Licella Champions Queensland’s Biofuels Future at Parliamentary Inquiry
Licella is proud to stand alongside industry leaders at the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into Sugarcane Bioenergy Opportunities, highlighting the role of Australian innovation in building a sustainable bioeconomy. Our Australian-owned Cat-HTR™ technology converts low-carbon, non-food biomass residues into low-carbon liquid fuels—unlocking scalable opportunities for regional development and national fuel security.
19th November 2025
Regional Queensland Backs the Bioeconomy as the Next Jobs Boom
Today, sugar industry leaders, regional Queensland representatives and businesses converged on the Queensland Parliament to put forward a bold vision to supercharge regional economies through sugar-derived bioenergy, biofuels and biomanufacturing.
Appearing today at the Brisbane hearing for the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into Sugarcane Bioenergy Opportunities, the Australian Sugar Manufacturers noted the importance of the bioeconomy to not only create new regional jobs but to underpin the long-term viability of the sugar industry.
Licella spoke to the opportunity to scale a biofuels industry in Queensland using Australian technology and sugarcane residues, with Project Swift in the Bundaberg region offering a model for regional development.
“Biofuels are a scalable opportunity to support the long-term diversification of Queensland’s sugar industry. Licella’s Australian-owned Cat-HTR™ technology converts non-edible biomass residues into low-carbon fuels,” said Ms. Andrea Polson, General Manager.
“Project Swift, now in detailed feasibility with Isis Central Sugar Mill, offers a blueprint for turning local resources into regional jobs and new economic value. The technology’s flexibility also enables future expansion by tapping into underutilised agricultural and forestry residues.”
Licella’s Cat-HTR™ technology enables the production of low-carbon liquid fuels from biomass residues that are abundant and do not compete with food production. This approach unlocks significant potential for regional development while strengthening Australia’s national fuel security and supporting diversification of Queensland’s sugar industry.
Industry and regional representatives reinforced that, with coordinated policy and investment, Queensland can unlock a bioenergy industry that creates jobs, attracts investment, and builds national fuel security.
“We need co-investment to build the supply chains that will service these markets, and we need to invest in R&D to adopt the latest and greatest technologies that will optimise sugar and biofuels production and create new value-add opportunities in biomanufacturing,” concluded Mr. Ash Salardini, CEO Australian Sugar Manufacturers.
Read the full media release.
About Project Swift
Project Swift is supported by $8 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program, and delivered alongside strategic partners including Shell and Technip Energies.
Once complete, Project Swift would transform ~150,000 tonnes of agricultural residues, including sugarcane bagasse, into ~60 million litres of low carbon fuels annually, of which ~40 million litres could be SAF. Project Swift has the potential to deliver ~300 construction jobs and 100 ongoing operational jobs, strengthening regional economies and supporting Australia’s energy transition, alongside diversification of Queensland’s sugar sector.
