The Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) has praised the Albanese Government’s $8 million investment aimed at evaluating the feasibility of a biorefinery for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, using feedstock from the Isis Central Sugar Mill near Childers. This announcement reflects the ASMC’s recent call for Australian feedstocks to play a central role in the future of low-carbon liquid fuels, as outlined in its Federal pre-budget submission.
ASMC Chief Executive Officer Ash Salardini highlighted that the project reflects the government’s recognition of the sugar industry’s untapped potential in the renewable fuel sector.
“Our industry has long advocated for policies supporting the use of domestic, sustainable feedstocks in low-carbon liquid fuel projects. With abundant biomass from sugar manufacturing, Australia is well-positioned to develop a domestic low-carbon liquid fuel industry,” Salardini said.
The ASMC also commended the leadership at Isis Central Sugar Mill for advancing this innovative project, which could provide valuable diversification opportunities for the sugar industry.
“This initiative demonstrates how Australian sugar can serve as a vital feedstock for the development of a domestic low-carbon liquid fuel industry,” Salardini added.
He further emphasized the importance of the government’s commitment to a national bioenergy feedstock strategy, which could unlock opportunities for a truly domestic biofuels industry. “Without such a strategy, we risk relying on overseas feedstocks, like Brazilian bioethanol, for refining capacity,” he said.
The ASMC will continue working alongside the government and industry to advocate for policies that support a sustainable, homegrown low-carbon liquid fuel industry, including initiatives by GrainCorp on feedstock strategies as part of the Jet Zero Council process.
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