Another solution for low carbon concrete – this time it’s common clay
The engineers at RMIT University have found a solution that may be able to tackle the problem of cement – a key ingredient of concrete that is responsible for 8 per cent of global CO2 emissions – by replacing it with common clay.
Traditionally, only high grade kaolin clay has been deemed suitablefor cement replacement, but it is in increasingly high demand for ceramics, paints, cosmetics and paper. But the breakthrough is that cheaper and abundant illite clay can be mixed with low grade kaolin clay to make strong concrete.
The new process requires the two clays to be mixed at an equal ratio and then heated at 600 degrees Celsius, and processing the two together has led to improvements in the materials’ performance as well as lower fuel use.
According to project lead Dr Chamila Gunasekara, while low grade illite does not normally bind well with cement and water, the joint heating and co-calcination enhances the clay’s binding ability.
Six things about the capital markets for 2025
Property consultancy Knight Frank has released its new Capital View report, which revealed six trends that will play out over the rest of 2025, “as the market continues to recover.”
They are:
1. Sydney and Brisbane are leading the recovery
2. real estate portfolio weightings to rise
3. shift in market conditions favours a tilt back to equity over debt strategies
4. Australia is less exposed to tariff risks, but overseas investors may take a pause
5. strong demand for retail, but sector specialists will dominate transactions
6. election result will prompt further development activity in the living sectors
The report adds that capital markets are growing more confident “now that valuations have reached a cyclical low.”
Also notable is that build to rent is picking up in activity, with now 6900 student beds under construction and an estimated 8900 BTR apartments under construction nationally. A further 20,000 BTR apartments have been approved for development in the next five years.
MasterChef sponsors found to be gaslighting consumers
The Advertising regulator Ad Standards has found that Australian Gas Networks “overstated” the prospect of renewable gas being used in Australian kitchens in its promotions on Channel 10’s MasterChef Australia.
The company, part of Australia Gas Infrastructure Group), has now removed the television ad which said, “AGN, we’re working towards a future where renewable gas could one day be used in your kitchen.”
The ruling found that its concept of gas blended with biomethane, or renewable hydrogen, was “vague and does not make it clear that the plan to fully transition to renewable gas, sourced from hydrogen and biomethane, is not expected to be realised until 2050.”
Founder of Comms Declare, Belinda Noble said that while the group wasn’t behind this specific complaint, the company was a repeat greenwashing offender.
Real estate on the move
Big real estate agencies are on the move. CBRE has bought Burgess Rawson’s eastern seaboard office, which has a team of about 80 staff. Phil Rowland, CBRE chief executive for Australia and New Zealand, told The AFR that the investible property market will only expand as population grows.The purchase price has not been disclosed.Ingrid Filmer, chief executive at Burgess Rawson, will head CBRE’s metropolitan investments team, which manages investment and development properties under $35 million.
She said that the industry had “changed exponentially in terms of innovation and AI since she took over the helm 18 years ago and that was one of her reasons for accepting the CBRE offer. “And in another real estate services acquisition, Colliers has bought a controlling interest in Ethos Urban, which employs about 160 people in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. John Kenny, CEO of Colliers, Asia Pacific, said Ethos Urban has “accelerated Australia’s urbanisation and development over many years.”
Colliers Engineering & Design Australia has also bought Pritchard Francis Consulting Pty Limited, based in Western Australia, which has about 125 people employed in the company.