--- title: And the winners of the 2026 EC Innovation Awards are… description: Discover the winners of the 2026 EC Innovation Awards, showcasing groundbreaking solutions that enhance safety and efficiency in construction projects. image: https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hubfs/And%20the%20winners%20of%20the%202026%20EC%20Innovation%20Awards%20are...-1.png --- [![Monadelphous](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg?width=300&height=38&name=Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg "Monadelphous")](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/) - News - [Around the Sites](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/around-the-sites) - [In the Loop](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/in-the-loop) - [On the Hook](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-hook) - [On the Wire](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-wire) - [Ramp Up](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/ramp-up) - [The Fix](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/the-fix) - [The Pipeline](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/the-pipeline) - [Jobs with us](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/jobs-with-us) - [Benefits](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/benefits) - [Contact us](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/contact-us) [![Monadelphous](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg?width=300&height=38&name=Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg "Monadelphous")](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/) [![Monadelphous](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg?width=300&height=38&name=Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg "Monadelphous")](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/) - News - [Around the Sites](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/around-the-sites) - [In the Loop](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/in-the-loop) - [On the Hook](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-hook) - [On the Wire](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-wire) - [Ramp Up](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/ramp-up) - [The Fix](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/the-fix) - [The Pipeline](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/the-pipeline) - [Jobs with us](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/jobs-with-us) - [Benefits](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/benefits) - [Contact us](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/contact-us) [![Monadelphous](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg?width=300&height=38&name=Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg "Monadelphous")](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/) - News - [Around the Sites](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/around-the-sites) - [In the Loop](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/in-the-loop) - [On the Hook](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-hook) - [On the Wire](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-wire) - [Ramp Up](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/ramp-up) - [The Fix](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/the-fix) - [The Pipeline](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/the-pipeline) - [Jobs with us](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/jobs-with-us) - [Benefits](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/benefits) - [Contact us](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/contact-us) # And the winners of the 2026 EC Innovation Awards are… [Innovation](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-wire/tag/innovation) 6 Nov 2026 2 Minute Read Innovative solutions and our culture of continuous improvement was on full display at the recent EC Leadership Conference, where the winners of the 2026 EC Innovation Awards were announced. Held on 13 October at Mandoon Estate in Perth’s Swan Valley, the awards celebrated the people behind the ideas that are making our projects safer, smarter and more efficient. Presenting the awards, Technology and Innovation Manager Jason Cippitelli commended the outstanding innovations and the teams whose ingenuity continues to push the boundaries of what's possible. **Winner: Urea Storage Shed Wall, Project Ceres** Taking out this year's top honour was Melchor's Urea Storage Shed Wall innovation at Project Ceres. Faced with the challenge of constructing large concrete walls safely and efficiently, the team developed a mobile formwork system mounted on wheels. Rather than stripping and re-erecting formwork between concrete pours, the system could be lowered, repositioned and reused, significantly streamlining the construction process. The innovation not only improved productivity but also reduced exposure to working at heights, delivering important safety benefits for the project team. "The use of the rolling system was estimated to save six days minimum per wall, for a total of 42 days recaptured. Factoring in the saved labour hours, formwork hire and crane hire costs, this led to an estimated cost saving of $350,000," Senior Project Engineer Owen Coates said. "The Melchor team at Perdaman is very proud of the innovation and is certainly motivated to utilise similar ideas in the future on different structures and projects if the design allows for it." Congratulations to Andy Hardeman, Jack Sweeney, Owen Coates, Dan Munro, Lorrany Ferreira and Alan McSharry for their outstanding achievement. **Runner-up: Large Bore Pipe Trolley Installation System, Pluto Train 1** The runner-up award went to the Large Bore Pipe Trolley Installation System developed by the Pluto Train 1 team. Led by Kash Sheikh, Allan Aguado, Graham Leake, Sarel van der Westhuizen, Ian Hamilton and David Halcomb, with involvement from the Heavy Lift team, the innovation tackled the challenge of installing heavy stainless-steel piping within a highly constrained section of the existing plant. The solution was underpinned by a significant engineering effort, including detailed 3D modelling, purpose-built trolley design, scaffold design and development of a comprehensive installation methodology to safely interface with the existing operating plant. This collaborative approach enabled the team to carefully plan and validate the installation sequence before work commenced on site. The resulting trolley and rail system allowed large-bore pipe spools to be safely transported and accurately positioned within the structure. By eliminating the need for more complex lifting methods, the innovation improved safety, simplified installation, and increased efficiency during construction. The innovation is a great example of how engineering expertise, detailed planning and collaboration can overcome complex site challenges while delivering safer and more efficient project outcomes. **Special commendation: Pluto Train 1** The wider Pluto Train 1 team was also recognised with a special commendation for fostering an exceptional culture of innovation. Over the course of the project, the team submitted an impressive 17 innovation ideas, trials and implemented solutions, demonstrating a commitment to continually finding better ways of working. "I'm very proud of my team. We are very fortunate to have people on site who are willing to step back and reassess, hence why we have so much innovation on the site," Lead Construction Engineer, Kash Sheikh said. "To be part of a team that can do something like this and be continuously innovative, I'm very proud of that," Kash said. The recognition highlights that innovation isn't always about a single breakthrough. Sometimes, it's about creating an environment where people feel empowered to challenge conventional thinking, share ideas and continuously improve the way we work. As this year's winners demonstrated, innovation comes in many forms. Whether it's rethinking a construction methodology, developing a smarter installation process or fostering a culture where great ideas can thrive, these teams are helping shape a safer, more efficient future for our business and for our clients. If you have an idea, trial or improvement that's helping your team work safer, smarter or more efficiently, don't keep it to yourself. Submit your innovation through [MProve](https://monadelphous.crowdicity.com.au/category/78412) and go into the running for next year's EC Innovation Awards. ![And the winners of the 2026 EC Innovation Awards are...](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/And%20the%20winners%20of%20the%202026%20EC%20Innovation%20Awards%20are....png?width=600&height=338&name=And%20the%20winners%20of%20the%202026%20EC%20Innovation%20Awards%20are....png)   ## Leave a comment Previous Post A message from Damien Click Here Go to Home Page --- ![Monadelphous Logo Horizontal Red and Black (CMYK)](https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg?width=300&height=38&name=Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Communications", "url" : "https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-wire/author/communications" }, "dateModified" : "2026-11-06T04:24:04.301Z", "datePublished" : "2026-11-06T04:24:04.000Z", "headline" : "And the winners of the 2026 EC Innovation Awards are…", "image" : [ "https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hubfs/And%20the%20winners%20of%20the%202026%20EC%20Innovation%20Awards%20are...-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://news.monadelphous.com.au/on-the-wire/and-the-winners-of-the-2026-ec-innovation-awards-are-1", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://news.monadelphous.com.au/hubfs/Monadelphous%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Red%20and%20Black%20(CMYK).jpg" }, "name" : "Monadelphous" } } ```