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Orica cuts particle emissions from Kooragang Island site by around 95%

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05 Nov, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

Orica has announced the completion of an environmental improvement project to reduce emissions of ammonium nitrate (AN) particulate from its Kooragang Island manufacturing site in the Hunter Valley.

The project has involved retrofitting the prill tower1 with an irrigated fibre-bed scrubber2 to capture particles of AN produced during the manufacturing process.

The abatement technology is designed to reduce AN particulate emissions, including fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less, by approximately 95%. The captured emissions are then recirculated in the manufacturing process to produce critical products for the resources and medical industries across Australia.

Orica President – Australia Pacific and Sustainability Germán Morales said the project is designed to ensure the sustainability of the Kooragang Island site.

“We understand and share the community’s desire for better air quality in general, and we are proud to play a role in achieving this,” Morales said.

“From start to finish, we have worked closely with the NSW Environment Protection Authority to ensure the project meets regulatory expectations and delivers optimal outcomes for the community and the environment.”

Designing, fabricating and installing the scrubber was a multi-year, large-scale and complex engineering project, with the construction phase alone taking more than 18 months or 115,000 work hours to complete.

“Retrofitting the scrubber to an existing and operating prill tower which stands at around 52 metres high has been technically challenging,” Morales said.

“Completing this project is a great achievement for the site and a real testament to the expertise of our people.”

1. The prill tower is where liquid ammonium nitrate is turned into small, solid ammonium nitrate balls (prill).
2. An irrigated fibre-bed scrubber is designed to clean the contaminants out of a gas stream. The first stage removes large particles via woven stainless steel mesh pads. The second stage removes fine particles via what are known as Brink filters. These filters are woven tubes that accumulate and coalesce the finer particulates into solution for collection in a sump at the bottom of the scrubber.

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Sustainability has become a critical business priority, connecting environmental responsibility with financial performance. For many companies, the focus is shifting from simply upgrading technology to maximising value across the entire device lifecycle.

As businesses rethink how they manage their IT infrastructure, embedding sustainability into daily operations is proving essential for reducing environmental impact, controlling costs and driving meaningful outcomes. Embracing a more circular approach to technology management can help organisations meet both their sustainability and financial goals, according to Blue Connections IT.

Gordon Brownell, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Connections IT, said, “One of the most overlooked aspects of sustainable IT is how companies handle surplus or end-of-life technology. Recycling is an essential part of any sustainability strategy, yet it should be the last resort. The focus should be on reuse, redistribution and resale wherever possible. For example, businesses can collaborate with social enterprises to provide viable technology to benefit underprivileged communities, schools and non-profit organisations while minimising the environmental impact of e-waste.”

Traditional IT asset management practices often lead to excessive waste and missed opportunities, with devices discarded before the end of their usable life. By contrast, strategic asset recovery, refurbishment and resale can transform IT sustainability into a cost-saving initiative. A modern approach to device lifecycle management helps extend the value of IT assets while reinforcing a commitment to environmental responsibility.

The shift to hybrid work has added complexity to sustainable IT practices. With more employees working remotely, traditional office-based asset recovery processes are no longer sufficient. Companies must now implement flexible collection services, including direct-to-home shipments and remote device retrieval. Secure, trackable return options let businesses account for every device, whether it’s being refreshed for another employee or responsibly retired.

Brownell said, “Sustainability must be embedded in everyday IT operations, beyond procurement and disposal. Organisations that adopt reusable and secure packaging solutions can significantly reduce waste. For example, using durable, returnable shipping crates instead of single-use cardboard packaging cuts down on landfill contributions and lowers overall logistics costs. Small adjustments like these create long-term environmental and financial benefits.

“Investing in robust reporting and compliance tracking is another valuable step to give companies full visibility into how their IT assets are managed from initial deployment through to end-of-life disposal. Detailed sustainability reporting that outlines the proportion of devices refurbished, resold, donated or responsibly recycled demonstrates accountability and helps businesses meet corporate social responsibility and environmental, social and governance commitments.”

A well-executed device lifecycle management strategy reduces the total cost of ownership of IT infrastructure by extending the usable life of devices, lowering capital expenditures, and generating financial returns from resale or repurposing. Organisations that embed sustainability into IT decisions are also better positioned to attract customers and partners who prioritise responsible business practices.

Gordon Brownell said, “Companies must shift their mindset to integrate sustainability into IT management successfully. Businesses should recognise sustainability as an opportunity to drive efficiencies, reduce risks and differentiate themselves in the market instead of a mere box-ticking exercise. Aligning IT decisions with sustainability goals creates long-term value through technology investments that support both business growth and environmental responsibility.

“Sustainable IT is also about making smart procurement choices from the outset. Organisations that prioritise energy-efficient devices, long-life hardware, and vendor take-back programs support sustainability proactively. Companies can extend sustainability throughout their supply chain by selecting IT suppliers that share their commitment to reducing environmental impact, whether that’s through recycled materials, low-power consumption designs or e-waste management solutions.”

By embedding sustainability into IT practices, businesses not only contribute to a healthier planet but also build more efficient, resilient and future-ready operations.

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