Australia launches first carbon refinery to convert captured CO₂ from ammonia production

Australia has opened its first carbon refinery, marking a significant step in commercializing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Developed by MCi Carbon in New South Wales, the demonstration facility captures carbon dioxide from Orica’s ammonia production on Kooragang Island and converts it into mineral-based products for use in concrete, paper, glass, and other industrial applications.

The Myrtle Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage demonstration plant can capture up to 2,500 metric tons of CO₂ per year. Its technology uses mineral carbonation, which permanently binds carbon dioxide into stable minerals by replicating a natural geological process. MCi Carbon reports that it has spent 15 years developing this technology to produce commercially valuable products instead of storing captured carbon underground.

Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, attended the facility’s opening and described carbon utilization as a way for industrial emitters to reduce emissions while generating economic value from captured carbon. Australia emits about 400 million metric tons of CO₂ annually, and last year the government strengthened its 2035 emissions reduction target to a 62% to 70% cut from 2005 levels.

MCi Carbon also plans to build a commercial-scale carbon refinery in Austria that will process up to 50,000 metric tons of CO₂ per year. This project is part of a broader global effort to advance mineral carbonation technologies, alongside companies such as Canada’s Arca, which uses mine tailings to permanently store carbon dioxide.

Source: Reuters