Biofutures
The Greater Whitsunday region’s broad biofutures focus has been on the manufacture of bioproducts utilising many of the region’s unique opportunities to capitalise on expected global growth.
Significant growth is projected for bio-refinery products in the coming years, namely:
- Biorefinery Products: Global Markets Report (BCC Research 2021), identifying that the market is expected to grow from US$587 billion in 2020 to US$868 billion in 2025
- Contract Biomanufacturing Services Global Market – Forecast to 2028 identifies that the global market for contract biomanufacturing services is projected to reach US$57 billion by 2028
The Queensland Government released the Advance Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan to support its vision for a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector.
Biofutures Highlights
The Greater Whitsunday region has been identified globally as a key region for biofutures development due to:
Access to ample biomass feedstocks
Sophisticated transport and logistics networks
Existing biofutures operations
In-region biofutures research facilities
Clean energy options
Local skills and technical services provided by our existing companion markets.
Regional Opportunities
Agriculture
The Greater Whitsunday region’s established and varied agriculture sector provides the biofutures sector with access to some of the world’s most energy dense and productive biomass feedstocks such as sugar cane, eucalypts and algae. The region also has access to additional land for crop expansion, a sub-tropical climate providing ideal growing conditions and good rainfall.
Mining and METS
The Greater Whitsunday Mining and METS sector provides a range of key advantages required for an emerging biofutures sector:
Technical and engineering skills
Existing trade relationships with key international markets including Asia
Advanced manufacturing capabilities which have skillset and operations synergies with bio-futures manufacturing facilities
Experience in research and innovation, which is critical to the emerging bio-futures sector
Sound legal and compliance acumen
Demonstrated Biofutures Capabilities
Wilmar Sugar Sarina Distillery
The Wilmar Sugar Sarina Distillery commenced operation in 1927 and is now the largest producer of ethanol from sugarcane in Australia. The ethanol from this facility is used for fuel, as well as pharmaceutical, printing, cleaning, winery, aerosol, animal health and food and beverage products. The Wilmar Sugar Sarina Distillery currently employs around 50 people directly, along with 30 contractors.
Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant
The Mackay Renewable Bio-Commodities Pilot Plant is owned and operated by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and is hosted by Mackay Sugar Limited. The bio-commodities plant is a unique facility that enables research, development and demonstration of pilot scale bio-mass processing and is available for use by industry and research partners looking to commercialise new bio-technologies and bio-products. The capacity to provide access to research facilities in region provides a unique resource to companies interested in establishing operations within the region.
Biofutures facilities require access to renewable energy to reduce environmental footprint and increase their capacity to compete in the biofutures industry. Mackay Sugar’s co-generation plant at Racecourse Mill uses bagasse to generate enough electricity to power 30 per cent of Mackay. The climate, location and resources of the region also provide access to solar as a viable power source, as well as offering opportunities in hydrogen production.
GW3 Projects
Discover more about key GW3 projects and activities that support biofutures in the region below:
Biofutures Leaders Group
GW3 leads the Greater Whitsunday Biofutures Leaders Group comprising stakeholders with decision making influence and to provide stewardship of regional biofutures strategy development and delivery.
Sub-REAP project
GW3 has been funded by the Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development (DITID) to support the initiation of the pilot program - Sub-REAP Team Mackay. The intention of this program is to enhance collaboration and strengthen start up formation in biofutures, comparative advantage identified for the Mackay region.
Regional Jobs Committee
Delivered in partnership with the Department of Employment Small Business and Training, the committee supports future skills development in key industries across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region.
The Greater Whitsunday Future Skills Roadmap here.
The Future Employment Study here.
Transformation Region
The Transformation Region platform showcases the region’s commitment to transformation, innovation and change. You can check out these stories here.
The MIW Agribusiness Futures Alliance project is supporting growth of the biofutures sector as part of its value-adding workstream in order to improve the value of the sector to the region.
Other relevant publications:
Investing in Bio-Futures projects in the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region
Feedstock Mapping
Bio-Futures Precinct Prospectus
Market Sounding Report
Decarbonisation Accelerated - About the Project
Business Bright Spot-Linked Group Services
Let’s discuss future foods and precision fermentation for the Australian sugar industry webinar