Blue Phoenix, in collaboration with ACCIONA and WA Limestone, has helped deliver Australia’s first car park constructed with recovered materials at the Kwinana Energy Recovery facility south of Perth. About 1100 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA) were used as a sub-base layer in the construction of a car park at Kwinana Energy Recovery.

Scott Reynolds, General Manager Kwinana Energy Recovery, says the project showcases a commitment to circular economy principles and sustainable infrastructure. “ACCIONA is continuously looking for innovative and sustainable solutions, and this milestone demonstrates our commitment to the re-use of IBAA in Australia,” he says.

Australia’s first large-scale waste-to-energy facility, Kwinana Energy Recovery transforms non-recyclable waste into valuable energy and resources. It has diverted more than 135,000 tonnes of waste from landfill since taking its first delivery in July 2024.

A crucial output of Kwinana’s operations is Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA), which is then processed by Blue Phoenix. Since operations began in 2024, Blue Phoenix has recovered more than 3000 tonnes of metals from the IBA and transformed the remaining material into IBAA.

IBAA from energy recovery facilities has been used worldwide for many years as an alternative to traditional aggregates. In cities such as London, it has played a key role in the construction of major motorways, reinforcing its effectiveness in modern infrastructure. This widespread adoption is driven by the desire to reduce reliance on virgin materials, minimise landfill waste, and create valuable resources from what was once considered a waste product.

Image: Acciona

Ian Lynass, Blue Phoenix Managing Director Australia and Asia has long been a driving force behind the promotion and adoption of IBAA in Australia. He played a crucial role in founding the Manufacturers of Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate of Australia (MIBAAA) Association, bringing together industry players to help develop standards and best practices for the emerging Australian market.

He says that while there’s a willingness to consider recycled materials for road building and construction, clear and appropriate regulatory pathways are essential for widespread adoption.

“Blue Phoenix is proud of the development of IBAA in Western Australia,” Ian says. “With our core focus on sustainable and responsible reuse pathways, projects such as the Kwinana Energy Recovery car park show our commitment, with our partners, to innovate and develop IBAA in Australia.”

WA Limestone is one of Western Australia’s most successful and largest privately-owned quarry and contracting companies and is one of the biggest suppliers of road construction materials in the state. The company is driving sustainability in construction by developing innovative recycled materials, repurposing industrial by-products and reducing reliance on natural resources to support the state’s transition to a circular economy.

By using IBAA as a sub-base layer in the car park project, Kwinana Energy Recovery, Blue Phoenix, and WA Limestone are not only reducing the reliance on virgin materials but also visibly demonstrating the strength and durability of these recovered resources.

Roger Stephens, WA Limestone Project Manager, says the project serves as a compelling proof of concept, paving the way for the broader adoption of sustainable materials in infrastructure projects across Australia.

“WA Limestone is thrilled to see the first delivery of locally manufactured IBAA product being trialled in the construction of the car park pavement at the Kwinana Energy Recovery Plant,” he says. “We are confident the product will exceed the specified performance requirements, and this now opens new pathways to recovered materials use in road construction – a much-anticipated opportunity that our many civil contractor customers have enthusiastically supported.

“The IBAA journey to carbon zero is finally on the road.”

^{Originally published in Waste Management Review written by Jennifer Pittorino.
This article is adapted with permission. Read the original at: www.wastemanagementreview.com.au}