ChemCentre led Australia in authenticating the Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) tests and modelling tools. LEAF is a collection of data management tools, which combines geochemical modelling and laboratory-based tests to help understand how industrial waste derived materials (from the resources and energy sectors) will behave in the environment in the long term, and lead to more informed decisions regarding how to manage industrial wastes and by-products.
Originally developed at the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, ChemCentre brought the LEAF technology to Australia and carried out field trials to ensure the tests are properly validated for Australian conditions.
ChemCentre is using LEAF tools to help Western Australian authorities and industry assess the environmental impact of using waste-derived materials and by-products. These materials are potentially beneficial for tackling soil amendment and other issues associated with rapid development and urbanisation of the Swan Coastal Plan.
The project is funded by the Minerals Research Institute of WA (MRIWA) and industry partners, with the backing of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
Find out more about ChemCentre's LEAF services
and related Research and Innovation projects.