Sweetener for Mackay Sugarcane Processor

Mackay-based Townsend Industries will receive $693,429 in funding for a pilot facility that will test how processed sugar cane can produce high-value products.

We’re currently using only about 15% of the harvested cane to produce raw sugar, which is the main revenue stream and this project seeks to take a proven separation system and for the first time use the full sugarcane plant to potentially deliver a range of high-value products.

This project is about adding other income streams for cane growers from the remainder of the crop.

The Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud and Envoy for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald were in Mackay for the announcement.

“Townsend Industries has demonstrated a commitment to innovation which has the potential to create new industries and jobs for north Queensland,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This project will separate the sugar cane components of skin, wax, fibre, rind and juice by a method known as the Tilby Separation System.

“It speaks to the possibilities of sugarcane to offer renewable alternatives to plastics as well natural health products. It creates products and grows the sugar industry.”

Townsend Industries Director Gary Townsend said the company has spent the past five years refining the concept.

“Sugarcane is without doubt a ‘super crop” and a key component in achieving that viable and sustainable change for the industry is to utilise a greater portion of that remaining 85 per cent and open the door to a diverse range of value-added products and industry.

“We are at the third stage and will aim to test the various technologies and its intended output products and markets, as a preliminary stage to our broader, five-stage project the final stages of which will see the construction of the semi-commercial Alternative Sugarcane Processing Facility based in Mackay.

Cooperative Research Centre for Northern Australia (CRCNA) CEO Anne Stünzner said the CRCNA has invested more than $2 million towards sugarcane diversification projects.

“The Australian sugarcane industry continues to face challenges including being exposed to market fluctuations, yield decline and loss of land due to competition with high-value agricultural crops and other developments. This project is one of seven we have funded looking to support a long-term sustainable future for sugarcane producers and their communities.”