Biomining & Materials: Synbio for mining, recovery of rare earth metals. E-waste. Biomaterials

Chief Investigator(s)

Adrian Oehmen, Gary Schenk, Paul Evans, Sue Harrison, Jonathan Humphries

The purpose of this project is to establish the effectiveness of novel rare earth element (REE) binding proteins for the separation and recovery of these valuable metals from mining waste streams.

The UQ-led project will focus primarily on aspects of relevance for upscaling and implementation, including the characterisation of protein kinetics, their affinity and specificity that are relevant for mathematical modelling, analysis of protein immobilization methods onto bead, foam and membrane materials and evaluation of bioreactor design and operational strategies for design and practical demonstration.

The value of the proposed strategy will be systematically evaluated through techno-economic assessment of the different process options, in tandem with the DTU team and the parallel PhD project, examining also the range of novel proteins that are of potential practical interest and relevance.

• Bioprocess optimisation
• Bioreactor engineering
• Microbiome engineering & biodiscovery
• Resource recovery (e.g. biomining)

Industrial greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), are a significant contributor to anthropogenic climate change. It is estimated that Lithium extraction from brines in South America results in 4,000 kg of CO₂ emissions for every tonne of lithium carbonate produced.  This project aimed at evaluating the potential of mineral carbonation for carbon sequestration at the SQM® lithium plant. Specifically, the study investigates the rates of mineral carbonation using lab-scale phototrophic bioreactors cultivating cyanobacteria under conditions that mimic those of the Lithium Salar. The initial phase focused on quantifying cyanobacterial growth and bicarbonate production under varying gas flow rates and bischofite loadings, adjusting parameters such as gas feed profiles and media composition. Key metrics included microbial growth rates (measured via optical density at 600 nm), pH changes, gas uptake profiles, carbon dioxide (CO2) consumption rates (g CO₂/g biomass/hr), and microbial transformation efficiencies, particularly the removal percentages of bischofite and CO₂.

In the subsequent phase, water chemistry and mineral precipitates from these experiments were analysed to confirm the formation of mineral carbonates. This involved advanced characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and speciation modelling.

An additional component of the project, presented herein, examines the ability of a cyanobacterial consortium, representative of strains that could be isolated from the SQM Salar site, to adapt, colonise, and induce mineral carbonation of bischofite under field like conditions. Colonisation was assessed through visual observation and biomass quantification. The consortium’s adaptability to bischofite and light stress was evaluated via the measurement of protective metabolites such as intracellular osmoprotectants (sucrose, trehalose) and extracellular polysaccharides (analysed by IC-PAD). SEM analysis was used to evaluate the mineral carbonation of magnesium from bischofite.

The final task consists of the submission of this final written report and digital appendices of compiled data that include bioreactor results (mass balances, mineralogy and rates) and implications for future work.

• Environmental engineering
• Precision fermentation

Chief Investigator(s)

Denys Villa Gomez

Mining is key to the Queensland economy with its contribution exceeding $39 billion per year; however, it also generates massive volumes of waste containing critical metals needed to reduce carbon emissions. Every year, over 1.2 million tonnes of red mud are produced by Rio Tinto at its alumina extraction operations in Gladstone, Queensland. This project supports the design, development and optimisation of new sustainable processes that can unlock extraction of critical metals such as rare earth elements and gallium from red mud. By using omics and synthetic biology tools, we will 1) identify key biological components, i.e. genes/gen-systems, enzymes, proteins and mechanisms, that facilitate the recovery of these critical elements and 2) design microbial communities with superior metabolism. The project outcomes include novel low-carbon footprint bioprocesses and low-cost biocatalysts with high commercial and R&D potential. The practical benefits to the industry partner include an optimised bioprocess for the recovery of gallium and rare earths from bauxite residues that can offset waste treatment costs and enhance circular economy practices.

• Adaptive laboratory evolution
• Bioprocess optimisation
• Bioreactor engineering
• Cell-free biomanufacturing
• Computational biology & AI
• Environmental engineering
• Multi-omics analysis
• Resource recovery (e.g. biomining)
• Synthetic biology & strain engineering

Chief Investigator(s)

Denys Villa Gomez, Hongmin Wang, Samadhi Gunathunga, Gordon Southam, Lars Nielsen, Tim McCubbin

Sulfuric acid underpins fertiliser production, chemicals, detergents, and minerals processing, yet Australia imports 95% of its elemental sulfur, exposing the economy to global supply shocks. Global sulfuric acid demand is expected to grow from 246 to 400 million tonnes annually by 2040, while more than 80% of sulfur still originates from fossil fuel desulfurisation processes that are increasingly constrained by decarbonisation efforts. To meet growing global demand, it is essential to unlock sulfur recycling from currently underutilised solid, liquid, and gaseous waste streams, including gypsum (CaSO₄) byproducts, sulfate‑rich mining effluents, and hydrogen sulfide‑rich gases from sour natural gas, refinery and petrochemical off‑gases, transforming these dispersed liabilities into a diversified secondary sulfur resource base.

GSB offer a light‑driven, eco‑efficient alternative, combining high sulfide oxidation capacity with external sulfur deposition that simplifies recovery. Building on this concept, the project pioneers an innovative biotechnology for recovering elemental sulfur from untapped sources, enabling circular sulfur production, reducing reliance on fossil‑derived sulfur, and improving environmental outcomes for sectors such as mining and energy. The research will generate new knowledge on sulfur conversion pathways, microbial ecology, and reactor operation, while laying the groundwork for a platform technology that supports the Australian bioeconomy, accelerates green technologies, and promotes circular economy principles.

• Bioprocess optimisation
• Bioreactor engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Resource recovery (e.g. biomining)

Chief Investigator(s)

Adrian Oehmen, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock, Ian Levett, Lisa Bai, Tien Nguyen

This research theme focuses on making advances for PHA production at both laboratory and pilot scale. PHA is emerging as a particularly attractive material, as it is the only bioplastic that is hydrophobic (water resistant), bioderived and truly biodegradable in natural environments. Market growth in PHA is faster than any other biopolymer. Research will focus on integrating bioresource development with bioplastic manufacture, to avoid the expense associated with refining feedstocks. It will also target engineering bottlenecks which have largely been overlooked.

The project particularly targets halophilic PHA production as well as green processes for extraction and recovery of PHA bioplastics.

• Biomaterials & biopolymers
• Bioprocess optimisation
• Bioreactor engineering
• Process scale-up & pilot plant

Chief Investigator(s)

Bronwyn Laycock, Paul Lant, Paul Dennis, Steven Pratt, Clement Matthew Chan

Plastic waste in the environment is a massive global problem. One key solution is to substitute nondegradable plastics with bioderived and truly biodegradable polymers. Tailoring the rate of biodegradation of these polymers is essential for optimizing their functional performance and environmental impact. Yet the fundamental mechanisms of polymer biodegradation are poorly understood, with little current control over bioplastic lifetimes. This project will create model materials with a variety of surface topologies and chemistries in order to better understand biodegradation mechanisms and develop strategies to manipulate biodegradation rates and predict plastic lifetimes, paving the way for more sustainable solutions to plastic pollution.

More than 420 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, and this is forecast to triple by 2060. Yet our waste management systems are not able to adequately handle these flows. As a result, plastic pollution is now a global crisis, with 19-23 million tonnes per annum of plastic waste already leaking into aquatic ecosystems, according to conservative UN estimates – 130,000 tonnes per annum in Australia alone. In light of this, the search is on for materials that can replace those that are likely to end up in the environment, with a focus on bioderived plastics that will biodegrade instead of remaining as macro- or micro/nanopollutant hazards for decades. However, the biodegradation lifetimes, rates and mechanisms of these emerging plastics are still poorly understood. If we want to control and manipulate these processes, we need to develop a deeper understanding of the drivers for biodegradation, using model materials that can help us understand the factors that accelerate or slow biodegradation rates. This project expects to lay the necessary scientific foundations for the development of environmentally friendly biodegradable plastic products to support Australia to achieve more sustainable management of plastic materials and to help position Australia as a leader in circular economy innovation. The adoption of this technology also enables Australian manufacturers to produce high-value materials with tailored biodegradability for this massive global market.

Chief Investigator(s)

Prof Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock, Paul A Lant, Angela H Ross, Ian O’Hara, Peter J Halley, Marguerite Renouf, Darren J Martin, Luigi-Jules Vandi, Adran Oehmen, Paul Jensen, Lalehvash Moghaddam, Joanne Paterson, Anna Phelan, Nicholas McCaffrey, Kathryn Fairfull-Smith, William Clarke, Severine Van Bommel, Peter Brisbane, Peta Ashworth, Yanning He, Ruthanne Straughan, Alan Werker, Era Eroglu, Catherine Macintosh, Manuel Brunner

There is unprecedented growth in demand for bioderived and biodegradable materials. This Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites will capitalise on Australia’s abundance of the requisite natural bioresources to drive advances in technology for the development of bioplastic and biocomposite products for the new bioeconomy. The aim is to deliver leading edge research with a holistic focus on technical, social, policy and end of life solutions, training a cohort of industry ready research specialists to underpin Australia’s transition to a globally significant bioplastics and biocomposites industry, while at the same time laying the foundations for accelerated growth in this space.

Chief Investigator(s)

Karishma Mody, Bronwyn Laycock, Karl Robinson, Narelle Manzie, Vanessa Rose

Lucilia cuprina causes flystrike in sheep. Treatment with double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) is designed to silence gene expression in a high specificity and safe approach. However, current RNA insertion strategies suffer from low delivery efficiency, poor ds-RNA stability, variable gene silencing efficiency and possible off-target effects. This technology uses polymer-based materials coupled with a nanoclay-based delivery system to protect the ds-RNA and deliver it into the midgut of L. cuprina larvae, where the high pH triggers ds-RNA release.

Chief Investigator(s)

Clement Chan, Bronwyn Laycock, Steven Pratt

Plastics are lightweight, easily formable, cheap, durable materials – and everywhere. More than 10 million tonnes of plastic leak into the global environment annually, costing an estimated US $40 billion in negative externalities (World Economic Forum). Urgent change is underway, with the global bioplastics market growing 10 per cent annually and projected to reach US $10  billion by 2030. Australia has a unique opportunity to leverage abundant forestry resources to transition towards a sustainable plastics economy and emerge as a major global player. There are alternatives, but most existing bioplastics struggle to balance fit-for-purpose performance, processability, biodegradability and cost-effectiveness simultaneously, limiting their market adoption.

Researchers at UQ have developed a provisionally patented biocomposite made from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) – a bio derived polymer that is biodegradable in natural environments – combined with sawdust and bio additives. This drop in alternative overcomes brittleness at very high filler loadings, delivering desirable toughness and water resistance along with material cost savings without losing biodegradability. It has reached TRL 5  through a semi-integrated system demonstration in partnership with B&C Plastics and Queensland Health. Clinical evaluation of 2,500 trays showed that 95 per cent of clinicians and nurses recommend them as a replacement. However, the trial highlighted the need to optimise cycle times to achieve cost-competitiveness, as low melt flow in high-filler biocomposites currently constrains throughput, limiting the TRL for wider applications.

The project aims to validate commercial-scale biocomposite manufacturing, using hospital medication tray as a demonstration, advancing to TRL 6. The project is timely, capitalising on current momentum to build consumer confidence and establish a strong platform for broader market adoption, expanding into semi-rigid products including packaging and agricultural applications.

Chief Investigator(s)

Natasha Hungerford, Bronwyn Laycock, Mary Fletcher, Sarah Meale, Luis Prada e Silva, Steven Pratt, Paul Lant, Benjamin Wood, Milou Dekkers, Kieren McCosker

This proposal, a collaboration between the University of Queensland (UQ) and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), brings together an array of complementary new technologies, including biopolymers and machine learning, diverse skill sets including chemical engineering, advanced computing, nutrition, sophisticated systems modelling, and the extensive DAF extension network, to have maximum impact on the CN30 goal for Northern Australian beef herds.  The technologies have been chosen for three reasons 1) preliminary proof of principle studies have been conducted with positive results, 2) there is a straightforward pathway to implementing the technologies in extensive grazing conditions, and 3) the cost is not prohibitive.

The proposal is divided into four discrete but interrelated work packages.  Key project outcomes will include: a biopolymer bolus composite for controlled intra-ruminal release of active-agents to ensure that each animal receives a sustained slow-release dose over an extended period with established reduction in methane emission, a predictive equation that allows identification of low methane emitting animals based on a biological sample (e.g. saliva), a cost effective strategy to manipulate the establishment of the ruminal microbiome early in an animals life including through biopolymer slow release, integrated strategies for legumes and P fertilizer utilization together with biopolymer application with consideration of both whole production system and greenhouse gas emissions, and whole farm modelling to determine the effects and highlight opportunities of these technologies for productivity, profitability and carbon balance of beef enterprises in northern Australia.

Chief Investigator(s)

Bronwyn Laycock, Steven Pratt, Paul Lant, Natasha Hungerford, Celine Chaleat, Di Ouwerkerk, Ros Gilbert, Sarah Meale, Julia Waite, Joe McMenimam

This project aims to reduce methane emissions from beef and dairy cattle, with the potential to extend to sheep, by delivering a range of commercial products and technologies suitable for scale-up and technology transfer into existing processing systems. These will be based on the use of non-toxic, biodegradable and bioderived polymers, that will sustain the delivery of proven, as well as novel, active agents, for methane reduction over extended periods while leaving no harmful residues. It builds on an already demonstrated success using prototype materials in fistulated cows, which showed a very impressive average >60% reduction in methane emissions sustained over extended periods (up to 20 days post insertion).

Chief Investigator(s)

Paul Lant, Bronwyn Laycock, Ian Levett, Manuel Brunner, Andy Ball

The goal of the project is to provide the data, methods, insights, and technologies to develop a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production process from Australian sugarcane that has a clear and credible pathway to commercial scale, and to transfer the process to pilot-scale operations.

The project has two parallel work streams (WS), each with one key responsible project partner:

WS1 – Process Engineering & Optimisation
Includes the development of a scalable process for PHA production from sugarcane-derived sucrose and the delivery of detailed engineering plans for a PHA pilot plant. WS1 will be responsible for the process testing and optimisation at lab-scale and, if externally financed, the operation of a future pilot or demonstration scale plant and process optimisation thereof.

WS2 – Biotechnological Optimisation
Includes the biotechnological and genetic optimisation of selected microbial strains towards high-yielding and rapid PHA production from sugarcane and byproducts. WS2 will also be responsible for the integration of optimised microorganism into a potential future pilot or demonstration scale PHA plant.

• Biomaterials & biopolymers
• Bioreactor engineering
• Process scale-up & pilot plant
• Synthetic biology & strain engineering