Harvested pond ash and unwashed recycled glass sand have replaced 20 per cent of virgin materials in new roof tiles being developed by RMIT University and Bristile Roofing, enabling a 13 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions versus traditional concrete tiles. According to a statement from RMIT on Monday, hundreds of the eco-friendly tiles…
Wauchope, NSW-based precast concrete panel maker Solidcast has been awarded a $2,033,000 grant through the state government’s Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative to expand its operations. According to a statement from NSW energy minister Penny Sharpe on Friday, the funding will help the Mid North Coast company increase production of its low-carbon concrete panels and lead…
Residential building industry lobbyist the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has urged the federal government to do more to support the building product manufacturing and supply sector, which it says is “being held back by red, white and green tape”. According to a statement from HIA on Wednesday, manufacturers “are increasingly burdened by overlapping regulations, from…
SGH has announced that Boral CEO and Managing Director Vik Bansal will step down, with the transition to a new leader at SGH’s building products division expected “in early 2026”. SGH, formerly known as Seven Group Holdings, said on Tuesday that it had worked with Bansal on “a structured succession to ensure a smooth leadership transition”. …
Researchers at RMIT University say that a new method to process a clay type into a low-carbon substitute for cement in concrete could prove “economically and environmentally scalable”. According to a statement from the university on Thursday, the team has demonstrated a way to turn cheap and abundant illite clay with low-grade kaolinite clay into…
Diversified investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson and building products manufacturer Brickworks announced on Monday they have agreed to a $14 billion merger that will create a newly capitalised ASX-listed company. The merger, announced through a binding combination deed, will see the creation of a company called TopCo with an expected market capitalisation of $14…
The first company profile in our Celebrating Australian Made editorial series, sponsored by the Australian Made Campaign, is building industry supplier VUETRADE. Nearly 90 per cent of Australia’s population lives by the coast, by the sea, and that population is growing. So having the right construction materials that can not only help build faster but…
Construction materials company Boral has announced that it is trialling recycled sand, sourced from end-of-life and damaged solar panels, in concrete intended for use in Victoria’s North East Link project. In a statement on Tuesday, the company said it has used a blend of “up to 50 per cent natural sand” with the crushed glass.…
The Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA) has added to comments urging government action on cheap imports following the collapse of Australia’s only producer of architectural glass last week. In a statement on Thursday, AGWA said “serious consequences for Australia’s building sector and national housing supply targets” were risks unless more was done to shield…
Industry association the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has blamed factors including “poor policy, cheap imports, government over-taxing businesses and crippling union agreements” for Dandenong-based architectural glassmaker Oceania Glass falling into administration this week. In a statement on Wednesday, following news of Oceania’s collapse on Monday, SEMMA said it was “shocked” at another manufacturer…