In another step towards delivering the Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) facility, the project consortium, made up of Opal, Veolia and Masdar Tribe Australia, have welcomed OCO Technology to the project as a collaboration partner.
According to the consortium, the signing of a Development Agreement reinforces the leading position and best practice credentials of the Maryvale EfW project.
The partnership means that the EfW facility is targeting 99 per cent landfill diversion by reusing by-products that are produced during the EfW process, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
Under the agreement, OCO would construct the Maryvale Accelerated Carbonisation Technology (ACT) facility to process flue gas treatment residues (FGTR) from the Maryvale EfW facility.
OCO treat the residues with carbon dioxide to create the world’s first carbon negative aggregate named M-LS, which can then be used in the construction industry, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the sector. The technology has been deployed successfully in the UK by OCO for over a decade now.
OCO treats over 180,000 tonnes of thermal residues per annum – currently over 35 per cent of the UK market share.
With several global ventures rapidly developing, the business is keen to deploy its innovative technology in Australia.
“OCO has been operating in the UK for over 10 years, and have diverted over 750,000 tonnes of waste from landfill, which has provided well over two million tonnes of carbon negative aggregate into the masonry and general construction market,” explained Steve Greig, managing director at OCO Technology.
“We are proud and excited to be connected with the Maryvale project and to help the EfW process to become almost landfill free.
“Our technology provides a process that permanently captures CO2 in the manufacture of our product, making the M-LS truly carbon negative, helping ensure that the facility fully fits into the circular economy, provides diversion from landfill and helps to decarbonise Victoria’s construction industry.”
Establishing the Maryvale ACT would bring internationally recognised product solutions that offer clear value to growing green markets in Australia. Specifically, the ACT facility would be co-located with the Maryvale EfW facility in Latrobe Valley, and process and recycle the FGTR into proven M-LS products for the Victorian construction sector.
Ultimately, this would increase the landfill diversion derived by the Maryvale EfW facility from 96 per cent to approximately 99 per cent, making both facilities a showcase for Australian recycling and clean energy projects.
“EfW facilities are a proven and reliable solution that derive valuable energy from non-recyclable residual waste,” David Jettner, general manager, Opal Corporate Development and Strategic Projects, said on behalf of the consortium.
“Consistent with our best practice approach, the processing and recycling of ash residues to achieve 99 per cent landfill diversion, derived by the Maryvale EfW facility, is now within reach for Victoria.
“We are delighted to bring OCO Technology’s innovative world-class solution to Victoria.”
The Maryvale EfW project has EPA and Latrobe City Council regulatory approvals for construction and has been granted $48.2 million through the Federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
Recently, Maroondah City Council had also been confirmed as the first council that will supply municipal solid waste to the Maryvale EfW facility.
