The Australian Sugar Manufacturers (ASM) has welcomed the release of the Growing Australia’s Bioeconomy report by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), which outlines a strategic research and development (R&D) pathway to build a robust biomanufacturing sector in Australia, transforming sugar from a traditional crop into a key player in advanced bioindustries.
“Australian sugar manufacturers can establish world leading capabilities in bioenergy, biofuels, and biomaterials, while continuing to be a globally significant producer of sugar,” Ash Salardini, CEO of ASM said.
“By harnessing our existing biomass, we have the capacity to supply renewable baseload electricity to around 500,000 homes, and meet between 30 to 40 percent of the domestic aviation sector’s liquid fuel demand,” Salardini said.
However, building a viable bioeconomy in Australia will depend on supportive policy and regulatory frameworks that allow local manufacturers to compete in what is set to become a global market for bioproducts. A defined R&D roadmap is essential to achieving this.
“Sugar has the potential to become a powerhouse for regional manufacturing, especially if we can simultaneously optimise sugar production and the creation of high-value bioproducts such as biofuels and bioenergy,” Salardini noted.
He stressed the need for targeted investment in R&D to increase the sugar and carbon content of cane and to develop advanced manufacturing processes. These innovations will be key to cost-effectively converting sugarcane into a diverse range of high-value products beyond traditional sugar.
