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Read the latest news from the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology
UNSW SMaRT Centre Director Prof Veena will speak at the free Futurebuild Australia Conference on 13 June 2026.
She will join other experts for a discussion around "Materials for Real World Builds: The Materials Defining Australia’s Low-Carbon Future".
Veena's talk will highlight that using recycling innovations such as UNSW SMaRT Centre's MICROfactorieTM Technologies and its Green SteelTM Polymer Injection Technology that recover valuable materials from waste and reform them into new manufacturing feedstock and products are central to help achieve materials sustainability and for the energy system needed for the future.
Veena will also highlight SMaRT's work on researching solutions for materials resource recovery using innovative and collaborative opportunities are crucial to help create circular economies while enhancing sovereign capability and reducing reliance on vulnerable global supply chains, as we highlight here in a new article.
Event website and registration
Event host says:
The construction sector is under increasing pressure to cut carbon, reduce waste, and deliver healthier buildings – without compromising durability or commercial viability. So what materials are truly reshaping Australia’s built environment? This session explores the next generation of eco-friendly building solutions gaining momentum across the country. We’ll unpack the performance and health benefits of low-VOC materials, and discuss how regulation, market demand, and innovation are accelerating adoption. If you’re an architect, builder, developer or supplier looking to future-proof your projects and stay ahead of sustainability expectations, this is your roadmap to building smarter, healthier and greener.
NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard welcomes Futurebuild Australia, says: "“This event comes at a time when the building industry across NSW and Australia is busier than ever. We have strong population growth, a large pipeline of projects, and increasing pressure to deliver buildings that are safe, durable and fit for purpose.
In this environment, getting the fundamentals right really matters. Clear regulatory compliance, appropriate product selection, and robust design, certification and construction practices are essential to maintaining confidence for clients, occupants and the wider community.
Government has an important role in setting expectations and enforcing standards, but regulation alone isn’t enough. Good outcomes depend on the capability of the industry itself – on skilled professionals, reliable systems, and a shared commitment to quality at every stage of a project.
That’s why events like Futurebuild Australia are so valuable. They bring together the people who make real decisions every day – designers, engineers, builders, developers and suppliers. When the whole supply chain works together, projects are easier to deliver well, and problems are less likely to arise later.
As we continue to build at scale, the challenge is not just building more, but building better. That means designs that can be built properly, products that perform as expected, and clear responsibility from start to finish.
I encourage you to use this event to share ideas, learn from each other, and consider how we can keep lifting the standard of building across our industry.”