BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation are trialling a marine biofuel blend derived from used cooking oil and waste animal fats on a BHP‑chartered bulk carrier voyage from Australia to China. The pilot focuses on blending, handling and tracing multi‑feedstock biofuels through existing bunker supply chains, using current marine fuel infrastructure rather than dedicated new storage or pipelines. Outcomes will inform fuel specification, engine performance and contamination risk management for large dry bulk vessels on long‑haul export routes.

Australian-owned Vital Chemical, approaching its 50th year, is supplying erosion and dust control solutions to major Queensland civil and construction projects, with products formulated for environmentally and sustainably sound performance. The company’s portfolio targets typical road and earthworks issues such as exposed batter erosion, haul road dust and stockpile stabilisation, aiming to reduce sediment run-off and particulate emissions without relying on traditional solvent-based binders. For geotechnical and civil contractors, this signals wider availability of project-scale, compliance-focused surface treatments that can be integrated into construction environmental management plans.

Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) is being positioned as a core element of UK decarbonisation strategy for gas-fired power and hard-to-abate materials such as cement and concrete, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries promoting large-scale post-combustion capture units integrated with existing plants. Critics question lifecycle emissions, high energy penalties for solvent-based capture, and long-term integrity of offshore geological storage. For civil and materials engineers, the debate centres on retrofit feasibility at existing cement kilns, pipeline and compression infrastructure requirements, and whether CCUS investment may delay process changes or clinker substitution.