thyssenkrupp Uhde has completed the pre-FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) phase for the Portland Renewable Fuels Project in collaboration with HAMR Energy. The project, located in Victoria, Australia, will use biomass residues and renewable electricity to produce green methanol that can be used as a low carbon liquid fuel to power shipping and aviation.
NH3 Clean Energy, Pilbara Ports Authority, and Oceania Marine Energy have established a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) in order to establish hydrogen-derived, low-emission ammonia bunkering operations at the Port of Dampier in Australia by 2030. Under the terms of the JDA, the partners will collaborate to deliver the necessary infrastructure, regulatory approvals, and commercial frameworks […]
Abu Dhabi-based nitrogen producer and distributor Fertiglobe says that it is acquiring the distribution assets of Wengfu Australia Pty Ltd. through an asset sale and purchase agreement, expanding its downstream reach and enhancing access to supplying Australian customers. Fertiglobe currently supplies around 600,000 t/a of urea to Australia, with the potential to grow supply volumes […]
The progressive closure of smelter capacity in Australia poses potential problems for acid consumers across the country.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients, the New Zealand farmer and grower co-operative, says that it has entered into consultation on a proposal to cease manufacturing of sulphuric acid and single super phosphate (SSP) at its Mount Maunganui site. The proposals envisage net job losses of 62 roles, but the intention is for the co-operative to remain onsite utilising the proximity to the port for nutrient storage and distribution, and for its national support office. Ballance would continue to manufacture phosphates at its Awarua facility in Invercargill and urea at its Kapuni facility in Taranaki. Ballance CEO Kelvin Wickham says this proposal is part of a wider process the organisation has been going through over the past year to get ahead of changes in the sector and identify future opportunities to support New Zealand farmers and growers. “In the coming years, we expect to see an increased range of products and services that more efficiently and effectively deliver essential nutrients for farmers and growers, which will result in reduced overall demand for single super phosphate from historical peak volumes,” he said. “The number of existing facilities currently making this product in New Zealand means there is an overcapacity of supply. Our current facilities at Mount Maunganui also require substantial investment to keep them operating reliably and will face increasing regulatory constraints to be able to operate heavy manufacturing into the future.”
Verdant Minerals says it has been granted two key productive mineral leases for its Ammaroo Phosphate Project by the Northern Territory government. The company says that this significant milestone advances one of the world's largest undeveloped phosphate resources, located about 220km southeast of Tennant Creek. Acting Chief Minister and Minister for Mining and Energy, Gerard Maley, stated, “This is a significant milestone in progressing a world-class resource project that will support jobs, drive investment, and strengthen the NT’s position as a leader in resource development.”
Due to an increasingly challenging market, Nyrstar will indefinitely lower production at its Hobart zinc smelter in Tasmania by around 25%. The plant’s zinc capacity is 280,000 t/a. “This decision follows a thorough and extensive review and is a direct response to deteriorating market conditions and financial losses being sustained by Nyrstar Australia,” the Trafiguraowned company said. “Nyrstar’s Australian assets continue to face significant financial challenges due to several external factors including worsening conditions in raw material markets, negative treatment charges and increased costs.”
Avenira has secured an A$7.56 million strategic investment from majority shareholder Hebang Biotechnology to progress its Wonarah phosphate project in Northern Territory. The investment, in which Hebang will acquire 1.08 billion shares priced at A$0.007 each, will boost its equity holding in Avenira to 49%. Hebang has also agreed to provide Avenira with an unsecured drawdown loan facility to be repaid on completion of the placement or after the date of the first drawdown.
Australia’s NH3 Clean Energy, formerly Hexagon Energy Materials, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pilbara Ports Authority to explore options for the loading and export of 600,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of clean ammonia from its flagship WAH2 project. The MoU is intended to establish operational arrangements and binding agreements supporting ammonia export from the project, covering ship loading for both export and bunkering customers. Ammonia would be transported from the WAH2 plant to the port of Dampier by a newbuild pipeline located in the existing infrastructure corridor and loaded onto ships at the port’s bulk liquids berth, subject to availability and commercial agreements.
The Saipem Clough Joint Venture says that it has reached a major milestone on Perdaman’s Project Ceres urea plant, with the completion of construction of the first modules. The batch has been successfully loaded out and shipped from the project’s modular fabrication facility in India to its destination in Western Australia. Once completed, the 2.3 million t/a facility will be the largest urea plant in Australia. Clough and Saipem in a 50-50 joint venture, are delivering the engineering, procurement of equipment and materials, construction, pre-commissioning and commissioning for the urea project.