Home / Media Releases / InfraBuild partners with Swinburne in Steel Research Hub projects

InfraBuild partners with Swinburne in Steel Research Hub projects

1 September 2021

An exciting new collaboration between InfraBuild and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) is advancing new technologies in Australian steel manufacturing.

With 100 years continuous operation, InfraBuild is Australia’s largest vertically integrated steel manufacturing, distribution and recycling business, providing solutions for commercial and residential construction, large scale and nation-building infrastructure, and the rural and mining sectors.

The collaboration is part of the Australian Research Council’s Research Hub for Australian Steel Innovation (Steel Research Hub) – a five-year research program designed to support a more sustainable, competitive and resilient Australian steel manufacturing industry.

Led by the University of Wollongong, the Steel Research Hub brings PhD and post-doctoral researchers from nine universities together with nine industry partners, including InfraBuild. Research will focus on projects in areas such as process integration and sustainability, product innovation, industrial transformation, robotics and automation, by-products recycling and digitisation.

InfraBuild CEO, Vik Bansal, said the projects will not only futureproof Australian steel manufacturing but also support the next generation of researchers.

“Part of our CN30 initiative is a commitment to working with like-minded stakeholders in developing and adopting new and emerging technologies that support our GREENSTEEL approach to making low carbon-emissions steel products,” he said.

“It also supports our efforts in recycling and upcycling scrap and by-products from steel manufacturing – contributing to sustainability in the building and construction industry which plays a strategic role in Australia’s nation-building, economic growth and employment.”

The InfraBuild-SUT collaboration is working on two new projects in industrial transformation – focusing on developing sound sensor technology for the control of steel ladles, and data analysis for improving steel products consistency.

The first project aims to address two key issues facing the steel industry: improving the quality of products through better process control; and lowering operating costs through improved measurements. The project will investigate new sensor technology in control systems to improve steel ladle operations using microphones and cameras. It is anticipated this will result in improved competitiveness of the local steel recycling industry and the promotion metal recycling.

The other project aims to improve the overall consistency of steel products. It will examine data drawn from steel manufacturing equipment, steel products and plant operators at InfraBuild’s Laverton operations and develop new technology to automate machine settings and reduce variations in steel billet products.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries

Rod Mapstone, External Affairs Manager

M: 0438 294 377

E: rod.mapstone@infrabuild.com

Please contact us for any feedback or media enquiries about this content.

More Stories