Bridge to Awards Success

October 15, 2021

Geelong engineering company, Austeng, has been selected as a finalist for the Industry Leader – Climate Action category in the 2021 Premier’s Sustainability Awards. The innovative organisation is being recognised for their 100 year maintenance free bridges.

Austeng’s fibre reinforced geopolymer pedestrian bridges project has been gaining interest in both sustainability and procurement circles. The bridges, which use carbon & glass fibre reinforced polymer in lieu of steel reinforced concrete, produce 80% less CO2 emissions in production & prevent concrete cancer, a costly maintenance problem for local governments.  The product used in bridge construction is stronger & lighter than existing products.

Ross George, Managing Director at Austeng said, “The new material will potentially eliminate concrete cancer going forward and provide a new and disruptive approach that will have wide application in the construction industry generally.”

The project came to life in response to a Procurement for Innovation process enabled by Cleantech Innovations Geelong & undertaken by City of Greater Geelong. Austeng collaborated with Rocla & Deakin University on the project. “Procurement for Innovation is one of the game-changing services provided by Cleantech Innovations Geelong. It was the catalyst for our company to collaborate with others to combine our expertise and to bring a new product to market – in fact a world first,”

Two age-defying bridges have been installed by City of Greater Geelong over Cowie’s Creek.

Cleantech Innovations Geelong is delivered by Geelong Manufacturing Council and City of Greater Geelong, with the support of the Victorian Government.