Green Waste To Fuel Industry In New Business Expansion
Northern Territory start-up Environmental Keystones has been awarded the first investment by the Territory Infrastructure Loans program to construct, fit out and operate a cutting-edge pyrolysis plant in Wishart.
Pyrolysis is the process of thermally degrading organic materials at elevated temperatures, and Environmental Keystones, in partnership with Pyrochar Pty Ltd, has commercialised CSIRO-developed technology to do so.
The facility, which will be the first of its kind in the Territory, and the only one in Australia using CSIRO technology, will be capable of processing up to 50,000 tonnes each year of waste such as grass and shrub clippings, branches, woodchips, and palm fronds.
The plant will then convert the green waste into commodities including:
Bio-char which can be used in agriculture as fertiliser, as well as in water and air filtration systems. Bio-oil which can be used as fuels, in refineries and bunker oils for ships. Syngas which is used in industrial processes, for synthetic natural gas and sustainable aviation gas production. Fertiliser and other high value carbon biproduct goods are on Environmental Keystones’ road map over the next 3 years.
The $8 million project has been made possible through a $5.59 million concessional loan from the Territory Infrastructure Loans program, funded by the Australian Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) and the CLP Government.
This project is also supported by CSIRO and Pyrochar and will be the first of its kind in Australia, pioneering new advancements in the industry.
Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill said: “The Northern Territory Government, in partnership with NAIF, is proud to support Environmental Keystones as it develops a new solution to manage and repurpose green waste. “
“We look forward to continuing to work with the team as they progress the project, which is building industry capability, and creating brand new jobs for Territorians,” she said.
The aim of the loan program is to elevate businesses looking to deliver small-scale Territory projects that expand infrastructure and improve outcomes, including for Indigenous Territorians.
It’s anticipated that Environmental Keystones will create 30 new jobs during construction of the plant, and a further 12 full time positions during operations.
https://nt.gov.au/