Regional, national and international benefits

The growth of the microalgae industry in the Wide Bay Burnett region of Australia will regional, national and international benefits. The potential attraction of overseas collaboration, sharing of new science and investment in new industries has been supported by local businesses and all tiers of government .

The microalgae operation will benefit the region by attracting workers with a variety of skills and professions, while offering employment options to residents. Indirect benefits to the community will include education, transport, tourism and hospitality.

Site Development

AAS production is situated in the Wide Bay Burnett region, located near the regional hub of Bundaberg, one of the most livable regional cities of Australia.

We will expand production in various stages to meet offtake agreements.

• Start-Up Stage 1: 4 ponds, providing 16,000 m2 of growing area. This phase has minimal infrastructure. Productivity is based on 330 working days per year, thus producing 22 tonnes algae oil and 66 tonnes protein flour each year.

• Stage 2: This stage will provide 30 ponds in total providing 120,000 m2 of growing area. Productivity based on 330 working days a year will increase to 165 tonnes algae oil and 495 tonnes protein powder each year.

• Stage 3: The total number of algae growing ponds for this stage will be 60 (2400,000 m2 of growing area) to produce 330 tonnes algae oil and 990 tonnes protein powder.

Achieved Milestones

• Development of design and specification of ponds, buildings and infrastructure

• Memorandum of Understanding with Isis Central Sugar Mill

• Permission from local government to start the project

• Membership of Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC)

• Project seed funding

• Identification and development of new microalgae species

• Management team in place

• Expressions of interest for microalgae products

• Discussions with contractors and consultants