Cleveland Bay Chemical Company expands into aluminium chlorohydrate production

A Stuart business will diversify and expand to manufacture an essential water treatment product for the first time in Queensland.

A STUART business will diversify and expand to manufacture an essential water treatment product for the first time in Queensland.

Cleveland Bay Chemical Company (CBCC) will now manufacture aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH), which is used to treat drinking water and waste water, as part of a new partnership with the Queensland government.

Owner and director Geoff Whebell said the plant would be upgraded to support the Queensland market demand for ACH and replace the need for foreign imports and add value to locally sourced raw materials.

Mr Whebell said the principal product CBCC made was an aluminium sulfate which was also used to treat drinking and waste water.

Joel Lento, Geoff Whebell and Nicholas Whebell from the Cleveland Bay Chemical Company. Picture: Shae Beplate.

However, with ACH preferred for some treatment types, it will diversify opportunity for the company.

“It also finds use in sediment run off control where people are doing civil works construction,” Mr Whebell said.

He said ACH was used to treat the water and separate out the turbid solids to get a clear run-off.

Mr Whebell said CBCC would install a specialised reactor concentration tank as part of an extension to the facility.

CBCC expects to start producing product by the end of 2022.

It is expected to be distributed from Mackay north and west to Burketown and Mount Isa.

“We believe we will be competitive to sell this product further south into Rockhampton further and beyond, transport is just the limiting factor,” he said.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said it was an investment in Townsville and local jobs.

“It’s an important project when it comes to water quality,” Mr Walker said. “These guys will start sending their product interstate to make sure we can grow this industry here in Townsville.

Nicholas Whebell, Geoff Whebell and Joel Lenton from the Cleveland Bay Chemical Company, at the Cleveland Bay Chemical Company's Townsville facility. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“It’s a first for the state, and an important one.”

Treasurer and Investment Minister Cameron Dick said CBCC would manufacture the ACH with the support of a $50m Essential Goods and Supply Chain program set up by the Queensland government.

“COVID-19 has taught us the importance of sovereign manufacturing capability,” Mr Dick said. “It’s about making more things in Queensland for Queenslanders by Queenslanders.

“This product is best practice when it comes to the treatment of drinking water and wastewater, and now we’re going to produce it in Queensland.

“Currently we have to import ACH from overseas or interstate, but that won’t be the case for much longer.”

Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said the benefits would go further.

“Townsville steel fabricators NEM Group will likely have to put on new staff to keep up with the maintenance needs of this facility upgrade,” he said.

Originally published as Cleveland Bay Chemical Company expands into aluminium chlorohydrate production