June 2025 – Australia
As global industry races to decarbonise, an unlikely hero is emerging from the Australian landscape: the pongamia tree. Recently highlighted in Rio Tinto's ambitious biofuels project, this native species is now at the centre of a broader movement, one that includes sustainable bioplastics, climate-resilient agriculture, and nature-based solutions to emissions reduction.
Australia's very own leading biotech firm, EcoPHA is proud to announce its integrated pongamia plantation and bioplastic initiative - linking reforestation, biofuel, and bioplastic innovation into a single circular economy model. While Rio Tinto's planting of 750,000 pongamia trees near Townsville marks a bold step toward renewable diesel production, EcoPHA is adding to this momentum by turning pongamia oil by-products into PHA bioplastic, an award-winning material that biodegrades naturally within 3-6 months, even in marine environments.
EcoPHA's groundbreaking work complements and extends on what Rio Tinto is doing. Where they are using pongamia seed oil for biofuels, EcoPHA has filed a patent to use pongamia oil and its by-products to create PHA bioplastics that are fully biodegradable, safe, and scalable. This is not just a climate solution, it's an Australian innovation story.
EcoPHA's patent-filed technology enables the production of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), a plastic alternative that breaks down in soil and seawater without leaving microplastics behind. Through a process that uses agricultural waste, including pongamia residues, EcoPHA is scaling up local production to meet growing demand from food service, healthcare, and events sectors.
Pongamia trees, native to northern Australia, are well-suited to degraded or previously mined land. Their long life span and rapid seed production make them ideal for biofuel and bioplastic projects. After oil extraction, the leftover meal can even be processed for cattle feed, ensuring minimal waste across the value chain.
"We believe in building systems where every input has multiple outputs," said EcoPHA CEO, Dr Wilson Ling. "The more we integrate sectors - agriculture, mining, packaging - the faster we accelerate toward a truly regenerative economy."
Both EcoPHA and Rio Tinto's projects represent a shift in how large-scale operations can engage with reforestation and emissions reduction, not as a cost, but as a strategic asset. With mining companies becoming forest stewards, and bioplastics turning waste into value, Australia is rapidly becoming a global leader in climate-tech innovation.
EcoPHA, in partnership with Australian design company, Terra Sol, will showcase their PHA products as the Supporting Sustainability Partners at the Asia Pacific Cities Summit in Dubai this October. The Summit will provide a global platform to demonstrate how homegrown innovation, rooted in science, sustainability, and design, can offer real alternatives to fossil-fuel-based plastics. With the world's cities facing growing pressure to decarbonise supply chains and reduce waste, EcoPHA and Terra Sol's circular PHA model presents a timely and scalable solution.
Key Facts:
Pongamia Tree as Climate Solution
Native to Australia, the pongamia tree is gaining recognition for its oil-rich seeds, which can be used for renewable diesel and bioplastics. It thrives on degraded or previously mined land, contributing to reforestation and land rehabilitation.Rio Tinto's Investment
Rio Tinto has planted 750,000 pongamia trees near Townsville as part of a large-scale biofuels initiative to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decarbonise operations.EcoPHA's Bioplastic Breakthrough
EcoPHA has filed a patent to use pongamia oil and its by-products in the production of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) bioplastic, a fully biodegradable material that breaks down in soil and marine environments within 3–6 months.Circular Economy Model
EcoPHA's process makes use of pongamia residues and other agricultural waste, creating a circular system where by-products from biofuel production are converted into bioplastics and even cattle feed, ensuring no part of the tree goes to waste.Complementary Climate Strategies
While Rio Tinto focuses on biofuel from pongamia oil, EcoPHA extends the tree's potential by transforming the leftover materials into high-value, biodegradable alternatives to fossil-fuel-based plastics.Australian Innovation at the Forefront
EcoPHA, in partnership with design company Terra Sol, represents a new wave of homegrown innovation combining biotechnology, sustainability, and regenerative design thinking.Global Stage at the Asia Pacific Cities Summit
EcoPHA and Terra Sol will present their PHA bioplastics as the Supporting Sustainability Partners at the Asia Pacific Cities Summit in Dubai this October, showcasing scalable alternatives for urban sustainability, packaging, and procurement leaders.Rapidly Growing Demand
EcoPHA's marine-safe PHA bioplastics are being positioned to meet the growing demand from sectors like food service, healthcare, and events—all under increasing pressure to eliminate single-use plastics.
About us:
EcoPHA is an award-winning Australian-based biotechnology company pioneering the next generation of sustainable materials. With a focus on marine-safe, home-compostable bioplastics, EcoPHA has developed a patent-filed process that transforms agricultural and biofuel by-products, such as pongamia oil residues- into PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic.
EcoPHA's mission is to accelerate the world's transition to a circular, regenerative economy by designing materials that work in harmony with nature. Their innovative approach not only reduces plastic pollution but also adds value to waste streams that would otherwise be discarded. By aligning science with sustainability, EcoPHA is creating scalable, practical solutions for high-impact sectors including food service, healthcare, and major events.
EcoPHA works closely with industry partners, landowners, and regenerative agriculture experts to ensure every step of its production model delivers both environmental and economic benefit.
In partnership with Australian design company Terra Sol, EcoPHA is also bringing a new level of design thinking and circular product strategy to its packaging and procurement collaborations, ensuring that function, sustainability, and aesthetics go hand in hand.
Together, EcoPHA and Terra Sol are redefining what's possible with plastic alternatives, and helping to position Australia as a global leader in climate-tech and sustainable manufacturing.
