A new demonstration plant in Newcastle, Australia, is now producing building materials from captured carbon dioxide. The MCi Carbon facility takes CO2 from ammonia production and converts it into magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, and amorphous silica for use in concrete, plasterboard, glass, and paper. At full operation, the plant aims to capture 2,500 tonnes of CO2 per year and produce 10,000 tonnes of these compounds. The project received $14.5 million from the Australian government's Carbon Capture Technologies Program and is expected to support up to 50 jobs, many transitioning from fossil fuel and heavy industry roles. The plant is part of a broader $65 million investment across seven projects targeting hard-to-abate industrial emissions. A second round of funding with $32.6 million available closed to applications in May 2026.
