Active deals across all sector opportunities, tracked through the investment pathway from definition to transaction close.
Back to homeActive deals across all sector opportunities, tracked through the investment pathway from definition to transaction close.
Back to homeInvestment
$16M
$16m upgrade (State, Federal, QUT, Food & Beverage Accelerator co-investment)
Economic impact
$10B
Part of forecast $726bn global bioenergy market by 2050. Australian SAF industry could be worth $3bn annually and create 15,600 jobs by 2050. Potential $10bn annual GDP contribution to Australia's economy by early 2030s.
Jobs
15,600
Bioenergy · Mackay · Updated 6 Feb 2026, 12:00 am
Located at Nordzucker Mackay Sugar's Racecourse Mill, the QUT Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant converts biomass into biofuels, green chemicals, and bioproducts. It is currently undergoing a $16 million upgrade co-invested by State and Federal Governments, QUT, and the Food and Beverage Accelerator, with planned completion in late 2024.
Once upgraded, it will become Australia's only facility capable of demonstrating synthetic biology processes at full scale. The adjacent Racecourse Cogeneration Plant already produces enough renewable energy to power approximately 30% of Mackay using bagasse. The Mackay State Development Area (907 hectares, declared February 2024) has been established to support this emerging biocommodity industry.
Next step
Clarify market drivers and offtake for sustainable aviation fuels pathway.
Key stakeholders
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Nordzucker Mackay Sugar Limited, Queensland Government, Food and Beverage Accelerator, Mercurius (technology partner)