Start-up Environmental Keystones has been awarded a $5.59 million loan to construct, fit out and operate an Northern Territory first, pyrolysis plant in Wishart.
The $8 million project has been made possible through the concessional loan from the Territory Infrastructure Loans program, funded by the Federal Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
This project is also supported by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and metal industry suppliers Pyrochar.
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.
Environmental Keystones, in partnership with Pyrochar Pty Ltd, has commercialised CSIRO- developed technology to perform pyrolysis- the process of thermally degrading organic materials at elevated temperatures
The facility is the first in Australia to use CSIRO technology and 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. As well as fertiliser and other high value carbon biproduct goods are on Environmental Keystones’ road map over the next three years.
Nick Hanigan, Managing Director for Environmental Keystones said the partnership with Pyrochar, the Northern Territory Government and NAIF funding, enables the team to bring cutting-edge technology to the Territory, creating jobs and delivering a cleaner, greener future.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity and support of the Northern Territory Government,” he said.
Robyn Cahill, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations the Northern Territory Government 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,” said Cahill.
For more information, visit: invest.nt.gov.au/home
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