Protecting the bulk handling chain
From flow control to large-scale storage infrastructure, BULK2026 will shine a light on the technologies helping operators protect productivity, safety and material integrity.
As bulk handling systems grow larger and more complex, the sector’s focus is shifting beyond simple throughput and efficiency.
Operators are increasingly being challenged to manage a broader range of operational risks, from combustible dust and unstable material flow to storage infrastructure performance and environmental containment.
These evolving priorities are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Bulk Handling Technical Conference and Expo (BULK2026), to be held in Melbourne from September 16–17.
The event’s conference program emphasises the technologies and engineering approaches helping sites improve safety, reliability and operational stability across the bulk handling chain. Curated in partnership with the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling (ASBSH), the program is designed around practical operational challenges affecting mining, ports, processing plants and heavy industry.
“We didn’t want a program that just talks at people,” Prime Creative Media head of marketing – events Molly Hancock said.
“We wanted to put together a conference that gets into the details of what’s actually going wrong on site and what’s working to fix it.”
This practical focus is reflected throughout the program, particularly in sessions addressing dust management, storage behaviour, infrastructure performance and system reliability.
One of the major operational risks facing bulk handling facilities remains combustible dust. In enclosed transfer points, terminals and processing systems, a single ignition event can rapidly escalate into a major operational and safety incident.
Speaking at the conference, Australian industrial engineering and equipment company HMA Group will delve into the importance of dust explosion protection for bulk handling terminals, addressed by products such as its BS&B explosion-suppression and isolation systems.
Designed to detect and suppress explosions before they can propagate through connected systems, this technology is engineered to protect equipment such as conveyors, bucket elevators, silos and dust collectors, helping operators reduce downtime while improving plant safety and operational continuity.
Beyond dust hazards, the program will also examine the unpredictable nature of bulk material behaviour during storage and reclaim.
Maintaining consistent discharge rates continues to challenge operators handling difficult bulk solids, particularly where issues such as arching, rat-holing and uneven loading conditions can impact downstream systems and production efficiency.
Syntechtron, an Australian engineering company that specialises vibratory material handling equipment, will contribute insights into managing these challenges through engineered storage and discharge solutions designed to improve material flow consistency and reduce instability during reclaim operations.
Its technologies focus on controlling bulk solid behaviour during storage and discharge, helping operators minimise blockages, uneven flow and operational interruptions across handling systems.
Storage infrastructure itself is also becoming an increasingly important operational consideration, particularly as sites seek to improve environmental performance while protecting valuable stockpiles from exposure to moisture, wind and contamination.
Global engineering company Geometrica will showcase its large-span dome storage solutions, which are being adopted globally across mining and bulk commodity industries for enclosed storage applications. Designed without internal support columns, the domes maximise usable storage capacity while supporting material protection, dust containment and improved reclaim operations.
“We wanted the conference to focus on ideas that people can take straight back to site,” Hancock said.
“From practical safety solutions to advanced storage and monitoring technologies, the program reflects what operators are prioritising right now.”
These themes sit alongside a broader conference agenda examining conveyors, mechanical handling, simulation tools, monitoring technologies and infrastructure performance.
Sessions from organisations including Worley, KOCH Solutions, TUNRA Bulk Solids, Luna Innovations and the University of Wollongong will further explore the technologies reshaping modern bulk handling operations.
By bringing together engineers, operators and solution providers, BULK2026 continues to position itself as a key technical forum for the bulk handling sector, supporting collaboration and knowledge sharing across the industry.
As mining and industrial operations continue to rely on bulk handling systems as the backbone of productivity and site performance, the ability to improve safety, reliability and material control is becoming increasingly critical.