The Chemical & Process Engineering Club (CPEC) UWA, the Chemical Engineering Department and the University Safety team organised an inspiring tour that involved 18 enthusiastic chemical engineering students who were supervised by Dr Peter Whittaker PhD'15. This opportunity was made possible thanks to our valued partners: Laminex Australia, Hexion Australia, Tronox Kemerton, South32 Worsley, and Albemarle Kemerton to host students over a two-day trip down south during the University’s winter break. 

On the first day, students embarked on a journey to Laminex's Dardanup manufacturing plant. They were immersed in the world of particleboard and medium-density fibreboard (MDF) production while gaining insights into the significance of a thriving company culture.

Image: Students touring the production of particle board at Laminex Dardanup. 

The tour extended beyond the conventional classroom environment, offering students practical experience in the industries they aspire to join. They witnessed the collaborative efforts of diverse engineering teams working together to ensure the smooth operation of a facility and the culture in-place to ensure teamwork is maximised.  

Emilie Marsh said it was interesting to learn about different companies’ priorities in terms of sustainability and the environment. She highlighted Laminex’s strong commitment to sustainability and the environment through their use of recycled materials, responsible sourcing and innovative production processes.  

The journey continued with a visit to Hexion Australia where students delved into the operations of a major facility specialising in the manufacturing of products for the wood, mining, and construction industries, in addition to offering solutions for sanitation and fire control.  

The visit underscored the paramount significance of safety in production processes and the vital importance of handling dangerous goods.

Tronox Kemerton was next on the tour, where the production of Titanium Dioxide took centre stage. This visit highlighted their distinctive approach to operating a vertically integrated business, aptly named "From Mine to Pigment". The students observed and appreciated the emphasis on process safety within the facility, bolstered by cutting-edge technology. This experience proved engineering encompasses more than just equations and theories.  

Image: Left to Right - Khadija Bathool Naseer Ahmed, Janani Udayasankar, Saurav Chandrashekaraiah, Aneena Sebastian, Brizesh Rameshbhai Khunt, Yi Lin Low, Corey Proudfoot, Alex Foster, Jacob Tang, Cameron McWilliams, Dr. Peter Whittaker PhD'15, Redside Process Engineer - Darren Hope, Graduate Process Engineer - Jasmine Burr, Ben Tippet, Emilie Marsh, Raymond Lee Gileno, Vignesh Alagesan, Akbar Kapasi, and Joshua Th’ng BBiomedSc '21, MPE '23 at the South32 Worsley alumina refinery.  

On the following day, students had the opportunity to explore South32’s Worsley Alumina Refinery and learn in-depth about the Bayer process and the considerations taken to meet product targets. This practical knowledge complemented their theoretical university content, proving valuable for future career opportunities. Alex Foster said being able to talk about the experience of visiting these sites helped her immensely during interviews for the vacation program she was accepted into and at industry networking events.

Image: Left to Right – Yi Lin Low, Saurav Chandrashekaraiah, Brizesh Rameshbhai Khunt, Raymond Lee Gileno, Ben Tippet, Cameron McWilliams, Alex Foster, Dr. Peter Whittaker PhD'15, Emilie Marsh, Corey Proudfoot, Jacob Tang, Aneena Sebastian, Joshua Th’ng BBiomedSc '21, MPE '23 at the Albemarle Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant.  

The tour concluded with a visit to Albemarle's lithium hydroxide production plant, where experienced engineers introduced students to the innovative spodumene refining process. The students were inspired by the process design and the ample learning opportunities presented by this cutting-edge facility.  

The site visits provided students with a valuable chance to explore the opportunities within Australia's South West. Jacob Tang said the South West was a great place to potentially work and WA had plenty of industries beyond the usual companies students were exposed to.  

Industry-leading companies showcasing their projects and the practical applications of engineering design and operations helped students broadened their horizons and deepened their understanding of chemical engineering.  

Western Australia holds numerous possibilities, and increased exposure to the industry, coupled with hands-on experience, promises a bright future for both students and the companies involved.