Wagners' green concrete takes gold at innovation awards

TOOWOOMBA'S Wagner family is celebrating winning an Australia Innovation Challenge award for its earth-friendly concrete.

The Wellcamp Airport will be built using Wagners' award-winning, earth-friendly concrete. Picture: Contributed

NOT only will Toowoomba's Wellcamp Airport be the first public, privately built Australian airport in almost 50 years, it will also be the only airport in the world to feature award-winning, earth-friendly concrete.

Airport developers and concrete and logistics company Wagners' product has won the Australian Innovation Challenge's professional category: Manufacturing and Hi-tech Design.

One of Wagners' directors, Joe Wagner said it was an honour to receive recognition for the cement-free concrete that took eight years to perfect.

He said he was also extremely proud of the team who beat a field of five finalists from around the country to take home the award.

Wagners' brand of geopolymer concrete is a low carbon alternative to conventional concrete, with the product containing zero Portland cement, resulting in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Wagner said EFC was an extremely important innovation created to reduce the carbon emissions in the construction industry and provide the next generation with a superior structural performing concrete.

Mr Wagner said the EFC innovation evolved when his company started experimenting with geopolymer concretes and composite fibre building products.

"We have since taken the lead on further developing geopolymer concretes and we need to continue to research and develop new building products for our customers so they can continue to be leaders in their field.

With Wellcamp Airport set to open towards the end of next year, Wagners' EFC product will feature in the taxiways, apron and terminal.

Originally published as Wagners' green concrete takes gold at innovation awards