Sugar industry sweetened by biotech research centre

The Australian sugar industry will receive a huge boost when the $54 million Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology opens for business in Queensland this month.

Based at the University of Queensland, the research centre will explore ways the sugar industry can develop biodegradable plastics and pharmaceuticals by manipulating plants through biotechnological techniques. It will also explore ways to increase the sugar content of existing plant varieties and convert cane trash into bio-fuel.

The research centre brings together researchers from a number of organisations, including four Queensland universities, the CSIRO, a number of existing research groups (including the industry-supported Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations and Sugar Research Institute, and the federally-funded Sugar Research Development Corp), DuPont and three sugar mills.

Chairman of the CRC, Dr Bob Clements said the "CRC represents a very exciting time for the sugar industry, and we look forward to its support as we begin exacting research that we hope will build a new era of prosperity for our sugar producers."

The Australian Government has maintained its commitment to the industry, providing $28 million in funding over the next seven years.

Item provided courtesy of Invest Australia