The Bulk Handling Expo made a strong return to Melbourne as key industry figures and sellers gathered together to see the latest innovations in the industry.
With its return to Melbourne, the Australian Bulk Handling Expo (BULK) took in the industry’s latest trends and innovations.
Key industry figures, suppliers, and exhibitors descended on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the two-day event. BULK2024 was held in conjunction with MEGATRANS, and attendees saw the latest products from the bulk handling and logistics industry.
Exhibitors welcomed visitors as the doors opened on day one and demonstrated the latest innovations from their businesses. Many stands showcased the future of automation, data, and technology within these industries, which are increasingly important in both interests.
This allowed businesses to meet new and existing clients from across Australia.
“We’ve had some people come that we hadn’t talked to before, and they’ve taken the time to explain what they do as well, so it has been quite good,” said Priscilla Grassi Freire business development engineer from TUNRA Bulk Solids.
“We’ve been part of the bulk handling review magazine for many years, so when we found out they were working on a conference and exhibition, we thought we should be part of it.
“It is the only expo in the bulk handling sector; everything else will be industry specific like mining conferences or grain conferences, and this is the only truly bulk handling focused expo.”
As part of the event’s conference program, attendees were treated to a series of keynotes and discussions. The program kicked off with an insightful discussion on the power of an interconnected supply chain and how businesses could best harness its power.
Further discussions included how to create a sustainable fleet and the future of fleet management in these industries. The panel of industry experts discussed the challenges and considerations for these areas and those attached to cutting-edge technologies like battery electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles.
After lunch, the focus turned to the importance of collaborating and innovating to decarbonise international shipping and transport. ANL & CMA CGM Oceania managing director Shane Walden led a panel discussion with industry figures about their current and future plans to meet their net-zero commitments by 2050.
The rest of the afternoon saw further discussions about achieving sustainability and safety within the supply chain. Lee Williams, principal engineer from Linear Engineering, and Richard Hughes, assets and engineering manager at Sugar Terminals, discussed the key issues to consider when upgrading existing port facilities to handle other products.
A five-person panel closed out the first day of conference events. The panel discussed the reliable processes and methodologies essential for designing and optimising bulk material handling equipment. Chaired by Professor Craig Wheeler from the University of Newcastle, the panel included representatives from LEAP Australia, BMEA and TUNRA Bulk Solids.
The celebrations continued as the exhibition closed on day one, and the Gala Dinner for both industries took centre stage. The Australian Bulk Handling Awards and The MHD Mercury Awards were held in conjunction with a full house of personalities from both sectors.
Day two opened as attendees continued to stream through the doors and watch exhibitors’ live demonstrations.
Some took a novel approach to demonstrating their solutions, like TUNRA Bulk Solids, which used M&Ms to showcase its calibration box. While in real life they would simulate the actual bulk material, such as iron ore, bauxite, or grains, the M&Ms showed how the calibration box is used to calibrate discrete element method models.
Other exhibitors, like Kinder Australia, brought out some of their most popular products used by customers in the Australian bulk handling industry.
Kinder Australia showcased two conveyor demonstrations and its dust scrape unit. The unit fixes on a transfer point and mitigates dust emissions around the transfer and skirting area.
“[Attending the Bulk Expo] is something Kinder has always done, because the industry has always supported us and we’ve always supported the industry,” said Sam Veal, sales and marketing manager at Kinder Australia.
“[The highlight] has been meeting some key partners both globally and locally.”
As the keynotes concluded at the end of day two, attention will turn to 2026 when the Bulk Expo will return to celebrate the best of this vast industry.