Case Studies
New method recycles mixed plastic packaging sans chemicals
The method selectively breaks down one type of plastic in mixed plastic packaging while leaving the other plastics intact, allowing each material to be recovered and reused. [ + ]
Engineers extract lithium using low-water alternative
By leveraging differences in solubility between lithium salts and coexisting salts, the process enables efficient separation without the need for freshwater inputs. [ + ]
Microbubbles remove microplastics from wastewater
The combination of microbubbles and nanobubbles achieved microplastic removal rates of more than 90%, according to RMIT researchers. [ + ]
New way to recycle coloured plastics using silica microspheres
The dual-functional approach provides a practical and sustainable pathway for closed-loop functional polymer composites. [ + ]
Detoxifying 'super fungi' may recover critical minerals
The engineered fungus could be used to extract critical minerals from toxic mining waste while also helping to remediate sites. [ + ]
Partnership to develop lower-emission titanium production
Murdoch University researchers and Empire Metals are working to transform how titanium metal is produced, powered by renewable energy. [ + ]
SA retirement village reduces energy costs using solar system
The new all-in-one system gives residents real-time visibility over performance — tracking energy generation, storage and usage from their own devices. [ + ]
Waste CO2 turned into useful industrial chemicals
An electrochemical generator, powered by electricity, requires only water and captured carbon dioxide to create formate, the base compound for formic acid. [ + ]
Researchers develop new way to recycle plastics
The technology could be applied across a wide range of PET waste streams, including bottles, packaging, trays and synthetic textiles. [ + ]
Council toolkit created for practical circular procurement
Hunter Joint Organisation's toolkit also supports councils to consider durability, repairability, recycled content, reuse opportunities and take-back schemes. [ + ]
Solar rebate saves $75K for Vic apartment residents
Since launching, the solar initiative has also helped more than 3200 families living in multi-unit dwellings in Victoria install rooftop solar. [ + ]
New method to extract microplastics from soil: study
The UNE research team developed a new framework to identify the most effective method to extract six common plastic types from different soil textures. [ + ]
Office tower cuts HVAC energy use by nearly 50%
The building has cut almost half of the HVAC electricity use and 5% of gas consumption annually, extending HVAC asset life by at least 20%. [ + ]
Community food network closes its soft plastics recycling loop
The network,operating across NSW, Vic and the ACT, has built its own soft plastics collection and recycling pipeline, diverting around 2.5 tonnes from landfill each month. [ + ]
Real-time monitoring reduces risk at pumping station
The insights allowed engineers to remotely monitor conditions and attend sites only when necessary to pump water in a controlled manner. [ + ]
