A new grant from The Federal Government has been awarded to BlueScope and its partners that will 'enhance Australia’s manufacturing capability and accelerate the transition to clean energy'. 

On March 16th, ASA member BlueScope and its Managing Director & CEO, Mr Mark Vassella welcomed the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor to the iconic Port Kembla Steelworks, where he announced a Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant from the Federal Government to BlueScope and its partners. This exciting development is set to enhance Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability and accelerate the manufacture of essential components for the transition to clean energy.

Commenting on the achievement, BlueScope shared on social media, "BlueScope and its partners are delighted to have received a Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant from the Federal Government, which will enhance Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, and ensure we can make a substantive investment to get on with the job of making essential components for the clean energy transition including wind towers and solar farm componentry," they said. 

BlueScope's Managing Director and CEO, Mr Mark Vassella, has indicated the grant, which is $55.4 million, is a catalyst to produce a further $162 million worth of investment by BlueScope and its partners; Keppel Prince, Bisalloy, and the University of Wollongong. The BlueScope team predicts this revenue will also generate approximately 200 new jobs in steel manufacturing and an additional 1000 jobs in associated industries. 

Mr Angus Taylor with Mr Mark Vassella on ​Wednesday last week. Image credit: BlueScope

A variety of changes at BlueScope Port Kembla are also to come from this upgrade, including some upgrades on existing buildings and the addition of some new purpose-built facilities. Mr Vasella said in a recent statement, "The investment – which will create an Advanced Steel Manufacturing Precinct at Port Kembla Steelworks – will see the building of a new fabrication facility to manufacture components for the renewable energy, defence and other sectors, as well as upgrades and modernisation of BlueScope’s Plate Mill", Mr Vassella said.

This exciting new grant for BlueScope and its various partners presents a unique opportunity for the acceleration to a net-zero future. As associates, the ASA looks forward to keeping up-to-date and reporting on the updates as they unfold, and would like to congratulate BlueScope for this incredible achievement. 

"Today’s announcement is an example of BlueScope and its partners ‘walking the talk’ and taking practical action to help deliver a low emissions future for Australia," Mr Vassellya concluded.

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