Page 36 - Materials Australia - April 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS
BREAKING NEWS
Australian Paper Industry Gets Bio-Overhaul Thanks to New Research Hub
Australia’s pulp and paper industries are set to be the beneficiaries of a new research hub that will look at transforming wood and other organic waste into everything from medicinal gels to food packaging.
Monash University has recently launched the Australian Research Council (ARC) Hub for Processing Advance Lignocelluosics into Advance Materials—a game-changer for pulp and paper companies that will effectively become bio-refineries.
A total of $6.8 million over five years will be invested to convert materials, such as wood, plant-based matter and other biomass, into marketable chemicals and materials such as cellulose-based hydrogels for personal medicine (blood typing), nanocellulose films to replace plastic food packaging, and nanogels to help farmers maintain crops in the ever-changing climate.
“This Hub will leverage world-leading Australian and international research capabilities in chemistry, materials science and engineering with the express aim of creating new materials, companies and jobs for our growing bioeconomy,” said Professor Garnier, Director of the Bioresource Processing Research Institute of Australia (BioPRIA).
“With ongoing support and vision from our government, industry and university partners, we will identify new applications and products derived from biowaste to transform the pharmaceutical, chemicals, plastics and food packaging industries in Australia and across the world.”
“This is an exciting time for Australia’s paper and pulp industry as we develop
new products for
existing markets
Recycling Biosolids To Make Sustainable Bricks
The biosolids bricks.
Image Credit: RMIT University.
and further grow our knowledge in bioresources. We’re pleased
to be able to contribute to the nation-wide goal of reducing biowaste in our communities,” said Professor Garnier.
or as a construction material. Approximately 30% of the world’s biosolids are stockpiled or sent to landfill, using up valuable land and potentially emitting greenhouse gases, creating an environmental challenge.
Now a team at RMIT University in Melbourne, has demonstrated that fired-clay bricks incorporating biosolids could be a sustainable solution for both the wastewater treatment and brickmaking industries.
As well as being cheaper to produce, the biosolids bricks also had a lower thermal conductivity, transferring less heat to potentially give buildings higher environmental performance.
The European Union produces over 9 million tonnes of biosolids a year, while the United States produces about 7.1 million tonnes. In Australia, 327,000 tonnes of biosolids are produced annually.
The study found there was a significant opportunity to create a new beneficial reuse market: bricks.
Lead investigator Associate Professor Abbas Mohajerani said the research sought to tackle two environmental issues – the stockpiles of biosolids and the excavation of soil required for brick production. “More than 3 billion cubic metres of clay soil is dug up each year for the global brickmaking industry, to produce about 1.5 trillion bricks,” Mohajerani said. “Using biosolids in bricks could be the solution to these big environmental challenges.”
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Professor Garnier, Director of the Bioresource Processing Research Institute of Australia (BioPRIA), will head up the Australian Research Council (ARC) Hub for Processing Advance Lignocelluosics into Advance Materials.
How can you recycle the world’s stockpiles of treated sewage sludge and boost sustainability in the construction industry, all at the same time? Turn those biosolids into bricks.
Biosolids are a by-product of the wastewater treatment process that can be used as fertiliser, in land rehabilitation
Associate Professor Abbas Mohajerani with a biosolids brick. Image Credit: RMIT University.