By Abbas Nazil
Researchers in Australia are exploring sugarcane as a leading source of renewable carbon for sustainable aviation fuel to replace fossil-based alternatives without compromising food security or biodiversity.
At the ARC Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon, scientists are collaborating with global technology partners to develop economically viable, large-scale renewable fuel production.
Emeritus Professor Robert Henry of the University of Queensland highlighted sugarcane as the most promising crop due to its high productivity and ability to be grown on a relatively small land area, offering a smaller environmental footprint than alternatives.
Other potential sources such as algae face economic and scalability challenges, while crops like canola would require vast areas of land, raising food security concerns and limiting feasibility.
The research focuses on increasing the proportion of plant biomass convertible to fuel while maintaining yield. Scientists are using rice as a model system to identify genetic changes, which are then tested in sorghum, sugarcane’s closest relative, before being applied to sugarcane itself.
This tiered approach allows the team to optimize genetic modifications efficiently, saving time and resources, and improving the likelihood of successful implementation in sugarcane.
Australia, particularly Queensland, is well-positioned for this transformation, thanks to an established sugarcane industry, strong research infrastructure, and global partnerships to accelerate innovation.
The domestic demand for sustainable aviation fuel is significant, as Australians have one of the highest per-capita air travel rates globally, which could also encourage international adoption if commercial production succeeds.
The Hub’s efforts aim to reduce production costs while ensuring fuel is scalable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable.
By breeding crops with high convertible biomass, researchers hope to provide a renewable, low-carbon alternative for the aviation industry and reduce the sector’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Success in this initiative could transform sugarcane into a global model for renewable fuel production, offering solutions for both climate mitigation and industrial-scale biofuel demands.
The project underscores the importance of combining plant science, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture to tackle climate change challenges while supporting food and energy security.
Through strategic crop engineering and innovative biomass management, sugarcane may become a cornerstone in the future of sustainable aviation fuel worldwide.