ENERGYAUSTRALIA, operators of the Mt Piper and Wallerawang power stations, have signed a significant new partnership with NSW-based business Nu-Rock Technology which will see waste ash from its Mt Piper power station turned into low cost, environmentally friendly building products.
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Following the signing of a partnership agreement this week, Nu-Rock will now begin construction of a new manufacturing and testing plant on EnergyAustralia land adjacent to the Mt Piper power station.
Nu-Rock will then utilise approximately 15,000 tonnes of Mt Piper’s waste ash to produce low-cost, environmentally friendly light weight, fire rated blocks, pavers, panels and other building materials.
EnergyAustralia’s NSW General Manager Luke Welfare welcomed news of the partnership saying it had strong potential to create value from ash, currently a waste by- product of electricity generation.
“EnergyAustralia is continually looking at ways to reduce waste and improve its recycling initiatives,” Mr Welfare said.
“Ash reuse has been a long-standing priority for us given the economic and environmental benefits of recycling.
“This new partnership with Nu-Rock will help reduce our ash stockpile at the same time as helping to develop a valuable new manufacturing venture.”
Nu-Rock’s innovative manufacturing process has been proven to produce quality building products that are up to 75 per cent cheaper, stronger and more durable.
Nu-Rock’s Managing Director Maroun Rahme said that Nu-Rock aimed to have its demonstration plant up and operational by October.
“Building materials have already been delivered to the site and we expect our plant to be manufacturing products shortly,” he said.
Initially, the plant will employ three to four people.
In addition, EnergyAustralia is revegetating land previously used for ash storage by planting local native trees and plants, contributing to biodiversity within the region.
Subject to this demonstration plant being successful, Nu-Rock will look to scale up its operations to a commercial plant, also onsite at Mt Piper.
This could potentially repurpose 250,000 tonnes of ash per annum.