$18m upgrade at QUT's fermentation facility in Mackay
Located in the heart of Australia’s sugarcane region in Mackay, QUT has completed an $18 million upgrade to its Pioneer BioPilot, which was formerly called the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant (MRBPP).
The upgrade has transformed the plant into a pilot-scale food-grade fermentation facility which has the potential to advance many biomanufacturing opportunities — including creating new types of food ingredients and other bioproducts, in addition to further biofuel developments.
QUT Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy researcher Professor Ian O’Hara said the QUT Pioneer BioPilot 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.
O’Hara, who is also Deputy Dean of the QUT Faculty of Engineering, said a key feature of the facility is its fermentation bioreactors, which allow companies to fast-track product development in the food and beverage sector — taking ideas beyond the lab and into commercial reality.
“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,” O’Hara said.
“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.”
Funding for the upgraded facility has been provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments in association with Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA).
“The QUT Pioneer BioPilot provides key infrastructure, allowing companies to take new innovations from the lab to pilot-scale,” said FaBA Director Dr Chris Downs.
“FaBA is investing in precision fermentation so that companies of all sizes can develop new products and ingredients, in turn helping grow Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector.”
Using the Pioneer BioPilot, QUT researchers are partnering with Eclipse Ingredients and other institutions in a $5.5 million project to commercialise human lactoferrin.
Eclipse Ingredients CEO Siobhan Coster said she was thrilled to be working with QUT and FaBA on the project, which has the potential to transform health outcomes.
“The partnership with QUT is crucial because it bridges the gap between breakthrough science and real-world impact,” Coster said.
“It allows us to scale our product and process from lab to commercial readiness right here in Queensland, Australia.”
McNab joins Turbine Sunshine Coast precinct
With its first food and beverage tenants expected in early 2027, Turbine Sunshine Coast has...
Magnum Ice Cream Company celebrates its $35m facility upgrade in Minto
The Magnum Ice Cream Company (formally Streets) celebrated its $35 million transformation at the...
Haigh's Chocolates opens new SA facility
The new $120m facility in South Australia will allow for future growth, including increasing...
