Return to Our Story page
News
Pushing the boundaries of construction to create lasting environmental impacts
Commercial cement production is one of the world’s biggest polluters of carbon, so when Murdoch University researchers found a way to transform fly ash from burning coal into concrete, it marked a monumental discovery.
Associate Professor Martin Anda from Harry Butler Institute’s Centre for Water, Energy and Waste, said the product was an example of the bolder and more innovative work needed to change the world.
“Our graduates have developed an entirely new approach to concrete by making geopolymer cement in a unique chemical reaction and then adding recycled aggregates,” Associate Professor Anda said.
Under Associate Professor Anda’s instruction, environmental engineering graduates Hendrik Gildenhuys and Ramon Skane set out to use tailing dams in Collie, containing a century’s worth of fly ash, as the basis for a green manufacturing industry.
With this, ‘Colliecrete’ was born.
Innovative solutions for a town in transition
The product was made from soft fly ash scooped up by the research team, mixed with construction waste which would otherwise be sent to landfill.
For many years, the town of Collie acted as a primary supplier of WA’s electricity.
Underground and open cut coal mines in the town provided fuel to be burnt in power stations in order to provide electricity to the South West Interconnected Systems (SWIS), which is the main power grid in the State.
As Australia begins its transition to net zero, and phases out coal fired power stations, Collie will face job losses and economic impacts. This creates a demand for new industries to secure the town’s future.
The State Government provided funding for Colliecrete as part of Collie’s Just Transition Working Group – formed to secure a sustainable future for Collie post-transition.
Green alternatives coming to fruition
In 2022, Murdoch University and the Colliecrete Interagency Working Group officially launched their environmentally friendly concrete.
Over the course of 18 months, Colliecrete developed more than 100 batches and 8,000 litres of experimental mix designs.
The team discovered a range of products suitable for commercial application and a variety of pre-cast geopolymer concrete products including blocks, paving bricks, beams, seats, fire-rings, wheel-stops and modules for sub-sea artificial reefs.
Associate Professor Anda said these discoveries had the potential to transform the construction industry and negate its environmental impacts.
With concrete being the second highest volume manufactured product in the world (after treated water) and with an estimated market value of $0.7billion per annum in WA, Colliecrete has the potential to complete commercially while focusing on reducing our carbon footprint.
In 2023, Suvo Strategic Minerals entered an exclusive intellectual property license agreement with Murdoch University for a geopolymer concrete batching plant and Colliecrete.
This agreement involves licensing and commercialisation of the product.
The properties of geopolymer concrete have been tested in the laboratory and in real-world conditions through chemical analysis, compressive strength and workability – and they have met Australian Standards and Specifications.
Today, the team behind Colliecrete continues to be at the forefront of innovation, and in 2024, they completed initial trial pours in preparation for a demonstration pour on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road Project in WA.
News
Pushing the boundaries of construction to create lasting environmental impacts
Posted on
Topics