Case Study - Botanical Resources Australia

Download the Case Study - Botanical Resources Australia (PDF).

The project

• Establish a value chain for pelletised bio-fuel and apply continuous improvement and quality assurance on the briquette line to meet customer requirements.

Background

• The company has very nearly ‘closed the loop’; output waste from manufacturing is minimal, mainly due to the recyclability of component materials.
• Pelletising equipment used in the production of pyrethrum oil is under-utilised and could be repurposed to convert timber wastes from external sources into bio-fuel.

Objectives

• Establish a value chain for pelletised bio-fuel​.
• Reduce defects and customer rejects on the briquette line​.
• Achieve established sales targets for pellets and briquettes.

Targets

• Produce 1,000 tonnes of non-py pellets​ per annum.
• Increase briquette sales from 4,500 to 6,500 tonnes per annum.

Outcomes

What was implemented?

• We increased our understanding of the opportunities and barriers for the production of bio-fuels, from waste wood in Tasmania, and the value chain from raw material stockpiles through to retail markets​.
• We undertook small-scale trials with an innovative dryer design​.
• We developed a fully engineered and costed business case, which demonstrated feasibility.

Key issues

• The sales market is there and although there is plenty of stockpiled waste wood fines, they are (a) wet/green and ​(b) expensive to transport​.
• A lack of funding to subsidise capital investment in specialised equipment to support circular economy initiatives.

Performance against targets

• We didn’t achieve our targets in the timeframe of the program but we have demonstrated that it is feasible and that the business case is sound.
• We intend to continue pursuing the opportunity and implement as planned in the future.

Lessons learnt

• There are tensions between pursuing sustainable goals and working within budgets.
• Working with other companies brought to light new markets for complementary products.
• There is ​a real consciousness of waste, and its associated cost​s, in the business community.
• There are opportunities for world-firsts, right here in Tasmania.