EndeavourAWARDS FINALISTS 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTION OF THE YEAR This category evaluates finalists on how their development, technology or initiative has made a positive impact to environmental sustainability in manufacturing.
Polyrok – Replas
Polyrok concrete is the latest innovation from Replas, a sustainable recycled plastic aggregate alternative to mineral aggregate in concrete for pathways, kerbs & channels that find a home for the most problematic waste stream, soft plastic. Polyrok consists of about 95 per cent of Red Group post-consumer soft plastic waste, with about 5 per cent engineered recycled content to ensure maximum performance in concrete. State of the art technology allows Replas to use soft plastics that are recovered from the REDcycle program in Coles and Woolworths with leading packaging brands. Fit for purpose, strong, and durable recyclable concrete from Replas is the new way for councils to be part of the Circular Economy. This latest innovation from Replas results in a superior product that has benefits over conventional concrete. Specific plastic-to-cement binding technology has been tested to meet Australian Standards, efficiently and effectively replacing conventional mineral aggregate while diverting plastic from landfill. We are challenging every Council in the country to get on board to be part of the solution for their plastic waste. AWMA’s fish exclusion screens.
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AWMA Fish Exclusion Screens – AWMA Water Control Solutions Studies show Australia is losing nearly 100 million fish every year to water extraction systems. Modern fish screens solve this and have been successfully implemented on irrigation diversions and water offtakes, worldwide, for decades. AWMA have been assisting NSW DPI Fisheries to refine internationally proven screens so that they operate in a way that is suitable for Australian conditions. It has since been recognised that installing fish exclusion screens on Australian irrigation diversions and water intakes, will make a significant contribution to the protection of native fish stocks in our rivers. AWMA’s development of Australian Fish Exclusion Screens was aimed at reducing the number of native fish lost to pump intakes and irrigation gravity diversions, nation-wide. By preventing fish movement out of the natural waterway, fish species are left in their primary habitat to grow and reproduce. Sustainable agriculture was also a critical consideration with the provision for uninterrupted irrigation flows through the fish screen structure a key design criteria. It was imperative to all stakeholders that screens developed to protect native fish species could not negatively impact water delivery. It was imperative to AWMA and associated project partners that the goal wasn’t just manufacturing sustainable infrastructure but
promoting sustainable practises. Practises that would be viable, safe, practical and advantageous to the environment, owners and operators. AWMA have since refined Fish Exclusion Screens to three proven screen types, suitable to deliver required flow rates, with customisable configurations, whilst protecting native fish species at all stages of their life cycles. For increased environmental sustainability AWMA also designed a ‘self-powered’ or ‘self-propelled’ screen which uses a pumps flow velocity to clean the screen, rather than powered options. A clean screen and low flow velocities produces high quality water without impingement or entrapment of fish onto the screen. The propeller drive system on selfpropelled screen designs uses the flow velocity through the inlet pipe to slowly rotate the external cylinder screen, which in turn self-cleans both sides of the wedge wire screen medium.
DecoUltra ZD – DECO Australia
DecoUltra ZD is the world-first architectural hard anodised finish by DECO Australia. Created using Zero Degree hard anodising technology, this exceptionally durable finish aims to stretch the boundaries of architectural façade design and finishing. DECO has brought a popular finish in the manufacturing setting and repurposed it, offering it to a completely new market. Its extreme
corrosion, abrasion and weather resistance, often touted as effective protection for use in defence, engineering and food processing applications, finds a new niche protecting coastal facades, windows and doors in highly-trafficked, highpollution areas, buildings in areas with extreme weather conditions and even monumental architectural projects, where only the most hardwearing finishes can be applied. Created by applying acid, zero degree temperatures and high voltage to aluminium, DecoUltra ZD is formed by the growth of a dense “honeycomb” aluminium oxide coating growing into and out of the aluminium itself, which is then sealed to add extra corrosion protection. This means the ZD finish is an integral part of the aluminium itself and will not peel or wear off, making it one of the toughest, hardest substances in existence (second only to diamonds). This high-strength coating, which is so hardwearing it is often used in aerospace applications where it must brace extreme weather, temperatures and atmospheric changes, becomes effective for protecting buildings against a variety of different atmospheres and climates found on land. DecoUltra ZD can increase the sustainability of building and construction projects due to its extremely low maintenance nature. With no refinishing required, DecoUltra protects facades, windows, doors and more for up to 30 years. This means it can last throughout the lifespan of a project without constantly having to be restored or replaced, reducing the need for the manufacture of replacement products, reducing wastage and therefore saving on energy. As DecoUltra ZD is an aluminium oxide coating, grown into aluminium (one of the world’s most recyclable products), extrusions, flat sheets or other products coated in DecoUltra ZD constitute an 100 per cent recyclable product, which can be recycled at the end of its manmonthly.com.au
