Three WA companies have shared in nearly $1 million of national grants from the federal government’s Re-tooling for Climate Change program.
Food producer Mrs Mac’s has been awarded a $500,000 grant, followed by Bunbury-based Geographe Enterprises with $350,000 and Canon Foods Services with $95,000.
Across the nation, a total of $4.4 million was awarded to 16 businesses in the latest round of grants. WA ranked third in state funding, behind Victoria, which received $992,500 and South Australia, which raked in more than $2.1 million.
Using the funding, Mrs Mac’s said it planned to upgrade its production line, install an additional condenser for its ammonia plant, and replace an inefficient boiler system.
It said it expected the changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the production process by 20 per cent.
Canon Foods Services said it intended to install more efficient heating and chilling processes. Geographe Enterprises said it planned a re-engineering of its heat treatment process.
One of three elements of the Government’s Clean Business Australia initiative, the climate change program offers dollar-for-dollar grants from $10,000 to $500,000 to help small to medium companies improve energy and water consumption.
Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said the funding gave companies the chance to implement measures to cut costs and run more efficiently.
“These grants provide manufacturers with the funds they need to get their ideas off the ground,” he said.
“Through innovation, they will cut their costs, reduce their waste, and boost their profits.”
