Gas grief for Incitec as Alcoa powers up in Australia

Incitec Pivot has blamed high gas prices for its decision to shut an ageing Queensland fertiliser plant, on the same day that US giant Alcoa struck a power deal that will enable it to grow aluminium production at its previously endangered Portland smelter in Victoria.

Incitec said it would “reluctantly” shut the Gibson Island fertiliser plant, near Brisbane, by December 2022 because affordable gas was not available, in a move that will affect 170 jobs.