Premier Plugs Business and Biofuels at Economic Forum

October 21, 2015

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by Emma McBryde (Sunshine Coast Daily) ... A biofuels project aimed at boosting the industry will come under the spotlight when the premier ( Annastacia Palaszczuk) visits Mackay on Thursday. She will take her cabinet subcommittee to view Asahi Holdings and Queensland University of Technology's work commercialising the Japanese conglomerates' advanced sugarcane technology.

Ms Palaszczuk said the committee would discuss the burgeoning industry and identify opportunities.

"Just like mining, not only do we have the natural resources, we are developing the technology and the skills that can be sold to the rest of the world," she said.

Asahi, known for its beer, discovered a low-maintenance process that increases the yield of both sugar and ethanol without increasing the sugarcane input.

The work is being undertaken at Mackay's Racecourse Mill.

"It is imperative we diversify into emerging high-growth sectors," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"I am determined to see a biofuels industry kickstart here in Queensland.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again - a Queensland biofuels industry has the potential to be the next LNG industry in this state." READ MORE and MORE (News Mail)