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Kooragang Island Decarbonisation Project

The Kooragang Island Decarbonisation Project in Newcastle was completed in July 2023, and in October 2024 provided an update that they have since cut nitrous oxide emissions from the site by an estimated 95%. Three nitric acid plants operate at the Kooragang Island site, converting ammonia into approximately 330,000 tonnes of nitric acid per annum. Nitrous oxide, generated as a by-product of nitric acid production, is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions at the Kooragang Island facility.  

Supported with $25 million in funding from the Australian Government, the project eliminates the equivalent of 11 per cent of all chemical industry process emissions across Australia. The project helps protect job security for the over 250 employees at the Kooragang Island facility and ensures the facility remains competitive in a decarbonising global economy. 

aerial shot of Kooragang Island

Shutterstock

Key Facts

  • Location: Newcastle 
     
  • Job Creation: The site has a workforce of over 200, and around an additional 50 jobs were created during the build for the site 
     
  • Environmental Impact: Orica eliminated nearly 50% of total greenhouse gas emissions from their Hunter Valley site (roughly 567,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent) and has cut their nitrous oxide emissions by an estimated 95% 
     
  • Website: Orica Kooragang Decarbonisation Project completion announcement

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