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    Case Study - Botanical Resources Australia

    The project

    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 costs, in the business community.
    • There are opportunities for world-firsts, right here in Tasmania.