Algal project gets ministerial boost

In recognition of its potential to assist Australia to take advantage of the global economic recovery as well as the commercial opportunities flowing from international efforts to cut carbon pollution, Major Project Facilitation (MPF) status has been granted to Aurora Algae Pty Ltd’s waste conversion project.

The project seeks to commercialise new technology that takes algae and waste CO2 from industrial processes such as those employed in the production of LNG and ammonia to produce biodiesel for the mining sector, protein-rich biomass for aquaculture and animal feed, and omega-3 oils for human nutrition.

If given the final go ahead, Aurora Algae expects to have its first commercial-scale facility up and running in the Western Australian town of Karratha by early 2013. It’s a $100 million project that would create more than 200 jobs during construction and up to 100 ongoing full time jobs.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said: “With the right support from government, Australia can become a world leader in renewable technologies such as those being pursued by Aurora Algae, with the real potential of creating tens of thousands of highly skilled ‘green’ collar jobs and new export opportunities.”