Innovation in the Circular Economy 2022

A collaborative conference to guide industry transition

The NSW Smart Sensing Network, HunterNet Cooperative and the Hunter Circular Economic Zone are proud to present Innovation in the Circular Economy 2022, 27 to 28 October, Newcastle City Hall.

This two-day workshop will bring together partners from government, industry and universities to discuss the science, technology, business and infrastructure requirements to transition to a sustainable world.

Our best research minds, industrial strengths and influential regional authorities will come together to exchange ideas and develop plans for the future of recycling in New South Wales and all of Australia.

Speakers include:

  • Ms Terri Butler – Chair of Circular Australia.

  • The Hon. Alister Henskens SC MP – NSW Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology.

  • Mr Dave Layzell MP – Member for the Upper Hunter.

  • Prof Veena Sahajwalla - 2022 NSW Australian of the Year and Director of the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre.

  • Dr Marc Stammbach - Managing Director at Hitachi Zosen Inova Australia.

  • Prof Zee Upton – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), University of Newcastle.

This event aligns with several other initiatives in the circular economy, clean-tech and recycling sectors.

Leading Australian energy company AGL is proud to support the conference. AGL is planning the redevelopment of the Liddell and Bayswater Power Station site, in the Upper Hunter region of NSW, into an integrated industrial energy hub.

AGL is focusing on clean energy projects, energy-intensive industries and related enterprises. Energy projects under investigation for the site and Hunter Region include hydrogen production, a grid-scale battery, solar thermal storage, pumped hydro and a large-scale wind project. Potential complementary industry sectors include manufacturing, green chemicals, data, recycling and agri-food industries. Discussion about the Liddell and Bayswater site will be the cornerstone of Day 2 of the conference.

Hunter Circular Economic Zone, HunterNet Cooperative and the NSW Smart Sensing Network have the combined vision to use cutting-edge science and technology to draw on the inherent geographic and logistical advantages of the Hunter, and to harness the enthusiasm of a range of stakeholders to produce a roadmap for a profitable, sustainable, high-employment precinct that can lead the world in the circular economy.

Event sponsorship has come from the NSW Smart Sensing Network, The University of Newcastle and NSW Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub.

Declaration

The NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN), a consortium of eight leading universities across NSW and the ACT, is a not-for-profit innovation network that brings together universities, industry and government to translate world-class research into innovative smart sensing solutions that create value for NSW and beyond.

Nicholas Haskins