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Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis receives Federal Government assistance through Commercialisation Australia Grant
Sydney Australia 15 July 2010
Yesterday the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr announced the successful projects that would be supported by Commercialisation Australia – the Government's agency to help Australian inventors, entrepreneurs and researchers turn their ideas into money-making products and services. (click for media release)
"Increasing our focus on innovation, knowledge-based industries, and new business growth is the key to renewing and growing the Australian economy," Senator Carr said.
Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis was one of 11 innovative organisations that received federal government assistance through the Commercialisation Australian grants program, which is the Government’s primary source of assistance for commercialisation and is delivered by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
Dr Joe Herbertson AM, Executive Chair of Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis, thanked the Government on their support of innovative Australian technology companies in the clean-tech industry. "We are very proud of the progress we have made in developing our technology and we highly value the Australian Government support in this critical stage of early commercialisation," he said.
Pyrolysis is thermal decomposition of organic material with no or limited oxygen. It can be applied in principle to any forms of biomass. The main products of pyrolysis are gas, oil/tar liquids and char. Pyrolysis is the only technology platform that can deliver renewable, low emission replacements for fossil liquid, solid and gas energy sources, and as such is vital to a low greenhouse gas economy.
Dr Les Strezov, Technical Director for Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis welcomed the independent validation of the technology. "Our key innovation is the process of converting biomass feedstock into a clean burning gas and biochar without the need for pre-drying or external gas treatment. This technological breakthrough will have multiple applications across many industries, with an early focus on the timber industry," he said.
Grant funding will be used to accelerate the deployment of Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis technology, develop manufacturing capacity for delivery, prove the timber industry market and build organisational capacity to meet market demand. Large volume trials of sawmill residues will be undertaken, such that the design of the equipment and the operating parameters can be tested and optimised for stable operations. The project will thus provide the critical engineering and marketing capacity for early proliferation of the technology.
Matthew Warnken, Managing Director of Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis, thanked industry supporters and project partners for their support of the grant application. "We have a clear objective of delivering a sales-ready commercial module for the Australian Timber Industry. Sawmills represent a great opportunity in that they generate their own residues that are ideally suited as feedstock to our technology, and also have a demand for heat and power," he said.
For more information please contact:
Mr Matthew Warnken
Managing Director
m: +61 418 238 040
e: matthew.warnken@cruciblecarbon.com
Dr Joe Herbertson short listed for WME Magazine 2010 Leaders List
WME Magazine publishes a biannual 'WME Leaders List'. Awards are given to individuals recognising contributions they have personally made in the environment and sustainability industries. Dr Joe Herbertson AM, co-founder of Crucible Carbon, has been nominated and short listed under the Corporate Sustainability category for the WME Magazine 2010 Leaders List.
The nomination has been given for Joe's contribution to enhancing the link between sustainability, business strategy, innovation, engineering and science in the carbon space.
For voting and more information on the WME Leaders List, please click here.
Crucible Carbon to host Run for a Safe Climate
November 2009
The 2009 ‘Run for a Safe Climate’ aims to highlight the impacts and solutions to global warming in a way that captures the hearts and imaginations of all Australians.
Emergency workers are in the front line of dealing with extreme weather events and global warming. In November 2009, a group of Australian emergency service workers including serving police, fire fighters, paramedics, SES and military will run 6000 km from Cooktown to Melbourne. The route will see runners pass through capital cities, regional centres and rural towns, engaging with all levels of these communities. In each location where they stop to rest, they will meet with local people – farmers, business people, scientists, politicians and school children – to share experiences about the local impacts of global warming, and share their own experiences and insights into climate change. Crucible Carbon's Research and Development Centre is to host the Run as it stops in Newcastle on Friday 13 November 2009.
Along their journey, the runners will draw attention to natural and agricultural assets under threat – the Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and Murray Darling ‘food bowl’ – while also bearing witness to some of the solutions to this crisis: solar, ocean, geothermal, wind energy as well as pyrolysis for renewable energy and biochar (the focus of the Run in Newcastle). The Run will enable thousands of Australians to see how they can be part of the solution to global warming.
For more information, please visit the Run for a Safe Climate website.
Climate fatigue as politicians prevaricate
October 2009
The 2009 Lowy Institute Poll reported that Australians view climate change as a decreasing priority for foreign policy. Putting aside the existing strong support the poll identified for action on climate change, media reports underline a growing sense of climate fatigue, especially given the drawn out policy debate in Australia. Next months’ run for a safe climate promises to re-energise the space, with 6,000km calling for emergency action, writes Matthew Warnken.
To read the full story, click here
Where is the carbon transition plan for large abaters?
September 2009
Australia’s greenhouse debate is currently dominated by large polluters and their efforts to gain exemptions on the cost of emissions. However, amongst the collateral damage are ‘large abaters’ – those industries leading the charge in environmental services and now being penalised for externalising greenhouse gas abatement. Why is there no ‘transitionary support’ for those providing solutions to the carbon challenge, questions Matthew Warnken.
To ready the full story, click here
CPRS crunch time
August 2009
Parliament is back after its winter break and the debate this week is revolving around Godwin Grech’s now infamous fake email, Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership and the vote on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, with each issue weakening the prospects for the next one in the chain. The CPRS will almost certainly be voted down by the Opposition, creating another delay that should be viewed in the years, writes Matthew Warnken.
To ready the full story, click here
From Garnaut to Fielding: annus horribilis
July 2009
The end of the financial year last week brought much media attention on the financial sector’s ‘Annus Horribilis’. Missing from the commentary was the spill over impact onto sustainability policy, perhaps best evidenced by the increasing attention given to ‘climate change sceptics’ but with questions also raised around renewable energy, product stewardship and waste. One year ago it was a very different tale, reflects Matthew Warnken.
To ready read the full story, click here
Ready, set... Biochar
June 2009
The development of a new cleantech sector in Australia took a major step forward with the recent Inaugural Asia Pacific Biochar Conference delivering clarity around the potential for biochar to be incorporated into an emissions trading scheme. It also heard about Project Rainbow Bee Eater, arguably the largest biochar project (and certainly the most ambitious) located in Western Australia. Matthew Warnken writes on highlights from the conference.
To read the full story, click here
New Informational Brochure on Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis Released
Crucible Carbon recently released an updated brochure on its commercial Pyrolysis module currently being designed. Crucible Carbon is also pleased to announce its first customer (Rainbow Bee Eater Pty Ltd) in Western Australia.
For a copy of the brochure please click here
Back to biobasics: Biobased carbon hubs for savings, energy and jobs
March 2009
Energy, water and waste are three pillars of our modern civilisation and are also three of the main sustainability challenges that must be addressed in the transition to a low carbon economy. Part of the solution is bundling the provision of these utilities together to maximise the opportunities for synergy with other businesses. Another is moving to biobased platforms for the deliver of energy services, rather than our current reliance on fossil fuels.
Matthew Warnken, in his latest article for the WME Environment Business Magazine writes that biobased carbon hubs in regional centres would fast track abatement technologies, achieve abatement at the mega tonne scale and create jobs in the tens of thousands.
A transition to biobased forms of energy must, by necessity, involve investment in rural and regional Australia. After all, this is where the bulk of biomass is grown. Any form of biobased power must focus on resources such as purpose grown woody crops, agricultural residues, some forestry thinnings and suitable domestic and industrial urban residues. These are also resources that do not require any clear felling of notice forests – in other words, sustainable biobased energy does not equal woodchipping native forests.
To read more on this article, click here
For further information, please contact Crucible Carbon’s Managing Director Matthew Warnken
James Lovelock points to biochar as possible solution to climate change
In a recent interview with New Scientist, James Lovelock, originator of the Gaia theory (which states that organisms interact with and regulate Earth's surface and atmosphere) argues that biochar is one of the only answers to climate change we have. He says, "There is one way we could save ourselves and that is through the massive burial of charcoal...you can start shifting really hefty quantities of carbon out of the system and pull the CO2 down quite fast."
To read the full article with James Lovelock click here
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull visits Crucible Carbon Research and Development Centre
Newcastle Australia, 25 January 2009
The leader of the Federal Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, along with the Shadow Minister of the Environment Greg Hunt and CEO of Alumina, John Bevan visited the Crucible Carbon Research and Development Centre in Newcastle Australia.
The visit was part of the Opposition Party’s announcement on their Green Carbon Initiative.
Crucible Carbon welcomed the focus on the innovative opportunities presented by the use of biochar in agricultural systems, and for highlighting the need to fast track the development of capital effective and energy efficient pyrolysis technology.
Visit www.nbntv.com.au or www.abc.net.au for related footage of the visit.
A transcript of comments from Mr Turnbull and Mr Hunt is available at www.liberal.org.au
For more information please contact:
Mr Matthew Warnken
Managing Director
m: +61 418 238 040
e: matthew.warnken@cruciblecarbon.com
Crucible Carbon Support for the Green Carbon Initiative
Crucible Carbon today welcomed the Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement on the Green Carbon Initiative with its focus on the innovative opportunities presented by the use of biochar in agricultural systems.
Crucible Carbon is an Australian company developing unique carbon abatement technologies through its Research and Development Centre in Newcastle.
One of the technologies under development is ‘pyrolysis’, the unlocking technology for mass production of ‘biochar’, a product with potential to enhance soil quality and improve agriculture performance, in addition to providing efficient, safe and long term carbon storage (biosequestration).
Fast tracking the development of scalable, replicable and profitable pyrolysis technology is essential if the aims of the Green Carbon Initiative are to be realised. The benefits of biochar require energy efficient and low capital cost pyrolysis technology to be commercialised. These critical factors have driven Crucible Carbon’s innovation.
The Research and Development Centre recently reached a significant milestone by proving the science behind The Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis Process, with assistance from the Australian Government through Commercial Ready. A Provisional Australian Patent has been lodged and an engineering prototype commissioned in Newcastle. The focus now is on the earliest demonstration of a commercial module.
Dr Les Strezov, Crucible Carbon Technical Director, explained that the starting point for developing a ‘next generation’ pyrolyser was to ensure that the technology can address the large scale challenge that climate change presents. “In order for us to make a difference to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, we will need to process millions of tonnes of suitable biomass resources” he said. “Our pyrolysis technology is designed to deliver a cost effective and scalable platform for biochar and renewable energy production.”
Dr Joe Herbertson AM, Crucible Carbon Executive Chair, observed that the attractiveness of pyrolysis as a technology was its ability to process a wide range of non-food resources, creating the potential for replicable production hubs. “In order to have a large scale sustainable supply of biomass means that a variety of resources will need to be used. For example, agricultural residues, coppice harvested woody crops, forestry thinnings, garden organics and suitable residues from industries such as timber and paper. This is a tremendous opportunity to improve agricultural practices and revitalise rural and regional communities”, said Dr Herbertson.
Matthew Warnken, Crucible Carbon Managing Director, highlighted the importance of profitable pyrolysis operation and the flow on economic benefits associated of ‘carbon hubs’. “There will be an increase in regional jobs as a result of the implementation of combined electricity and biochar facilities. For example, harvesting, transport, pyrolysis and power station operations, technical support and market development”, said Mr Warnken.
For more information please contact:
Mr Matthew Warnken
Managing Director
m: +61 418 238 040
e: info@cruciblecarbon.com
Surgery required for stock market myopia
The US is poised to launch an unprecedented rescue package for stricken financial markets through the buyout of so-called ‘toxic loans’. The weekend papers were full of commentary analysing the ‘worst crisis since the Great Depression’. The myopia of pursuing short-term profit at the expense of long-term stability is yet an example of where sustainability thinking is ignored, putting us all at risk.
Myopia is a medical term that refers to shortness of sight. In sustainability terms ‘myopia’ refers to a lack of foresight caused by prioritising short-term outcomes, and discounting long-term benefits and costs. One of the central challenges of sustainability is overcoming negative effects of myopia in decision making by explicitly taking into account the long-term effects of actions. Read more here
Matthew Warnken receives Certification as an Environmental Practitioner
The Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) operates Australasia's first certification scheme for environmental practitioners. The Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme recognises talented, skilled and ethical environmental professionals by certifying that environmental skills and knowledge of the practitioner meet national standards.
Matthew recently received confirmation of his Certification as an Environmental Practitioner, adding further recognition to his work in this field over the past ten years.
More details on the CENVP program can be found here
Greening and bundling regional infrastructure
Calls for ‘greening’ of infrastructure as part of economic stimulus packages need to become more focused and start to map out the regional and rural benefits. For example the development of biobased carbon hubs to fast track abatement technologies such as biochar promises billions of dollars of investment, carbon abatement at the mega-tonne scale and jobs in the tens of thousands, writes Matthew Warnken.
Energy, water and waste are three pillars of our modern civilisation and are also three of the main sustainability challenges that must be addressed in the transition to a low carbon economy. Part of the solution is bundling the provision of these utilities together to maximise the opportunities for synergy with other businesses. Another part of the solution is moving to biobased platforms for the delivery of energy services, rather than our current reliance on fossil fuels.
Read more here
Microalgae as a Source of Food and Fuel
Crucible Carbon’s PhD Candidate Ms Annelie Moberg in conjunction with The University of Newcastle and The Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment releases an overview of her research on Process Fundamental of Microalgae Production – Towards a Future of Microalgae as a Source of Food and Fuel.
In summary, microalgae have a huge potential as a new source of oil for biodiesel production and protein for direct or indirect (via animal feed) human consumption as well as carbon sequestration and wastewater treatment purposes.
The project aims to develop and refine mathematical models describing the system environment within photobioreactors. Such models will be a much needed tool in the design of new reactors to optimise design and culture conditions. Models can also be used for comparison of different reactors and mixing systems as well as for upscaling purposes. As well as mathematical modelling, laboratory experiments to test the accuracy of these models will take place.
For further information please contact Crucible Carbon
The case to go national on waste
In Matthew Warnken's latest article for WME Environmental Management News, he writes that the last Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) meeting decided the time was right for a new national waste policy. The associated target will surely have to be 'zero waste', given existing jurisdictional support and an underlying ecologically pragmatic need. It would also stimulate billions in much needed economic activity in the resource recovery sector.
The real question is how quickly can EPHC deliver? Read more...
Crucible Carbon submission to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
The Crucible Carbon submission argues that Australia’s most secure, internationally competitive, long-term climate change objective should be to achieve a 'carbon neutral or better' future – anything less is not sustainable nor in the best interests of future generations. This objective should be an overarching principle informing the emerging CPRS regardless of shorter term targets and abatement trajectories.
The Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, as currently configured, does not adequately address and reward activities that can be 'carbon negative' (net effect of removing CO2 from the atmosphere). This means the CPRS cannot effectively drive innovation in this important area of climate change response. The recommended amendments in the CPRS relate to how carbon capture and storage should be handled to help promote breakthrough biomass processing technologies.
The full submission can be viewed at www.climatechange.gov.au
Crucible Carbon sponsors 2008 Conference of the International Biochar Initiative
The conference on 'Biochar, Sustainability and Security in a Changing Climate' was held in Newcastle, United Kingdom, and attracted over 225 delegates from around the world.
Crucible Carbon was pleased to announce the completion of the proof of principle stage for our 'Next Generation Pyrolysis' technology at the conference.
For more information on the International Biochar Initiative conference please visit www.biochar-international.org
The Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis process completes proof of principle stage
The Research and Development arm of Crucible Carbon (The Crucible) has reached a significant milestone by satisfactorily proving the science behind The Crucible Carbon Pyrolysis Process.
The Crucible was awarded a Commercial Ready Plus Grant from the Australian Government (through AusIndustry) to develop a new concept fundamentally designed to produce oil and char with highly competitive capital costs and energy efficiency from undervalued coal and biomass resources.
The results from the grant assisted research are being used to design the first pilot unit of the pyrolysis process, expected to be commissioned by December 2008.
For more information on the pyrolysis technology, please contact Managing Director Matthew Warnken.
Waste in the Middle?
With the Draft Garnaut Review out and the Government’s Green Paper expected later this week, the waste sector finds itself in the middle of a brewing storm around its position under an emissions trading scheme. First and foremost the united message should be a preparedness to pay for greenhouse gas emissions from the sector. The question then becomes one of practicalities and of accelerating abatement. And here coverage under ETS may not be the answer, at least in the short term writes Matthew Warnken.
The purpose of an emissions trading scheme for Australia is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The critical question for the waste sector is whether inclusion of waste into ETS will deliver this outcome. In my view the answer is no, and particularly not in the early years of operation. In fact coverage could lead to an explosion of landfill sites that are small enough to fit under a cut off level for inclusion and drive an increase in emissions from waste management. more
Crucible Carbon report released by Sustainability Victoria: Biomass Technology Review: Processing for Energy and Materials
Crucible Carbon in conjunction with Sustainability Victoria have released this report which is designed for those who want to better understand biomass processing options as a business opportunity for production of bioenergy and material products.
It is important to understand that a future carbon neutral society will still require carbon based products and services, such as high energy density fuels, organic materials, chemicals and reductants, which are now primarily sourced from fossilised coal, oil and gas.
Biomass is the originator of fossil carbon sources and can therefore produce similar energy and material products with the distinction that the carbon in biomass is recently sourced from the atmosphere and therefore is part of an intrinsically balanced carbon cycle.
The report is focussed on primary technology options for biomass with guidelines for addressing critical issues and identifying major strategic opportunities. Full report
International Agrichar Initiative
Crucible Carbon is a major sponsor of the inaugural International Agrichar Initiative to take place in Terrigal, NSW, between April 29-May 2, 2007. This is a groundbreaking initiative to develop a high volume, value adding carbon sequestration and soil regeneration method. See http://www.biochar-international.org for more information.
Dr. Joe Herbertson, a founding Director of Crucible Carbon, awarded Member of the Order of Australia
Dr. Herbertson’s award was for service to the environment through the development and promotion of sustainable resource processing technologies, particularly in the mining and manufacturing sectors, and as a researcher and educator.
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