Australian clean technology developer MCi Carbon will today hold a foundation ceremony for its carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) plant ‘Myrtle’, currently under construction at Orica’s Kooragang Island site.
April 10, 2024 -- Funded by a $14.6 million federal government grant, the plant is aimed at scaling up the development and demonstration of an engineering process called mineral carbonation, which transforms captured carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into building products and other valuable materials.
The technology has the potential to provide a cost-competitive solution for decarbonising hard-to-abate industries globally and contributing to the circular economy.
Orica Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Gandhi said the innovative project, which is expected to be operational by 2025, aligns with Orica’s sustainability and commercial goals.
“The energy transition requires careful planning and policy coordination between governments, regulators, energy suppliers, consumers, and the broader private sector. This ceremony today is a great example of business and government working together to drive innovation for a better tomorrow, as we transition towards a lower carbon future, together. We are proud to partner with MCi Carbon, industry, academia and the government as they scale this important technology.”
At a glance
- Company
- MCi Carbon
- Announcement
- Event
- Location
- Kooragang Island
Key figures
- Federal government grant
- $14.6 million
- Expected plant operating date
- by 2025
- Planned annual CO2 capture
- around 1,000 tonnes
- Tertiary abatement project cost
- $37 million
- Annual CO2 equivalent eliminated by abatement project
- 567,000 tonnes
People
- Sanjeev GandhiOrica Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Products and programs
The CCU plant will source its CO2 directly from Orica’s ammonia manufacturing facility, capturing around 1,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas annually. In addition to supplying the feedstock, Orica has supported the project by providing land, access to utilities, and significant technical expertise.
Partnering with MCi Carbon is the latest example of Orica’s commitment to decarbonising its operations. Recently, the company completed a $37 million project to install tertiary abatement technology on the Kooragang Island site’s three nitric acid plants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 per cent. That equates to 11 per cent of all chemical process emissions across Australia.
The tertiary abatement project will continue to eliminate 567,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from the site each year, which is equal to the emissions from 50,000 homes.
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In brief
MCi Carbon is holding a foundation ceremony for Myrtle, a carbon capture and utilisation plant under construction at Orica’s Kooragang Island site. The project, supported by a $14.6 million federal government grant, will demonstrate mineral carbonation, a process that converts captured carbon dioxide into building products and other materials. The plant is expected to begin operating by 2025 and will obtain carbon dioxide from Orica’s ammonia facility, with planned capture of around 1,000 tonnes annually. Orica is contributing land, utilities access and technical expertise. Orica CEO Sanjeev Gandhi said the project supports the company’s sustainability and commercial objectives. The release also notes Orica’s completed $37 million tertiary abatement project at the site, which it says will eliminate 567,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.
Key takeaways
- MCi Carbon is holding a foundation ceremony for its Myrtle CCU plant at Orica’s Kooragang Island site.
- A $14.6 million federal grant supports the mineral carbonation demonstration project.
- The plant is expected to operate by 2025 and capture around 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
- Orica says a separate $37 million abatement project will eliminate 567,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent yearly.
