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UK Startup Eyes Australia's Only Manganese Smelter
24 Aug
Summary
- British startup proposes to acquire and restart Australia's sole manganese smelter.
- A$15 million is sought for a 16-week restart period with government co-funding.
- The smelter closed after a prior sale attempt failed and entered administration.
Natrium Redox Technologies, a UK-based green technology startup, has presented a formal proposal to the Tasmanian government concerning the acquisition and revival of Australia's sole manganese smelter. This facility, known as the Liberty Bay Smelter, had been scheduled for closure by administrators EY Parthenon after a previous sale agreement collapsed.
The startup has been in discussions with EY Parthenon and the Tasmanian government for six months regarding its restart plan. Natrium Redox Technologies is requesting A$15 million in co-funding from the government, alongside the continuation of the existing electricity contract, to facilitate a 16-week restart period.
The Liberty Bay Smelter, previously part of British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance, suspended operations mid-last year and subsequently entered voluntary administration in March. The proposed restart aims to supply global battery and electric vehicle markets.
