Boral Limited has officially opened its upgraded carbon-reducing technology at the Berrima Cement Works, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards net zero emissions.
The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, was present to inaugurate the upgraded facility.
The Berrima Cement Works, located in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales (NSW), plays a crucial role in supplying 40 per cent of cement to NSW and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
This upgrade represents a major step in Boral’s decarbonisation efforts and its transition away from emissions-intensive fuels.
A key feature of the upgraded facility is the Chlorine Bypass, which reduces the accumulation of chlorides and other alternative fuel by-products.
This innovation will enable the site to increase its alternative fuel usage to 60 per cent over the next three years.
Boral has already achieved a 30 per cent coal substitution to date.
Vik Bansal, CEO of Boral, highlighted the significance of this development, stating: “From our Federal Highways to the Sydney Opera House and Parliament House in Canberra, for almost a century, the Berrima Cement Works have helped to build and shape Australia.
“The Chlorine Bypass Facility reaffirms our commitment to decarbonising our operations and complying with the Safeguard Mechanism obligations.”
The Berrima Cement Works is not only strategically important for Boral’s integrated operations in the NSW Southern Highlands but also crucial for Australia’s manufacturing capability.
It serves as a significant regional employer, with a workforce of approximately 115 people in operational and administrative roles.
The site indirectly supports additional local jobs in logistics, contracting, and supply chain sectors, making it one of the largest employers in the Wingecarribee Local Government Area.
Bansal expressed gratitude to both the federal and NSW governments for their investment in the facility and reiterated Boral’s commitment to decarbonising operations in line with their net-zero commitment.
This upgrade at the Berrima Cement Works demonstrates Boral’s proactive approach to reducing its environmental impact while maintaining its position as a key player in Australia’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
