Australia opens world-first carbon refinery in Newcastle for manufacturing decarbonization

MCi Carbon has opened Myrtle, a world-first carbon refinery on Kooragang Island in Newcastle, Australia. The facility uses mineral carbonation to convert CO2 and low-value mineral feedstocks into carbon-embodied materials used in concrete, plasterboard, paint, and glass. The technology can reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors by up to 90 percent, and the plant can process 2,500 tonnes of CO2 per year, producing 10,000 tonnes of saleable materials. The project has received over AUD 40 million in government support and includes backing from investors like Orica, ITOCHU, and Mizuho Bank. MCi Carbon says the business model works without a carbon price, positioning decarbonization as an investment with returns. The company plans to scale the platform to hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 annually, targeting commercial deployment at industrial sites or through hub-and-spoke facilities.