Industry & Investment NSW has secured an $11.6 million investment in a new copper casting facility at Port Kembla in Wollongong, securing 199 jobs.

Metal Manufactures Ltd, trading as MM Kembla (MMK), will install a new "horizontal copper billet caster" following an assistance package provided by I&I.

Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald said: "This project will retain 199 direct existing jobs at MMK and bring $11.6 million in new investment to Port Kembla. Additionally the project will provide further indirect flow-on jobs and benefits to the Illawarra and NSW economies."

The new billet caster will allow MMK to produce billets for copper tube manufacturing and to also recycle scrap copper.

Currently MMK leases a billet caster on an adjacent site owned by Japanese machinery and commodities trading company Furukawa, but the lease is expiring and Furukawa plans to demolish and remediate the site for sale.

Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said: "That's why the NSW Government has stepped in with an assistance package to help MMK invest in a replacement billet caster to ensure its copper pipe business can continue in Wollongong and that 199 jobs are retained."

Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay said MMK is an important regional employer in the Illawarra.

The company makes copper tubing for the plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning industries and copper rod and wire for most electrical cable manufacturers in Australia.

Additionally, over 40% of MMK's output is exported generating important foreign exchange revenue for Australia.

"Our metal manufacturing industry is supported by a skilled, flexible workforce and access to efficient and leading edge infrastructure." Mrs Hay said.