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Government of South Australia - Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

    Building and construction

    A competitive advantage sector for manufacturing in South Australia

    South Australia has many manufacturing businesses linked closely to the building and construction sector.

    Local companies produce products which are integral to the industry, as well as unique and innovative options to solve modern building challenges.

    With direct links to the electrical, forestry, timber, cement, brick and other industries, the building and construction sector presents a number of new opportunities for manufacturing through innovative new products such as fibre and cement composites.

    Our innovative manufacturers

    The opportunity

    The growth of the global built environment, predicted to double by 2060, will provide significant opportunities for manufacturing. The need to supply eco-friendly buildings and support population surges will provide strong prospects for South Australia’s diverse business community of manufacturers supplying the building and construction sector.

    As the world focuses on requirements for decarbonisation, there will also be new manufacturing opportunities to support this in the building and construction sector. Currently, building and construction contributes to 40 percent of global CO2 emissions. Key commodities manufactured in the state, concrete and steel, as well as aluminium are responsible for 23 percent of these emissions which will drive new local manufacturing prospects.

    SA’s diverse and innovative manufacturers

    Our large and varied building and construction industry includes many manufacturing companies creating innovative solutions, expanding through value-adding, and positioning themselves to benefit from growth of the population and global built environment.

    Seeley International began as a family business in 1972

    Seeley has since grown into Australia’s largest air conditioning and ducted gas heating manufacturer. Focusing on developing energy efficient heating and cooling products, the company has become a global leader in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry. Over 80,000 products and 1.5 million components are manufactured in Australia every year and sold through a global network of distributors and retailers.

    Specialised Solutions is an industry leader in modular buildings

    Based in Tonsley, Specialised Solutions provides in-house development, design and construction services. Focusing on solving many modern building and construction challenges the company offers benefits such as faster build times, off-site construction, minimal impact to businesses, use of sustainable and durable materials, cost efficiency, and flexibility of use while providing high-quality construction and attractive design. The company also tackles solar infrastructure challenges creating solutions such as smart solar furniture and solar canopies

    Cutting carbon emissions

    Leading the most significant carbon reduction innovation project in the cement industry, Hallet Group is creating a sovereign manufacturing capability to process and distribute industrial waste.

    Cement, the main component of concrete, is responsible for 8 percent of global carbon emissions or 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

    The Green Cement Transformation Project will create low-carbon green cement products from three streams of waste using established renewable energy sources in Port Augusta and Port Adelaide.

    The project will reduce Australia’s carbon emissions by 300,000 tonnes per year immediately and approximately 1 million tonnes annually in years to come.

    LIBERTY Primary Steel produces steel in Whyalla which is transferred in billet form for further value-added processing interstate by InfraBuild Steel’s Rod, Bar and Wire business.

    Remaining steel is converted to finished products including structural steel and rails through the Whyalla Structural Mill. The company’s global decarbonisation strategy aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 through the Electric Arc Furnace. Low carbon and green direct reduction iron feeds the furnace which will deliver a 90 percent reduction in emissions compared to traditional blast furnace production.