Activated Carbon

Charcoal produced from the first stage of processing the woody mallee feedstock can then be further activated by steam to produce activated carbon ( a high value product).

Activated carbon has various uses but the most important are in water treatment, gold recovery and in the food and beverage industry. Activated carbon acts to preferentially adsorb chemicals, ions and odours. The world market is estimated at approximately 700,000 t / pa and is increasing at a rate of approximately 4-5% pa.

Mallee carbon appears most suited, on the basis of recent research, to the high value water treatment market. This market is estimated at 140,000 t / pa.

The Australian market outside the gold industry is 3000 t / pa and growing. The IWP demonstration plant will sell into the Australian market, and potential customers have been identified. The projected selling price is competitive with existing suppliers. A conservative value of $1800 / t has been used in cash flow projections.