Orica

Uhde Success Story

Three EnviNOx® systems for Orica brought down greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) at their Kooragang facilities by nearly 50 % and contribute to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries in Australia.

How to deploy transformative abatement in the chemical sector

Orica, a global leader in mining and infrastructure solutions, operates a significant manufacturing complex on Kooragang Island in Newcastle, Australia. This facility produces nitric acid and ammonium nitrate, essential components for explosives used in mining operations.

A critical challenge at this site was the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas approximately 265 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Addressing these emissions was vital for Orica to meet its sustainability targets and contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts.

What is the solution? tk-arrow-right



To tackle this challenge, Orica partnered with thyssenkrupp Uhde to implement the EnviNOx® technology across all three nitric acid plants at the Kooragang Island facility. The project execution commenced in mid 2021, with commissioning completed in 2023, marking the first installation of such technology in Australia.

EnviNOx® was selected due to its high abatement rates, longevity, and because it is easy to install. thyssenkrupp Uhde’s experts worked hand in hand with Orica on-site personnel and were able to ensure the highest possible N2O and NOx reduction through on-site adjustments of Orica’s EnviNOx® system.

So what is the result?

Key figures

  • 95 %

    achieved N2O reduction

  • ~ 500,000

    tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions eliminated annually

  • 50 %

    reduction of the site’s total greenhouse gas emissions

95 %

achieved N2O reduction

~ 500,000

tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions eliminated annually

50 %

reduction of the site’s total greenhouse gas emissions



The successful implementation of EnviNOx® technology has led to a substantial decrease in greenhouse gas emissions at the Kooragang Island site. Specifically, the technology is eliminating approximately 500,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually, effectively reducing the site’s total greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 %.

This reduction represents a significant portion of all GHG emissions from chemical industry in Australia. As of February 2025, Orica has successfully eliminated one million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions from the site, underscoring the project’s long-term impact.

Partnering with thyssenkrupp Uhde has enabled us to reduce emissions by nearly 50%, giving our business a boost.

Bertus de Villiers, Vice President
Continuous Manufacturing at Orica

Further Uhde success stories

N2O and NOx removal

Arxada

Arxada wanted to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) at Visp plant Switzerland. Now, one EnviNOx® system saves up to 600,000 t/year of CO2 equivalents, which is comparable to taking every Swiss passenger car off the road – twice.