A Queensland biomanufacturing pilot plant that converts biomass from a sugar mill into bioproducts is set for expansion thanks to funding provided by the Queensland government.
The QUT Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant (MRBPP) is a research and development facility that manufactures biofuels, green chemicals, and other bioproducts.
Steven Miles, deputy premier and minister for state development, said the facility’s expansion will create regional jobs and foster the state’s growing biofutures industry. It will also fast-track the development of regional biomanufacturing industries, attract further investment, and create more local jobs.
The deputy premier said Queensland is positioned to become an Asia-Pacific hub in biomanufacturing and biorefining.
“Which is why we are investing in the Mackay Pilot Plant expansion through the Palszczuk Government’s $350 million Industry Partnership Program,” Miles said in the statement.
The Mackay region has been identified as a key location for biofutures industry, including the potential development of a Future Foods BioHub, according to Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert.
“The region is known around the world for its sugar cane, and the expansion of this facility, located on a sugar mill site, will have a strong appeal to companies looking to use sugar feedstocks for their products.”
Professor Ian O’Hara, QUT’s Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Queensland’s Biofutures Industry Envoy, said the government funding will go towards boosting the MRBPP facility’s capabilities, enabling it to test a wider range of new and emerging technologies at scale.
“This expansion is critical to support companies seeking to supply new products for the future foods and other biomanufacturing industries, enabling them to rapidly demonstrate their technologies and products for market testing,” Professor O’Hara said.
The facility is anticipated to support the growth of various Australian companies and attract new investors to create new jobs in the Australian sugar industry.
The Palszczuk Government’s $350 million Industry Partnership Program is part of the $5.84 billion Queensland Jobs Fund, which seeks to boost the State’s industry footprint, create more local jobs, and strengthen the economy.
