Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) has announced it will design and implement its Integrated Controls and Safety System (ICSS) at Iluka Resources’ Eneabba rare earths refinery in Western Australia, aiming to boost production efficiency and enhance worker safety at the landmark facility.
The Eneabba refinery, a strategic partnership between the federal government and Iluka Resources, is set to become Australia’s first fully integrated rare earths refinery.
The facility will produce rare earth oxides-critical components in defence systems, electric and hybrid vehicles, robotics, sustainable energy technologies, and a wide range of consumer, industrial, and agricultural applications.
Honeywell’s automation and safety controls, including the Experion® PKS, Universal Operation Controllers (UOC), and advanced remote-control systems, will be deployed at the refinery.
The Experion® distributed control system will provide Iluka with plant-wide control through a fully integrated automation platform, transforming traditional approaches to plant automation.
In addition to operational improvements, Honeywell will deliver safety systems designed to minimise incident risks and maximise production uptime.
The solution will also feature advanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard both on-site and cloud-based operations.
“The Eneabba rare earths refinery is a significant project that underscores the importance of expanding the critical minerals sector in Australia and diversifying the rare earths supply chain,” said Craig Renner, Project Director at Iluka Resources.
“As a partner in this endeavour, Honeywell brings decades of automation domain expertise to increase productivity at the refinery while keeping our most important assets, our workers, safe.”
With a capital cost estimated between $1.7 and $1.8 billion, the Eneabba refinery is expected to produce up to 6,250 tonnes annually of separated neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium oxides-globally significant volumes essential for electrification and strengthening Australia’s domestic supply chain.
Honeywell’s automation and control systems will enhance operational efficiency by providing real-time data analytics, enabling operators to make faster, more informed decisions.
“Our partnership with Iluka demonstrates how automation is a key driver of the global energy transition supply chain,” said Pramesh Maheshwari, President of Honeywell Process Solutions.
“With Honeywell’s extensive expertise in automation, Iluka will be equipped with the necessary tools to enhance the safety and efficiency of its operations, which are vital for supporting a more sustainable future.”
Commissioning of Iluka’s Eneabba refinery is scheduled for 2027.
