Honeywell has announced its Integrated Controls and Safety System (ICSS) will be designed and implemented in Iluka Resources’ Eneabba rare earths refinery in Western Australia to help improve production efficiency and create a safer environment for its workers.
Through a strategic partnership between the Australian Government and Iluka, the refinery will produce rare earth oxides that are essential inputs to defence systems, electric and hybrid vehicles, robotics, sustainable energy technologies, and consumer, industrial and agricultural applications. Once completed, it will also be the first fully integrated rare earths refinery in Australia.
Honeywell’s automation and safety controls implemented by Iluka will include Honeywell Experion® PKS, Universal Operation Controllers (UOC), and advanced remote-control systems. With the implementation of Honeywell’s Experion distributed control system, Iluka will have plant-wide control of its facility with a fully integrated automation system, transforming how plant automation projects are executed, Honeywell says. Additionally, Honeywell will provide safety systems that will help Iluka minimise incident risks while maximising production uptime. The full solution will include enhanced cybersecurity features to protect operations both on-site and in the cloud.
Craig Renner, Project Director at Iluka Resources, said: “The Eneabba rare earths refinery is a significant project that underscores the importance of expanding the critical minerals sector in Australia and diversifying the rare earths supply chain. As a partner in this endeavour, Honeywell brings decades of automation domain expertise to increase productivity at the refinery while keeping our most important assets, our workers, safe.”
Iluka’s refinery, which has a capital cost of $A1.7-$1.8 billion, will produce up to 6,250 t/y of separated neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium oxides – globally-significant volumes that are essential for electrification and the enhancement of Australia’s domestic supply chain. Honeywell’s automation and control systems will improve operational efficiency for the refinery through real-time data analytics that will enable quicker decision making for operators.
“Our partnership with Iluka demonstrates how automation is a key driver of the global energy transition supply chain,” Pramesh Maheshwari, President of Honeywell Process Solutions, said. “With Honeywell’s extensive expertise in automation, Iluka will be equipped with the necessary tools to enhance the safety and efficiency of its operations, which are vital for supporting a more sustainable future.”
Iluka’s Eneabba refinery is expected to be commissioned in 2027.