food and beverage company Lion introduced a bar made of re-purposed plastic waste at the Melbourne Cup Carnival this week, the result of a partnership with collection initiative REDcycle and Victorian manufacturer Replas.
New battery technology could slash the cost of electric vehicles
A new battery technology that could significantly reduce the price of electric cars and home battery systems has taken a major step towards commercialisation.
India’s not joining the latest free-trade deal which limits Australia’s market access
By Pat Ranald, Research fellow, University of Sydney Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and other leaders involved in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) announced late yesterday that 15 of the 16 countries have finalised the text, and are prepared to sign the trade deal in early 2020. India is the only one not to…
Researchers borrow from bugs to make unsinkable metal
A University of Rochester team has developed a laser-etching technique and taken inspiration from fire ants and diving bell spiders to engineer water-repellent, buoyant metal structures.
Officeworks to introduce pen and battery recycling scheme “by the end of 2020”
Officeworks has announced that it plans to introduce battery recycling at all stores and pen recycling “in most stores” by the end of next year. Federal assistant minister for waste reduction, Trevor Evans – who attended the announcement at the Wesfarmers-owned office supplier’s Osborne Park store – said that Officeworks would partner with BIC on…
2020 WorldSkills tradie competition to be held August 13 – 15 in Perth
More than 500 competitors and 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, which have been announced for August 13 – 15 at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre next year. The national vocational and educational training (VET) competition will feature as many as 60 skills categories. It is held in conjunction…
Tyre recycler steps up tech export efforts with new US appointment
Central NSW-based tyre recycling business Green Distillation Technologies has announced the hire of a marketing agent in the United States.
Activated carbon startup eyes commercial plant
A South Australian startup that has developed a low-cost technique for making activated carbon from agricultural waste will soon begin a capital raising round to fund commercial production.