Tag: Australia

Australia’s federal government has selected the Murchison Green Hydrogen project in Western Australia as one of four pilot projects under its newly launched Investor Front Door initiative, a scheme designed to streamline regulatory approvals and fast-track major projects deemed to be in the national interest, the government announced 9 April. The Murchison project, which will use wind and solar energy to produce large-scale green ammonia, is intended to serve as a model for commercial-scale green hydrogen development in Australia and to generate green export opportunities to markets in Asia and Europe. Murchison, being developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP), is expected to have a total production capacity of roughly 1.3 million t/a of green ammonia. The first phase of operations is due to begin in 2029.

Yara Australia’s Pilbara facility is expected to remain offline for around two months following a power outage at the site. The incident is understood to have damaged some systems at the facility and that repair work is now required. Initial assessments are indicating a prolonged curtailment of both ammonia and technical ammonium nitrate production.

Linde Engineering has been appointed to lead the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the WAH2 blue ammonia plant in Western Australia. This plant is expected to produce around 650,000 t/a of low carbon ammonia using natural gas feedstock and carbon capture technology. Project partner NH3 Clean Energy says that the project’s aim is not only to produce clean ammonia but to ship it as a greener commodity to Asian markets, aligning with global decarbonisation efforts, particularly for countries like Japan and South Korea that are in search of low-carbon fuel sources.

Dyno Nobel has signed a binding agreement for the sale of the Phosphate Hill plant in Australia to Ryowa II GPS Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mayfair Australia Corporation, it announced 9 March. The purchase is for a nominal A$1.00 (US$0.70), with a deferred value of up to A$100 million payable to Dyno Nobel subject to certain conditions and performance hurdles. Phosphate Hill produces around 400,000 t/a DAP and 200,000 t/a MAP.

Pilbara Ports has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Yara Pilbara for low carbon ammonia bunkering. The companies have agreed to collaborate on government and stakeholder advocacy, develop a training program for safe ammonia handling, and are planning the necessary fuelling infrastructure at Dampier and Port Hedland ports as part of the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Initiative.

Viva Energy has commissioned a new ultra-low sulphur gasoline (ULSG) plant at its Geelong refinery to meet Australia’s updated fuel standards, which came into effect on December 15. Under the standards, all gasoline grades must contain a maximum of 10 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, a so-called Euro-V standard. The ULSG plant was officially opened by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen MP, alongside Viva Energy Chairman Robert Hill and CEO Scott Wyatt.

FertiCoat is a specialised fertilizer coating developed by Omnia Specialities Australia. Its unique formulation helps prevent soil fixation and leaching losses.

Verdant Minerals has secured a mining license for its Ammaroo phosphate project in Australia's Northern Territory.