Orica and Alpha HPA have signed the Central Queensland Statement of Cooperation as part of a plan to help the state “seize the opportunities that clean energy presents”, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Steven Miles, says.

“Queensland is renewable ready and Central Queensland is perfectly primed to take advantage of the state’s natural energy advantage while creating economic opportunities,” Miles said. “This Statement of Cooperation ensures that Queensland can benefit from the global shift towards decarbonisation, starting in Central Queensland.

“The shared vision, between industry and government, for renewables in Central Queensland is great news for community members, who will benefit from more jobs right along the supply chain. Central Queensland is a key component of Queensland’s energy puzzle and energy-intensive industries in the area are already looking to switch to renewable energy supply.”

Orica and Alpha HPA previously executed binding, definitive agreements with each other related to the supply of process reagents and the offtake of process by-product to/from Alpha HPA’s First Project and Orica’s Yarwun manufacturing facility (pictured) within the Gladstone State Development Area in north Queensland.

Alpha HPA’s First Project represents the commercialisation of the production of circa-10,000 t/y equivalent of high-purity alumina and related products using the company’s proprietary licensed solvent extraction and HPA refining technology. The technology provides for the extraction and purification of aluminium from an industrial feedstock to produce 4N (>99.99% purity) alumina for the intended use within the lithium-ion battery and LED lighting industry.

The two companies join Rio Tinto in this co-operation.

The statement of cooperation will, Orica says, secure the future competitiveness of Queensland, adding value to a natural energy advantage to drive employment and economic outcomes for Queensland by focusing on three areas:

• Committing to industry by establishing certainty for current industry and growing demand;
• Delivering a globally competitive energy solution that is centred around firmed, low-carbon electricity for industry; and
• Growing the industries of the future in Central Queensland by creating an enabling regulatory environment, strengthening regional skills and employment to lower capital intensity, and planning for the infrastructure to enable industry development.

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Minister for Water and Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, said the addition of Orica and Alpha HPA was another vote of confidence for the region.

“More industry partners signing up to the Statement of Cooperation is great news for Central Queensland,” Butcher said.

“It shows our government’s strategy and investment in these emerging industries is working and that Central Queenslanders will see direct benefits as we build a globally competitive renewable industry.”

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said consumers around the world were demanding low emissions products and that was a massive opportunity for regional Queensland.

“We know that reliable, cheap, clean electricity will attract more industrial activity to Queensland, so agreements like this one will boost jobs in Gladstone and regional Queensland,” de Brenni said.

Orica Australia Pacific Vice President, John Cooper, said the company will deploy technology to accelerate lower-carbon manufacturing in the region, enable new renewable generation assets and advance lower-carbon products for customers.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Orica to be part of,” Cooper said. “With so much experience in decarbonisation, Orica can help Queensland become a global leader in renewable energy and succeed in a low-carbon economy, bringing substantial environment, economic and social benefits to the state.

“This is another great example of public and private partnering towards decarbonisation. We are looking forward to working with the Queensland Government and industry on an exciting future for Central Queensland.”

Rob Williamson, COO from Alpha HPA, said Alpha HPA is committed to using renewables in their operations.

“Having recently purchased a site for our high purity alumina facility in Gladstone, we are excited by the opportunity,” Williamson said. “There is a global shift as the world is demanding more renewable energy to support decarbonisation in both energy generation and low energy consuming products.

“We want to produce a range of low carbon footprint, high purity aluminium products for critical decarbonising technologies whilst creating jobs for local communities.”