From mining and agriculture to ports and manufacturing, Australia’s bulk handling industry is facing unprecedented change. BULK2026 will bring the sector together to tackle challenges, share innovation, and turn ideas into action.
For an industry that moves mountains of material every week – grain, ore, cement, fertiliser, sand, and powders – the pressures of 2025 have created both constraint and opportunity.
Across mining, agriculture, ports, and construction, Australia’s bulk solids handling sector continues to be the backbone of national industry, keeping raw materials flowing through the supply chain. Yet operators are contending with mounting headwinds – rising input costs, tighter safety and environmental rules, port congestion, and the accelerating march of automation and artificial intelligence.
At the same time, sustained infrastructure investment and the next generation of bulk terminals signal long-term optimism. Upgrades are taking place nationwide, with operators improving throughput capacity, modernising silos and conveyors, and embracing energy-efficient systems.
It’s within this dynamic landscape that the Bulk Handling Technical Conference and Expo (BULK2026) will take place on 16–17 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – uniting engineers, operators, researchers, and decision-makers from across the bulk handling spectrum to collaborate, learn, and connect.
A platform for progress
Under the banner of Infrastructure investment and supply chain resilience, the BULK2026 technical program will explore scalable, sustainable solutions designed to enhance the reliability and efficiency of bulk material movement.
The conference will highlight technologies and strategies that reinforce Australia’s infrastructure pipeline and sovereign capability – from mine to port, farm to factory. Delegates will gain insights into the latest research and applied engineering shaping the nation’s bulk handling future.
“From flow challenges to dust control, every part of the supply chain is evolving,” says Prime Creative Media Marketing Coordinator – Events, Tiarna Condren. “The industry’s next big breakthroughs will come from collaboration, and BULK2026 is where that collaboration begins.”
Sessions on Sustainable operations and emissions reduction will showcase clean technologies and low-emission plant design, exploring how energy-efficient drives, advanced dust control systems, and optimised material flow are helping operators meet national net-zero targets.
In Innovation in automation and digitalisation, the spotlight will fall on intelligent systems – including robotics, digital twins, IIoT platforms, and predictive maintenance tools that are reshaping plant performance and safety.
Meanwhile, the Food security and agricultural productivity stream will explore technologies driving resilience across Australia’s grain, fertiliser, and feed supply chains – helping operators lift quality, reduce loss, and maintain efficiency through peak seasons.
A key focus on Skills development and workforce safety will address how the sector can attract, train, and retain talent amid rapid technological change, with sessions developed in partnership with leading universities and training providers.
An industry united
Australia’s bulk handling industry may be vast and diverse, but its core challenges are shared. Whether handling coal, grain, or aggregate, operators depend on reliable, efficient systems – conveyors, hoppers, silos, drives, and weighing systems – to keep materials moving and the economy powering forward.
“BULK2026 is designed to give suppliers direct access to the industry’s most influential decision-makers,” says Siobhan Rocks, General Manager – Events at Prime Creative Media. “It’s about forging connections that lead to real business opportunities. This, coupled with our technical conference, will leave attendees with real-world knowledge they can apply to boost safety, efficiency, and performance in their operations.”
The event’s exhibition floor will be a showcase of the latest equipment and innovations – from dust control and flow management systems to container tipplers, shiploaders, and motors. Exhibitors will engage directly with engineers, operators, and procurement professionals actively seeking solutions to shared challenges.
Past exhibitors have reported clear returns on investment, with quality leads translating into follow-up meetings, new contracts, and lasting commercial relationships. The event attracts a highly targeted audience of motivated buyers, making it a cornerstone opportunity for suppliers in the bulk handling value chain.
Connecting research with reality
One of BULK2026’s defining features is its technical depth. Curated by the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling (ASBSH), the conference program bridges academic research with industry application, tackling the mechanics that underpin every aspect of bulk materials handling.
Key themes include the flow properties and behaviour of bulk materials, the design and optimisation of bins, hoppers, and storage systems, as well as the latest developments in pneumatic and mechanical conveying. Topics such as wear management, process optimisation, and advanced simulation modelling will feature prominently, supported by real-world case studies from sectors including mining, agriculture, ports, and manufacturing.
This balance of theory and field experience ensures delegates leave with insights they can immediately apply to their own operations – improving safety, reliability, and performance across plant systems.
Building resilience and readiness
The Australian bulk handling industry is adapting to a period of transformation. Recent bumper harvests have kept terminal operators and grain handlers working at capacity, while global shipping constraints have intensified pressure across landside logistics. Operators have responded with tactical measures such as mobile shiploaders and expanded berth handling to reduce queues and maintain export flow.
As these pressures persist, the emphasis is shifting toward long-term solutions – automation, predictive maintenance, data-driven operations, and sustainability initiatives that strengthen supply chain resilience. BULK2026 provides the forum to share those strategies and see them in action.
The event’s Networking and celebration program will offer a range of opportunities for collaboration, including the Australian Bulk Handling Awards – the nation’s only dedicated awards program recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership in the field.
“Despite the pressures of cost, compliance, and capacity, the industry continues to innovate,” Condren adds. “BULK2026 isn’t just a showcase – it’s a springboard for that innovation. It’s where knowledge meets opportunity.”
Why attend BULK2026
Two full days of conference sessions, workshops, and technical presentations curated by ASBSH.
Exhibition showcase featuring the latest in conveyors, drives, hoppers, silos, weighing systems, motors, and dust control technologies.
Networking events connecting engineers, operators, and executives from across mining, agriculture, ports, and manufacturing.
Australian Bulk Handling Awards, celebrating excellence and innovation across the sector.
Join the movement
In an industry under growing pressure to cut emissions, control dust, improve flow, and boost reliability, BULK2026 offers a rare opportunity to align expertise, equipment, and opportunity under one roof.
It’s where ideas are tested, solutions are found, and introductions turn into contracts. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Australia’s only event dedicated to the bulk handling sector.
