QUT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA) to strengthen collaboration and drive innovation in biomanufacturing across Japan and Australia.
The agreement aims to advance bioindustries in both nations, supporting sustainable economic growth and promoting bioeconomy principles.
QUT works with industry, government and research partners to accelerate the development of biomanufacturing. Its expertise spans research, process development, scale-up, technoeconomic assessment and life cycle analysis of new technologies and products.
The university recently completed an $18 million upgrade to its QUT Pioneer BioPilot, a pilot-scale fermentation facility supported by the Australian and Queensland governments in partnership with Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA). The facility enables collaboration between QUT researchers and industry to develop new food products and bioproducts that provide sustainable solutions to agricultural challenges.
By providing this infrastructure, the QUT Pioneer BioPilot helps position Queensland as a regional innovation hub for biomanufacturing. It allows companies across the Asia-Pacific to move ideas from the lab to commercial reality, reinforcing QUT’s role in advancing regional innovation and sustainability.
QUT Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy researcher Professor Ian O’Hara said the facility had played a crucial role for industry for 15 years in translating research into practice, converting biomass such as sugarcane biogases into biofuels, green chemicals and bioproducts.
“The QUT Pioneer BioPilot is pioneering research and innovation in biomanufacturing, working with government and industry to position Queensland as a globally connected innovation hub,” said O’Hara.
“Real-world impact is at the heart of QUT’s research commitment, where knowledge and innovation tackle global challenges and deliver locally grounded solutions.”
JBA, a bioindustry organisation, represents members from pharmaceuticals, healthcare, cosmetics, food and beverage, IT, chemicals and energy. As a non-profit body, it promotes open innovation, connecting industry, academia and international stakeholders.
“This MOU strengthens our international collaborations and positions QUT and JBA to lead advancements in biomanufacturing that will benefit both economies and contribute to a sustainable future,” said QUT director Research Infrastructure Operations Dr Leon Scott.
JBA managing director and CEO Tetsuya Tanaka said the agreement would open new opportunities for knowledge exchange and joint projects.
“Australia provides an ideal environment for the development of biomanufacturing, with abundant feedstock sugars for fermentation and ample solar-based renewable energy,” said Tanaka.
“Queensland, in particular, offers strong government support for synthetic biology and is home to leading academic research in the field.
“QUT has established a pilot plant next to a sugar mill in Mackay to promote practical application of new technologies.
“Given these strengths, we see Queensland as a key partner in advancing Japan’s biomanufacturing industry and intend to deepen collaboration through QUT as our primary contact.”