Minister for State Development Cameron Dick announces two Waste to Biofutures funding grants

Media Release

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Grant secures take-off for sustainable aviation fuel project 

Queensland sugar cane waste and wood waste could be turned into sustainable aviation fuel thanks to a $159,000 grant from the Palaszczuk Government’s $5 million Waste to Biofutures (W2B) Fund.

Speaking from the Bio Based Aviation and Marine Fuels Summit in Gladstone, Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the grant would support a research project being undertaken by Gevo Inc, a global producer of low-carbon renewable fuels.

“Gevo supplied the renewable fuel used in Virgin Australia’s trial of sustainable aviation fuel at Brisbane Airport which was completed in June last year,” Mr Dick said.

“This new research project will see Gevo collaborate with QUT to turn Queensland sugar cane waste and wood waste into sustainable jet fuel.

“Sustainable aviation fuel provides an alternative to fossil-based jet fuel and offers environmental benefits by reducing the carbon footprint of plane travel.

“This project will also help position Queensland as a world-leading location for investment in the manufacture and distribution of this fuel in the global bioproducts and services market.”

Mr Dick said Gevo’s participation in the successful sustainable aviation fuel trial at the Brisbane Airport led to the company considering Queensland as the location for its first biorefinery outside of the United States.

“These ongoing partnerships have the potential to bring even more business to Queensland, as demand for biofuels grows,” he said.

“Having the ability to turn our agriculture waste into sustainable fuel means more jobs in agriculture and biofutures across our regions."

Gevo Chief Executive Officer Dr Patrick Gruber said Queensland is rich in renewable biomass resources and has expressed the desire to invest in the future of biofuels.

“This opportunity opens the door for the development of a project that supplies low carbon gasoline to not only Queensland, but also the possibility to supply commercial quantities of 2G sustainable aviation fuel to the Brisbane Airport.

“This would expand upon our demonstrations of sustainable aviation fuel supply to commercial airlines, like those conducted with Virgin Australia.”

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and project lead Professor Robert Speight said the university was excited to be working with Gevo in assessing opportunities for developing biorefineries in Queensland.

“This project is an opportunity to further leverage QUT’s expertise in scaling and commercialising industrial bioprocesses.

“With our state’s large sugar resources, strong innovation, environment and growing demand for renewable products like sustainable fuels, Queensland is well placed for the commercial development of these industries.”

Mr Dick said the Queensland Government is invested in growing and diversifying the state’s aviation and maritime industries and steadfast in supporting regional projects generating economic development and creating more jobs for Queenslanders.

“Today’s summit in Gladstone is investigating how bio-based aviation and marine fuels can be part of a new industry for Queensland,” he said.

“The Queensland Government’s Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan is positioning our state as an Asia-Pacific hub for the industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector.

“Our Waste to Biofutures Fund is helping create a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector here in Queensland.”

Media contact: Lesley Major 0419 288 284

Media Release

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Grant supports sugarcane waste research for Burdekin biorefinery

A future biorefinery which turns sugarcane waste into sustainable fuel will be the subject of a research and feasibility project thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Palaszczuk Government’s $5 million Waste to Biofutures (W2B) Fund.

Speaking from the Bio Based Aviation and Marine Fuels Summit in Gladstone, Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the grant would support a research project being undertaken by Licella Holdings Ltd in the Burdekin region. 

“Licella will work with the University of Queensland, Burdekin Renewable Fuels and other project partners to test the conversion of sugar cane feedstock into biofuels with the potential for marine and aviation uses,” he said.

“If the outcome of the feasibility project is positive, we could see the Burdekin region supporting a full-scale biorefinery, and the many jobs that will come with it.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Queensland Government was committed to supporting regional projects that generate economic development and create more jobs for Queenslanders,” he said. 

“Our region has many natural advantages including an abundance of energy dense and productive organic waste feedstock and other industry materials to produce high-value products such as sustainable fuels and chemicals.

"With our world-leading agricultural and industrial biotechnology expertise and research, the we want to see more biofuel’s business and investment such as this”

Licella’s Business Development Manager Steve Rogers said it was great to see the Queensland Government investing in companies and projects to grow the industry by getting new technology up and running.

“We estimate that a full-scale commercial biorefinery in the region would require around 60 staff in addition to about 100 workers for construction and others involved with collection of leafy trash during the cane harvesting process."

Burdekin Renewable Fuels Chairman Greg Rossato said that around 1.65 million tonnes of sugarcane tops and trash is produced in the region every year and this project aimed to provide a commercial alternative for growers looking for an option to burning before harvest.

“The Queensland Government’s  Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan is positioning our state as an Asia-Pacific hub for the industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector.” 

Media contact: Lesley Major 0419 288 284