Priming Grant for BlueZone Group in Trenchless Technology

BlueZone Group was pleased to join with 38 other recipients in the award of an Australian Government Priming Grant, offered under the Global Connections Fund of the National Innovation and Science Agenda. The purpose of the Priming Grants is to enhance collaboration specifically between Australian small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and researchers in 17 priority economies.

BlueZone Group will collaborate with IKT – Institute for Underground Infrastructure of Germany. IKT is a globally-leading institute that develops solutions for practical and operational issues concerning underground pipes and conduit engineering.

Assessment of pipeline conditions in major underground infrastructure is an ongoing problem for many of Australia’s cities and towns. Much of the infrastructure is nearing the end of design life or is in an unknown condition. Advanced inspection methods can provide valuable information to prioritise repair and remediation programs and save money. The risk of catastrophic failure and resulting in costly and disruptive emergency repairs and inconvenience to the public and industry can be reduced with an advanced pipeline condition assessment.

IKT has developed the advanced MAC System for the non-destructive assessment of the mechanical condition of pipelines and the surrounding soil. The MAC System is an Advanced Manufacturing product and IKT and BlueZone will work together to introduce and demonstrate the MAC System to major water authorities in Australia with an aim to manufacture, test and improve the product for local and global markets.

Six Hunter innovators awarded grants to go global