Joint media release: $192 million to cut emissions and costs for Aussie industry

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Member for Ballarat

The Albanese Government is helping Australian businesses cut gas use, lower their energy bills and slash emissions, with $12 million in new funding for leading manufacturers and another $180 million now open for regional industries to follow suit.

McCain Foods, Sugar Australia and Blackmores will receive support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to trial cleaner, more efficient industrial processes:

• McCain Foods will install advanced heat recovery at its Ballarat potato plant, cutting steam and heat needs by more than 20%.
• Sugar Australia will replace gas-fired evaporators with an electric system at its Yarraville refinery.
• Blackmores will install a high-efficiency heat pump at its Braeside factory, slashing gas use by up to 25%.

Another $180 million in ARENA funding is now open under the Industrial Transformation Stream to help more regional manufacturers modernise operations, reduce gas reliance and stay competitive in a net zero economy.

Industrial processes make up 44% of Australia’s emissions. With support from ARENA, the Safeguard Transformation Stream and other Future Made in Australia programs, emissions from industry are already falling – down 4.7% in the year to March 2025.

More information on how to apply can be found here: https://arena.gov.au/funding/powering-the-regions-industrial-transformation-stream/

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“Australian businesses are proving that smart investments in clean technology mean lower bills and lower emissions.

“These upgrades will help McCain, Sugar Australia and Blackmores use less gas, save money and cut pollution – all while staying competitive in a net zero world.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ballarat Catherine King:

“McCain aren’t just a major employer in the Ballarat region, they’re also a climate leader. 

“Over the last 5 years, they’ve installed an incredible array of 17,000 solar panels and invested in an anaerobic digester that generates energy from food waste. That has helped them reduced the energy they draw from the grid by 39%, and their reliance on natural gas by 16%.

“Now with the support of the Albanese Labor Government, McCain have done it again, investing in a heat recovery system that will reduce their steam and heat requirements. 

“This investment will help them go even further in reducing their costs and climate impact. It’s a great example of how we’re supporting regional manufacturers to modernise their plants, cut costs and emissions, and strengthen local jobs.”