Compass 2024 Video - BlueScope Innovation
A Showcase of BlueScope Innovation - Fitzroy River Bridge Case Study, A Collaborative Future for Steelmaking and Renewables
This Compass 2024 video, presented by COLORBOND® steel, takes viewers on an insightful journey into some of BlueScope’s most exciting innovation projects and products. It highlights cutting-edge technology and an investment in modern manufacturing and infrastructure at the forefront. From meaningful future proofing, collaboration and product and process innovations, renewables and sustainability projects, the showcase is full of bright ideas.
Case Study: Fitzroy River Bridge, WA
The highlight reel features one of the most exciting projects of last year that came about in response to a natural disaster - the reconstruction of the Fitzroy River Bridge in Northern Western Australia. Severely damaged by Cyclone Ellie in early 2023, a fast-tracked solution was required. This vital infrastructure was designed and rebuilt using BlueScope’s REDCOR® weathering steel, a decision that allowed for rapid construction and long-term durability. Luke Kelly, associate engineer at BG&E Consulting Engineers, shares the success story of how the bridge was designed and constructed in just eleven months, six months ahead of schedule.
A Collaborative Future for Steelmaking and Renewables
Tanya Archibald, BlueScope's Chief Executive of Australian Steel Products, shares an exciting future-focused partnership between BlueScope and Australia's leading iron ore producers, Rio Tinto and BHP. This collaboration aims to harness Australia’s unique resources in establishing a decarbonisation pathway for the steelmaking industry both domestically and globally.
Tanya also highlights the importance of steel in the development of renewable energy infrastructure as economies transition to a lower emissions future. To support this, Tanya explains, “BlueScope seeks to be a solutions partner, supporting and enabling our customers to build capacity and capability across Australia's renewable energy supply chains.”
Innovation in the Renewable Sector
In this segment, viewers are introduced to innovations in manufacturing for the renewable energy sector, where steel plays a pivotal role. From wind towers requiring up to 500 tonnes of plate steel per tower, to bespoke profiles for solar projects, BlueScope’s commitment to supporting the energy transition is evident.
The segment features insights from local manufacturing leaders:
- Dan McKinna, General Manager, Keppel Prince Engineering – Onshore Wind
- Robert Rizzo, General Manager, Australian Rollforming – Solar
- Simon Preston, General Manager, Precision Oxycut – Onshore Wind
Don’t miss our Director’s Cut for extended video content on this topic.
Prepainted Steel Technology
Finally, the video touches on BlueScope’s latest advancements in prepainted steel technology, with a focus on digital decoration and customised finishes. These innovations, being developed at the BlueScope Steel Innovation Labs, “are building on the strengths of COLORBOND® steel,” says Detlev Mueller, Coatings Innovation Project Leader, BlueScope.
Watch the video: BlueScope Innovation and the Fitzroy River Bridge Case Study, A Collaborative Future for Steelmaking and Renewables
Further information:
- See our sustainability resources on steel.com.au
- Watch more videos from Compass 2024:
- See the entire Compass 2024 event
- Compass Opening with Shelley Craft, TV Presenter, The Block and Mark Vassella, Managing Director and CEO of BlueScope
- Built Environment of the Future: Insights from Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia
- Designing with Sustainability in Mind with Talina Edwards, Director, Envirotecture
- Future Design Trends and Aesthetics with Alexander Symes, Director, Alexander Symes Architect
- An Engineer's Approach to Decarbonisation with Raed El Sarraf, Principal Engineer, WSP
- Directors Cut – Renewables