The Australian government has announced a $39.8 million investment in Simcoa Operations, the country’s only silicon manufacturer, as part of an initiative to reduce emissions and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
The funding, provided through the Powering the Regions Fund (PRF), will support the expansion of charcoal production at Simcoa’s Wellesley facility in Western Australia. This expansion is expected to phase out the use of coal in silicon manufacturing, contributing to emissions reduction efforts.
According to government estimates, replacing coal with renewable charcoal will reduce emissions by 89%, cutting over 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. This reduction is equivalent to removing approximately 30,000 cars from the road.
The funding is also anticipated to help retain existing jobs and create new employment opportunities in the region.
Simcoa produces high-purity silicon used in domestic and export markets. The $39.8 million investment is part of the third allocation under the PRF’s $600 million Safeguard Transformation Stream, which aims to support emissions reduction in Australia’s industrial sector.
Government officials have stated that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to transition to a lower-emission economy while maintaining industrial production within Australia.
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