The Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant, based on the site of an operating sugar factory, is a unique pioneering research and development facility that converts biomass into biofuels, green chemicals and other bioproducts. Part of the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, the plant develops and demonstrates a wide range of technologies at the pilot scale and is available for use by industry and research partners. We aim to increase the uptake of renewable bioproduct technologies in Australia by developing innovative, commercially viable products.

Website

https://www.qut.edu.au/research/why-qut/infrastructure/biorefining-research-facility/mackay-renewable-biocommodities-pilot-plant

Organisation type

• University Research Centre

Number of research staff

Up to 20 research staff

Address

Racecourse Mill Site, Mackay Sugar Limited, Peak Downs Highway,Racecourse via Mackay QLD 4741

Strengths and capabilities

• Industrial biotechnology
• Sugarcane processing
• Biomass pre|treatment and conversion
• High value product and process development
• Carbohydrate hydrolysis and fermentation
• Biomass harvesting, transportation, storage, processing
• Analytical expertise

Facilities and major equipment

• Unique biomass reactor constructed from corrosion|resistant alloys
• Equipment for product separation, purification and recovery
• Mettler Toledo RCe1 reaction calorimeter with in-situ infrared probe
• Parr, sand-bath and microwave reactors
• Supercritical CO2 process development unit

Lead researcher

Professor Ian O'Hara—Member of the Queensland Government Biofutures Industry Reference Group

Achievements of the centre

• Unique biorefining pilot research facility in Australia for developing technologies for the manufacture of biofuels and bioproducts

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Biotechnology
• Energy
• Environment and nature
• Food and agriculture
• Tropical