A groundbreaking shift in the world of sustainability and manufacturing is underway, thanks to 3D-printing “micro-factories” that are turning waste plastics into competitive, high-performance products for the construction industry. Led by Veena Sahajwalla, professor and founding director of the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, this emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize the way construction materials are sourced and produced.
Speaking at Schneider Electric’s Sydney Innovation Summit, Sahajwalla highlighted the importance of balancing sustainability with profitability in manufacturing. “It’s not about doing something just because it’s green,” she said. “The focus must be on whether it works and performs well, first and foremost.”
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With this mindset, SMaRT has pioneered the creation of plastic filaments made entirely from 100% waste plastics, sourced from discarded items like old printers. These filaments are produced in hyper-localized, highly automated “micro-factories,” allowing for the on-demand production of personalized construction materials.
The key question: if plastic waste can be fed into a 3D printer, could it be used to produce a wide range of products? The answer is yes. One notable product already produced in these micro-factories is the “clamp” — a vital component in building and construction projects. These clamps, traditionally sourced from expensive, secondhand suppliers, can now be made on-site, reducing both cost and wait time.
Sahajwalla explains, “Imagine a world where you don’t have to wait to source critical components for your construction project. Instead, you can simply talk to your local micro-factory, get your parts at a comparable price, and ensure they meet the necessary performance standards.”
The impact of these microfactories could be game-changing for the construction industry. By transforming plastic waste into high-performance, competitively priced products, SMaRT’s innovation could reduce reliance on traditional manufacturing processes while promoting sustainability. The growing capabilities of 3D printing could create a future where waste becomes a resource, and local micro-factories provide the flexibility to rapidly produce the materials needed for any project.
As the technology develops, microfactories could become an integral part of how we approach both waste and manufacturing, making high-tech construction parts more accessible and cost-effective, while simultaneously helping to address the global plastic waste problem.
Hydrogen Revolution: Clean Energy On The Road To The Future
Meanwhile, a clean energy revolution is brewing in the transport sector, with hydrogen-powered trucks and buses set to transform the way we think about emissions and fuel. Scott Brown, managing director of Pure Hydrogen, discussed the firm’s success with a hydrogen-powered garbage truck in Adelaide — a vehicle that produces no diesel emissions and significantly reduces noise pollution.
Brown believes the next 10 to 15 years will see a sharp decline in fuel cell prices, further accelerating the adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Major automakers like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai have already embraced fuel cell technology, which uses hydrogen to produce clean electricity.
“The cost of producing fuel cells has dropped by 50% in the last three years,” Brown said, predicting a dramatic further decrease in prices as Chinese manufacturers increase their hydrogen-powered vehicle production. As the global shift to hydrogen continues, the implications for cleaner, quieter, and more efficient transportation are profound.
