Tools and calculators

As part of AMPC’s Decarbonisation Pathway to help guide processors to a more meaningful reduction in processor emissions, biomass boilers have been trialled at several Australian meat processing facilities over the past five years. 

The results from the pilot trials have verified that biomass is an effective option for red meat processors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce costs. Shifting to biomass to replace fossil fuels for heating could help the industry save an estimated $75.5 million per year. 

The 2025 Australian Renewable Heat Conference, held from 26 to 27 August in Sydney, brought together over 300 industry leaders, technology providers, researchers, and policymakers to explore commercial solutions for decarbonisation and renewable process heat.

This project developed an online tool to help processors to design integrated wastewater treatment and bio-resource recovery systems. The integrated design can assist with increased environmental compliance, smaller carbon footprints, treated water recycling, diversion of wastes from landfill, and recovery of nutrients, bioenergy and fertiliser by-products.

The 3D illustrated software model helps assess, design, cost and transition towards modularised wastewater treatment while realising the benefits of a smaller footprint, zero waste and optimized bio-resource recovery.

AMPC processers can also access one-on-one workshops to learn how to operate the tool until the end of 2022.

The energy and water benchmarking tool facilitates sectoral comparison and individual opportunity identification for AMPC member plants, as a part of the AMPC energy and water productivity capacity building program. 

Key functionalities

• Evaluate the production site’s thermal and electrical energy efficiency, and water efficiency performance 
• Provide comparison with best-practice across the industry
• Provide energy and water performance improvement opportunities with calculations for indicative costs, savings, carbon abatement, and simple payback.

This project developed Excel spreadsheet calculators, and an AMPC service, to enable sophisticated financial comparison of solar PV (and battery) and biomass boiler projects. The calculator and service helps bring transparency and awareness to members when faced with different options for renewable energy adoption.

The heat pump selection tool is an industry developed xl calculator that assists meat processors in better understanding their particular opportunity for switching from fossil fuel process heat to more productive process heat powered by renewable electricity.

AMPC launched a free service that provides members with expert information, advice and guidance to help identify and apply for energy and environment government funding and grants.

Members can:

• Speak to a grant application expert
• Identify what they are eligible for
• Be guided through the entire grant process
• Check their eligibility
• Get help drafting applications

The AD advisor tool aims to provide a user-friendly platform that enables industry to evaluate the potential feasibility of greenfield, brownfield and cross-sectoral anaerobic co-digestion business projects as part of a circular economy.

The tool guides the user through high level regulatory integration assessment, design rules or principles for selection and sizing of anaerobic digestion technologies, and technoeconomic evaluation of project concepts.

The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) Handbook provides a comprehensive guide for participants in the meat processing industry who are interested in leveraging the ERF to reduce their carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The guidebook includes practical information and a decision-making matrix for implementing a non-potable water recycling program in a red meat processing plant. 

The pilot project began in 2023 and trialled recycled water for use within a plant cooling asset and was the first time a fit-for-purpose use of non-potable recycled water had been utilised in a red meat processing plant condenser as an approved arrangement. The result was a system that could generate annual savings of over $30,000 across two condensers. 

AMPC partnered with All Energy to conduct a series of award-winning water recycling pilot trials beginning in early 2022. The trials occurred across red meat processing plants in Australia and delivered a suite of outcomes. This video that will assist processors in determining how best to produce non-potable recycled water for use within their plants and the associated savings. 

Hosted by the AMPC Helpline, this insightful session features a panel of industry experts from Northmore Gordon and Pangolin Associates, that will break down the critical challenges and opportunities introduced by the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS).

Gain expert insights on compliance, implementation strategies and what ASRS means for your business sustainability journey.

Recent changes to the Corporations Act 2001 require certain red meat processors to include climate-related disclosures within their annual report. These disclosures may include how the business is managing climate risks and opportunities; potential financial impacts; and quantified greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1, 2 and 3). The requirements are being phased in between 2025 and 2027 and will affect different processors depending on their revenue, assets and number of employees.  

To help processors understand and comply with these incoming regulatory requirements, AMPC engaged consultants GHD Pty. Ltd. to produce a Climate Disclosure Guidance Document (and summary version).

This calculator provides a quick and simple framework to help processors develop a business case for on-plant capital investments, particularly around innovation and technology.

The calculator models the financial performance of investments based on the expected upfront and ongoing costs and benefits.

The calculator is designed to be applicable for a range of different types of investments including equipment, technology and other captital upgrades.

The calculator relies on user estimates of expected costs and benefits, which can vary and change during project delivery. 
Some indirect costs and benefits may be difficult to quantify in dollar terms (e.g. impact on social licence).
Adoption of technology and innovation today often leads to unforeseen future benefits, including preparing businesses for future innovations.

The calcularor does not account for the following:
Depreciation/amortisation or capital benefits
Tax impacts

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Disclaimer

The results provided by the calculator are indicative only and are dependent on the assumptions made and information supplied by the user. The results provided by the calculator are not a substitute for independent professional advice. The user relies on the results at their own risk and is advised to obtain their own independent and expert advice before making any decisions based on results using the calculator.
AMPC does not accept any responsibility for any person relying on any opinion, advice, representation, statement or information whether expressed or implied by the calculator or results from the calculator, and disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the calculator or results from the calculator or by reason of any error, omission, defect or mis-statement (whether such error, omission or mis-statement is caused by or arises from negligence, lack of care or otherwise).