Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has unveiled an $18 million transformation of its Mackay-based Pioneer BioPilot, now Australia’s leading pilot-scale fermentation facility. Backed by federal and state funding and linked with the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), the upgrade positions Mackay at the heart of Queensland’s push to become an Asia-Pacific biomanufacturing hub.
Senator Corinne Mulholland said, “This investment positions Australia as a serious player in the global bioeconomy and, importantly, it will make Mackay one of the driving forces for our future economy.”
“Like many, I am passionate about ensuring that Queensland’s regional centres see the economic benefits of transitioning to Net Zero by 2050.
“This transition is not just an investment in our planet, but an investment in the jobs, skills and technology of tomorrow. These facilities are a clear demonstration of that.”
The global bioeconomy, currently valued at US$4 trillion, is predicted by the World Bioeconomy Forum to grow to US$30 trillion by 2050, equivalent to a third of total global economic value.
QUT Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy researcher Professor Ian O’Hara said the QUT Pioneer BioPilot, formerly called the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant (MRBPP), had played a crucial role for industry for the past 15 years in the real-world translation of research, converting biomass such as sugarcane biogases into biofuels, green chemicals and bioproducts.
“The QUT Pioneer BioPilot is pioneering research and innovation in biomanufacturing, working with government and industry to position Queensland as a globally connected innovation hub,” Professor O’Hara said.
“Real-world impact is at the heart of QUT’s research commitment, where knowledge and innovation tackle global challenges and deliver locally grounded solutions.”
Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland Sean Dillon said, “This is about turning Queensland’s agricultural strengths into global opportunities, aligning with our bold vision for primary industries in Prosper 2050.”
“The upgraded MRBPP gives local researchers and industry the tools to turn biomass into high-value products – right here in Mackay.”
Professor O’Hara, who is also Deputy Dean of the QUT Faculty of Engineering, said a key feature of the cutting-edge facility was its fermentation bioreactors, which allowed companies to fast-track product development in the food and beverage sector.
“No one else can provide the capability we are offering Australian industries through the QUT Pioneer BioPilot,” Professor O’Hara said.
“Precision fermentation is a technology that allows us to convert sugars into a range of other food ingredients and products in brewery-style fermentation tanks.”
“The advantages of precision fermentation are that it can lead to new food products and ingredients that supplement production through traditional methods, providing sustainability benefits and increasing consumer choice.”
Using the QUT Pioneer BioPilot, QUT researchers are partnering with Eclipse Ingredients and other institutions in a $5.5 million project to commercialise human lactoferrin, a powerful protein in breastmilk and immune cells with immune-boosting, iron-enhancing, anti-inflammatory properties.
Queensland University of Technology has unveiled an $18 million upgrade to its Mackay-based Pioneer BioPilot, establishing Australia’s leading pilot-scale fermentation facility and positioning the region as a hub for biomanufacturing, innovation, and sustainable food and bio-product development. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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