Wastes to Profits

Australia’s animal industries produce significant quantities of wastes from on-farm production, intensive feed and processing sectors. The management of these wastes is a significant cost for these industries exceeding AUD$100-200 million per year. In addition, primary production and processing costs are rising and there is an ongoing need to improve productivity to maintain future industry profitability. There are significant opportunities to create new business models for improved management of wastes, unlocking new revenue streams for Australia’s animal industries.

The objective of the Project is to develop technologies and business models for the conversion of wastes from the red meat, dairy, pork and municipal waste industries into valuable products resulting in productivity and profitability improvements for primary producers. This will be achieved through:

1. Assessing waste streams, developing business models and pathways to adoption;

2. Developing technologies for the improved management of wastes including advanced anaerobic digestion;

3. Developing technologies for the production of nutritionally-advantaged feeds; and

4. Developing technologies for production of fertilisers, chemicals, plastics, and energy products.

The project brings together key stakeholders from across Australia’s animal industries and technology, research and development providers to deliver advanced technologies to convert wastes from intensive animal production e.g. feedlots, food processing, and municipal water treatment into fertilisers, feeds, chemicals, and energy products for use in agriculture.

This project is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program and the partners shown below.