When Transmutation teams up with a tech-savvy innovator like Park Agility, the result is smart, sustainable and anything but ordinary.
Turning hard-to-recycle plastics and waste into high-value consumer goods, Transmutation is no stranger to innovation or ambitious ideas. The South Australian company continues to evolve through a mix of research, development and creative thinking, with collaboration playing a central role.
From large-scale manufacturers to artisan makers, Transmutation’s network thrives on strong, trusted relationships. That spirit of connection recently sparked a new partnership with parking guidance technology provider Park Agility.
According to founder Brad Scott, the link came through Second Sphere Partners, a Sydney-based group that helps businesses raise capital, refine strategy and scale impact.
“Someone at Second Sphere knew one of the owners at Park Agility and saw potential synergies between our companies,” says Scott. “They introduced us, and that’s how the relationship began.”
Park Agility, known for its car park technology, was seeking a better solution for its vehicle sensors. The company had been using generic wheel stops, retrofitting them to house its proprietary technology. While the approach was effective, it left room for improvement, particularly in its mission to support ‘faster, smarter and greener’ outcomes.
Transmutation responded with a purpose-built solution: a stronger, sleeker wheel stop made entirely from recycled plastic. The design allows Park Agility’s technology to simply clip in, eliminating the need for retrofitting.
Made with Transmutation’s trademarked PostPrime plastic, the wheel stop has a 70 per cent lower carbon footprint than if it were made from virgin plastic. It is currently undergoing a life cycle analysis, which is expected to confirm it as the most environmentally friendly plastic wheel stop in Australia.
“We also believe it’s the strongest plastic wheel stop available,” says Scott. “Even before considering the sustainability credentials, the economics stacked up. Once we added the environmental benefits, the case for collaboration became even stronger.”
Integrating Park Agility’s telemetry technology added layers of complexity, calling for fresh thinking. The system relies on sensors that relay data to a central platform. These sensors must be shielded from the daily wear and tear of cars driving over them.
That meant the wheel stop needed to do more than stop wheels. It had to protect the technology while standing up to the rigours of high-traffic car parks. But with its network of trusted collaborators, Transmutation was up for the task.
“We have support from Wasson Engineering Plastics in Sydney, who are moulding the product for us, and Elemental Manufacturing, who specialise in mould design,” says Scott. “Their input was crucial in helping us develop something truly innovative, a first for Australia and possibly beyond.”
The result? A high-impact recycled plastic wheel stop that bridges the gap between traditional rubber models, known for their strength but not their finesse, and cheaper plastic versions that often fail under pressure.
“Our wheel stop is different,” says Scott. “It is purpose-built, incredibly tough and engineered to house technology. You would struggle to break it.”
Most plastic wheel stops rely on a simple outer shell with minimal internal support. Transmutation’s design takes a different route, packed with robust, multidirectional ribbing made to handle repeated impact from all angles, especially the force of tyres rolling and pushing against it.
This ribbing is not brittle. It is designed to absorb and disperse shock throughout the body of the product, rather than crack or snap under pressure. Rounded transitions replace sharp right angles, helping to spread stress more evenly and improve durability over time.
“That shock-absorbing quality is a big part of what makes it so strong,” says Scott. “The level of structural thinking that’s gone into this is something we’re proud of. It is a major step forward compared to what is typically on the market.”
Equally important to Transmutation and Park Agility was ensuring the wheel stop came with both an EPD and a full LCA, key components in the company’s commitment to verified sustainability. For Transmutation, it is not just about making environmentally friendly products; it is about backing them with data that speaks clearly. This kind of detail is valuable for clients tracking Scope 3 emissions.
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“The EPD and LCA provide confidence through transparency, with clear, measurable data on the carbon embedded in the product,” says Scott. “It eliminates greenwashing by ensuring full traceability from the outset.”
From first discussions to recent mould trials, the development process has taken around 12 months, a collaborative journey that moved from initial sketches to a finished product now entering production.
Although the wheel stop was designed for Park Agility’s technology, its potential reaches further. Transmutation plans to offer the casing as a standalone product – a high-performance, heavy-duty plastic wheel stop that meets industry standards without the embedded technology.
Park Agility will retain the integrated version, combining its proprietary telemetry with Transmutation’s purpose-built housing. For both companies, the result is a smarter, more durable and environmentally sound solution.
“This project reinforces Transmutation’s strength in delivering tailored solutions. It shows we can respond to specific needs, not just in terms of sustainability, but through smart, collaborative design,” says Scott.
“The final outcome is a clear step forward, combining structural integrity, thoughtful design and embedded intelligence in a way that improves on everything that came before.”
The wheel stop is now set to be installed in the car park of a major development in Western Sydney, with project details to be announced soon.
“Its use on a high-profile infrastructure project shows that recycled plastic can hold its own, even in demanding construction applications,” says Scott. “It is real-world proof that circular solutions can meet commercial standards.”
During the mould trials, the recycled material even outshone expectations.
“It actually outperformed prime plastic in both appearance and performance,” says Scott. “The moulding company noted a more matte, premium finish, better stiffness and less warping. They were genuinely surprised.”
That reaction, particularly from seasoned moulders, is an early vote of confidence. It challenges outdated assumptions about recycled materials and shows what is possible when material innovation meets savvy design.
For Scott, the achievement all circles back to collaboration. Transmutation’s network of partners, combined with its manufacturing agility, was key to taking the concept from idea to scalable product.
“That network is part of our DNA,” says Scott. “We have strong, personal relationships with our collaborators and that gives us an edge. Someone brings us a bespoke challenge, and we know who to call to help make it happen.”
The partnership with Park Agility has already sparked interest in future projects and set an example for how sustainability can be embedded in construction, not just as a concept, but as a commercial reality. It proves that recycled materials can meet high-spec construction standards, and that greener alternatives can deliver long-term value.
It also highlights Transmutation’s unique position in the market, able to scale up for industrial manufacturing while still delivering on bespoke, design-led briefs.
“The real strength,” says Scott, “is that we can slot into the supply chains of large companies with structured procurement, but also help them diversify, develop new products and bring new ideas to life.”
As Scott puts it, “It is the best of both worlds.”
Transmutation can replace traditional products, support onshoring with Australian-made, sustainable alternatives, and open doors to new product possibilities many companies have been waiting to explore.
“That puts us in a strong position as ESG and sustainability continue to gain momentum,” says Scott. “But it is also about innovation. We can turn a broad range of materials and ideas into viable products.”
Beyond the wheel stops, Scott points to Transmutation’s limestone bricks – recently featured in Inside Construction – as a sign of what is to come.
Transmutation is not just working with recycled materials, but rethinking how construction products are made, backed by partnerships, performance and a creative approach to crafting better, more sustainable solutions.