The NSW Government announced that four of the State’s top emitting manufacturers would receive support in their transition to low-carbon facilities.
The announcement came following the signing of landmark partnership agreements with the State Government to prepare for significant emissions reductions in heavy industries.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean stated that the companies include chemical manufacturer Orica, metal manufacturer Tomago Aluminium, cement producer Boral, and starch manufacturer Manildra Group.
“We are working with industry to transform NSW into an innovative, thriving low carbon economy. Accelerating the deployment of deep decarbonisation technology will help industry prosper in a net zero economy and open up new markets for NSW-made products,” Minister Kean said.
According to Minister Kean, the studies focus on how NSW can use cutting-edge technologies such as green hydrogen in cement manufacturing and renewable energy in aluminium smelting.
“These facilities combined emit more than 10 million tonnes of carbon every year, equivalent to the emissions of more than 3.5 million cars. Helping them slash emissions is critical to the success of reaching our targets of 70% emissions reduction by 2035 and net zero by 2050,” Minister Kean added.
According to the Commonwealth’s planned safeguard mechanism amendments, most of these enterprises will be required to reduce their emissions by 4.9% annually until 2030. The findings of the studies will not only assist companies in meeting their safeguard duties at the lowest possible cost but will also allow them to go even further in reducing emissions.
The combined funding of $855,000 comes from the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program’s Transformative Industry Projects stream. Grants will be at least matched by contributions from each of the four firms, after which companies can request for additional assistance in adopting new technology.
