Carbon price revenue helps CSR reduce pollution and lower energy costs

Revenue from the carbon price will help CSR Building Products, one of Australia’s largest manufacturers, to reduce its energy use and cut pollution.

The carbon emissions intensity of CSR’s roof tile production facility in Vermont, Victoria, will be cut thanks to two energy-efficiency grants under the Clean Technology Investment Program.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation, Yvette D’Ath, and Federal Member for Deakin, Mike Symon, have announced a Clean Technology grant of $25,733 to upgrade the energy efficiency of an existing air compressor. This project is expected to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of the compressor by 22% and save $12,000 in energy costs per year.

D’Ath and Symon also congratulated CSR on the completion of its Ceric Kiln project, which has been implemented using a Clean Technology grant of $250,000 awarded in June 2012. The new kiln works by utilising waste heat to feed a tunnel dryer, eliminating the need for some of the burners on the dryer, reducing gas consumption. This has reduced the carbon emissions intensity of the process by about 20%.

“These are typical of the practical improvements that the Clean Technology Investment Programs are designed to support. Manufacturers can invest in energy-efficient capital equipment and low-emissions technology on any scale to make a real difference to their energy consumption and save money on their energy bills,” D’Ath said.

“Investing in clean technology is good for a company’s environmental footprint and good for their bottom line. Big and small businesses can invest in state-of-the-art equipment and embrace modern techniques knowing it will help to make them more economically and environmentally sustainable,” Symon said.

Including these grants at Vermont, CSR has now been awarded eight grants across four sites in Victoria, Queensland and NSW, bringing the total grant funding awarded to the company to $1.7 million.

These projects involve a range of energy-efficiency measures including lighting upgrades, installation of a cogeneration unit and other equipment upgrades. CSR has made a significant financial commitment of its own, $3.4 million, to these projects. The investments from CSR are an example of how manufacturers can find multiple opportunities to improve energy efficiency and drive significant cost savings.

The Clean Technology Investment Programs, which are funded by carbon price revenue, are part of the government’s plan for a Clean Energy Future. They deliver practical help for businesses to become more efficient, more competitive and more sustainable.

The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program and the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program provide grants for Australian manufacturers to invest in energy-efficient equipment and low-emissions technologies, products and processes. The $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program is funding Australian businesses to develop new clean technologies. All three programs are open for applications.

For more information, companies should contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.