Kinder Australia has been named the winner of the Dust & Spillage Control Award at the 2026 Australian Bulk Handling Awards. The award recognised the company’s Essential Airscrape Seal Dust Containment Combination System, installed on the conveyor equipment of a major brick manufacturer in Queensland.
The project demonstrates how an integrated dust and material containment solution can significantly improve safety, housekeeping and operational efficiency in the bulk materials handling industry.
Significant improvements in day-to-day operations
Before the installation, the site was experiencing substantial dust and spillage issues across four apron belt feeders. Material loss, dust accumulation and the resulting clean-up requirements affected operational efficiency and increased exposure to workplace hazards.
The results following installation were immediate and measurable:
- 100% reduction in spillage
- 98% reduction in airborne dust
- 90% reduction in clean-up time
- Clean-up reduced from two hours per day to one hour per week
- Improved air quality and workplace safety
- Reduced wear and maintenance requirements
- More raw material available for production
The project not only eliminated material loss, but also released valuable time for more important maintenance and production activities.
An integrated solution for dust and material containment
The Essential Airscrape Seal Dust Containment Combination System combines several complementary technologies:
- AirScrape®: A contact-free side seal that contains dust at the transfer point, eliminates skirt friction and protects the conveyor belt and adjacent components.
- DustScrape: Captures airborne dust between the transfer chute and the return side, directing it back into the material stream before it escapes.
- K-Containment® Seal: A highly wear-resistant primary seal that provides the first line of defence against dust and material loss.
- K-Sure® Belt Support System: Stabilises the conveyor belt and prevents sagging, helping to reduce spillage.
- TailScrape: Contains material at the tail end of the conveyor and prevents material loss.
The modular design enables systematic sealing and material control along the critical conveyor path. The solution requires no water, can be installed efficiently and helps reduce ongoing maintenance requirements.
Fast installation with minimal disruption
The project was implemented in Brisbane, Queensland, on conveyors handling clay, the raw material used in brick manufacturing. The system was installed on 750-millimetre-wide belts operating at a speed of one metre per second.
Convenient access to the conveyor system allowed the installation to be completed by just two people, with minimal disruption to plant operations.
Improved safety, sustainability and efficiency
The reduction in airborne dust significantly lowers personnel exposure to dust-related hazards and improves working conditions. At the same time, fugitive dust emissions throughout the facility are reduced and overall housekeeping is improved.
The contact-free design also reduces wear on critical components. This helps extend equipment life, reduce maintenance requirements and improve equipment availability.
For Kinder Australia, the award confirms the value of practical, partnership-based solutions developed around real customer challenges. Charles Pratt, CEO of Kinder Australia, highlighted the role that innovative dust-control technology can play in creating safer workplaces, lowering emissions and supporting more sustainable operations across Australian industry.
A success achieved by the entire team
Winning the Dust & Spillage Control Award is not only recognition for an individual product. It also acknowledges the collaboration of everyone involved in the project. From planning and technical implementation to supporting the customer’s ongoing operations, the entire team contributed to the measurable result.
With the Essential AIR Seal Dust Containment Combination System, Kinder Australia demonstrates how dust control, material containment and operational efficiency can be combined in one integrated solution.
