Australia's leading household appliances company, Electrolux Home Products, will use a grant of more than $4.7 million from the Gillard Labor Government to upgrade its manufacturing facility at Orange in New South Wales.
The Industry and Innovation Minister, Greg Combet, announced the grant today as part of the $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program, which is funded by revenue from the carbon price.
Electrolux Home Products will contribute a further $9.4 million to the project, to modify existing production processes at the site and invest in new plant and equipment, to enable the manufacture of more energy efficient refrigerators.
"The company has identified a market for more energy efficient refrigerators and this $14.2 million project is expected to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of the refrigerators it manufactures by around 10 per cent," said Mr Combet.
"The Gillard Government is working in partnership with Electrolux Home Products to help its long term business suitability and competiveness while also cutting carbon pollution."
Electrolux Home Products is the Australian arm of Electrolux Group, a global distributor of household and commercial appliances. Electrolux Home Products is Australasia's leading household appliances company in terms of market share and sales.
Mr Combet encouraged other local manufacturers to consider applying for support under the Government's Clean Technology Investment Program or the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Program, which is also funded by carbon price revenue.
In addition to the Clean Technology Investment Programs, the $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program is funding Australian businesses to develop new clean technologies.
For more information, companies should contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.
Media contact: Minister's office 02 6277 7920