Destruction of Stored HCB Waste - Latest update

Danish and Australian Governments Approve Export of HCB Waste

On 18 August 2010 the Australian Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and Arts and the Danish Minister for the Environment both formally approved the export of HCB waste for safe and environmentally sound destruction at the Kommunekemi Plant in Nyborg, Denmark.

The export of waste is in accordance with international agreement (Basel Convention) and relevant local laws in both Australia and Denmark. The approval is for a 12 month period, which is the maximum time allowed under international law. There is about 16,000 tonnes of HCB waste stored at Botany Industrial Park, and the approved initial amount for export in the first year is 6,100 tonnes. It is expected that further applications for the remaining HCB will be made.

Orica will now commence preparation for the safe transport of the waste, in accordance with the plans approved by both the Australian and Danish governments. Several shipment batches will be required and Orica aims to commence shipment as soon as practical after the late October 2010 date. 

• Media release from the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts - 18 August 2010
• Orica's announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange - 18 August 2010

Orica is pleased that a solution to safely destroy the HCB waste has been found and accepted. 

For further details view the pages on Repackaging and Destruction of the Stored HCB Waste.