Innovative New 10-Year EPA Licence Provides Long Term Security For Penrice Operations

South Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has broken new ground with the granting of a 10-year operating licence for Penrice Soda Holdings Ltd’s Osborne plant in SA.

The new licence – which compares with a four-year term previously for the Penrice operation - takes effect when the current EPA licence expires in October this year.

Penrice, which employs 191 people at its Osborne operation, is the only manufacturer of soda ash in Australia and is the leading supplier of soda ash and sodium bicarbonate to the local market.

The South Australian-based company supplies 77% of the Australian market with soda ash, a key component in the manufacture of glass. Soda ash is also used in the production of chemicals and detergents and in the mining industry.

Licence policy “sets new standard” – EPA Chairman

“The issuing of a 10-year licence to Penrice sets a new standard for the EPA in its approach to managing difficult issues that involve both industry and the community in South Australia,” Dr Paul Vogel, Chairman and Chief Executive of the EPA, said today.

“This is one of several approaches the EPA is taking as part of its commitment to 'smart' regulation and achieving real environmental progress,” Dr Vogel said.

Under the development of the Port Waterways Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP), due for release later this year, the EPA has used a water quality model to develop target loads for dischargers of nutrients – including Penrice.

“Penrice has embraced the opportunity to work towards a clear target and its latest Environement Improvement Program (EIP) reflects a continuing commitment to reduce the discharge of ammonia to the Port River,” Dr Vogel said.

Long term security for Penrice – CEO

Penrice’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Reid, said the EPA’s granting of a new 10 year long term operating license in advance of the expiry of the current operating license provided significant long term security for the company.

“The EPA’s innovative approach is not only beneficial to Penrice’s long term business planning and commitments, but it is also a boost for corporate South Australia and the community generally,” Mr Reid said.

“Penrice is committed to environment improvement and community expectations with all of its operations. This includes our commitment to working with the EPA under this new long-term licence to continue our progress of reducing the amount of nutrients (ammonia) discharged to the Port River.

“This strategy is embedded in an EIP that is bound to the new licence and targets ammonia reduction by the end of 2010 of approximately 50% when compared to figures in year 2000.”

Mr Reid said the new ammonia EIP incorporated a number of capital projects that would improve the operation efficiency and recycle/recover ammonia in the process rather than losing it to the waste water stream.

This follows Penrice’s success with its Solids Recovery Plant which now prevents up to 100K mt of suspended solids from entering the Port River.