Brickworks supports a net zero future with Delorean to develop Green bio-waste facilities
Brickworks Building Products Pty Ltd (“Brickworks”), a 100% owned subsidiary of Brickworks Limited, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Delorean Energy Pty Ltd a 100% subsidiary of Delorean Corporation Limited (“Delorean”), to develop GSNG facilities at its’ brick plants.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding, Delorean and Brickworks will undertake a feasibility study (and seek development approval) to build and operate facilities that convert food and other bio-waste to biomethane, a renewable GSNG, and electricity, for use in Brickwork’s operations. GSNG, a renewable green gas, will be produced at the same specification as Natural Gas, allowing it to be transported using Natural Gas pipelines. The feasibility study will initially focus on Brickworks’ New South Wales brick manufacturing sites.
Pursuant to a Master Services Agreement, Delorean will undertake services to assist the parties to ascertain the viability of constructing and operating the renewable energy facilities.
Subject to the successful outcome of the feasibility study, regulatory approval and the parties determining to proceed with the project, Delorean and Brickworks intend to establish a 50/50 Joint Venture (or other commercial arrangement) to construct and operate the facilities. Any such arrangement is subject to Board approval by each party and binding legal documentation being executed by the parties.
Brickworks Managing Director, Mr Lindsay Partridge AM said: “We are excited to be working alongside Delorean, to adapt their market leading anaerobic digestion technology, that will enable the conversation of organic waste to green synthetic natural gas. This gas can be used to fire our kilns in exactly the same way as Natural Gas, thus maintaining the high quality of our bricks, that we guarantee for 100 years.”
“Our brick plants around the country are well-placed to adopt this technology, with high energy consumption, being located in close proximity to industrial, commercial and municipal waste streams and having the available space for receipt and processing of the waste. We also have the potential to utilise by-products from the anaerobic digestion process in our manufacturing process.”
“If successful, the initial facility has the potential to displace up to 100,000 gigajoules per annum of fossil fuel gas with renewable biomethane. In addition, the bioenergy will be derived from organic waste that would otherwise be destined for landfill, or less productive pathways for recycling.”
The agreement supports Brickworks’ sustainability strategy and commitment to a low carbon future
Mr Partridge said: “We are committed to leading our industry in reducing carbon emissions, through continued investment in manufacturing excellence. This includes our global kiln refurbishment program to drive energy efficiency beyond international benchmarks and driving biofuels and low carbon opportunities.”
“Since 2006 we have reduced our emissions by 45% through capital investments into modern, fuel-efficient production processes, as well as product redesign, use of recycled material and on-board fuels, and firing our kilns with green fuels such as landfill gas.”
“Our agreement with Delorean marks a significant milestone in our sustainability strategy, as we aim to ensure a long-term sustainable future for our business and make a positive impact on the world around us.”
“We see a future, not too far away, where our bricks are made from recycled products, and are fired by kilns powered by waste products. Once manufactured, these bricks are low maintenance, reduce household energy consumption by keeping homes cool in summer and warm in winter, and last forever. At the end of their service life, they can be recycled or re-used. It is difficult to imagine a more sustainable building product.”
