Local companies acclaimed on world stage

Three innovative Australian technologies have won Global 100 Eco-Tech Awards at the 2005 World Expo currently being held in Aichi, Japan.

The awards program commends 100 global environmental technologies that contribute significantly to the resolution of global environmental problems and to the creation of a sustainable future. The awards also aim to promote the use, research and development of global environmental technologies.

The 100 winning technologies were selected from 236 nominees proposed by the 2005 Expo official participants, one of which was the Australian Government.

The three Australian award-winning technologies are the Molectra integrated waste tyre recycling technology, Sliver cell solar technology and Biolytix waste treatment system.

Gold Coast, Queensland-based Molectra Technologies has worked on developing its innovative waste tyre recycling technology over the past five years. The technology has been independently tested and patented in 39 countries and according to managing director, John Dobozy, "is a breakthrough in the industry of waste tyre recycling." The range of products generated from the process includes crumb rubber, activated carbon, jet fuel, diesel oil and revulcanised rubber products.

Sliver solar cells were invented at the Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems at the Australian National University (ANU) in collaboration with Origin Energy. Sliver is a unique monocrystalline solar photovoltaic technology that uses dramatically less silicon than other solar cells. Small volumes of Sliver panels are now being produced at a dedicated Origin Energy plant in Adelaide, South Australia and the solar team is working towards producing larger modules for scale production in coming years.

The Biolytix waste treatment system converts household sewage, greywater, food scraps and sanitary items into irrigation water. Biolytix units can also be networked together for housing developments in a Biowater system.

The inventor of Biolytix, Dean Cameron, said, "We spent $3 million in research and development to make Australia a leader in water recycling. The Biolytix technology is a giant leap forward for wastewater recycling for households, housing developments and commercial buildings. It makes recycling water more attractive, easier and cheaper."

The Global 100 Eco-Tech Awards ceremony will be held in Nagoya, Japan on 1 September.

For more information see www.expo2005.or.jp