Soon to be celebrating its 50th anniversary, Australian-owned Vital Chemical continues to focus on developing environmentally and sustainably sound products and services to address a range of industrial challenges, including erosion and dust control.
Vital Chemical is a supplier to major Queensland infrastructure projects, including civil and construction developments, helping them achieve sustainability outcomes, environmental compliance, cost savings, and operational efficiencies.
The company is at the forefront of research, formulation, manufacturing, and the supply of environmentally sound solutions to help clients address unique challenges and a wide array of geographic, climatic, and built-environment factors.
The Brisbane-headquartered business has successfully partnered with industry-leading contractors utilising its solutions, including for the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, the largest road infrastructure program Queensland has ever seen.
Vital has its own research and development department of dedicated scientists and testing laboratories, and all products are third-party tested and independently verified to ensure they are market-ready and free from harmful toxins, including Polyacrylamides, prior to release.
“Our focus is on developing and providing environmentally sound products and services that deliver proven efficacy and cost effectiveness, while prioritising safety for humans, flora, and fauna in the areas of application,” Paul McMullen, Director of Vital Chemical says.
“Our partnerships underscore Vital’s vision of creating safer, cleaner, and more sustainable work environments worldwide.
“With the world’s eyes on Queensland and Australia ahead of the 2032 Games, we will look to continue our innovative product developments and remain committed to sustainability through environmental stewardship, social responsibility, cultural connection, and delivering economic benefits.”
The Bruce Highway Upgrade program
The company was selected following a robust evaluation process to identify best value, whole-of-life revegetation solutions for the Caloundra Highway to Sunshine Motorway (CR2SM) six-lane upgrade.
Works on this project included major upgrades to both interchanges and a new two-way service road for local traffic between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive.
In addition, the CR2SM project required that the selected revegetation solution be incorporated into a complex, staged works program.
Environmental management considerations were critical to ensure that environments were protected and legislative discharge standards were consistently met.
Vital’s VE Gro-Matt was chosen as the revegetation solution.
Manufactured from sustainably sourced Australian timbers, VE Gro-Matt delivered a custom seed specification to ensure the application integrated seamlessly into the existing environment.
The turnkey revegetation works package delivered by Vital Chemical, comprising VE Gro-Matt product and installation, supported the sustainable procurement objectives of the CR2SM project.
The CR2SM project reused site water to minimise potable water use across vegetation watering programs.
VE Gro-Matt provided ideal growing conditions, delivering immediate stabilisation while establishing a sustainable growth medium.
Short-term surface stabilisation
As part of a South East Queensland urban development project, Vital Chemical was engaged to deliver a short-term erosion and dust control solution to reduce the risk of sediment mobilisation from the exposed site.
The region had strict council regulations requiring the client to source an efficient, effective solution that met the project’s environmental compliance criteria.
The location was known for its highly dispersive soils, which are prone to erosion when disturbed and are easily mobilised by rainfall or wind events.
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The application of Vital Bon-Matt P47-VR1 met the expectations of both the client and the local council, delivering an efficient and cost-effective solution that ensured compliance with erosion and sediment control requirements.
Designed for non-trafficked areas, Vital Bon-Matt P47-VR1 is an inert, environmentally sound formulation offering cost-effective, instant, and sustainable surface stabilisation for civil and mining broadacre, stockpiles, and residential developments.
Its non-toxic formulation cured instantly, preventing sediment mobilisation into nearby drainage networks, business precincts and residential spaces.
Sustainable haul road management
The Adelaide Brighton Cement site in Birkenhead, South Australia, presented a serious challenge in reducing the amount of water used to control dust generated by unsealed traffic surfaces.
Legacy road dust mitigation operations were drawing approximately 200,000 litres of water per week at peak times to manage dust generation from unsealed trafficked surfaces at the site.
Vital Bon-Matt HR was trialled throughout the Adelaide Brighton Cement site on unconsolidated trafficked surfaces and loading areas.
The Sustainable Haul Road Management Program consisted of twice-weekly applications of Vital Bon-Matt HR.
Vital Bon-Matt HR is an environmentally sound, concentrated liquid formulation that is diluted with water before application.
Formulated to greatly reduce erosion from wind, water, and traffic, Vital Bon-Matt HR is a highly effective solution when strong binding and durable surface conditions are required.
Among a raft of key sustainability outcomes, including a decrease in visible dust lift-off and significant stabilisation, an estimated 90 per cent water saving was achieved for dust suppression.
Ready to use
Vital has just launched its own ‘Ready to Use’ range of products, specifically formulated to deliver instant results with minimal effort.
Vital Bon-Matt P47-VR1, Vital Bon-Matt Stonewall, and Vital Bon-Matt HR are now available in Ready to Use formulation, saving time, reducing costs, and delivering consistent results without the complexity of adding water and mixing.
By eliminating the need to travel to water sources for mixing, fuel consumption is reduced, and valuable on-site time is saved.
“Our Ready to Use range is about efficiency and reliability,” McMullen says.
“We’re seeing real challenges across some sectors in sourcing water onsite at an economical price point.”
This article was originally published in the May edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
