en.Wedoany.com Reported - Australia's first carbon refinery has officially commenced operations, developed by MCi Carbon in New South Wales, marking a new step in the commercialization of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology. The demonstration facility, named the Myrtle Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Demonstration Plant, captures carbon dioxide from Orica's ammonia production process at Kooragang Island and converts it into mineral-based products for industrial applications such as concrete, paper, and glass.

The Myrtle plant can capture up to 2,500 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Its core technology employs mineral carbonation, which mimics natural geological processes to permanently bind carbon dioxide into stable minerals. MCi Carbon stated that the company spent 15 years developing this technology, aiming to produce commercially valuable carbon-based products rather than storing captured carbon underground.

Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, attended the plant's inauguration ceremony and described carbon utilization as a way for industrial emitters to reduce emissions while creating economic value from captured carbon. Australia emits approximately 400 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, and last year the government strengthened its 2035 emission reduction target to a 62% to 70% cut from 2005 levels.

MCi Carbon plans to build a commercial-scale carbon refinery in Austria, capable of processing up to 50,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. This project is part of global efforts to advance mineral carbonation technology, with other participants including Canada's Arca, which utilizes tailings to permanently store carbon dioxide.

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