Australia Launches Sugar Beet Trials in Queensland as Feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Queensland farmers partner with a renewables firm to test sugar beet as a low-carbon bioethanol feedstock ahead of wider SAF rollout
A major trial in central Queensland will test sugar beet as a winter rotational crop for bioethanol production, establishing a potential feedstock path for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chains.
The initiative sees a renewables company collaborating with eight farmers to grow sugar beet—crops not commercially cultivated in Australia for nearly a century—in the hope of converting the sugar juice into ethanol and then into SAF.
The project is being led by a renewables firm which describes sugar beet as “the best, simplest and lowest-carbon intensity feedstock to make bioethanol,” according to its chief executive in an interview with national broadcaster ABC.
The crop will be grown as a rotation option during the winter-off season, a move designed to enhance farm productivity and diversify income while feeding a fuel-supply chain.
The trial comes as global attention intensifies on aviation emissions and the supply of low-carbon liquid fuels.
Aviation industry commitments and regional mandates are creating demand for SAF.
In Australia, airlines have publicly stated goals for blending SAF into jet fuel, and international investments and regulatory signals are accelerating the market.
In Queensland, state authorities are assessing how the existing sugar-industry infrastructure and regional agricultural strengths can support future SAF production.
A government-commissioned study and biofuels support program aim to position Queensland as a hub for biorefining, leveraging sugarcane, sugar beet and other feedstocks for regional economic development and fuel security.
The chief executive of the sugar-manufacturing peak body in Australia noted that sugar-derived fuels could supply a material share of the country’s domestic aviation-fuel demand while also supporting regional jobs and farm diversification.
An inquiry into sugar-industry bioenergy opportunities is under way, with hearings scheduled in Brisbane in the coming weeks.
The interim report is due in December, with a final report expected by mid-2026.
The trial of sugar beet as a feedstock signals a new phase in Australia’s push to build a domestic SAF supply chain, one that could draw on both established sugar sites and newly cultivated crops.
If successful, the initiative may help create a clearer path from farm to jet fuel, benefiting growers, regional economies and air-travel decarbonisation efforts.
The initiative sees a renewables company collaborating with eight farmers to grow sugar beet—crops not commercially cultivated in Australia for nearly a century—in the hope of converting the sugar juice into ethanol and then into SAF.
The project is being led by a renewables firm which describes sugar beet as “the best, simplest and lowest-carbon intensity feedstock to make bioethanol,” according to its chief executive in an interview with national broadcaster ABC.
The crop will be grown as a rotation option during the winter-off season, a move designed to enhance farm productivity and diversify income while feeding a fuel-supply chain.
The trial comes as global attention intensifies on aviation emissions and the supply of low-carbon liquid fuels.
Aviation industry commitments and regional mandates are creating demand for SAF.
In Australia, airlines have publicly stated goals for blending SAF into jet fuel, and international investments and regulatory signals are accelerating the market.
In Queensland, state authorities are assessing how the existing sugar-industry infrastructure and regional agricultural strengths can support future SAF production.
A government-commissioned study and biofuels support program aim to position Queensland as a hub for biorefining, leveraging sugarcane, sugar beet and other feedstocks for regional economic development and fuel security.
The chief executive of the sugar-manufacturing peak body in Australia noted that sugar-derived fuels could supply a material share of the country’s domestic aviation-fuel demand while also supporting regional jobs and farm diversification.
An inquiry into sugar-industry bioenergy opportunities is under way, with hearings scheduled in Brisbane in the coming weeks.
The interim report is due in December, with a final report expected by mid-2026.
The trial of sugar beet as a feedstock signals a new phase in Australia’s push to build a domestic SAF supply chain, one that could draw on both established sugar sites and newly cultivated crops.
If successful, the initiative may help create a clearer path from farm to jet fuel, benefiting growers, regional economies and air-travel decarbonisation efforts.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
