Spinifex intertwined in past and future

Indigenous knowledge and advanced materials research are shaping a shared future.

AIBN has been integral to Australia’s first collaboration between a university and Indigenous Australian partner which has led to the birth of Trioda Wilingi Pty Ltd, the first Indigenous-owned biomaterials company.

“Trioda Wilingi is a success story about what happens when scientists and Indigenous communities work together to translate ancient Indigenous knowledge into modern products.”
Professor Alan Rowan, AIBN Director (2016 -2025)

Sacred grass coupled with bold ideas

“Spinifex grass was sacred to Indigenous people but also had a lot of purposes.”
UQ Adjunct Associate Professor Colin Saltmere, Director of Bulugudu Ltd. and Indjalandji-Dhidhanu Elder

Indigenous Australians have known the amazing qualities of native spinifex grass for thousands of years, using its resin as an adhesive to attach spearheads to spears, waterproofing watercarriers and weaving the grass to build shelters and make baskets.

Growing in some of the hottest and driest places in the world, it is a plant of extremes – surviving in temperatures up to 60°C and putting down roots up to 30 metres below ground to find water.

Recognising the possibilities in spinifex, AIBN researchers in 2007, began a partnership with the Dugalunji Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) now Bulugudu Ltd. to characterise the fibres of a spinifex which grows around Camooweal, west of Mt. Isa.

Nanocellulose can be easily extracted from spinifex grass without harsh chemical treatments or heavy processing.

Stronger than steel

These nanofibres are 10,000 times thinner than human hair and eight times stronger than steel.

Seven years later, the landmark collaboration between UQ and DAC was formalised with the Spinifex Umbrella Agreement (SURA) recognising DAC’s Traditional Knowledge as fundamental to the ongoing project.

The industrial applications of spinifex nanofibres were becoming clearer.

In 2016, research focused on adding the fibres to products to improve their mechanical properties.

The fibres can strengthen natural rubber and latex products, such as gloves and condoms, without increasing their thickness, as well as building materials such as gypsum and concrete.

Spinifexing out to commercialisation

The first Indigenous-owned biomaterials company Trioda Wilingi Pty Ltd., was created in 2021, following an agreement between Bulugudu Ltd and UniQuest (UQ’s commercialisation company).

The spin out company shares all the IP and patenting fifty: fifty.

The word ‘Trioda’ comes from the scientific name for the Triodia species of spinifex grasses.

‘Wilingi’ is a Indjalandji word which means special grass.

This is a tangible demonstration of how spinifex, a plant that has been used for thousands of years by Aboriginal communities, will continue to play a role in advancing these local communities through business and employment opportunities on country.

“The relationship we have with AIBN is an exceptional relationship.” 
UQ Adjunct Associate Professor Colin Saltmere

One outcome is injectable medical gels extracted from spinifex nanofibres, which can be used to treat arthritis and osteoarthritis, help deliver drugs more efficiently to the body and used in cosmetic procedures as soft tissue fillers.

A dedicated research collaboration

Together, UQ and DAC work at AIBN towards the translation and commercialisation of spinifex products and technologies.

The research areas include development of spinifex material for biomedical and tissue-engineering applications, building materials, high-performance plastics, carbon fibre and establishment of a spinifex technology platform to better future-proof crops.

The far-reaching benefits of using spinifex includes the potential of reducing greenhouse emissions by producing more sustainable building materials and decreasing our dependency on fossil resources.

And future proofing crops furthers our understanding of climate-related stressors.

A venomous combination

2025 bought more successes with the development of SerpenSeal – combining venom from eastern brown snakes and nanofibres from spinifex, to rapidly stop severe bleeding within minutes.

In rural and remote areas where access to emergency healthcare is limited, and every second counts, it is hoped that this wound care technology will be a lifesaver.

Solutions for society

While the research collaboration develops spinifex-based technology, it has the potential to create a new spinifex manufacturing industry.

This can support Indigenous jobs in harvesting, manufacturing and laboratory sciences in remote Australia.

In addition, a percentage of all royalties will go into an Indigenous education fund at UQ, to enhance training and education opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to advance world-class science while ensuring that Indigenous communities are the primary beneficiaries of commercialisation,”
Professor Alan Rowan