QUT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA) to strengthen collaboration and drive innovation in the biomanufacutring sectors in Japan and Australia.
The agreement aims to advance bioindustries in both nations, delivering economic and social benefits and supporting a sustainable future based on bioeconomy principles.
QUT is recognised as a leading university in bioeconomy research, particularly with the research focus of the QUT Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy.
The university works closely with industry partners, governments, and research organisations to accelerate the development of biomanufacturing industries.
Its expertise spans research, process development and scale-up, technoeconomic assessment, and life cycle analysis of technologies and products.
QUT also boasts an extensive portfolio of research infrastructure, supporting all stages of the research and development pipeline, from ideation and lab-scale research to large-scale translation.
This includes the QUT Pioneer BioPilot, based in Mackay, which has recently undergone a $18 million upgrade, transforming it into Australia's leading pilot-scale fermentation facility.
Backed by the Australian and Queensland governments and in partnership with Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), the facility is designed to help innovative companies collaborate with QUT researchers to develop new food products and bioproducts that offer sustainable solutions to agricultural challenges.
By providing this unique infrastructure, the QUT Pioneer BioPilot positions Queensland as a globally connected innovation hub for biomanufacturing. It offers companies across the Asia-Pacific region the opportunity to take ideas beyond the lab and into commercial reality, reinforcing QUT's commitment to driving regional innovation and sustainable economic growth.
QUT Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy researcher Professor Ian O'Hara said the QUT Pioneer BioPilot had played a crucial role for industry for the past 15 years in the real-world translation of research, 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," Professor O'Hara said.
"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 is Japan's most comprehensive bioindustry organisation, representing a diverse membership across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, cosmetics, food and beverage, IT, chemicals, and energy.
As a non-profit organisation, JBA plays a central role in fostering open innovation, bridging industry and academia, and connecting domestic and international stakeholders in biotechnology.
QUT Director Research Infrastructure Operations Dr Leon Scott said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability.
"This MOU strengthens our international collaborations and positions QUT and JBA to lead advancements in biomanufacuturing that will benefit both economies and contribute to a sustainable future," Mr Scott said.
JBA Managing Director and CEO Mr 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," Mr Tanaka said.
"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."
Top picture: The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with QUT and the Japan Bioindustry Association.
