THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP LIMITED
OS FOR OLUI T S N THE
ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY
Environmental Group Limited is cleaning up Australia’s act in pollution and waste management. Driving the circular economy with solutions-based environmental services, CEO Jason Dixon tells us more Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Nicholas Kernan
Jason Dixon, CEO
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n an age where environmental sustainability is paramount, the Environmental Group Limited (EGL) has its finger on the pulse in driving a collective effort to deliver change. “Environmental services are a growing part of the economy as more and more businesses strive to be part of the circular economy, providing environmentally friendly solutions to many facets of the emissions our society generates,” opens CEO Jason Dixon.
Flourishing in alignment with the dynamic growth of this burgeoning sector, Dixon ensures EGL’s positioning as an innovative enterprise ready to implement technologies and identify business opportunities that are revolutionising the space, delivering efficiencies and improvements for its clients across a wide spectrum of applications. “The desire to achieve better environmental outcomes is not
ENERGY & UTILITIES
going away, so innovative solutionsbased companies will continue to thrive throughout the APAC region,” Dixon continues. From air pollution to water treatment, EGL’s remit comprises five key operating units; Baltec Inlet and Exhaust Systems (IES), Tomlinson Energy Service, Total Air Pollution Control (TAPC), EGL Waste, and EGL Water. Both TPAC and Tomlinson Energy Services operate across all of Australia, while Baltec IES has a global
reach encompassing three divisions supported by approximately 110 staff. The continual stream of innovation that defines the environmental services industry has presented exciting new opportunities across the board at EGL, broadening the company’s comprehensive range of solutions. This is best evidenced by EGL’s most recent strides within two areas of organic growth, primarily the development of a revolutionary
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) solution in the water space, and the Turmec Agency Agreement as part of the EGL Waste division – a significant partnership that is breaking new ground in the world of waste. Though EGL prides itself on delivering the newest, cutting-edge solutions, it is bolstered by solid longevity within the sector. “EGL has been providing services for the environment for more than APAC Outlook issue 53 | 3
THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP LIMITED half a century, with a particular focus on air and water pollution, and more recently waste solutions,” Dixon tells us. Since entering the role of CEO in early 2021, Dixon has brought to EGL a wealth of experience in the realm of environmental services, through which he has witnessed its evolution and increasing prevalence. During the nascent days of his career working in funds management, Dixon became aware of Tox Free Solutions – an Australian-listed company and the country’s largest treater of hazardous waste. The potential of Tox Free Solutions triggered not just a sense of renewed environmental responsibility within Dixon, but also proposed an interesting business proposition
EGL OPERATING UNITS 1. Baltec Inlet and Exhaust Systems – Providing the Gas Turbine power industry with quality inlet, exhaust, and heating/cooling systems. 2. Tomlinson Energy Service – The leading vendor of steam boilers and related thermal energy systems in Australia. 3. Total Air Pollution Control (TPAC) - Australia’s largest full-service air pollution control and process company. 4. EGL Waste – Turmec Agency Agreement – An exclusive partnership for the sale of world leading recycling solutions in Australia. 5. EGL Water – Innovators of water treatment, protecting and preserving access to clean water with leading research institutions.
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which led to him joining the company’s mergers and acquisitions team, thereby acquiring technologies and licenses to broaden waste streams and drive more eco-friendly outcomes for those generating waste. “I could see the strength of the company’s strategy - that waste needed to be dealt with in other ways than simply being taken to landfill,” he recalls. Following a decade of executive experience at Tox Free Solutions, Dixon brought his environmental expertise to EGL.
COMBATTING CONTAMINATION In the world of water, PFAS contamination has been heralded as “the next asbestos”. It is in the face of this environmental dilemma that EGL is trialling industry-leading water treatment, with the company currently in the final stages of proving its PFAS separation technology. PFAS are manufactured chemical components that are used across a wide array of products and industries; from making carpets stain resistant, to keeping food from sticking to cookware. These manmade chemicals present a threat through leaking into our water supply, with research still ongoing as to potential health problems resulting from PFAS exposure and consumption. Since its inception in 2017, EGL Water continues to recognise water as one of the world’s most valuable assets and persists in its vision to reduce water pollution through low-cost technological solutions, particularly concerning the continued widespread use of PFAS without full understanding of both its environmental and health impacts. Through its leading research partnership with Victoria University, EGL Water continues to develop a solution to the rapidly emerging issues surrounding PFAS contamination. Over two years of extensive research and trialling
PTSC Quang Ngai Until mid-2017, after several surveys and rigorous qualification processes, EGL and PTSC Quang Ngai began to establish a partnership by specific orders monitored and evaluated to keep on the appraisal and verification as the detailed roadmap. Currently, PTSC Quang Ngai maintains good cooperative relationships with subsidiary companies of EGL Group such as Baltec, TAPC and Tomlinson in commercial and service sectors and is especially a strategic partner in the field of material and equipment supply based on the collaborative approach from the project initiate phase. To meet the market demands and customers’ requirements, PTSC Quang Ngai has continuously improved its proficiency as well as significantly invested in machinery and equipment to mechanize to get high reliability and performance in schedule and quality control. Up to now, in addition to the accreditation and certifications for manufacturing the oriented-market products such as ASME, EN, CW, and CE Marking Certificate, PTSC Quang Ngai always gets the up-todate ISO certifications in terms of the management system. All safety, quality, and progress KPIs outcomes fully meet the customers’ needs. PTSC Quang Ngai have been implementing more than twenty manufacturing orders to supply products for Power Plants as HRSG & Exhaust Bypass System Components. Moreover, we also establish partnerships with other companies, and we are especially engaged in other OEM’s global supply chain.
http://ptscquangngai.com.vn/en/
• UNITY • DYNAMIC • CREATIVE • PROFESSIONAL • COMPASSIVE Located in the central of Vietnam, PTSC Quang Ngai was established in 1998 as a branch of Petro Vietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC Corporation), a member of Vietnam Oil And Gas Group (PETROVIETNAM) for the purpose of high quality technical services supply for Dung Quat Refinery. Over many years, PTSC Quang Ngai had catapulted and currently has become one of the foremost demands in quality service suppliers with hundreds of effectively completed projects for Oil and Gas, Power and Energy and other industries. With experienced, professional, and dedicated team and well invested facility, we are always committed to supply the best services to our value customers. VISION: PTSC Quang Ngai has made non-stopping efforts to expand innovative solutions and services to overseas market in future. MISSION: Safe operational performance is optimized; availability is maximized; and cost is minimized. VALUE: Increasing operating revenue, professional maintenance, extending the productive lifetime of assets, resulting in a reduction in the client’s capital expenditure as well as environmental risks.
CORE SERVICES Mechanical & Construction Services Repair & Maintenance Services Port Operation & Logistics Services Marine Service – Towage Service QUALIFICATION ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 ASME U/R/S Stamp EN ISO 3834-2:2005, EN 1090-1: 2009 + A1: 2011 CWB CSA Standard W47.1
Lot 4H, Ton Duc Thang Street, Le Hong Phong Ward, Quang Ngai City, Vietnam Phone: +84 255 3827 492 Mail: info@ptscquangngai.com.vn Mail: ptscquangngai@ptsc.com.vn http://ptscquangngai.com.vn/en/
THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP LIMITED
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ENERGY & UTILITIES later, successful pilot trials have been completed for the separation of PFAS from liquid waste. A full commercial trial is currently underway at a licensed liquid waste treatment facility as the final stage to commercialising a highly effective PFAS separation solution. “The results exceeded expectations with samples of effluent 12-17 removing between 99.4 percent and 100 percent of regulated PFAS in the treatment process,” Dixon tells us proudly. As such, EGL is in the process of mobilising a trial plant capable of treating 50,000 litres per day with the company’s new partner, Reclaim Waste, for further testing and certification. “If the separation process is successful in removing regulated PFAS below the required levels, EGL will use its own in-house design, drafting and engineering services to fabricate its
first commercial plant,” he adds. As such, EGL stands on the precipice of unbound commercial opportunity.
THE WAR ON WASTE As EGL’s newest subsidiary, and another dynamic area of organic growth for the company, EGL Waste centres on the company’s exclusive agency agreement with Turmec Pty Limited (Turmec). Renowned as leading specialists within recycling solutions for the global waste industry, Turmec is
a company based in Ireland that provides bespoke systems to enable their customers to efficiently recover high-quality material from waste, reducing the need for landfills, and accelerating the move to a circular economy. “Tens of millions of tonnes of waste end up in Australian landfills every year, releasing toxins into the soil and water supply, greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, fumes, dust and litter into surrounding areas,” says Dixon.
“TENS OF MILLIONS OF TONNES OF WASTE END UP IN AUSTRALIAN LANDFILLS EVERY YEAR, RELEASING TOXINS INTO THE SOIL AND WATER SUPPLY, GREENHOUSE GASES INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, FUMES, DUST AND LITTER INTO SURROUNDING AREAS” – JASON DIXON, CEO, EGL
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THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP LIMITED
WORLD-CLASS WATER TREATMENT THE EGL PFAS TRIAL EGL Water has developed enhanced patented technology to protect water from contamination by PFAS substances. Following demonstrations with various PFAS waste streams at pilot plant level, EGL has proved successful in the removal of regulated PFAS, and preparation for a commercial trial is now underway. Using foam fractionation to extract and concentrate PFAS contaminates, the concentrating effects of PFAS compounds of 1:100 and 1:10,000 have been demonstrated on the three main sources of PFAS contaminated waters; Leachate water, Groundwater and industrial wastewater. EGL Water has since lodged a provisional patent application with IP Australia for the proprietary technology used, and continues to trial work within contaminated soil with the aim of also commercialising this process. The EGL PFAS Strategy: 1. Commercial trial for water. 2. Prove soil treatment concept. 3. Commercial trial of soil. 4. Combining of water and soil treatment. 5. Design plant for total PFAS destruction. 6. Go to market with the only onsite PFAS destruction plant.
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“In addition to our focus on developing partnerships that enable a more sustainable way of processing contaminated water, EGL is proud to be working with Turmec for the sale of world leading recycling solutions in Australia.” Through this strategic partnership, EGL benefits from Turmec’s European experience within this area, which remains in a comparative stage of nascency throughout Australia. “This is a great opportunity to partner with a world class recycling solutions company; Europe has long been recognised as the leading technology provider into the Australian waste market. “This exclusive partnership will enable Turmec to grow their global sales. It is also an excellent opportunity for EGL to deliver environmental benefits to our community and strong returns for our shareholders,” Dixon tells us. With the aim to foster a long-term
partnership, EGL will leverage Turmec’s wide range of recycling plants across all major solid waste streams. This extends to co-mingled separation, construction and demolition waste, municipal waste, industrial waste, waste to energy and other specialised plants, with the ability to secure 98 percent recovery rates for commercial and industrial waste, and 50 percent recovery for metal fines. As a result of the agreement, EGL will fulfil the role of Turmec’s local sales, engineering, and service agent for plants sold in Australia, cottoning on to the growing potential of the ‘waste as resource’ market, as increasingly favourable government policies and regulations are introduced to support the growth of the domestic circular economy across Australia. “Turmec is determined to lead the way in reducing waste diversion from landfills and is now strongly supported by EGL in Australia,” Dixon surmises.
“WITH TURMEC’S STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIVE ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS, AND EGL WASTE SERVICES’ SALES AND SERVICE EXPERTISE, WE FULLY EXPECT THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY INTO THE FUTURE” - JASON DIXON, CEO, EGL
ENERGY & UTILITIES This latest project is significant in representing the commitment to a sustainable future that EGL upholds, by supporting a refinery that will be instrumental in producing a battery quality product that can store the energy required for the global renewable energy sector.
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
A RENEWABLE FUTURE
Emission control is an additional focus area for EGL where partnership has strategically heightened its prowess in the field. As a wholly owned subsidiary of EGL, Total Air Pollution Control (TAPC), is a leading Australian solutions provider of complex gas offtake systems that reduce harmful gases, particulate matter and odour emissions into the environment. This is achieved through the development of effective and energy-efficient industrial air pollution control technologies. These technologies include a world-class range of emission control units, such as electrostatic precipitators, bag filters, thermal oxidisers, flue gas desulphurisation and wet and dry scrubbers used across medium to heavy industries. With a portfolio of over 800 clients across Asia Pacific, in the area of wet scrubbing alone, TAPC and EGL have established over 210 plants across a variety of industries. Most recently, this segment of EGL is undergoing significant activity after securing a contract for the design and supply of emissions control systems with FLSmidth Pty Ltd for a lithium refinery to be built in Kwinana, Western Australia.
Common to all aspects of EGL’s operations is its robust partnerships that are paving new ground in the industry. It is the success of these ongoing ventures and valued relationships that will continue to define the company’s successes for the years to come. Presently, EGL’s greatest priority concerns the successful completion of the PFAS trial – an objective that, once completed, will reshape the future of water treatment and lead to significant opportunities for the company. Aside from this, with such a diverse array of solutions and services, consolidating the collective EGL mission and objective represents a key area of focus for the years ahead. “We intend to continue building a strong culture to form one EGL,” Dixon concludes.
Within this, TPAC has designed a state-of-the-art emissions control system leveraging gas scrubbers to reduce the plant’s environmental impact by treating off-gas generated by the acid roast kiln within the refinery. Critically, this will enable the plant to meet stringent air emission limits. “After working for months to design a unique technical solution, our engineering team should be very proud; they have been able to achieve a world class solution for the project. TAPC has again been able to prove it is a leader in designing gas treatment systems that protect our environment,” Dixon states proudly. With progress already underway, the design, supply, and commissioning of the plant is due for completion by the first quarter of FY2023.
Telephone: 03 9763 6711 admin@egl.com.au www.environmental.com.au
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EGL - THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP LIMITED Level 1, 10 Ferntree Place Notting Hill VIC 3168 Telephone: 03 9763 6711 admin@egl.com.au www.environmental.com.au PRODUCED BY APAC OUTLOOK MAGAZINE