Adbri and Calix are planning to save 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year with the execution of a Heads of Agreement.
The non-binding agreement is for the development of a Calix calciner for lime production with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture capabilities. The estimated capture volume is based on a lime production of 30,000 tonnes per year.
The development project has a five-year timeframe and will partially rely on funding from the Federal Government’s low emissions technology roadmap.
Calix chief executive officer and managing director Phil Hodgson said the swing in global trends towards more ethical businesses puts Calix in a strong position.
“We have seen a significant increase in inbound inquiries in Calix technology driven by the rapidly increasing interest in environment, social responsibility and governance, from countries, companies and investors,” Hodgson said.
The two companies intend on performing a feasibility study into site selection, raw materials, proof of marketable product, CO2 capture design and alternative fuel options. This would be complete in early 2022.
Hodgson added the endeavour would be like nothing else seen before, in Australia or otherwise.
“This important project is a world-first in ambition to produce zero-emission lime, one of the most important industrial products globally, and it is great to be developing this in partnership with Adbri, in an Australian project, with Australian technology,” he said.
Adbri is Australia’s largest producer of lime, with 16 cement and lime facilities and depots across the country.
The manufacturer produces more than one million tonnes of lime annually and major Adbri projects have included Alice Springs Airport, Parramatta’s BankWest stadium, and South Australia’s first major concrete road, the $985 million, 15.5km Northern Connector.
With each tonne of lime production effecting one tonne of CO2, the carbon capture development could be a major game changer for construction technology into the future.