Innovation Opportunity
Utilisation of Plantation & Agriculture Biomass & Low Value By-Products
This opportunity is looking at current biomass products from plantation, agriculture and community/food business activities to create higher value products through biomanufacturing or other circular economy outputs.
The opportunity moved into the stage 3 of the Smart Specialisation process in October 2024. The Innovation Working Group has progressed two parallel projects: a ‘circular economy audit’ to give the group – and the broader community – a broad feedstock and market scope of the region, and a more focused ‘Woody-mass Feedstock Audit and Wood flow Study’ led to the funding application for a Pyrolysis Feasibility Business case.
Scroll down for more information on progress, including meeting minutes and next steps.
Stage 1 – Discover
Initial Proposition
To utilise current biowaste products from plantation and agriculture activities to create higher value products through biomanufacturing or local regional inputs.
The demand for structural fibre continues to increase and large areas of pine plantations in the region generate significant amounts of bio-waste each year in the form of tree off-cuts and low-grade logs through maintenance (thinning) and harvesting activities. This resource is generally left onsite on the ground to break down. Cropping activities in the Upper Murray also generate biowaste material through harvesting activities, another resource that could be used to create a locally useful (such as pelletised stockfeed) or higher value product.
Biomanufacturing is an intriguing technology that is gaining significant traction. It relies on naturally occurring processes and reactions to produce an output that would normally be produced through a synthetic process. Output products can include material (plastics, paper, textiles), chemical (fermentation to develop soaps, detergents and more) or energy production.
A relevant example is creation of lining-based, environmentally friendly materials from waste/low value plant/tree product and emerging high value applications. These range from biomedical to high tech electronics and sensors to wastewater treatment. Alternatively, the creation of biochar through thermal combustion could also be considered.
Key assets
Significant potential resources:
- 12,500 hectares of pine plantation (HVP) at Shelley, generating ~20,000 tonnes/year of local plantation waste.
- Substantial pine plantations in adjacent Upper Murray regions on the NSW side – plantations near Tumbarumba and Stanley that may be potential contributors.
- Significant crop areas in the region, generating approximately 4-5 tonnes of crop waste per hectare each year.
- Increasing seed growing (i.e. cropping) activity in the region.
Strategic competitive advantage
- Central proximity to plantation and agriculture waste stream resource, including cross border.
- Cooperation and coalition of key stakeholders. For example, HVP and the plantation committee are highly engaged and motivated to better utilise their bio waste.
Key Challenges
- Waste volumes and achieving economies of scale.
- Collection and transport logistics to ensure the value-add products are cost competitive.
- Biotechnology availability, maturity.
- Location and (biotech) capability.
Stage 2 – Define
Enterpreneurial Discovery Workshop (Wednesday 22nd May 2024, 2PM)
The aim of this workshop was to define the biomass asset further, and link potential opportunities that will create social and economic benefit within the community. A range of opportunities were discussed, with the group concluding that a full audit of available biomass and corresponding potential uses would be needed to decide on the direction of the Upper Murray bio-economy.
Stage 3 – Develop
Innovation Working Group (IWG) meetings to test and trial project(s) in their value propositions for competitive advantage.
IWG meeting #1: Wednesday 16th October 2024, 11AM
Participants reviewed the list of biomass and by-products available in the Upper Murray and considered the most viable options output (outcome). It was agreed that before going into feasibility study for the Upper Murray, some pre-work has to be done. The next meeting will focus on preparation for feasibility work.
IWG meeting #2: Friday 29th November 2024, 11AM
The group workshopped a first run at a feedstock audit brief. It was agreed the brief would be refined using the group’s network of experts, before it is quoted on. The audit should be seen as an opportunity to collect feedstock information for the purpose including but not limited to pyrolysis processing; data collected should allow to consider alternate purposes.
RESOURCES SHARED BY PARTICIPANTS
Feedback from participants on the drafted feedstock audit brief post meeting, highlighted the need for further discussions before confirming audit requirements.
IWG meeting #3: Monday 24th March 2025, 9AM
The workshop brought together experts in different biomass transformation opportunities, allowing participants to get insight on potential options and context. It was resolved that the IWG should use the Local Development Strategy process to try and seek funding for two outcomes: a ‘circular economy audit’ to give us a broad feedstock and market scope of the region, and a more focused ‘Woody-mass Feedstock Audit and Wood flow Study’ to inform a Pyrolysis Feasibility Business case.
PRESENTATION – BIOMASS-TO-ENERGY OPTIONS
PRESENTATION – INPUTS FROM GIPPSLAND PROJECT
PRESENTATION – BIOCHAR & CHARMAKER TECHNOLOGY
IWG meeting #4: Tuesday 20th May 2025, 11.30AM
Further to the successful EOI to fund audits for the biomass innovation opportunity, the Innovation Working Group agreed on the scope and process for both streams of projects, namely:
- a funding application for ‘circular economy audit’ to give the group – and the community – a broad feedstock and market scope of the region. This project is going through formal funding application.
- a more focused ‘woody-mass feedstock audit’, which is moving forward with funds already available. It will inform a pyrolysis feasibility study that will be subject to funding application.
The group also formalised the creation of two steering committees which will work on the details of each stream.
IWG meeting #5: Tuesday 2nd September 2025, 11AM
IWG meeting #6: Thursday 30th April 2026, 11AM
Consultants of the circular economy audit for the Upper Murray joined the Biomass session. Building on the work already done by The Innovation Working Group (IWG), this meeting was an opportunity to highlight what really matters locally, the opportunities from industry/groups you represent, and help ensure the outcomes reflect the realities of our region.
If you could no attendb but want to contribute, you can still complete the survey for Upper Murray organisations and businesses. If the questions feel completely irrelevant to you, we also welcome separate written thoughts on what you would like the consultants to understand and consider about the region.
