VP8 Fuel Substitution

VP8 Fuel Substitution is an industrial energy efficiency project located at Visy's VP8 recycled paper mill on Gibson Island in Murarrie, approximately 10km east of the Brisbane CBD in Queensland. It was registered in May 2021. Given its industrial nature, the project does not have a traditional land-based project area and operates within the bounds of the existing manufacturing facility.

Industrial and Commercial Emissions Reduction projects involve generating carbon credits by reducing emissions from energy consumption. This is typically achieved by upgrading, replacing, or modifying existing energy-consuming equipment, changing control systems, or switching to lower-emission fuel sources to substitute grid electricity. Project activities at VP8 include comprehensive site upgrades such as boiler replacements, co-generation or tri-generation, fuel switching, and the installation of process heat and turbine infrastructure.

The Gibson Island area in Murarrie is a heavily developed industrial, manufacturing, and port zone situated along the Brisbane River. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with high annual rainfall averaging around 1,150mm. Because of its riverside location, the underlying soils are heavily modified and consist of alluvial clays, silts, and dredged sands characteristic of the Brisbane River floodplain.

The VP8 site operates as a 100% recycled paper mill, primarily making products from used newsprint and carton board. A notable aspect of this project's fuel switching involves using the mill's own rejects as an energy source for an upgraded Multi-Fuel Boiler, converting commercial waste into renewable energy and reducing landfill. In October 2022, the project updated its methodology to the 2021 determination, and in April 2023, the proponent changed from Visy Paper Pty Ltd to Northmore Gordon Pty Ltd, an energy and carbon consultancy. These infrastructure upgrades coincide with recent major investments at the mill, including a $30 million upgrade completed in late 2025 to expand its recycled corrugated box capabilities.