The Australian Aluminium Council has welcomed the federal government’s $750 million investment in green metals technologies, including aluminium and alumina, under the Innovation Fund managed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The funding aims to support the transition to low-emission technologies in the alumina sector, which is vital to reducing carbon footprints and maintaining Australia’s global leadership in the industry, the council said in a news release.
The council highlighted the significance of this investment for Australia’s alumina industry, which it claims is the world’s second-largest producer and largest exporter.
Decarbonising this sector requires financial support to mitigate technological risks and accelerate innovation.
CEO Marghanita Johnson noted that Australia’s deep technical expertise in bauxite mining and alumina refining benefits both domestic and global markets.
“To implement these innovations at scale, we need support to overcome technical, commercial, and market challenges,” she said.
The Council has reiterated its call for bauxite, alumina, and aluminium to be included in Australia’s Critical Minerals list to align with key trading partners and secure Australia’s role in the global supply chain.
“[The] investment supports the innovative technologies being developed by Australians, reinforcing our industry’s critical role in Australia’s future,” Johnson said.
Operating since 1955, Australia’s aluminium industry is a top manufacturing export, contributing significantly to the economy.
